Page 22 of Amaze Me

“Can we create outdoor seating that’s like this?”

“Of course.”

“Mimi…” He stepped back from me, and I opened my eyes. To my shock, we weren’t alone. I saw Greta and her friend, Toran. Wilt was there, arms crossed and watching us while Emerson, another of the girls I’d graduated with, gazed up at him. Morrie danced with Emerson’s older sister, Delaney. Some of our other friends from high school also twirled around the space. Elvin leaned against the exit to the courtyard. Just like prom, we were surrounded by friends.

I gazed back at Elvin. “You planned this?”

“Uh-huh.” His hand came out, a black velvet box held lightly in his fingers, and I saw my wedding band and my engagement ring—the same one he’d given me on that night like this one. Tears filled my eyes, and I nodded, holding out my left hand that had been so bare since I’d left our home.

Swiftly, he yanked the rings from the box and let it drop while he grabbed my hand. The bands slipped to the place where they belonged, resealing our promise to each other, then Judd dragged me into his arms. His mouth crashed over mine, kissing me hungrily. And I kissed him just as ravenously.

“I love you,” he gasped against my lips. “Don’t ever leave me again. Please.”

“I won’t. I love you, too.” I nipped a quick kiss over his lips. “I love you. More than anything.”

“We’ll work out anything that comes our way,” he vowed.

I nodded, confident we would. Still nodding, I nestled back into my place against his chest, while the love songs kept playing and our friends dance along with us.

“You did a good job on the maze,” I told him. “I love it. It’s ah-maze-ing.”

“I ah-maze-ed you,” he quipped, his lips brushing across my temple.

“Yeah. You amaze me every day.”

His arms tightened. “I’ll work hard to make sure I always do.”

Going on tiptoe, I kissed him again. “I will, too.”

Neither of us were perfect, and I knew we wouldn’t always “amaze” each other, but I also knew we’d always try. That was what was most important. I couldn’t run away from my almost perfect man. I had to fight for us, just like he’d fought for me.

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