“This won’t take long.”
Her heels wobble on the crunching gravel, so I do the only sensible thing a gentleman should. I sweep her off her feet.
She giggles and squirms in my hold, curling closer. “Is this an excuse to carry me like a princess again?”
“Can’t risk another pair of shoes. We both know you’re chronically clumsy.”
“Venice doesn’t count!” she gasps, swatting my shoulder. “The cobblestones were wet!”
I carry her deeper into Eliza’s rose garden, pink, white, and golden blooms spilling along the path, the air thick with theirscent. Each step muffles the distant band while Jackie melts into my arms.
At the stone bench tucked behind the hedge, I gently lower her down and sit, unable to stop staring at the vision that is this beautiful woman.
Sliding a hand into my inner pocket, I pull out a long velvet box.
Her breath catches.
“I didn’t get to give you something to wear for the wedding,” I murmur.
She glances with her impossible blue eyes from the box in my hand to me, lips slightly parted. When she takes it, she holds it in her lap, fingertips stroking the edge.
Seconds tick by. She finally opens it, and sunlight glints off the stones, dancing across her features.
She touches the diamonds on the necklace reverently. “It’s beautiful.” Then her gaze locks onto the pendant. She lifts the yellow teardrop diamond into her palm, pressing it to her lips. Closing her fingers around the stone, she brings her fist to her heart.
“The missing one.” The words come out heavy with emotion.
“Now your rainbow is complete.” I smile at her, feeling the surge of emotion choking me too.
Tears gather along her lashes, threatening to spill. “Is this your way of saying we fixed what was broken?”
“Let me help you,” I nod toward her neck and step over the bench.
Jackie gathers her hair to the side, exposing the curve of her shoulder. I can’t help but caress the nape of her neck, and goosebumps ripple across her back.
I fasten the clasp, but don’t pull away.
Instead, my fingers linger and trace the stones set in gold, teasing the edge of the pendant.
The faint scent of jasmine and honeysuckle climbing the trellis over the bench tangles with her perfume. But nothing compares with the particular wayshesmells. The wayshefeels. The quiet wayshebreaks me open.
“I got it in Venice,” I say, lips brushing her ear. “Because we make sense. Even when we pretended we didn’t.” I plant a tender kiss beneath her ear. “We always made sense, baby.”
She turns, dappled shadows painting her face in lace. I nearly come undone when she tears up.
“Shh.” I press my lips to hers, gentle and slow. “You’re going to ruin your makeup.”
Her hands find my jaw, thumbs brushing the corners of my mouth.
“Don’t care,” she sniffles. “I…can’t believe I’m so lucky.” Her watery laugh fills my soul. “I love you so much.”
I never thought love could tear me apart and put me back together in the same breath. With Jackie, every little step she takes to reveal herself feels like another chance.
“I love you, too.” I give her another quick peck.
She rises, adjusting her dress and straightening her new necklace, beaming.
I follow her, but before she can step out of the archway, I swat a palm over the curve of her ass. Because I never get tired of the feel of her. “Go and boss everyone around, you’re behind schedule.”
