He grins. “Allie will be glad to hear it.”
“Alliewill be insufferable. And Ruth. And Carol.”
He squints at me. “How welldidyou get to know the fine people of Moonlake Village?”
“I think I might be their secret special project.”
He chuckles. Shoots me another glance. “So we’re doing this?”
“We’re doing this.” He throws on his signal, pulling off into a rest area at the last possible second before we pass it.
He pulls up along the edge of the pavement. The place is deserted except for a lone woman walking a large dog on the other side of the lot. “Do you need something?” I ask, “We should really only stop for essentials.”
“I know.” He unbuckles his seatbelt and leans over, cupping my jaw. He kisses me, slow and deep, and sweet. Then he buckles back in, puts the car in drive.
“You’re right. That was essential.” I bite back a smile. “Now floor it.”
“Sir, yes, sir!”
We shoot off down the highway.
CHAPTER 56
OWEN
We’re gettingclose to the city. Doing okay on time. Frankly, better than I would’ve hoped for. It’s still very, very tight, but we actually have a shot at making it before the eight o’clock ceremony time. Maybe.
Zoe’s been texting all along, filling us in on various wedding disasters (apparently, one of the news bigshots who was supposed to be an attendant bailed, and they hired an actor?!) and generally checking way too often to see if we’ve managed to change the laws of physics and shorten the trip by several hours.
George was fielding these messages and doing his best to keep her calm. But about an hour ago, we made a very efficient stop for gas and snacks, and he insisted on taking over driving. I wanted to argue, but as he pointed out, I’ve spent pretty much the entire day behind the wheel, and I really was ready for a break. He’s clearly not completely comfortable driving my truck, sitting just a little stiffly. I’m trying to play it cool, not let on that I’ve noticed, but it’s adorable. And it makes it all the more sweet that he offered.
He’s so focused on the road, I have a chance to really study him. He reaches up to adjust his glasses (even though they seemed fine to begin with). He’s got stubble along his jawline.His dark curls are a little longer than in the photos I’ve seen. They’re slightly jumbled right now. I want to reach out, run my fingers through them, and mess them up more.
Jesus Christ, I can’t believe I almost screwed myself out of having this. Of having a chance to be with him.
My phone buzzes for the third time in the last hour.
“Tell her the speed limit has not changed in the last twenty minutes,” George says without taking his eyes off the road.
I laugh. I look at the text. “Yikes.”
“What?” George steals a microsecond glance away from the road to look at me.
“Uh, well… it seems the elevator’s been stuck for a while with two groomsmen inside. That reporter, Robert Ryan, and the guy they hired to walk down the aisle with him. “
“Yikes.”
“So now Zoe says, and I quote, ‘Luca really freaking out. No way in hell I’m telling him about the rings now.’”
“Wait,” says George, “She hasn’ttoldthem?”
“Apparently no, and now, if we don’t get there before the ceremony starts, they’re going to find outduringthe ceremony.”
“Shit.”
“Can we make it? Realistically?”
“I mean, in theory, if traffic stays this clear. I could pull up in front of the hotel and hop out, so we don’t have to worry about parking.”
