Page 39 of The Runaway Bride's Vow

He reached out and caressed her cheek as he stared into the warmth emanating from her emerald green eyes. His gaze dipped to her lips. She wasn’t wearing any gloss today. In fact, she wasn’t wearing any makeup. She didn’t need it. Her natural beauty was even more captivating. And her lips were rosy all on their own. They beckoned to him to kiss her.

He dipped his head and claimed her lips. He’d dreamed of this moment for a long time. At last, she knew how he felt about her and it felt so good to know she loved him too.

His arms wrapped around her waist, drawing her closer. Her hands landed on his chest and slid up over his shoulders until they wrapped around behind his neck. She pulled him down to her until her soft lips pressed to his.

As the ocean breeze rushed past them, it felt as though the whole world had faded away. In that moment, it was just the two of them clinging to each other. It was a kiss that he would never forget. In that moment, he knew anything was possible if they were together.

“Bark! Bark!”

Much too quickly the moment was over. Brooke pulled back just as a man and his chocolate lab strode past. The man smiled and waved. They returned the gesture.

“We should probably get going. Don’t you think?” Brooke asked.

“I see how it is. You’re bored of my kisses already.” He sent her a teasing smile.

“Not even close.” She lifted up on her tiptoes and pressed a quick kiss to his lips. “I just need to run that errand for Mabel, and then there will be plenty of time for more of this.” Her lips barely touched his.

He groaned. “You’re a tease.”

“But you love me.” She froze, and the smile slipped from her face.

“Stop looking so worried. I told you I love you, and I mean it. You surely didn’t think I was going to change my mind, did you?”

Her cheeks pinkened. “And I love you too.”

She took his hand, and they retraced their steps back to the chapel. In a peaceful silence, they made their way back to the parking lot where his pickup was waiting for them. When he opened the door for her, she paused and turned to him. “Will you go to the wedding with me this weekend?”

He didn’t know why her invitation surprised him. After all, they’d just proclaimed their love for one another. It’d been a while since he’d been a part of a couple. Perhaps he was a bit rusty at being in a relationship.

He gazed into her eyes, noticing her anticipation. “I’d love to be your plus one.”

Her lips lifted at the corners. “Oh, you’re more than that. You’re my date.”

He smiled at her. “So, it would seem.”

The smile slipped from her face again. “If you don’t want to go with me, you can just say so.”

Wait. How had she gotten that out of what he’d said? He gave himself a mental shake, hoping it would help him make sense of the sudden turn in their conversation. Then, he realized she might be just as nervous about this new status in their relationship.

He reached out and cupped her shoulders, hoping to gain her full attention. “I meant it when I said I love you. And I would very much like to be your plus one or your date or whatever title you want to put on our relationship because I want to be wherever you are. Now would you stop worrying?”

She nodded.

And then for good measure, he leaned down and pressed a kiss to her lips. It was tempting to linger, but it would have to wait until later. They had errands to run.

Chapter Twelve

The big day had arrived.

Clara and Andrew were at last going to say, “I do.”

Brooke was so excited for her friend. She knew the couple had gone through so much to make it to their wedding day. There was absolutely nothing that was going to ruin it. It was exactly what she’d told Clara at least five times since yesterday.

She’d never seen Clara so nervous. It wasn’t that she was questioning her plans to marry Andrew. It was more that she was worried some act of God would impede their walk down the aisle.

As the bridal party stood in the small room at the back of the Seabreeze Wedding Chapel, Brooke watched as Clara paced. She was already dressed in a white figure-fitting lace and tulle gown. The lace straps hugged her tanned shoulders and showed off the sweetheart neckline. In the back, the V-line opening left her back bare. And there was a small train of lace. It was a dress to die for. Brooke wished she had the figure to pull off such a dress, but she was more on the short side and lacked the hour-glass figure.

Brooke leaned over to Clara. “You look beautiful.”

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