His eyebrows went up.
She giggled. “You’re not the only one who went shopping.” While he accepted his box, she admired the charms. They were so cute. The cupcake even had pink frosting on it.
He sat back down and gave her a rueful smile before tearing into the paper. “A flannel shirt?” He lifted it out of the box.
She grinned. “I told you, I like you just the way you are.” She fingered the soft fabric. “And you don’t have a blue one.”
He bear-hugged her, encasing her completely in his arms. She sighed happily. “I don’t deserve you, Diana.”
She tipped her head, bringing their mouths closer together. So far, she’d started every good kiss they’d had. She really wanted him to start this one, so she waited. He traced his finger down the side of her face before slowly, so slowly, lowering his mouth to cover hers. Where her kisses had been hungry and quick, which he’d matched desire for desire, his kiss was slower, deliberate, and achingly tender. Oh, she could get used to kisses like that.
“Ahem!” Sadie stood in front of them. She continued once she had their full attention, which took a moment because Diana buried her face in Cliff’s neck, feeling his beard tickle her cheek. “It’s time to get you bride-ified! Mom recruited Celine to help get the dress ready since she has so much experience with fashion.” She clapped and bounced on her toes. “I have the perfect idea for your hair, and Mom found her veil.” She clamped her hand over her mouth. “I probably should leave some things a surprise for the groom. Come on.” She motioned for Diana to go with her.
Diana reluctantly extracted herself from Cliff’s embrace. She trailed her fingers down his arm as she moved. Goose bumps rose on his skin, and she silently thrilled at the physical evidence that she had an effect on him.
Once they were in the master suite, she jumped up and down. “I’m getting married!”
Sadie joined her in the jumping. “I know!” They dissolved into giggles.
When the euphoria wore off, reality started to seep in. Cliff hadn’t called his family. This whole thing could go south in a phone call.
He’d been so wonderful today. So sweet. So loving. Everything she’d ever wanted. Surely if he had reservations about getting married, he would have said so. Hadn’t he blurted out that they should go through with the ceremony? She thought back to that one moment in his room when no one was around. Yes, that’s what he’d said. He said theyshouldget married.
Her stomach swirled with happy butterflies. On their wings was a dream of the life she’d share with Cliff. He could move into her condo, or she’d move into his. She didn’t care which. They would wake up each morning in one another’s arms and share kisses and giggles before getting ready for work. She’d pump him full of home-made foods, and he’d spoil her withI love yous.
Sadie unloaded her makeup bag on the dresser. She’d dragged in a barstool earlier and set up flat irons, curling wands, and a variety of styling products lined up like nutcrackers.
Diana settled into the chair and swallowed. The charms on her wrist tickled her skin, making her think of the way Cliff brushed his thumb over her palm. She rubbed her hands together, wondering what tomorrow would look like. They were getting married today.
Married. For real.
The ceremony would be beautiful—of that she had no doubt. But what was going to happen tomorrow? It could be uncomfortable at best and ugly at worst. She didn’t want ugly with Cliff.
“Stop chewing your nail.” Sadie swatted her hand away from her mouth. “You haven’t done that in years. What is going on? Earlier you had cold feet. Now you look positively ill.”
Diana dropped her chin to her chest. “I’m a mess.”
“Spill, but lift your head, because I need to get this product in there.” She rubbed a cream between her hands and began working it into Diana’s tresses.
“Where’s Mom?” Diana asked first.
“She’s cleaning up wrapping paper in the gathering room.”
“Okay.” Diana shifted, getting more comfortable. She let it all spill out: the whole inviting Cliff because she didn’t want him alone for the holiday, letting Mom believe they were more than friends, and falling in love with him.
“Girl—no wonder you’re a mess.” Sadie ran the flat iron over a section of Diana’s hair.
“Ithinkhe loves me too, but I don’t know if he’s going along with all this to keep up the farce or what. And every time I go to ask him, you drop in and tell me not to be alone with the groom.” She swatted at her sister, probably harder than she should have.
Sadie dodged it. “Sorry! I didn’t know.”
“No one does.”
“Not no one.” Celine came out of the bathroom, a spray bottle in her hand. “I can’t believe you, Diana. I counted on you being here for me this year, and you abandoned me.”
Diana shared a quickshe’s crazylook with Sadie.
Celine glared. “I understood because you’d fallen in love, but knowing you lied—that’s despicable.”
