“Oh,” he says, “there’s Maria. You’ve got to come meet her. I told her all about you while I was picking up my tux.” I can tell that Braxton’s trying not to get hung up on the fact that I didn’t return his sentiment. His posture is wilted, and he’s avoiding my gaze.
“Wait,” I blurt. I don’t want to fail. I don’t want to lose him. Braxton is no stranger to fear, but he’s pushing past it, expressing himself despite the risk.
I glance about the place, my chest achy, tight, and threatening to close in on me. My mind is shouting—say it!Say it whether you’re ready or not.
But then Braxton moves in, bringing his mouth to my ear, his five-o’clock-shadow grazing my cheek. I inhale the heavenly, spicy scent of him, half affected by his spell, half wondering if he’ll tell me to just act normal so we can get through the night. Will he break things off after this? Say he’s changed his mind about dating a woman like me?
“It’s okay,” he breathes against my skin. “I don’t want torush you. You don’t have to say it until you’re ready.” He presses a kiss to my upper cheek, then plants another just beneath it. With a series of soft, wonderful kisses, Braxton trails a path to the corner of my lips, warming and delighting me all at once.
Desperate for more reassurance, I lift my chin just in time for his mouth to meet mine.
When it finally does, Braxton’s kiss is strong and certain, seeming to tell me all he wants me to know. He really does love me, and he really is willing to wait.
Soon, his movements become slower, gentler, softer. “Now,” he says, clearing his throat, “get ready to meet Maria. She’s a small business owner, too, so you guys have a lot in common.”
Kirsten gives me a wave as I catch eyes with her through the crowd. I have no idea what she reads on my face. Shock, disbelief, delight? My sister knows me better than anyone, but even if she had a manuscript reading of the dialogue in my head, she still wouldn’t know how I’m feeling. Not even I know.
Still, I greet Maria with a smile and congratulate her on a job well done with Braxton’s tux. She tells me that he was gushing about his new girlfriend during the fitting, and I nudge Braxton playfully.
“That’s so sweet. I like telling people about him, too.” It’s a lie. An unnecessary lie at that, one that causes me to shift my weight and look away. The fact is, I don’t want to gush about a man who could walk away and leave me answering awkward questions about what happened when it’s over.
Throughout the remainder of the party, I managed to pullmyself together. Braxton told me he loves me, and when I couldn’t say it back, he gave me all the love and assurance I could ask for.
Each time I replay the sentiment, I believe it a little more. And more even still.
By the time the party’s over, I’ve been introduced to most of the family’s friends, relatives, and church community, too.
We convince Braxton’s parents to head onto the patio for a soak in the hot tub while we clean up.
“So nice to see you again, Maggie,” Collin Wheaton says on his way out, a towel draped over one shoulder. “Between you and Kirsten, you’ve made my sons very happy.”
“Thank you,” I say from my spot in front of the kitchen sink. “They’ve madeuspretty happy, too, right?” I add, nudging Kirsten who’s doing dishes with me.
“Definitely,” Kirsten says.
Mandy Wheaton, who’s standing beside her husband, looks at Braxton and Beau in turn. “They better.” She meets eyes with me and pulls an impish grin. “Too bad you don’t have a few more sisters for these two.” She points at Liam and Luke.
Liam shakes out a fresh kitchen garbage bag with a sharp snap. “No doubt.”
“I’d take one of the Modella chicks in a heartbeat,” Luke adds, making most of us laugh.
Braxton, however, bops him on the head with a balloon before tossing it in the open sack. “Watch it.”
Collin and Mandy grin affectionately at the scene.
“Well, thanks for making this night a success, kids,” Collinsays. “We couldn’t have done it without you.” His gaze settles back on Kirsten and me. “Hope to see you gals, soon.”
“Me too,” we say at the same time.
The couple heads onto the patio in their swimsuits and closes the door behind them.
“Man, I admire them,” Luke says.
“Ienvythem,” Liam admits.
Braxton catches my gaze from across the way, his subtle grin seeming to say that we might be well on our way to getting what his parents have.
I smile reassuringly back.Yes, I decide, we really might be. It’s okay that I didn’t say I loved him back yet. If Braxton is as patient as his parents are, something I’ve witnessed firsthand, then I’m sure that I’ll get there.
