Page 74 of Cruising for You

I offered my hand, but Grace pulled me into a hug. “I’m so happy you’re here.”

That had to be a good sign, right? “Thanks.” I patted Grace once on the back, and she let me go.

A moment later, I was introduced to Patrick, Jenna’s brother, a teenager with a bowtie and a pair of crutches. I barely had time to shake his hand before a string quartet started playing a tune, not the traditional wedding march, but a vaguely familiar song. Maybe something by Harper Tyne?

Michael slid into our row just before two children scattered confetti down the walkway. “Those are Chase’s niece and nephew,” Lisa whispered to me.

I nodded like I’d heard of them, even though my knowledge of the groom’s family started and ended at his last name in Jenna’s itinerary.

“And Hannah and Amanda, Beth’s best friends from college,” Lisa continued. “And of course, you know Jenna.”

Lisa said something else that I didn’t catch because my attention had been completely captured by the maid of honor. Jenna looked amazing with her hair pinned in a low bun, wearing a long green dress that hugged her frame. Even though I’d already seen her outside, I couldn’t manage to take my eyes off her.

After she took her place by the arbor at the front, our eyes met for a moment, and I thought she smiled a little.

I found weddings tedious under the best of circumstances, even for people I knew. Concern over what would happen with Jenna didn’t make one for strangers very enjoyable. It couldn’t have lasted more than an hour, but it felt like twelve. When the ceremony was finally over, I hung back while friends and loved ones rushed the bride and groom.

“Hey, I’ll get you to Jenna,” Michael announced, grabbing me by the arm. “I’m family. They can’t get mad at me.” He made a path for us by pushing past the other guests. “Special delivery,” he announced.

Jenna reached out to give me a hug, all hesitancy gone.

Having her in my arms again felt like coming home after a long journey. I didn’t want to release her, and judging by the way she held onto me, she didn’t want to let go either.

“I can cover for you if you want to...” I finally released Jenna and turned around to find Michael tilting his head toward a path that wound away from the wedding area. “Just don’t forget about the pictures.”

Jenna slipped her hand in mine, entwining our fingers. “Come on.” She handed her bouquet to Michael, a bundle of ferns and tiny white flowers I didn’t recognize, and led me down the path.

A few yards and a bend later, we were all alone in a landscaped area that was probably a stage for wedding photos. Jenna stopped in front of a flowering shrub and looked at me.

All I could do was stand in front of her, marveling at her in wonder, like she’d just sprouted a pair of angel wings. I’d missed her more than I thought possible. And I was a different Adam with her. Not Dr. Donaldson the brilliant, aloof disease expert. Not the son and brother who was awkwardly trying to facilitate family harmony.

With Jenna, I was Adam, the guy with feelings, who found that his work and hobbies weren’t as interesting compared to her. Someone who’d drive across four states to attend a wedding just to make her happy.

Maybe this new persona was Adam the boyfriend. At least, I hoped.

Jenna spoke before I could try to put all my thoughts into words. “I have to tell you something, but let me preface it by explaining that because of what happened with my last boyfriend, I have a hard time trusting people.”

I started to say that I hopedIwas her last boyfriend, ever, but I stopped myself. “Yes, of course.”

“I just... I got really worried for a while there that I’d deceived myself and you weren’t really as wonderful as you seemed on the cruise.”

I stared at her, rendered speechless at the notion that my behavior would be characterized as wonderful. None of my past girlfriends had said anything even close to that.

Jenna swallowed, like she had to force her next words out. “And then there was something I misinterpreted. It left me wondering if you really cared about me.”

“I understand.” My lukewarm declaration on the last night of the cruise hadn’t been enough to reassure her. Of course, she wouldn’t want to break the rule she’d set for herself against dating a coworker for a man who told her he didn’t believe in love.

Well, it was time to tell her not only that I loved her, but that she was the person who made me believe in love.

I reached for her hands, but before I could set her at ease, Jenna continued. “This is a little embarrassing, but—”

“Right here. This is perfect.” We turned to see the wedding photographer leading Jenna’s entire family toward us.

Her shoulders slumped. “Sorry,” she whispered. “We’ll talk more later. Go on ahead to the wedding reception, and I’ll meet you there.”

“Of course.” I rubbed my thumbs over the backs of her hands in a way I hoped was reassuring. I was pretty sure I could guess what she was about to say, and why it made her so uncomfortable. I wasn’t going to make her beg to explain my feelings. Just as soon as I could, I’d leave her in no doubt.

I drove to the venue, parking my beat-up car toward the very back of the lot. Surprisingly, the reception barn I’d been in the previous evening looked absolutely nothing like it had the day before. The walls and ceilings were strewn with leafy branches, making it seem like we were inside a greenhouse, and the floor had been covered with some kind of faux brick panels.

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