Page 62 of The Best Man Wins

“Thank you for what you said in there,” I say. “It really changed Cora’s mind.”

“Which part?” Braxton asks. “When I gave Ray my blessing or the part where I said that I love you?”

There it is again. Those three words don’t fail to make a goofy grin burst on my lips. “Yes,” I say. “Both.”

“I didn’t say it just for her, you know,” Braxton makes sure to tell me. “I mean it.”

“I know.” I bite my lip. “Me too.”

We linger in a small silence.

“It’s not a proposal,” Braxton clarifies.

“I know.”

“I don’t expect us to move in together as soon as we get back to New York.”

“Wasn’t even thinking about it, but it’s good to know that you were.”

“But…perhaps we can see each other again once this all blows over.”

“I would like that.” I rest my arms around my chest. Braxton stands beside me stiffly, and we listen to the morning noises of people bustling around the kitchen, birds singing back and forth to each other.

“You can say it again, if you want,” I try.

A laugh leaves him. Deep, genuine. It makes my heart lift. “You’re impossible.”

“Yes. It’s one of the things you like about me.”

Braxton takes my face in his hand. And, just like that, everything else around me melts away. All I can see is Braxton and those deep, soulful eyes that seem to go on forever. He looks at me like I’m the only woman in the world. “I love you,” he says, the timber of his voice intense, passionate.

A knot of emotion curls around my throat. “I love you too.”

We tilt in together. His lips brush against mine as he closes in for a kiss—

“There was no toilet paper, so I had use a pocket tissue. It was gross in there,” Cora announces as she exits the diner. She sees us, however, and then stops. “Am I interrupting a moment?”

“Not anymore,” Braxton says and straightens up briskly.

“Shall we?” I say and gesture to the truck.

28

Notes From the Dalton/West File

Flower arrangements:

For Cora, an organic, free-flowing bouquet. Purple lilacs, peonies, clematis. Bouquet will be packed full with greenery to give it a natural look, completed with an ivory silk ribbon.

For Ray, a matching lavender boutonniere with a back-silk ribbon.

For Roxanne, a lily of the valley cascading bouquet with gardenias.

For bridesmaids, hydrangea blooms, purple and white, with matching greenery.

For the flower girl lilies lilacs magnolias.

Yes. Let’s slay our demons. Let’s bring magnolias back.

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