“Let me fix that for you,” he said, bending forward, clasping the back of my head and bringing my mouth to meet his.
He may have started softly but like me, he chose to ignore everyone in the room and take what we’d both missed for the past two days.
“I thought you weren’t coming back,” I said, running my tongue along his bottom lip.
“I never went anywhere. I stayed close, kept an eye on you, made sure you and the girls were safe. It’s been crazy, Saylor.” He kissed me again, fast and hard. “I’ll explain everything later, but don’t you worry. You were front and center of my mind the entire time.”
Our mouths collided again.
“I guess she said ‘yes’, Hunter,” Matt called out, and all the guests stood and cheered.
“The only thing I couldn’t organize was a marriage license, so everyone’s here to celebrate our engagement, and Christmas. I don’t want to rush the wedding.”
“I do,” I said. “I don’t want you to change your mind.”
Hunter grinned. “No chance of that, but I want to help you plan it. We’ll do exactly what you want. Big or small, your choice.”
“Maybe we could elope,” I suggested. “I’ve done the long wait and the planning, and all I can say was that it was worth it because it brought us together. This is right, Hunter. We are right. I don’t need anything fancy, I just need to be your wife.”
We were about to kiss again when Santa burst through the door carrying a sack of gifts, accompanied by decidedly cute elves with champagne.
“Let’s get this party done. That dress is hot, but you’re hotter out of it.”
“That suit you’re wearing, Hunter Stratten, is delicious. But I have to agree. You’re even more delicious naked.”
“Glad we agree. Come on, I think our parents would like to say a few words.
By the time we’d been congratulated by everyone in the room my cheeks ached. I couldn’t keep the smile off my face. The photo I chose for my final Instagram post was one of our entire group, complete with Santa and elves, all gathered around the astounding Christmas tree.
After we’d eaten, I cornered Dani and Casey.
“You two knew about this?”
“Blame your fiancé. Hunter phoned us in Chicago, telling us his plan. He wanted us to keep you occupied while he got this little party organized, but things went somewhat awry when he suddenly had business issues to deal with,” Dani explained.
“It hurt to see you so sad when he had your luggage sent over, but we knew it would turn out fine,” Casey said.
“You could have told me,” I said. “You’re my besties. You’re not supposed to keep secrets.”
“And ruin the surprise? No way,” Dani said.
“You should have seen your face,” Casey added. “I hope the photographer caught that.”
“We’re in the wrong room, quick, we have to leave before the real bride gets here,” Dani mimicked.
“Don’t remind me. All I could see were the shapes of people. I didn’t even look at them properly, I just wanted to get out.”
“I hope that’s not me you’re talking about.”
The voice of that man would finish me if I wasn’t careful. His scent hit me at the same moment that he spoke. He was right behind me and I leaned back into him, trusting without looking that I wouldn’t fall because Hunter would be my wall, my pillar, my rock. Forever.
He wrapped me in his arms. “Best Christmas ever,” he said.
“I agree. Tell me what you got from Santa.”
“A future bride. The best bride.”
“Wow, coincidence. I got a future groom. The best groom.”