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The revelation would probably shock her as much as it had shocked him.
* * *
Cara perched on the white wooden folding chair in the first row, where the groom’s family would normally sit if this were a real wedding. But since the bride and groom were actually actors Mary had hired to perform for the expo guests, Cara didn’t think anyone would mind if she grabbed a good seat.
She loved weddings. No doubt about it.
Her island fling with Keith had given her back the ability to see a wedding for what it was—a celebration of love and commitment between two people who wanted to be together. She’d never settle for anything less and if it meant she’d never experience a walk down the aisle, that was the price of holding out for love.
Still clad in Mulan, Cara carefully crossed her legs so she wouldn’t rip a seam. She should have gone back to her room and changed, but she couldn’t bear to take it off yet. The dress had become symbolic of the growth in Cara Chandler-Harris Designs, of her own growth. And it was her dress and she liked wearing it.
Music piped through the sound system and the bride floated down the sand aisle, barefoot, exactly as Cara had suggested to Mary. When the bride reached her groom, the minister, also an actor, began the ceremony.
“Dearly beloved...” The minister droned through the first bit and then said, “If anyone objects to this union , speak now or forever hold your peace.”
“I object.”
Keith’s voice cut through the balmy sunset atmosphere. Cara whirled and there he was, waltzing up the aisle as if he owned it. He halted at the first row, gaze on Cara.
Everyone else’s gaze was on him. Yummy Interrupting Man had struck again.
“On what grounds?” the minister asked on cue, as if this was part of the script.
“On the grounds that every wedding should unite two people who are in love with each other,” Keith said but not to the minister. His melty caramel eyes held fast to Cara. “The bride and groom don’t qualify.”
“What are you doing?” Cara whispered.
“What I should have done two years ago,” he said at normal volume because obviously all the expo guests should be included in a discussion about their ill-fated history. “And last night. Instead of walking away, I’m in the middle of a wedding. Where you want me.”
The power of speech nearly deserted her but she managed to keep her composure. Somehow. What was he up to?
Warily, she swept him with a bored once-over. “Well, sugar, that’s mighty nice but if I recall, your Speedy Gonzales shoes make quite an impression, especially at weddings.”
“That’s why I took them off.” He lifted one bare foot for emphasis. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Her heart stumbled and erratic beats throbbed in her throat as she finally caught up. He’d interrupted the wedding to make a specific point, but he was sure taking his sweet time in getting there. “What’s this all about?”
Had he crashed the mock wedding because she hadn’t responded to the royal summons to his office? Unlikely. The fashion show had been her crowning achievement and this was his. Keith Mitchell had turned Regent Resorts into a premier wedding destination and the mock wedding should be the highlight of it.
Why was he ruining it?
Keith skirted the chairs and knelt by her feet. Almost as if—
No! He wasn’t about to sweep her up in some sort of sham proposal strictly as part of the show. He wouldn’t dare.
Then he took her hand, his gaze swimming with earnestness and something else she couldn’t place, couldn’t fathom, and she couldn’t look away.
“I have trouble expressing myself,” he said. “I like that you don’t force me to dredge up what’s inside. But you deserve more. I want to give you more. I want to stop pretending temporary is all I can do instead of sticking around and figuring out how to say what I’m feeling.”
Sincerity resonated in every word out of his mouth. Oh, this was real. So achingly, wonderfully real.
A hum in her tummy spun outward to sweep across her skin with a delicious heat. “So temporary isn’t all you can do?”
He shook his head. “Not anymore. I want to give you everything your heart desires. No matter what it is. Losing you is unacceptable. Because I love you.”
The crowd murmured and sighed as all the blood drained from her head and white stars burst behind her eyes. “What?”
“It’s for real.” His voice dipped, laced with all sorts of emotions. “I’m sorry it took external forces to get me to realize it.”
