Page 93 of Three Pucking Wedding Dates

“Thank you,” I murmur, leaning in to rest my forehead against his. “I don’t know what the future holds, but knowing you’ll be by my side makes it easier to face.”

With a newfound sense of hope and excitement, I pull Theo closer, our lips meeting in a fiery kiss. The world fades away as we drown in each other’s embrace, his strong arms wrapping around me protectively. It’s as if we’re making up for lost time, our passion intensified by the roller coaster of emotions we’ve both experienced.

Theo’s hand caresses my cheek, his thumb brushing against my lower lip before he deepens the kiss. I let out a soft moan, my fingers tangling in his short, dark hair as I cling to him. The raw vulnerability between us, combined with the electric connection we share, sends shivers down my spine.

Just as Theo moves to trail kisses along my collarbone, a shrill ringing pierces through our intimate bubble. We both freeze, our lips still touching, as the sound of my phone vibrating on the coffee table intrudes upon our moment of passion.

“Should you get that?” Theo asks, pulling away slightly, his breath warm against my skin.

“Probably,” I sigh, my fingers reluctantly releasing their grip on his hair. “It might be important.”

I reach for my phone, hesitating for a moment before answering the call. “Hello?”

“Hey, Oakley,” my dad’s familiar voice greets me, a hint of concern in his tone. “I just wanted to check in on you…see how you’re doing as we get closer to the wedding.”

“Hi, Dad,” I reply, trying to keep my voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions still swirling inside me. “I’m…I’m okay, considering.”

“Good,” he says, relief evident in his voice. “Listen, why don’t you come over tonight? We can have dinner and just…talk. I feel like we haven’t done that in a while.”

“Sure, Dad,” I agree, glancing at Theo and silently cursing the timing of this phone call. “I’ll see you soon.”

“Love you, kiddo,” he says before ending the call.

“Love you too, Dad.”

“Hey, Theo,” I begin hesitantly, “would you…do you want to come with me to my dad’s place tonight? For dinner? And…we’ll probably stay the night since it’s a bit of a drive.”

Theo’s eyes widen in surprise, but he quickly recovers and offers me a gentle smile. “Are you sure, Oakley? I don’t want to intrude.”

“Of course,” I insist, biting my lip. “I think it’d be nice for you two to get to know each other better.” As much as I crave the comfort of Theo’s presence, there’s a nagging voice inside me questioning my decision. It’s the same voice that has held me back my entire life—the one that tells me I’m not good enough, that I don’t deserve love.

“Alright, if you’re sure,” Theo says softly, squeezing my hand reassuringly. “Just let me grab a quick shower and change into something more presentable.”

As Theo disappears into the bathroom, I find myself craving the sound of his voice saying those three little words again. The words that had set my soul alight just moments before. Butwould it be too much to ask? Would it make me seem needy or desperate?

“Hey, Theo?” I call out, unable to suppress the urge any longer. “Can you…can you say it again? You know…that you love me?”

The sound of the shower stops abruptly, and Theo emerges from the bathroom, his hair damp and a towel wrapped around his waist. The vulnerability in his eyes is palpable as he hesitates, searching for the right words.

“Oakley,” he begins, his voice thick with emotion. “I’m not going to turn into a sap, so don’t expect this to happen twice in one day at any point after today…I love you.”

A warm smile blooms across my face as I meet Theo’s gaze, feeling the love and sincerity radiating from him. “I believe you, Theo,” I reassure him, reaching out to brush a strand of damp hair away from his forehead.

His eyes soften, and he wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me close. Our bodies meld together as if they were always meant to be this way, and I can’t help but marvel at how right it feels.

“New York, huh?” I muse aloud, my thoughts turning to the future Theo suggested earlier. The idea of leaving the city that has been my home for so long is both terrifying and exhilarating. But with the recent chaos in my life, perhaps a fresh start is precisely what I need.

“Are you seriously considering it?” Theo asks, curiosity and hope coloring his tone.

“I think I am,” I admit, the notion of starting anew with Theo and his brothers filling me with hope. “I’ll at least come back toNew York and stay with you all until after the wedding, while I think about it. And…I need to make things right with Iris.”

Theo nods, understanding the importance of mending bridges before moving on to the next chapter of our lives. “What do you plan to do?”

“I don’t know yet,” I confess, my fingers tracing idle patterns on his chest. “But I have to try. She’s been there for me through thick and thin, and I owe her an apology.”

“Knowing Iris, she won’t hold a grudge for too long,” Theo says, a small smile playing on his lips. “Just be honest with her. That’s all anyone can ask for.”

“First, I want to focus on spending time with my family,” I say, my gaze drifting back to the sparkling cityscape. “I haven’t really spent much time with Dad since everything blew up with Georgia and Dan, and I know he’s felt caught in the middle. And I miss him, a little.”

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