Page 63 of Always a Bridesmaid

“A little stalkerish, but whatever works for you.”

“I have to go.” Jane stood and grabbed her carry-on. “I’ll see you next week.”

“What happened to four days?”

“I need at least a week of groveling to make this better.”

Jane disconnected and raced toward the ticketing booth. She went to the first counter that was open and, without standing in line, she cut in front. Shouts and angry remarks sounded from behind her, but she tuned them out.

“I need to change this return ticket to next week.”

The agent didn’t even look up. “Line starts back there.”

“I understand that, but this is an emergency,” Jane pleaded. “Like a major emergency.”

“I have to call my manager to handle an emergency.” The woman picked up the phone to dial and Jane reached over the counter and hit the hang-up button.

“I know I must look crazy.”

“My next call was going to be to security.”

“Please don’t and just hear me out,” she begged, and her voice broke.

“You might want to listen to the lady. She gets pretty mouthy when cornered.”

Jane froze at the sound of the most beautiful thing she’d ever heard.

Henry.

Hand on her heart, she slowly turned around, waiting to see if it was a figment of her imagination. Instead, she found him standing behind her in a full tux, with the bow tie hanging loose, jacket missing, cufflinks still attached. Then there were those beautiful brown eyes that were filled with so much warmth that a bead of hope fired in her belly.

“What are you doing here?” she asked.

“The band started playing a slow song and I realized that the only person I wanted in my arms was gone.”

“You told me to leave,” she whispered.

“I think it was because I wanted you to stay,” he admitted, and the bead doubled in size. “And that scared me. I figured it was easier to walk than be walked out on.”

“I watched you walk away because I was too afraid to fight for you. I was scared that you’d change your mind, and your love would suddenly disappear.” Just like her dad’s had. “But I’m not scared anymore.”

He cupped her hips. “No?” She shook her head. “Neither am I. In fact, I’ve never felt so confident in my life.”

That fire became a blaze. “In what?”

“In us.”

“After everything you, still want there to be an us?” she asked quietly, and that’s when she realized that the airport had gone silent. Every eye and camera were pointed their way, capturing this moment for the world to see.

She looked back at the man she loved more than anything, confusion and uncertainty furrowed his brow. “Don’t you?”

“Yes, I just thought I’d have to grovel a little more.”

He laughed and her heart sang. “If anyone is groveling, it’s me. I let my pride and ego get in the way.”

“So I didn’t hurt you?”

“Not where it matters.” He took her hand and placed her palm over his heart. “In here, I’m okay. Better than okay. In fact, I’m bloody fantastic. Because I met this amazing woman who taught me what love should be like and I never want that feeling to go away.”

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