All those concerns are out the window now as he smiles at me, practically bouncing on his toes, looking like he’s trying not to runtowardme. It’s reminiscent of how Ron looked at Janelle on their wedding day, the same look I thought I’d never have. How wrong I was.
I try to focus on my parents kissing my cheeks and the wink Janelle shoots me as I hand her my bouquet, but all I want to do is turn to Thomas. When I do, it takes a ridiculous amount of effort not to giggle. God, who has this man turned me into?
As he takes my hands, I can’t hide my grin. It mirrors his, wide and bright, and if this alone hasn’t convinced everyone here that we’re the real deal, then I don’t know what will.
“Hi,” he whispers to me as the officiant standing beside us loudly launches into his spiel.
“Hi,” I whisper back. “If you have any plans to run away, would you mind telling me now? I’d like to be prepared this time.”
His teeth sink into his bottom lip to stifle what was sure to be a guffaw. His shoulders still shake, which I’ll take as a win.
“No plans to run.” His ocean-blue eyes roam over my face like he’s cataloging every inch of me and this moment. “Though, if you want to run together, we can.”
I subtly shake my head. “I think I’ll stick this one out. Don’t want to disappoint everyone who showed up, you know?”
“You have to admit—it would give them quite the story to tell.”
I’m sure it would, but the only show I want to put on is us looking like two absolute fools obsessed with each other.
“I’m good,” I say. “I’m just glad to be here with you.”
Thomas’s grip on my hands tightens. I’d be fine if he never let go. “I’d follow you to the ends of the earth, if you’d let me.”
I might not have a week ago. In fact, I didn’t. Now, I’d let him follow me all the way, and I’d do the same in return. From here on, there’s no keeping us from each other.
When it comes time to recite our vows—the classic ones, no extra bells and whistles—we do it quickly and efficiently, ready to get to the good part. I’m nearly bursting when the officiant proclaims that the groom may now kiss his bride, and the laugh I’ve been holding in finally escapes as Thomas sweeps me into his arms.
“I’ve been waiting for this,” he murmurs, and then his lips are on mine.
This is the kiss the prince gives the princess at the end of a PG-rated fairy-tale film to seal their love, the kind where the scenery drops away and it’s just the two of them in a haze of golden light, a gentle breeze blowing their hair. It’s the kind that makes you close your eyes and let it sweep you off to some faraway place. My knees even go weak. If not for him keeping me upright, I’d be a puddle on the floor. It’s perfect.
My eyes flutter open when Thomas pulls back. The rest of the world floods in again with a crescendo of cheers and applause.
“Think they bought it?” he asks, smiling down at me.
Between the kiss and his smile, I’m breathless, though I still manage to say, “Maybe we should do it again, just in case.”
“Brilliant idea.”
This kiss is less of the fairy-tale variety and moresave it for behind closed doors. But I don’t care who’s watching—let them see how much I want this man. Let them see the electricity that arcs between us. Let them see how we’ve chosen each other.
Staying married all those months ago was a gamble with no guarantee of paying off. But now?
I’m pretty sure we hit the jackpot.
Chapter 35
Thomas
Three weeks later, March
Bahrain
This could very well be my last season as a McMorris F1 driver. In fact, I’m betting on it.
Stella sits next to me in the sports car on our way to the Sakhir circuit for the first race of the season. She’s scrolling through her phone and rapidly replying to emails, keeping her empire afloat from afar. Honestly, she was right when she said she was more impressive than me, because I would probably lose my mind if I had to do all the things she does on a daily basis. I’ll take driving around a track any day.
“You almost done?” I ask her as I turn onto a cordoned-off side street that leads to the car park. “We’re nearly there.”
