She scowled. “Why didn’t you ever let me in?”
He sighed. “Because a part of me knew I loved you and if I let you into my life, I’d have to let you in here.” He tapped his chest just over his heart and then touched their foreheads together. “There was no way to keep you out forever, though.”
“Because we’re soul mates.” She ran her fingers across his beard. He looked so different with it trimmed up, but the warmth in his eyes was the same.
“How do you know we’re soul mates?” he whispered.
“Because if only one of us could be happy, I want it to be you.”
“And I’d want it to be you.” He kissed her nose.
“See?” She smiled. “Soul mates.”
He nuzzled her neck. “I think I see.”
She giggled because his beard tickled. Oh, she could get used to that. “Cliff?” She was falling into this moment, into him without a safety net.
He paused and pulled back. Looking deeply into her eyes, he read her worries. “Diana, I love you. I want to be with you every Christmas for the rest of forever.”
She melted into his chest, laying her head where she could hear his heartbeat. “That sounds absolutely perfect.”Thump-thumpwent his heart. She listened for a moment, getting sleepy again. She was warm now, though still fuzzy thinking. “I love you too, Cliff. I want to marry you.”
His chest bounced, and she felt his laughter more than heard it as she drifted off to sleep wrapped in the arms she’d wished for for Christmas. “I guess I don’t have to be nervous when I propose.”
She shook her head slightly. “If you don’t, I will.”
He laughed out loud at that. “Sleep, snowflake. I’ve got you.” He kissed her cheek, then her forehead, then her nose, and finally her lips.
She smiled, breaking the kiss, just before she drifted back to sleep, content to know she was safe and loved. Cliff wouldn’t let her go, not now, not ever, and she’d hang on to him for all she was worth. His lips found hers once more for one of his achingly sweet, wonderful, tingle-all-over kisses, bringing her out of sleep. Her heart responded, thump-thumping in time with his. Who would have thought her fake fiancé would turn out to be the love of her life?
Epilogue
Cliff
Cliff stood at the front of the barn in front of Pastor Thomas, wearing a black tuxedo. He’d griped about having to dress so formally when Diana liked his flannel shirts just fine, but his mom insisted he look presentable for his wedding. What was a guy to do? Sometimes moms were right about things. Just like Diana’s mom was right about a Valentine’s Day wedding. Waiting two months to call Diana his wife had almost killed him.
She’d decided not to wear her great-grandmother’s dress, instead choosing an empire gown and long white gloves. She looked miraculous, and despite her insisting she would have proposed if he hadn’t, he couldn’t believe she’d agreed to be his bride.
He’d proposed on New Year’s Eve in front of her parents and his, so there were witnesses. She’d kissed him three times before he got an answer out of her.
While she didn’t wear her great-grandmother’s dress, he’d had a replica of Grandma Lola’s ring made up, with a slightly larger stone. He often caught Diana staring at it and smiling. The sigh made his heart thrum.
Celine came down the aisle first. She and her mother had agreed to a truce of sorts and agreed to not talk about men, dating, or marriage for at least five years. Aunt Willow said a mother could only be silent for so long. Celine said she’d never been happier and had brought a software developer to the wedding. He seemed like a nice guy.
Sadie followed as the matron of honor. She winked at Cliff before taking her spot. He shook his head. Sadie gave him another warning last night about breaking Diana’s heart. He had every intention of keeping her heart safe for as long as they both should live.
If only she’d get here. Why did they put so many people in the wedding? All he needed was Diana and the ring, and he’d be a happy man.
The wedding march started, and he held his breath, waiting for that first glimpse of her. She appeared on her father’s arm, beaming like her world was alight with joy this day. He didn’t breathe until her hands were in his. He lifted them, kissing her knuckles. It wasn’t planned, but he couldn’t help himself.
The pastor’s words were a blur and Cliff almost missed his cue to say “I do,” he was so wrapped up in Diana’s loving gaze. This was what life was about. For too long, he’d stood on the sidelines. If he hadn’t said yes to being her fake fiancé, he would have missed out on being her husband.
“You may now kiss the bride.”
“I thought you’d never get there,” Cliff said just loud enough for Pastor Thomas and Diana to hear. She giggled and slipped her hands behind his neck, pulling him in for a kiss. He sure liked the way she drank him in, like she’d never get enough. He knew exactly how she felt. If he had ten lifetimes with Diana, it would always be one too short. Their love would burn on long after they were gone.
* * *
