Page 122 of Some Like It Hot

“Blake.”

“Yeah?” I look at Elise. I realize I’m gnawing on my thumbnail. I drop my hand and shove it in my pocket.

“Do you still want to do this?” she asks, arching her eyebrows. “You look like you’re going to pass out. It’s not real, remember?”

I stare at her, taking in her classic beauty, her delicious body, her perfect poise.

Her soft smile and her rich brown eyes.

I feel like I was just struck by a bolt of lightning.

Because I suddenly realize I want it to be real.

Holy shit, I’m in love with Elise.

Genuinely, deeply, fucking madly in love with her.

That’s why my stomach is in knots and I can’t seem to keep my leg from bouncing up and down.

I am in love with this sassy, confident, joyful woman and I want to marry her.

Not for the lake house, but for me.

To have and to fucking hold until death do us part.

I open my mouth.

The clerk steps up to us right then. “Blake Wilder and Elise Starling? We’re ready for you.”

My stomach drops to the damn floor.

I almost confessed to Elise I love her.

Which would have made this whole thing very awkward and weird.

I don’t want her to feel obligated to marry me if she knows I have deeper feelings for her than she does for me.

So I hold my hand out for her. “They’re ready for us.”

Elise gives me a grin. “I heard.”

She lets me help her to her feet and then she adjusts the cleavage of her dress with her free hand. I keep clutching her other hand, wanting to feel her skin on mine. I brush a kiss over her temple.

“When did you become so sweet?” she asks me, fondly. “Who stole my grumpy goalie?”

She did.

She stole my heart when I wasn’t looking.

“Don’t worry, I can still be a sour-faced asshole when you least expect it.” It’s light, playful.

Just banter.

Keeping it casual.

That’s what I need to do.

Even if I’m feeling anything but casual as I’m holding her hands and standing in front of a judge vowing to keep and protect her.

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