He shook his head as he wiped my tears away with his thumbs again. "Do you remember what you said to me in your vows?"
"Which part? I feel like I rambled."
He smiled. "This is all consuming, terrifying, heart stopping love. It's the greatest kind of love." He let one of his hands fall from my cheek and he pressed it against my chest. "You put words to my own thoughts when you said that. You're my one, baby." He pressed his forehead against mine. "My everything. There is no moving on after you. There is no me without you."
I closed my eyes and breathed in his exhales. "Scarlett keeps saying a snake is going to get me."
"I'll talk to her about it tomorrow. You won't hear another mention of snakes." He didn't move away from me. It was like my breaths were the oxygen his lungs needed.
"I'm sorry I freaked out."
"I'm just glad you gave me an excuse to come see you. But can we please back up for a second to the thing about Matt being in love with you?"
"It's really nothing. My friends are insane."
He was quiet for a moment. "Let's get our own room tonight." He ran the tip of his nose down the length of mine. "Let me help calm you down."
God that was tempting. "You already have."
"And your ankles are okay?" He held me at arm's length as he inspected me. "Nothing hurts?"
"I'm okay. I think I just missed you. And as your sister so graciously mentioned, I have crazy pregnancy hormones." I shrugged my shoulders.
He pulled me back in and hugged me tight. "Maybe we can just pretend you're still upset for a few more minutes so I don't have to leave yet?"
"That sounds like a good idea." I listened to the constant thud of his heart beating. Yesterday I was upset that he claimed his heart only beat for me. But today I didn't want it any other way. I didn't care how selfish that was. He was mine and I was his.
Chapter 22
Saturday
I cringed. All morning long, the baby had been kicking me. It was like he was eager to start dancing at the reception. Calm down.
"Are you nervous?" Matt asked.
"What?"
He smiled down at me. "You look really nervous."
"Ask me that again before I give my speech," I said. "Right now, my baby is just kicking me nonstop."
"May I?"
I nodded. I didn't care what my friends said. Matt wasn't in love with the idea of me. And he certainly wasn't in love with me.
Matt placed his hand on my stomach. "Maybe he's going to be a soccer star."
I laughed. "Definitely a striker."
"Does it hurt? When he kicks?"
"A little."
"Sorry, Penny." His eyes met mine again.
There was something so warm in them. He wasn't an unemotional brick wall. He was kind and sweet.
Jen was just wrong about him. Maybe she made her whole story up.