Daughters Of The Bride(136)

“I was courting you.”

He was? “I totally missed that.”

“Apparently. When you said you called me last, I thought there wasn’t any hope. I gave up. I’m sorry. That was wrong.”

She thought about how she’d changed over the past few months and what she’d learned about herself. This was it—the moment to be brave.

“Then let’s start over.” She stared into his eyes. “Greg, I really didn’t want to bother you at work. That was all. Had you not been at the station, I would have called you in a heartbeat. I swear.” She pressed her lips together, offered a brief prayer for strength, then admitted, “I love you. I’ve been in love with you from our very first date. That hasn’t changed for me. Even when we got divorced, I loved you.”

One corner of his mouth turned up. “Yeah?”

“Yeah. I’ve been hopeful and scared and angry, all at the same time. I want things to work out between us. I want us to be good together. I don’t want to lose us.”

“Me, either.” He cupped her face again. “Rachel, you’re my world. You and Josh. But one day he’s going to grow up and get his own life and then it will be us. I want that with you. I want forever. I’ve been trying to show you that I’m a better man now. That I’m worthy. I love you so much.”

Tears filled her eyes. “You’ve always been worthy.”

“Before,” he began.

She stopped him with a kiss. “We’ve said all we have to say on that. It’s done. We need to move on.”

He gazed into her eyes. “Are you sure?”

“Yes.” Because forgiveness made them both stronger.

He urged her to take a step back, then another. “You never lost me, Rachel. After the divorce, I didn’t go out with anyone else. Not even once.”

“Me, either.”

“You’re the one for me. I love you.”

She bumped into the table.

Greg kissed her again. “Just to be clear, we’re getting back together?”

Her heart pounded in her chest. “I’d like that.”

“Me, too.” He grinned. “I’ve been saving money for us. We can pay down the mortgage, if you want. Or cut back on work and we can have another baby. Or go to Europe. I want you to be happy, Rachel.”

“Oh, Greg. Yes to whatever you want. I love you.”

She flung her arms around him. He held her tightly against him.

“I swear I’ve learned from my mistakes,” he whispered fiercely.

“I have, too. I’m going to ask for help and tell you what I need.”

He kissed her again. Desire filled her, making her weak and desperate.

“Greg,” she breathed, reaching for his hands and putting them on her breasts.

He groaned and rubbed his erection against her belly. “I want you, Rach. Always.”

“I know. Me, too.” It had been five lifetimes since they’d made love. “But the wedding.”

“Screw the wedding.” He chuckled. “So to speak.”

She laughed, then gave a little shriek as he lifted her onto the table. “We can’t!”

“Sure we can. I can make you come in less than a minute.”

Well, that was true. He knew exactly what to do to her. “I can do the same with you.” Then she remembered and pushed him away. “I’m not on birth control. I went off to give my body a rest. Unless you brought condoms with you.”

He gave her a slow, sexy smile. “I didn’t.” He reached behind her and drew down the zipper of her dress. “I love you, my beautiful wife. And I want more babies with you.”

“I want that, too.”

“Then I would say this is our lucky day.”





31

COURTNEY TOLD HERSELF that as long as she kept moving and breathing, she would be fine. It was a simple combination. Even single-celled creatures had some sort of respiration system, right? So she was fine. Perfectly fine. And later, when the wedding was over and everything had gone brilliantly well, she was getting incredibly drunk.

The reception had been moved to the ballroom. All the decorations were up, and the tables and chairs were in place. The problem of the ceremony had been solved. The photographer was already taking pictures, the guests were due to arrive within the hour and then there would be a wedding, and really, everything was going to be just fine.

Lucy, one of the maids, hurried toward her with the strangest look on her face. Courtney told herself not to panic.

“What’s up?” she asked, hoping she sounded calm.

“I need your help with something.”

“Okay.” Courtney thought about pointing out she had a wedding to put on, but why state the obvious?