Page 80 of The Other Plan

“He’ll love you as much as I do.” I stopped and spun around, tossing my arms around his neck.

We walked out hand-in-hand, Valentina giving us a big thumbs up as we waved goodbye, and Eric giving Carter a knowing wink.

“I think everyone approves,” Carter said.

I glanced over and saw Camilla’s shocked stare. “Well, not everyone.”

He stifled a chuckle. “I spent a lot of years worrying about what she, and everyone else, thought. Now I couldn’t care less about anyone else’s opinions but my own. I’m going to live the life I want with the woman I want, and I don’t care one lick if anyone else approves. I’ve got a woman now who loves me for me, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

I rested my head on his shoulder as he slung his arm around mine. He pressed a kiss to the top of my head, and I sighed as we made our way back to the car.

This was happening. We were happening. All the years apart hadn’t diminished our feelings at all. With my whole heart exposed and all my walls tumbling down, for the first time in my life, I let go of all my fears and my plans as I imagined the unlimited possibilities awaiting us in our new life together.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

CARTER

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“You ready?” Jenna asked as we stood outside the Bronson’s front door. “It’s gonna be insane. We’re going to get grilled like shish kabobs.”

Chuckling, I blew out an exaggerated breath. “Bring on the Bronson interrogations. Let’s do this, baby.”

We pushed open the door and walked in together, holding hands. The sounds of voices laughing and talking guided us toward the brunch happening in the three-season room overlooking the water.

“Jenna!” Lydia called.

“Here we go,” Jenna whispered, then smiled wide as she pulled me over.

“Mother! Jenna is here!” Lydia called to Aunt Tilly. “And she’s with him! Holding hands!”

I laughed as the two women beelined for us like we were a glass of water and they’d been dying of dehydration in the desert.

“Good morning, ladies.” I tightened my grip on Jenna’s hand. “Don’t you two look lovely as always.”

Their tight-lipped grins let some giggles out as they bumped shoulders. “Oh, Jenna! He’s so darn charming, you lucky girl! How on earth did you two sneak this past us?”

Jenna shrugged. “It just kinda happened. Apparently, we still had feelings for each other after a decade apart.”

“It’s unbelievable.” Aunt Tilly sighed. “To think if you and I hadn’t met at that brunch years ago, I never would have hired you for a wedding planner, and we never would have had this wedding, and you two never would have seen each other again. It’s like I’m Cupid himself.”

“It is all because of you,” Jenna agreed. “Thank you for helping us find each other again.”

“Yes. Thank you.” I put an arm around Jenna and pulled her against me. “She’s the woman of my dreams, and I am never letting her get away again.”

The two women sighed deeper. They pressed us for details, and we gave them the watered-down PG version of our reunion. When we finished, they stared at us like they had hearts floating around in their eyes.

“This is just so romantic,” Lydia said. “Such a beautiful couple. But I have to ask, how is this going to work with Carter living in New York and you here?”

We glanced at each other.

“Well,” I said, “I’m not going back to New York. I’m moving up here.”

“Oh!” the women mirrored on excited shouts. “That’s incredible! We’ll see you all the time!”

I leaned forward. “You’d better plan on it. You beauties aren’t getting rid of me that easily.”

They tittered as Aunt Tilly tapped me on the shoulder. “Jenna, you are one lucky girl.”