Susan Mallery - Sweet Trouble

“That’s not the only reason. I saw it and knew it would look beautiful on you. I like buying you things.”

“You make me crazy.”

“You look amazing. I really like the dress.”

“You should see me in the veil.”

“I will in about twenty minutes.”

Love filled her, warming every part of her. She shook the necklace at him. “Don’t do stuff like this anymore. Try buying stuff on sale.”

“Not my style.”

“It used to be.”

“You changed me.”

“Not this much.”

He moved close and took her hands in his. “You changed everything about me, Jesse. You made me the man I am today.”

“I love the man you are today.”

“So it worked out.” He stared into her eyes. “If I try to kiss you, are you going to complain about your makeup getting messed up?”

“I can fix it later.”

“Good.” He bent his head and brushed her lips. “Still want to marry me?”

“More than anything.”

“Then let’s go get it done.”

He took the necklace from her and turned her around, fastening it around her neck. They were facing a mirror and she supposed her attention should have been riveted on the extravagant jewelry, but all she saw was Matt and how he gazed at her. Love burned in his eyes. Love she’d waited her whole life to find.

“I need to walk down the aisle,” she said.

“I’ll be the guy waiting at the other end.”

“Thanks for not giving up on me.”

“Thanks for coming home.”

She smiled. “I belong here. With you.”

“You’re the best thing that ever happened to me, Jesse. I want you to know that.”

“Oh, Matt.”

Minutes later, Paula was led down the aisle and seated. Claire and Nicole lined up to start the procession. Gabe stood behind them and held a satin pillow with the two rings resting on it.

He looked at Jesse. “Now I have a real daddy,” he said happily. “We’re a family.”

“Yes, we are. For always.”

Jesse’s sisters began to walk down the aisle. Gabe followed, moving slowly as he’d been taught. He carried the pillow carefully and took his place next to Matt.

Jesse waited until the music changed to the wedding march, then it was her turn. She held her bouquet in front of her. While there were dozens of people in the room, she only saw one.

When she reached Matt, he smiled. “What took you so long?” he asked in a quiet voice.

Despite the significance of the moment, she laughed. “I got held up.” For five years. “But I’m here now.”

“That’s what matters. Oh, just so you know. I’m not letting you get away again.”

“Is that a promise?” she asked, already confident of the answer.

“Yes, and you can hold me to it.”

“I will.”

He squeezed her hand. “You mean ‘I do.’”

“That, too.”