Page 110 of My Best Friend's Mardi Gras Wedding

“My hair and makeup look amazing in it.”

He grinned.“I’ll bet.”He stepped up to the counter.“But I’d really rather hear it in person.”

“I’m in love with you, Josh.I want to be with you.And I know that’s crazy and it’s fast, but it’s true.”

“Even though I left?I walked out?I did it because I was hell-bent on upstaging Andrew’s big gesture and I came back here to get everyone in on it.But I shouldn’t have left.”

She blinked at him.“You did?You were planning a grand gesture?”

“Damn right I was.I was so wrapped up in making it huge and something people around here would call epic and making the story something everyone would tell over and over again that I just walked out and came straight down here.”

“You knew I’d still want to see it?”she asked.

“You would havedefinitelywanted to see it.”He gave her a grin.Hell, he still didn’t really know what it was going to be, but he would make it larger-than-life.

She smiled back.“But now you don’t have to do it.BecauseIdid it.”

That made his chest ache.“You did.And then…” He didn’t want to hurt her feelings, but this was a really important part of all of this.“Your big speech in the church, that gesture, it failed again.In front of everyone.But you still got in an Uber and came down here to try again.Even though I walked out and you didn’t know why.”

“I…” She seemed to be thinking about that.Then she shrugged.“Yeah I guess I did.I mean, if I’m willing to make an ass of myself over dogs and cows, I’m definitely willing to make an ass of myself, repeatedly, over you.”

Josh felt this throat tighten.He cleared his throat.“Thank God for that.Since I can’t seem to getmyact together.Though it’s not because I don’t want to,” he added hurriedly.

She grinned at that.“Well, this was low risk.”She gave him a wink.“This is a safe place for me.I knew I could do it again if I did it here.In Autre.I feel good here.I know that you think this place is crazy and weird, but Ifithere and I knew I could come do this and everyone would love it and be behind me.No one would think I was nuts.No one would make me apologize.No one would make me replace any prom dresses…so to speak.”

Everythingin him ached then.She was amazing and she’d found her place.And it was here.With him.And his family.

He resisted the urge to grab her and pull her over the counter and into his arms.Barely.“Well, I know Sawyer loved this big grand gesture.”

She laughed.“That makes it an even better story, doesn’t it?”

It did.But he growled.“No.You being naked for any other man ever again for any reason?No.”

Her expression softened.“Thank you for wanting my crazy.”

He shook his head.“I’ll tell you who’s crazy—your dad and Andrew.The two men who didn’t let you be your amazing self, who didn’tseeyou, who didn’t want you to be exactly who you are.”He took advantage of her being speechless and leaned in.“I want every single bit of you.I’m in love with you too.I’ve never met anyone like you and I can’t imagine not being with you.”

Her eyes widened.“Really?You’re in love with me too?”

“Yes.Of course.Who wouldn’t be in love with you?”he asked with a little laugh.“I was waiting for the right gesture, the right chance to come along to really show you.But, I should have just said it.”

Her eyes got a little shiny and she sniffed.“I know that Landrys are big into grand gestures.But I don’t think you even realize the gestures you’ve made.There have been so many.And they add up.They really do.All the little things you’ve doneallmatter.The kittens, the makeup, the wanting to justknowme.Accepting me just exactly the way I am.You don’t try to dial me back or make excuses for me.You just…” Her voice got softer.“You just love me.And that’s the greatest gesture of all.”

God, he needed her.In every way.Right now.

He started to lean in so he could kiss her for the next three days straight, but just then the kitten mewed.Tori’s eyes flew to the little ball of fur in the crook of his arm.

“Oh my God, is that the runt from the barn?”

She hadn’t evenseenthe kitten until now.She’d only seenhim.That was when Josh knew, without a doubt, Victoria Kramer really did love him.He grinned and nodded, handing the kitten over.“I needed to bring something home that was…you.”

Tori cuddled the kitten up to her face, but her eyes were locked on his.“I have never wanted to tear your clothes off more.”

He laughed.His little nympho.“There’s nothing wrong with her though.No special needs.Sorry.”

Tori sniffed and slid off the stool.She came around the edge of the counter to stand directly in front of him.

He lifted a hand and cupped the side of her head.

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