Page 82 of Ardently Yours

“I said I was sorry,” Nic says, looping her arm through mine. “I promise I wasn’t aiming for your face.”

“I think your aim was spot on.” It’s Will. I know his voice.

I turn around to see him approaching, his hands in his pockets. I quickly turn back to Nic again, eyes wide.

“Maybe you were supposed to get hit in the face by my bouquet. Maybe it was the wake-up call you needed,” Nic says with a sly smile, leaning in to whisper to me.

My best friend just got married. I got hit with a bouquet. And the guy of my dreams is standing right next to me. What more of a wake-up call do I need? I clear my throat.

“Nic, Jay, congrats. I love you both. And I am going to do something I should have done a long time ago.”

“What’s that?” Will asks conspiratorially.

“Tell the truth. So, you want to dance, Darcy, or do you want to stand around all day in that tux by yourself?” I ask, challenging him playfully.

He looks at me for a moment before a wide grin spreads across his face.

“There she is,” he says.

I hold out my hand to him, and we walk away together, hand in hand. But not before I shoot our friends a look over my shoulder and wink. Nic and Jay clap. Edward salutes us.

And Jane says, “Finally.”

I laugh as I turn around and walk away with Will, my hand fitting perfectly in his. I’m shorter than him, even in these three-inch heels, which is nice because I get to look up at him as he leads me away from our friends and onto the dance floor.

I wrap my arms around his neck, still holding the bouquet, letting it rest against his back. We’re quiet for a moment. I know it’s my turn to say something. To reach out to him like he did when he texted me.

“So,” I begin.

“So,” he echoes.

“I’m sorry I left you on read. And I’m really am sorry that I left like I did yesterday. I panicked over the love thing, and that was so stupid because... I wasn’t running from you. I was just running away, like I’ve done ever since Billie broke my heart. I’ve been selfish. I don’t want Billie, George or to run anymore. I don’t want to prove to my family and friends that I can get a man. I think I’ve been too scared to say how I really feel about you...”

“How do you feel, Lizzie?” Will asks.

“Does it matter if we plan to still work together after this? To live in the same town? The contract we have sucks. And I don’t want to keep acting like it was a good idea. It was selfish of me to talk you into fake dating me.”

“Maybe you should be a little selfish,” he says, teasing but serious.

His eyes betray the witty remark. They bore into mine. Brown. Deep. Longing for more. Longing for me.

“I want you to stay in Selah Falls,” I say. “I want you to take me out on that date. I just don’t want to lose you, push you away, or do something stupid again.”

I take a deep breath.“Will, I’ve been fighting my feelings for you since the moment we met, and I’m tired of fighting. I’m not scared anymore. I want us to try for real.”

“For real?” he asks, cupping my chin.

“For real. And, no more dating contracts,” I say. “I love you, Will Darcy.”

We’re not even dancing. Just swaying to the rhythm of our conversation. My heart isn’t beating fast. I’m calmer than I thought I’d be. I’m free. Finally being honest with him and with myself.

“How much do you love me?” he asks, looking at me like he wants to kiss me.

“I love you enough to let you know I successfully convinced my parents to cancel our next family dinner so everyone can enjoy the wedding festivities and get some rest,” I say, smirking.

Will taps my chin, a smile threatening to break across his lips. “You know what I mean…”

“You’re going to make me say it?” I ask, hoping he does.