Page 91 of The Kiss Countdown

We stand in silence and watch the guests move around. Well, I presume she is looking at the guests, but I’m still zeroed in on Vincent.

Mrs. Rogers lifts her left hand and wiggles her fingers. “I don’t think I got a chance to show you my ring yet. I told William I didn’t need an upgrade, but he insisted, and whowas I to deny him?” Her finger is adorned with glittering diamonds that sparkle even in the low light.

“It’s beautiful.”

“It’s a bit flashy if you ask me. I would have been happy wearing my old ring, but Vincent wouldn’t give it back.” She lets out an incredulous laugh. “When I asked for it back and he said no, I could have strangled him.”

I lower my head to the ground as all the guilt from the last couple of months comes roiling back. “I’m so sorry about everything. I truly am.” I know I can apologize a million times and it still won’t make up for what I did.

Mrs. Rogers continues like I haven’t spoken. “He said it belonged to someone else now.”

What? That doesn’t make sense.

She places a hand under my chin. I raise my head and see so much warmth radiating from her gaze I want to cry.

“We all make mistakes, and I would be making one of the biggest mistakes of my life if I didn’t tell you what a beautiful and kind woman you are to try and fix a mother and son’s relationship. And I would be honored to someday call you daughter.”

I do cry then, and Mrs. Rogers pulls me into her embrace. I’m not worthy of her forgiveness, but thankful nonetheless. As we break apart, I look around to ensure no one has noticed the event planner falling apart. But all at once, panic sets in as I realize I’ve lost track of Vincent. He’s not seated at a table or talking to anyone.

“If you’re searching for my son, I saw him leaving. He’ll be heading back to Florida.”

All I hear is the wordleaving. And I know that I have to get to Vincent before he reaches his car. I may never get another chance to tell him I love him and that I made the biggest mistake of my life by walking away. Withoutanother thought, I rush to the small doorway at the back of the room, dodging guests and caterers. My heels clack against the wood once I hit the lower deck, and I see Vincent has already made it to the pier.

“Vincent!” I shout. He’s too far away to hear, so I shout his name again as I race to the loading dock. “Vincent, wait!”

I get to where the ramp should be, only to see they’ve already pulled it in to prepare for the cruise.

“I need to get off right now,” I say to the attendant.

I must look a sight because instead of arguing he holds his hands up in surrender. “Okay, just give me a few minutes. We’ll get the ramp set up for you.” He walks off, presumably to get the ramp. Or maybe he doesn’t get paid enough to deal with hysterical guests. Either way, I can’t wait. In a few minutes the love of my life will be gone.

Vincent stands at the edge of the pier but has turned around to look at me. If he turns back around, that’s it. “Don’t go anywhere,” I yell to him. “I’m coming to you!”

I reach down to unstrap my heels and kick them out of the way. Before good sense can catch up to me, I rush to the side and pull myself up on the boat’s thick ledge, settling into a crouch. My first mistake is looking down from my new vantage point. This part is only supposed to be twenty feet high, but what seemed like small ripples earlier, now move ominously as the sun begins to set and the water darkens. All at once, I feel dizzy, a chill sweeps down my back, and my chest tightens. I grab the railing with one hand while covering my mouth with the other as my stomach heaves.

“Ma’am,” the alarmed attendant calls.

My foot slips and my heart leaps into my throat. Breathing hard, I turn my head and glare at him over the railing. “Don’t come near me!”

Wide-eyed, he backs up and pulls out his walkie-talkie. They will never let me back on this yacht. Hell, the tale of the event planner jumping from a boat will probably make headlines and I’ll lose whatever good standing I’ve managed to gain.

If this is the end of my event planning career, so be it.

I look back up to Vincent. He’s still there. He’s alarmed, though he’s trying not to show it. His eyes are wide, and he’s significantly closer than he was before. Is this enough to get him to wait? If I tell him I’ll be right there and wait until the ramp is back out, will he stay where he’s at until I can reach him? Judging by the tenseness in his jaw and line of his body, I’d guess yes.

But my mom’s words come back to rally me. My love has to be bigger than my fear. For Vincent, I will overcome every mental obstacle. So while I’m scared out of my mind, somehow it’s also the bravest I’ve felt in my whole life.

I take a deep breath, plug my nose, and jump.

The water is cold, shocking every muscle in my body as I’m plunged into never-ending darkness. After the initial shock wears off, I kick my way to the surface, gasping for air when I get my head above the water. Through the burn of water mixed with mascara dripping into my eyes, I see Vincent standing at the edge of the pier and swim to him.

When I reach the pier, strong arms haul me up and out of the water. I sink to my knees, simultaneously catching my breath and thanking the Lord for solid ground. Sweet, flat, solid ground.

“Are you okay?” comes Vincent’s anxious voice from above me.

I nod and hold my hand out in a staying motion. I just need one more minute.

As I stand up, Vincent watches me with wide disbelieving eyes that scan from my dripping hair to my bare toes at least three times.

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