Page 31 of The Jealous Girl

Ryan wasn’t one for big declarations and heartfelt moments. Not usually. But since that evening on the beach when he’d dropped to one knee and proposed like something out of a movie, he’d been different; focused and committed. Almost to the point of obsession.

The prospect of arranging a wedding in a foreign country had felt daunting and overwhelming and I’d assumed I’d be doing it alone. After all, that’s how it was with us. Ryan was the fun one and I was the detailed one.

Usually it would have been me triple checking every form, worrying over every detail and still convinced something would go wrong.

Ryan would have been the one telling me to relax. That it would all work out.

I’d have sighed, frustrated at him for not taking things seriously enough, while secretly envious of his ability to step back. Not worry. Just trust.

But this time our roles had reversed. This time I didn’t need to trust things would somehow fall into place. Because he was the one making sure they did. Filling in forms, making calls, checking requirements, figuring out how we could order copies of our birth certificates without having to ask our families. Without having to explain.

I pushed myself off the door frame, perched on the edge of the bed and picked up one of the forms. ‘I still can’t believe we’ve managed all this in six weeks.’

Ryan chuckled. ‘The hotel offering us that wedding cancellation at a discount was strong motivation to get it all done.’

I frowned as I studied him. ‘We didn’t have to take it,’ I said carefully. ‘If it’s too soon for you…’

I let my words hang. I was offering him a way out. A chance to postpone. Move slower.

Ryan froze. ‘Is it too soon for you?’

I shook my head without hesitation. ‘I’d have married you the second you asked if I could have.’

He chuckled again, the tension in his body instantly releasing.

‘But…’ I hesitated. ‘If I’m honest, when you proposed I thought we’d have a long engagement. I thought that’s what you’d want.’

His eyebrows lifted and I gave him a small smile.

‘I hadn’t expected you to be so enthusiastic.’

Ryan’s laugh was louder this time. Richer.

‘And then when we realised how complicated everything was going to be to get married over here, I thought we’d delay. Wait until we got back to England.’

‘Would you have preferred that?’

I shook my head. ‘No way. This is perfect. But it would have been easier. I thought that’s what you’d want.’

Ryan rolled his eyes. ‘I don’t need easier.’ He held my gaze. ‘All I need is you.’

Warmth spread through me. Proposing might have been a spontaneous idea when we were standing on the beach at sunset, caught up in the romance and the desire not to go home. But the feelings behind it weren’t. They were solid. He wanted this life. With me.

Mrs Kirsty Blackwater.

The name slipped into my thoughts. A new name. A new start.

Be realistic.

Janine’s voice sliced through the moment, sharp and familiar.

Don’t aim for things out of your reach.

I shook my head, forcing it away. It didn’t matter any more. Whether Janine was right or wrong, I wasn’t alone. I had Ryan. And, in two days’ time, I’d have a ring on my finger to prove it.

‘Are you sure you don’t mind not having a big wedding?’ Ryan asked. ‘A proper wedding dress? A⁠—’

‘I don’t need one,’ I said quickly. ‘We’re getting married on the beach. I’ve bought a white sundress. It’s light and simple, it’ll be perfect. Our friends from the hotel will be there. We’ll have drinks at the bar afterwards. And we don’t need to go anywhere for our honeymoon – we’re already here.’