Page 80 of The Trouble with Runaway Brides

“Later.”

But even my best whining will not get this man to stop working. And honestly, it’s something I’ve always admired about Lance—his determination and work ethic.

“Oh, you made Buzz Wheel again and from what this says, the wedding being called off was quite the scene.”

I snuggle up to him and his arm wraps around me. I never want to leave this bed, springs and all.

Sure enough, Buzz Wheel has reported on what went down as I ran out on my wedding.

Can I just say how happy I am to report this news? I wasn’t there, but we all know the big Asbury wedding was to be at Glacier Point Resort this weekend. But before the ceremony could happen, Kenzie was seen in her wedding dress getting into Van Adler’s truck, along with Brinley Kelly and Easton Bailey. My heart did a flip when I found out she actually did what many of us were hoping she would. Sorry, Will Asbury, but this town has always been Team Lance.

The only thing we don’t know is where Van drove Kenzie because, according to our sources, Lance is in New York City and they returned to Glacier Point much sooner than they would have if they had driven Kenzie to the airport. All we want to know is whether the two of them are snuggled together, talking about their future kids, right?

Let me get to the good stuff now. Poor Mrs. Gavino went into the room to find Will and inform him of the wedding being canceled. From what I heard, Will went crazy, throwing things. His parents even walked out on him. When Brinley, Van, and Easton returned, Will was still out of control and came after Brinley, asking her question after question as to where Kenzie was and he wouldn’t stop. That’s when Brinley kneed him in the nuts, which had Will crumbling to the floor.

Van quickly stepped in front of Brinley when Will’s fiery eyes set on Brinley for revenge. Will second-guessed that decision and excused himself, sulking as he walked out of the room. I heard he, his parents, and the majority of his close friends were all on planes within hours of the ceremony being canceled.

Supposedly, Easton took it all in stride and cut a piece of cake for himself, telling guests to help themselves because there was no need to let a good cake go to waste.

We all know the Baileys know how to keep a party going, and with Easton as the ringleader, Kenzie’s family, as well as her friends and even Lance’s parents, all enjoyed the dinner and dancing in her absence.

Kenzie and Lance, stay hidden for as long as you want, but as soon as you return to the land of the living, be prepared for this town to shower you with the happiness you deserve.

* * *

Lance kisses the top of my head. “And just like that, they love you again.”

I giggle into his chest. “All is right in the world.”

“Definitely in my world.” He slides down and turns to face me. He’s wearing the expression that says we’re about to enter a conversation I might be uncomfortable with. But I’m not. I’m so ready for whatever he wants to happen next with us. We’ve already wasted enough time.

“So…” His voice trails off and he looks at me expectantly.

“Ever the planner, Lance.” My palm runs over his stubbled cheek. “What do you want to know?”

“Where do we go from here? I’m not gonna lie, Kenzie, it feels like I’ve waited a lifetime and I don’t want to go slow.”

My forehead falls to his chest and my arms wrap around him, holding him as close as I can. “Me either.” I kiss the spot over his heart and rest my chin on his chest to stare at him. “As crazy as I think that is, I don’t want to go slow either. All I know about Lance the man is what I’ve read in that bachelor article, and I sense I’m at the end of a long line of girls who warmed your bed.”

He sighs and runs his hand up and down my bare back, causing a rush of goose bumps to break out. “First of all, I’m still the same Lance. Not much changed except for my size.” He waggles his eyebrows and I laugh. “Second, I can’t say there weren’t women I slept with, but none of them came even close to you. I was trying to force myself to move on, especially after the news of your engagement broke. But it didn’t work.”

“I’m sorry.” I frown.

“You have nothing to be sorry for. I don’t want either one of us to be looking over our shoulders at the past. I want our eyes straight ahead on the present and the future. Can you do that for me?” He uses his finger to rest under my chin and eases my face up to look at him.

I nod.

“I would erase all those women from my past if I could. You’re the only woman I’ve ever loved, Kenzie.”

Warmth spreads throughout my body. “And I’d take back being with Will if I could.”

“And that’s the end of our conversation about the past. So, where do you want to live, your place or mine?”

I laugh and sit up, bringing the sheet up to cover my breasts. “You’d move in my dinky one bedroom?”

He sits up too, and my eyes travel over his expansive chest with a sprinkling of chest hair. He’s a different person than the boy I slept with back in high school. “I don’t care where I live as long as I have you.”

“Well then, we’ll burn your bed, buy a new one, and move into your condo.” Then I think about it. “Never mind. Burn your bed, buy a new one, and move into your condo only until we find something new that suits the both of us?”

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