My breath catches.
“Hunter Ashe,” Adele calls. “Let’s get you in the suit.”
As he disappears into a dressing room, I try to steady my pulse and will red blotches not to appear on my chest.
I think I’m successful.
When he emerges, every coherent thought dissolves. The man fills the doorway like he was built for it, all sharp lines and dark fabric against the soft glow of the fitting room lights.
The beige linen suit emphasizes his broad shoulders and the taper of his waist. The white shirt is crisp against his tanned skin. His light brown hair is slightly messy, and the scruff along his jaw makes him look just rough enough to be dangerous.
He steps onto the platform beside mine while Adele inspects the fit.
“How’s it feel?”
“Good.” He lifts his left arm, testing the sleeve. The movement is smooth now, no hesitation.
“Perfect,” Adele says. “My assistant will check all the seams while I check the maid of honor..”
Hunter watches me in the mirror, and I can’t look away. The way his biceps fill the jacket sleeves just enough to let everyone see them stirs the butterflies in my tummy.
Then he moves—off the platform, across the floor, directly toward me. He stops close enough that I have to tilt my head back to hold his gaze. He smells like something wild and outdoorsy that doesn’t belong in a room full of silk and perfume.
“Two weeks,” he says quietly. “Then we’re in St. Sebastian.”
My pulse hammers at the faint brush of his breath on my skin. “I know.”
“Four days. You, me, and a Caribbean island.” His voice drops lower. “I’m done playing it safe, Claire. I want you. And I think you want me too.”
My pulse won’t slow, like my body hasn’t accepted what just happened.… but Derek never showed up like this. He never pursued me or sent me things or noticed what I like. The guy never made anything feel chosen. It’s kind of like we just let things happen and dealt with whatever came next. The truth is, when I finally left, I felt a huge flood of relief.
“What are you asking?”
“I’m asking you to stop running long enough to find out if this is worth it.” His eyes search mine.
“You don’t do serious.”
“I didn’t.” His jaw tightens. “Then I met you.”
The honesty undoes something in my chest. Because he doesn’t hedge or soften it. He says what he means like he builds things… solid, intentional, meant to last. Unlike my ex.
But that doesn’t change the fact that he and his wife were trying to get pregnant… years ago. I can’t give that to him. I don’t know how he would feel about surrogacy, which is the most certain path to motherhood. And I think I want that.
“Give me time to catch up to where you are?” I hear myself say.
A flash of excitement crosses his face. “I can absolutely do that, Doc. I have a feeling you’re worth the wait.”
Her next words surprise me, which isn’t easy to do. “I have a feeling you’re worth the wait too.”
Chapter 5
Hunter
How I got zip-tied to the woman I’m lusting after is something I’ll have to thank—or curse—Esme for later.
Franklin’s fiancée has a matchmaking streak a mile wide, and apparently my best friend’s wedding is her latest battleground. I’m here because Franklin called in fifteen years of friendship, and that means showing up even when the maid of honor wants nothing to do with you.
The resort stretches out around us on St. Sebastian, all light stone and bright pink bougainvillea. The patio fans whirl slow and lazy, a few sailboats moving slowly across the water in the distance. Claire’s on the opposite side of the beach games setup, talking to one of the other bridesmaids. She’s in a sundress the color of sea glass, the kind that ties at the neck and leaves her back bare.
