Each of their kisses had been magical. Each one had made the world seem to stand still. Each kiss made Kendra’s heart race and her knees go weak. But this one was different. This kiss promised not only the feelings they shared, but a future together, too.
Kendra still didn’t know what that future might look like. But she couldn’t wait to find out.
Lucas pulled away, still holding Kendra in his arms. He smiled down at her. “Listen. There’s something else you should know.”
“What’s that?” Kendra asked.
“I love you.” He grinned. “I’m just going to say that. And I’m not taking it back, even if you say that I’m the hopeless romantic now.”
The whole world tilted as Kendra held tightly to him. “Really? Do you mean that?” She couldn’t believe that he’d said that. Two weeks of silence had passed, and she’d thought he’d moved on, even thoughshenever had.
“I do.”
Her heart warmed at his reply. She knew she should take some time and consider the best option, but she was done sacrificing her present for some unknown future. She was going to say how she felt, too.
“I love you, too,” she blurted. Her cheeks flushed pink, but Lucas’s bright smile was the best reward.
“Then we definitely need a vacation together to hear more about this.” He held out his arm. “Milady?”
“Milord,” she replied, smiling, as she slid her hand into the crook of his elbow. “Let’s go.”
EPILOGUE
KENDRA - ONE YEAR LATER
Kendra stood behind the curtain, her heart beating a quick rhythm in her chest. Beside her, her father squeezed her arm warmly.
“How are you feeling?” he asked.
Kendra looked up at him, joy washing over her like ocean waves. “I can’t believe this day is finally here.”
“Me neither.” Her father smiled. “But here we are again, ready to walk you down the aisle.”
Kendra bounced on her toes. She’d opted for flats instead of heels like last time, though hopefully she wouldn’t need to do any running this time. Her dress was lacy and white and stopped just above her knee in the front while falling to the ground in the back. Her auburn hair was woven with flowers, and her freckles weren’t covered by makeup. Lucas had made sure of that.
The processional music began, a classical piece that both Kendra and Lucas loved. Her three best friends and bridesmaids waved at her as they stepped onto the aisle along with Lucas’sgroomsmen. The ring bearer went next, then the flower girl, and then it was Kendra’s turn.
As she stepped out from behind the curtain, the view opened up in front of her. There was the ocean cliff. There was the sunset, all vibrant reds and purples and oranges. There were the chairs, just enough for her and Lucas’s nearest and dearest. There was the aisle, lined with fairy lights, and there, at the end of the aisle, was Lucas.
He looked unbelievably handsome in his tuxedo, his blue eyes full of warmth as he waited. When he caught sight of her, his face lit up, and it was as if they were the only two people there. She took one step closer, then another.
It was hard to believe that she was actually marrying Lucas Chambers. At the airport, when he’d whisked her away for a gorgeous week on Crete — her destination of choice since neither of them had been there before — she’d already known that she loved him. But there had still been so many unknowns: he loved his company and had never wanted a serious relationship, for starters, and Kendra had just been engaged to another man.
The week in Crete, though, had shown them both that the future was far clearer than they’d expected. Lucas found trustworthy staff to help him run Omegron so that he could work shorter hours and take more vacations. And Kendra finally got the fairy-tale love story she’d always dreamed of but never had. The last year had been spent getting to know each other, finding an apartment to share, and traveling. Six months ago, in the Bahamas, Lucas had proposed to her, and Kendra hadn’t hesitated to say yes.
Now, though, she was nervous. She couldn’t wait to marry Lucas, but there was something he didn’t know — somethingshe’d only found out this morning.Focus on your wedding,she told herself sternly.Worry about that later.
Kendra reached the end of the aisle. She kissed her father’s cheek before crossing to Lucas. Her groom took both her hands and squeezed them, one thumb brushing over the back of her hand and sending shivers up her arm. Even after a year together, his touch still made Kendra’s knees weak.
“So, we’re doing this, huh?” he asked, winking.
“It sure looks like it.” Kendra smiled at him. Behind them, the officiant cleared her throat.
“We are gathered here today to join Lucas Chambers and Kendra Moran in marriage. Kendra, Lucas, I believe you’ve prepared your own vows.”
They both nodded, and Kendra met Lucas’s eyes. “Lucas, I want to say I fell for you the moment I saw you, but we both know that’s not true.” He laughed. “No, the first time we met, we fought, and I thought there was no guy in the world who was more annoying. On paper, we just don’t match.” She shrugged. “But none of that matters, because when I’m with you, I feel complete. We bring out the best in each other. We challenge each other. We laugh together. You swept me off my feet, Lucas, and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.”
“Kendra,” Lucas said, “the more I get to know you, the more certain I am that there’s no one else in the world like you. You’re the kind of person whoactuallylistens to classical music, who has a unique view of everything — which comes out in your photography — and who believes in true love. Before I met you, I didn’t believe in love at all, not really. I only believed in work. But you showed me that there’s so much more to life than work.You invited me on vacation with you and brought me into the greatest love story I could ever imagine. Whatever happens next, I can’t wait to experience it with you. I love you, milady.”
