He stared into the depths of my eyes.“What becomes of us now? What happens after the wedding?”
My shoulders lifted in defeat, but I couldn’t stop the blossoming smile from spreading across my face. “I honestly don’t know, but we’ll find a way to make it work. Maybe I find a job here.” I tapped the paper for good measure.
“Maybe Ido make the move to the city.” It wasn’t said though with the best of intentions. More like a last resort.
I cupped his faceand straddled his thighs. “I believe in us, of what’s growing between us, more than I’ve believed in much of anything lately.”
“Even with all my baggage?”
I laughed. “My luggage is way bigger than yours and if you can so easily accept me with mine, yours will be a walk in the park.”
“So, we’re really going to do this?” His eyes sparkled like a kid in the candy store, all lit up with endless possibilities.
“I’m in, if you are.” Isnuggled closer to him ensuring not a gap of air separated us.
“I’m all in.”A smile cracked his whiskery face. “Merry Christmas, Mona.”
My gaze danced between his eyes. “Merry Christmas. This has been the best one ever.”
I leaned forward and delicatelytouched my lips to his while cupping his perfect face and inhaling his sultry scent. I tipped my head and the moment his lips claimed mine, my body surrendered to his touch, knowing it was safe within his arms.
Mom’s final written words lit up like a neon sign. This is what she wanted for me. This is what I never had with Charlie. Never once. My heart knew what was important. It knewwhowas important.
Chapter Sixteen
The sun caressed the sea as Lily and Eric kissed on the shoreline, their wedding ceremonyended, and the flash from the photographer’s camera lighting their ecstatic faces. A million-dollar glow, if ever there was one, radiated out of each of them as the sun lowered itself into slumber.
Lily and Eric walked up the beachto the sound of crashing waves, between the rows of chairs to their back deck where they signed the papers, with Beth and Mitch as witnesses.
As the chairs emptied, Jesse and I walked hand-in-hand toward the house, stopping beside the lone giant oak tree on the beach for a kiss.
“You look absolutely stunning. It’s not fair to your sister.” Jesse trailed a finger down the side of my face, electrifying me with his delicate touch.
“And look at you.” He’d really outdid himself dressed in a suit and tie in monochromatic colours, with his hair neatly styled. It upped his game, even if he was already a dashing man in jeans and a tee sporting a ball cap. “Care to dance?”
Wireless speakers had beenplaced on the decks of my old summer home and Eric’s, and a current, sappy ballad was playing.
“Don’t mind if I do.”My fingers linked with Jesse’s and we moved in time to the beat, the back of my wrap dress brushing against the sand as Jesse dipped me at the end, after which he planted a powerful kiss upon my needy lips.
“You know, we didn’t even unwrap presents this morning.” He righted me but heldtight, which was fine by me. I didn’t want to leave his side. It had been hard to leave this morning to go help Lily prepare.
I stood on the balls of my flats and placed my hands behind his head. “You can unwrap me later.”
There was so much more of myself I was ready to give this man, to let him into the depths of my heart and soul. Years ago, when Charlie and I were fresh, things hadn’t felt like this. However, between Jesse and me, there was a palpable electricity, a connection that felt natural and right on more levels than I’d ever thought possible. It was like two halves finding a perfect fit. And it all happened because I made the journey to Cheshire Bay, and my tire had blown along the way.
This fabulous man holding meclose was everything I ever dreamed I wanted but thought I’d never find.
His kiss hadthe power to lift me and release my burdens, for he never judged me over it. Maybe if I had run into Jesse years ago, my life would’ve been different. But, maybe meeting him now had been the point.
I rested my head against him. “You’re truly amazing.”
“And you aren’t? When I think back to that day on the highway… I was even running late that evening. Normally, I would’ve been home or at least pulling into the front of the house. But there I was, running behind, and I saw the blown tire on the road. And you…” He chuckled. “You were so interested in watching and learning how to change a tire. That hooked me because I’d never seen the likes of it.”
“And you were so patient. Char- he would’ve … well, it doesn’t matter because you’re here now and he’s not.” I planted a kiss on Jesse’s lips.
Yes, my ex was long gone. Time to live in the present.
Jesse ran a finger downthe side of my face again. It was a loving touch, and I turned my cheek into it fully.