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“You nervous?”
“A little.” Wade wiped his hands on his slacks. “I can’t believe this is finally happening.”
“You two are perfect for each other. I’m glad you rediscovered your love.”
“What about you? How are things with Sam?”
“No easy answer there. She knows I want to marry her, but she’s scared. I don’t think she trusts me. Maybe she doesn’t trust any man. I can’t say that I blame her after what she’s been through.”
“Give her time. She’ll come around.”
“We’ll see.”
The pastor moved into place, and the organist played the first strains of the wedding march.
SamanthawatchedasEmilystepped out into the center walkway of the church. Everyone stood to watch as she floated down the aisle, Sam followed, and Emily’s other bridesmaids filed in after her. Sam took her spot near Emily’s side and locked eyes with Gavin. The look in his eyes set her stomach to fluttering.
She missed most of what the pastor said as she couldn’t drag her focus from the best man. When they arrived at the reception which was held at the country club, Samantha stood beside Gavin as expected while Wade and Emily shared their first dance. Then the wedding party was called to join them, and Gavin held out his hand. She smiled and let him lead her out onto the floor.
“I’ve been looking forward to this moment for a while.” Gavin gave her a mischievous smile.
“Is that so?”
“Ever since I learned you were the maid of honor.”
“I’m not sure I believe you.” She frowned. “I recall you saying I was prickly.”
“I’ve always liked cacti better than delicate flowers.”
“Did you just compare me to a cactus?” She pushed his shoulder away, but he pulled in close.
“You denying it?” he whispered the words against her ear.
She grinned. “I guess not.” Settling into the dance, and forgoing any further conversation, she got lost in the moment enjoying the strength of Gavin’s embrace. He felt like home. Safe. Right.
When the dance was over, they took their seats, and Gavin lifted his sparkling apple cider in a toast. She missed most of his words while she stared at his lips. Would she ever feel them on hers again? The night when everything unfolded, she’d assumed they would see each other the following day, but that hadn’t happened. He’d needed to accompany Cate back to their father’s estate. Then he’d returned to New York to run his company. Which left her with too much time alone to think. And regret not sharing her feelings with him.
Gavin looked down at her questioningly, and she realized she must’ve missed a question. He nudged her and chuckled. “I was looking for confirmation that these two were made for each other.”
She lifted her glass and tapped it to his. “They certainly are.”
GavinwatchedSamanthaflitaround like a butterfly. Her lavender maid of honor gown flowed over her curves and brushed the floor. He swallowed a lump in his throat. No doubt about it, he wanted to make her his, but he’d need to convince her to risk her heart. With steely resolve, he walked over to her. It was time to find out where their relationship stood. If she rejected him, he’d get through it somehow, but he couldn’t live with uncertainty indefinitely. “Care for a walk in the gardens?”
She smiled and looked around as if searching for someone else. “Oh. You mean, with you?”
He shook his head. “With me. Only with me.”
“I’d love to take a walk with the sexiest man in the place.”
“Wade’s taken.”
She gave him an exasperated look and rolled her eyes. With his hand at the small of her back, he guided her toward the door leading into the exquisite gardens.
They walked hand in hand until they reached a gazebo lit by twinkling white lights. It was quite a distance from the ballroom where the reception was being held, so he hoped they’d have it to themselves. He took her hands in his and rubbed her knuckles with his thumbs. “I asked you a question last week.”
She cocked her head to the side and grinned. “I remember.”
“Maybe I was a little hasty.”
