Page 24 of Just Married

“What if things don’t work out?” I ask, verbalizing myfear.

Tammy grips my hand from across the table, squeezingfirmly.

“Peyton, there are no guarantees in life, but there are plenty of regrets to be had. That manlovesyou. And love is worth therisk.”

“But…”

“But nothing. You can but this to the ends of the earth and it won’t change a thing. He loves you, and you love him, and that is all that matters. Leave the past in the past. It’s time to forgivehim.”

I leave our lunch feeling raw and vulnerable. I’m scared out of my mind, but Tammy is right. I am in love with Kingston. I just need to find my lady balls and admit my feelings to him. Keeping him at arm’s length isn’t working. Eventually, his patience is going to run out, and I’ll be alone. Not just alone, I’ll be a divorcée, which is the worst thing I can imagine considering the only thing I’ve ever wanted is to be awife.

I decide it’s now ornever.

* * *

Itakea deep breath and push through the doors to Kingston’s office building. I remember the first time I was here a couple of weeks ago and how in awe I was at the luxury of it all, but now I walk through the space with unseeing eyes. I check in with security and am glad that Kingston put me on the guest list. They won’t have to call ahead and verify that I have an appointment, which means if I chicken out between here and his office, he’ll never know I washere.

The elevator seems to crawl as it ascends giving me ample time to freak myself out over what I’m about to do. When the doors finally slide open, I’m halfway tohyperventilating.

I can dothis.

I can dothis.

Maybe if I repeat it enough, it’ll stick. Wiping my sweaty palms on my skirt, I step out of the elevator and take my first step toward my future. Butterflies fill my stomach as I make my way down the quiet hallway. When I get to his office, I’m shocked to find his bulldog of an assistant isn’t at her desk. I breathe a sigh of relief that she’s not here… I don’t think I could confess my feelings with anaudience.

My phone vibrates in my purse, and even though I’ve been ignoring it all day, I decide to answer. Hoping against hope that hearing his voice will bolster my failingconfidence.

“Hello?”

His sigh of relief sends goosebumps down my spine. It’s as if he’s breathing for the first time at just the sound of my voice. That simple sound calms the riotous feelings that have been brewing in mygut.

“Sweetheart,” he says, his voice is pained. “Please don’t shut meout.”

I swallow thickly, not able to find the words I want to say. I want to alleviate his concern, but my brain and heart can’t seem to get it together and give me the words that will make it allright.

“Tell me I didn’t fuck everythingup.”

My heart melts. I might not have my own words, but I can give himthis.

“You didn’t fuck everythingup.”

He blows out a breath and I can imagine him on the other side of the door relaxing into his chair like the weight of the world was just lifted from hisshoulders.

“We need to talk,” I say, my shaky voice betraying mynervousness.

“Okay…” he sayshesitantly.

“But not on the phone. I need to seeyou.”

“Tell me where you are, and I’ll come toyou.”

I chew on my lip, nerves making me stupidly silentagain.

“You could just open your door,” I finallysay.

I hear his office chair squeak, and then the soft padding of his feet as he crosses the room, and then I’m face to face with the man I love—my husband. All of my nervousness evaporates into thinair.

Kingston’s gaze roves over me, concern etching his brow. I could kick my own ass for making such a strong, confident man doubt himself sothoroughly.

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