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I felt my bottom lip shake. I simply nodded.
“I got a phone call—” he began. “One that kind of changed everything, and I almost called you in New York, but I didn’t want to ruin your time there, plus this really needs to be said in person.”
“I love you.” I stopped him, the words falling from my mouth with ease. No strings holding them back anymore. “And Madeline started to tell me everything, but I just want you to know that. . . I love you. I’m happy you got another job, and that your name is cleared and that everything you lost is coming back to you and. . . I just. . . love you.”
Clay’s lips were parted slightly, his eyebrows pinched as he listened to me word vomit everywhere. This wasn’t me. I was calm and cool and collected. I didn't word vomit. He took one single step toward me.
“What did Madeline tell you?”
I inhaled. “That you got a job offer, a good one.”
“Yes, I did.” He nodded. “But I didn’t take it.”
My heart stopped as my eyes met his. “What?”
“I didn’t take it. I didn’t want it.” Clay’s words were soft as he closed the gap between us even more. I could feel his body heat, and it took all my strength not to wrap my arms around him. “There was only one thing I really wanted, but I had to wait to tell her.”
I let him reach out to me first, his hands finding my cheeks, his thumb brushing past the tears that had fallen.
“I have a plan in mind, and it’s all coming together. I’m starting my own company. I have meetings lined up with potential clients, and hell, Elliot’s my first one. Regina Krass, the woman who offered me the job, is going to be my next client as soon as everything is put together. This crazy plan, it’s working, but it’s missing a pretty important factor. You.” He pressed his forehead to mine. “I love you, Ophelia Fuller. I have for my entire life, and this time. . .” He raised his chin, placing his lips to the spot where his forehead was. “. . . nothing, not even the best job the world has to offer, can keep me from you.”
He chose me.
I melted; my entire body gave into him. I wrapped my arms around his neck, kissing him with everything I had. He felt so good, the way love should feel, the way we were meant to feel. Everything about this moment and the next and the next was us. Nothing would stop it. My body tingled as his arms wrapped around me, his lips warm and moving in sync with mine.
He pressed his forehead to mine once again, gently kissing the tip of my nose. I wanted to stay here forever.
“Excuse me, Miss Fuller. . .”
But there was Carter. . .
I gave a small groan.
“I believe, as a part of the wedding party,” Clay whispered. “We are obligated to take some photos.”
“As long as you’re next to me in all of them.”
“First of all.” Milo leaned over the table. “I can’t believe you made this dress.”
The reception was in full swing. Elliot was singing, performing every song with his signature flair. Guests would come by the table and give Milo and Madeline hugs and congratulations, but all Milo was focused on was his phone. Once I unblocked him from my Instagram and everything came to his feed, he was hooked.
“What’s hard to believe about that?” Clay asked, glaring at his friend, defending my honor.
“Oh, that’s not what's hard to believe. What I want to know is how you kept it from me for so long. Especially after seeing this Instagram feed. It’s in every picture. Maddy, look at these photos!” Milo lifted his phone to her, my store's Instagram pulled up. Now that he had access to it, I’m sure my notifications were through the roof. He had double tapped almost every photo, even shared a few of Madeline as her dress was being made.
Madeline chuckled. “I’ve seen them, Hubby.”
I scrunched my nose. Hubby.
“I’m just in awe. I mean, look at all of these. I can’t believe I hadn't seen them before.”
“It was easy. All I had to do was block you from everything,” I admitted.
“And you knew about this and didn’t tell me?” He pointed at Clay.
“I was sworn to secrecy.” Clay leaned back in his chair, draping his arm around the back of mine. “We all were. Thankfully, you didn’t have to get your teeth cleaned. Jamie may have spilled some kind of beans.”
Jamie laughed and nodded. “Oh, I definitely would have. Why do you think I avoided your house all summer?”
