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Luke grinned against her neck, then, in one swift movement, picked her up and carried her over to the bed, dumping her in the middle.
His gaze roved over her looking all tousled and sexy despite the uniform. ‘Unless you want me to rip that—’ he pointed to the hideous polyester ‘—off you again, I suggest you take it off right now.’
Claudia grinned, grabbed the two edges of her shirt and ripped, buttons flying everywhere.
The new uniforms were arriving tomorrow.
‘We are going to be so good together.’ He grinned.
Claudia smiled up at him, her heart almost too big for her chest. ‘Yes, we are.’
EPILOGUE
Six months later
The stage was set for a far north Queensland double wedding in the way only Avery could orchestrate. The powdery sand was blindingly white, the ocean was as clear and flat as cut glass, the sky was a stunning blue dome that not one cloud was game enough to besmirch.
Mother Nature knew better than to ruin an Avery Shaw creation.
‘It’s perfect, Avery,’ Claudia whispered, squeezing her best friend’s hand as they stood with their fathers before the petal-strewn sandy aisle, waiting for the music to strike up.
‘They’re perfect,’ Avery whispered back, looking at their men waiting at the other end.
Claudia nodded. ‘Yes, they are,’ she agreed as the first violin note rent the tropical air and the guests all turned in their beribboned chairs, then stood, smiling at the brides.
The two women couldn’t have looked more different. Avery, dressed in designer squillions, looked all lean and long in her filmy white mermaid gown that brushed the sand, her shoulders bare, her hair falling in long, elegant, surfy waves down her back, a Swarovski crystal flower catching up one side of her locks in dramatic fashion.
Claudia, despite threatening to wear her uniform, looked stunning in a white, georgette slip dress with shoestring straps. It hugged her body close and fluttered around her ankles. She wore her hair swept up as she had that night she and Luke had first made love, a hibiscus flower tucked behind her ear.
The only things in common were their simple frangipani posies.
Luke held out his hand for her and smiled as she reached him and Claudia’s heart felt as if it were bursting from her chest. He was looking his shaggy best, all suntanned and stubbly, his hair longer now and sunstreaked.
‘You look beautiful,’ he murmured.
‘So do you.’
And he did, his mocha-coloured trousers and cream shirt showing off his tan and his muscles to perfection. He’d thrived on the challenge of setting up his own business and become honed and fit from his early morning beach runs.
‘Are we ready?’ the celebrant asked.
Claudia looked at Avery. Her father was murmuring something to her and Claudia was pleased that Avery’s parents had set aside their differences and had both travelled from the US to be here for her today. Mr Shaw kissed his daughter on the cheek, then passed her hand to a scrummy-looking Jonah, clad in sand-coloured linen trousers and white linen shirt.
‘We’re ready,’ Jonah said.
Hull, who was sitting beside him, a big white bow attached to his collar, barked in agreement much to everyone’s amusement.
And with the mighty Pacific in front of them and their beloved Tropicana behind, the couples pledged their love and fidelity.
‘You may kiss your brides,’ the celebrant murmured, after the rings were exchanged and the ceremony came to an end.
Jonah whooped and dramatically dipped Avery to much applause. Claudia laughed and shook her head, enjoying their moment until Luke picked her up, her feet dangling well clear of the sand, and twirled her in his arms.
‘You’ve made me happier than I ever knew I could be,’ he said.
Claudia smiled, wrapping her arms around his neck. ‘I love you,’ she said, pulling him close, kissing him with greedy intent.
When they finally surfaced some time later her head was spinning and she grinned at him. ‘I feel giddy.’
‘Good.’ Luke chuckled. ‘Because you make me giddy.’
And then he twirled her around and around and around beneath the tropical sun.
