Evie swallowed, trying to hold her laughter in until she snorted. ‘Sorry, it’s just...’
Opening his eyes, he searched her face. ‘It’s just what?’
‘Well, this.’ Still holding his hands, she shrugged her shoulders. ‘I’m standing here in this stupid dress, with you trying to take photos of me. Who’d have thought?’
Laughing, Jack shook his head. ‘I guess it is quite funny.’
‘Quite funny? It’s hilarious. It’s just... nonsense. Ridiculous. I’m wearing a wedding dress and a hideous one at that.’
‘Shh, don’t let Savanah hear you say that.’
‘No, I won’t. After all, this is her pride and joy.’ Rolling her shoulders back, she relaxed. So, she was in a wedding dress. It didn’t mean anything. It didn’t mean she was suddenly going to want to get married or anything. It didn’t change her stance on marriage. Not one iota.
Keeping his eyes on hers, Jack leaned forward, his breath warm on her cheeks.
Blinking, Evie snatched her hands back and stepped away.
‘Sorry, I...’
‘No, I’m sorry. I just...’ Every fibre of her being was screaming at her to let him kiss her, to kiss him back, but she couldn’t. If she did, she was opening herself up to more. She was lowering her walls. She was rewriting her very mindset about relationships. She couldn’t. She wouldn’t.
‘I’m really sorry. I...’ Jack rubbed his hand across the back of his neck.
But this was Jack. The man standing in front of her. The man who had rescued an injured crow and helped to rescue the sheep, all within less than a twenty-four-hour period. This was the man who listened to her, made her laugh, respected her opinion. The man who made her skin tingle and her heart beat faster whenever she saw him. She pinched the bridge of her nose. What was she even thinking?
Shifting on his feet, he walked back to his camera and looked at her. ‘Can we just pretend it didn’t happen?’
‘No, I don’t think we can.’ Flinging her veil over her shoulder, she strode towards him and took his hands in hers. Before she could stop herself, she leaned forward and kissed him.
‘You want this?’ Pulling away, Jack looked into her eyes.
‘Yes.’ And she did. She didn’t know why or what it might mean to her, but at that moment in time, yes, she wanted to kiss him. She wanted to be with him. In that moment, she wanted to feel his lips against hers, she wanted to feel his arms holding her, his heart beating against hers.
Cupping her chin in his hand, he leaned in closer again, his lips brushing hers.
The door swung open again, and Evie jumped back. Rushing around in front of the camera again, she grinned as Jack took photo after photo.
‘Fantastic. You’re a natural, Evie. And now for the group photos.’ Savanah turned and called behind her. ‘Group photos, everyone. Come and join us, please.’