Page 16 of Before We Say I Do

He let go of a deep breath.

“Are you kidding me right now?”

“I’m not.”

They stared at one another. London moved to step out of his arms, but he held her close.

“Don’t leave.”

She halted her departure. Dropping her head again, then reclaiming his eyes, she lifted her chin to look at him.

“I apologize for making you think I’m having second thoughts. That is the farthest thing from…from…”

“Tell me what’s wrong.”

She locked her jaw, gritted her teeth as she struggled with telling him what had been going on with her.

A harsh sigh flew from her mouth.

“I’m tired and a little hungry. Is it okay if we eat?”

Kyle stared at her, blinked, then, “Sure.”

Together they entered the kitchen where London approached the stove, but Kyle cut her off and led her to the table to sit while he warmed up their dinner.

Conversation deserted them. And while they fed their bodies nutrition, it was the quietest their dinner time had ever been.

Kyle would be lying to himself if he said he wasn’t concerned. They were two days away from getting married, and his fiancée was struggling with something that she had yet to reveal to him.

He didn’t know what bothered him more. That there was a possibility something was coming between them or that she didn’t confide in him.

How had it slipped past him?

Up until that moment, he was sure everything was great between them. He hadn’t noticed a difference in her demeanor. In fact, she’d seemed happier as the days went by. More fulfilled, even.

Except...

He thought about a few nights when she came home from her parents’ house, seemingly stressed but quickly changing her emotions. It happened so suddenly that Kyle let it pass.

His thoughts shuffled back to Regina, and quickly, he dismissed her not-so-subtle warning, if he could call it that. Whatever was going on with London, Kyle would get down to the bottom of it. He wouldn’t push her. That was never the way to get someone to open up. But he would make sure to show her that he was there, for whatever she needed—a listening ear, even if she felt he couldn’t be—which also broke his heart just a little.

“That was delicious.”

His gaze lifted from his half-eaten food to her brown eyes.

“I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

“I did. Thank you so much for cooking.”

“You know I love to cook for you.”

Her smile widened, showing the merriment he was used to receiving from her. The moment made his heart smile. All was not lost.

“I’m thinking a shower, then bed would do me just right.” She stretched, and Kyle left his chair and removed, then rinsed their dishes.

“I ran you a bath, but it’s probably cold. I’ll run you another one.” He held his hand out to her, and she accepted, leading her to the bathroom, where she undressed as he ran the shower, then helped her inside.

“I’ll give you some privacy.”

---