He nodded, rubbing his eyes. “Maybe that’s why it’s been a little weird. I really don’t have an answer.”
“Like I keep telling you, it’s been an emotional trip.”
I kissed his cheek, breathing him in one more greedy time, even though we were back to rationalizing the pull between us.
“And we’ll video chat, and hopefully you’ll be in New York soon and we can see each other a lot more. Would it make you feel better if I told you that I’m breathing so much easier right now? That I’m very grateful I have an amazing best friend who made sure to find a way to take care of me before we went home?”
I spied his shoulders jerk with a chuckle.
“I love you. And when I find skinny jeans in my new size, I’ll wear them every day if you move back to New York.”
He laughed, burying his face in the crook of my neck and pressing his lips to the sensitive spot behind my ear. His breath fanned hot on my skin, and I had to cross my legs to ward off the tingles between them.
I eased back and sucked in a quick breath as I straightened. Having the sudden hots for my new fake husband would not be practical or in the least bit helpful.
“I love you too, Jules.” He rose, grabbing the empty taco bag off the ground. “We should head back. I can buy you some wedding gelato if they’re still open.”
“That sounds like a great idea.” I stood, wincing at the tightness in my legs and arms. My elbows were sore, the first joints that protested if I pushed myself too hard. I was feeling the aftereffects of a busy weekend and the crash of post-fake-wedding adrenaline. I looked forward to a long, hot shower to loosen everything back up before I went to bed.
“What’s wrong? You’re limping.” Landon clutched his phone as his eyes roamed my body. When he’d done that next to the Bellagio fountains last night, his gaze had been full of heat. Although I hadn’t known what to do with it, I hated the panic drifting over his face now.
“I’m worn out. Nothing a couple ibuprofens and a hot shower won’t fix. I’ll have some gelato with my new husband and head back up to my room.” I squeezed his arm. “It’s okay. It happens.”
He frowned as he tapped his screen to order an Uber. “The car should be here any minute. I’ll get you back, and you can go up to the room and rest.”
“I can manage for gelato. It is our wedding night after all.”
He didn’t answer as he strode to the street and waved the car over. Landon needed a minute to get used to what had become a reluctant normal for me. I hoped the more we talked and saw each other, the less upset he’d be.
He held the door open after the car pulled up, easing me inside before he shut the door. I watched him as he made his way to the other side of the car, tension in his gait that hadn’t been there before or since I’d first told him about my diagnosis at the bar. It had dissipated while we celebrated Dean and Maria’s wedding and even during our fake one, but seeing rather than hearing about my symptoms seemed to upset him even more.
I wished for the days of our younger years, or the last trip I’d taken to Charlotte to visit him. We’d barhopped in the city until three a.m., laughing and eating omelets in the diner by my hotel before I went back to my room. I’d been tired when I’d gone home, but I’d been invigorated instead of wiped out.
It was only six months ago, but it already seemed like a different lifetime.
“We should be back soon. Are you okay?”
“No.”
“What’s wrong? Are you in a lot of pain?” He cradled my cheek as his eyes searched my face. “What do you need?”
“For you to do what you promised. To believe me when I tell you I’m okay. Your handsome face is going to be covered in wrinkles before you land back in Charlotte, and you’ll drive yourself out of your mind if you don’t try to relax over this.”
“I am trying. It’s hard, but believe me when I say I’m trying.”
I nodded, taking in the masculine beauty of his profile as his gaze drifted out the window. His chest heaved up and down as his jaw ticked. I drifted my hand across his shoulders, grazing my palm back and forth and squeezing his neck.
When he swiveled his head, he smiled at me. It wasn’t his usual easy smile, but his jaw relaxed a bit as his eyes held mine. I eased closer and brushed his lips with a light kiss. The kiss didn’t ignite as it had at the chapel, but it had a sweet relief to it. Landon didn’t pull away, giving my lips one more quick peck before we broke apart.
This was as far as we could take it. When we arrived back at the hotel, we needed to retreat to the friend zone and put this weird yet wonderful weekend behind us.
But I couldn’t resist taking one more kiss.
“Happy wedding day,” I whispered, resting my forehead against his.
He chuckled and pulled me into his chest.
“Happy wedding day, darlin’.”
