Page 98 of Only for Christmas

‘You stay put,’ the security man said, blocking Lucas’s path. ‘I haven’t decided what I’m doing with you yet.’

Sarah needed to get in quick in case the security man dragged Lucas away and locked him up. Or worse, forced him to get on his flight. ‘So… you know, having admitted how I feel… I was wondering… hoping, maybe… that you might want to stay… you know, here in the UK with me… and not go home to the States.’

Lucas seemed to swallow awkwardly, before turning to the security man. ‘I appreciate you might not be the most romantic man in the world, and I’ll pay whatever fine you want to administer, but can I please get past so I can kiss my girl, because she’s just told me she loves me, and it’s kind of a big deal.’

The security man folded his arms. ‘I take issue with that. I am very romantic, I’ll have you know. You ask my wife.’

Lucas raised his hands. ‘My mistake. So as one romantic man to another, can I please get past?’

The security man harrumphed. ‘Go on, then. Don’t do it again. It’s more than my job’s worth.’

Lucas rushed forwards and swept Sarah off her feet, spinning her around and making her dizzy. ‘Tell me again,’ he said, her feet still off the ground. ‘I need to hear it.’

She looked into his blue eyes. ‘I love you.’

His expression softened. ‘And you’re sure you want me to stay?’

‘More than I’ve ever wanted anything. Sorry it’s taken me so long.’

‘That’s okay… although you sure cut it fine.’ He smiled. One of his loving, cheeky, adorable smiles that made her insides turn to mush. ‘Let’s go home, honey.’ He hugged her close, vanishing any doubts she had. ‘By the way, nice hoodie.’

‘It belongs to my fake boyfriend.’

‘You don’t say?’ He pulled back to look at her. ‘Well, you’d better brace yourself, Sarah Haynes, because there’s nothing fake about the way I feel about you. This is the real deal. All that fake stuff was child’s play; you won’t know what’s hit you when we do this for real.’

‘Bring it on.’ Smiling, Sarah kissed him. And didn’t stop kissing him despite the security man clearing his throat several times, and a few people gasping, and even when an electric cart drove past and a man said, ‘Get a room, will you. This is a ruddy airport!’ She still didn’t stop kissing him.

She may never stop kissing him. She had a lot of time to make up for.

Julia Roberts… eat your heart out.

Epilogue

One Year Later

Ignoring frantic shouts from her bridesmaids that if they didn’t leave the hotel right at that moment they’d be late, Sarah raced into the bathroom and threw up for the second time that morning. She doubted she was the first bride to be hit by a wave of nausea on her wedding day. Her only real concern was ensuring she didn’t throw up on her dress.

Georgia banged on the bathroom door. ‘Sarah? You okay in there?’

‘All good!’ Sarah gripped the basin, waiting for the nausea to pass. ‘Nothing to worry about… just a last-minute pee.’

‘You’re not having second thoughts, are you?’ Jafrina’s tentative voice was muffled through the closed door.

‘Just pre-wedding nerves,’ Sarah lied, regretting eating scrambled eggs for breakfast. ‘Give me a moment and I’ll be out.’

‘He will be there,’ Georgia said, rattling the door handle. ‘I promise. I’ve already checked with Tyler and Lucas is already at the venue. You can stop worrying.’

‘I’m not worrying,’ she said, getting to her feet so she could clean her teeth for the umpteenth time. ‘I know he’ll be there. I trust him.’

Some people might say that fixing her second wedding attempt on Christmas Eve was inviting trouble. Like a bad omen, but Sarah felt it was a necessary risk. One last-ditch attempt to reclaim her love of Christmas. The final step on her road to recovery.

Besides, it was different this time. She was marrying Lucas Moore. A man who had proved himself over the last year to be loyal and trustworthy and unbelievably attentive. Boy, was he attentive. Whether it was sharing household duties, cooking for her, making her late for work by coercing her back to bed or massaging her with fruity body lotion, she’d been thoroughly spoilt. The memories made her blush. Ann Summers had a lot to answer for.

There had been no game-playing with Lucas, no blowing hot and cold, and no withdrawing of affection – even after a fight. And they did fight. But it never felt like anything was at risk. Lucas was a straight shooter. He said what was on his mind, but he never held a grudge. Once an argument was over, it was over, and they were back to snuggling on the sofa. It was a blessing not to spend her days trying to second guess what someone was feeling. Thank goodness she’d come to her senses and hadn’t let him board that plane.

Opening the bathroom cabinet door, she smiled when she saw another Post-it note stuck to the inside.

Hey there, future wife. Fancy getting married today?

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