Page 54 of Wedding or Not

It’s late. The gates closed to the public hours ago. Wes parks the SUV and turns off the ignition and takes off his seat belt. Then he turns and looks at me.

I do the same, waiting because it seems like he’s going to say something.

When he doesn’t, I say, “Well, thanks. For the evening. It was a lot better than I was thinking it might be.”

“That’s because you stopped being so uptight.”

“Don’t even start that.” I give him a little swat on the chest. I’ve been doing that a lot. “You were uptight too.”

“I was. I’m glad we relaxed. I had a good time.” He’s smiling at me.

Just at me.

Exactly the way I love best.

“So did I.”

“You really do look beautiful tonight.”

I blink. “I do?”

“Yes. Of course. Surely you already know that.”

“Why would I know that?” I’m wearing one of my normal dresses and left my hair loose.

“Didn’t I say it before?”

“No, you didn’t! If you thought I was beautiful, you should have said so.”

“Then I’d be saying you’re beautiful every minute of every day.”

“I’d be okay with that.” My cheeks are warming but with excitement rather than embarrassment. My heart is hammering again but in a good way.

Everything is good.

Something better than good is about to happen.

“You would?” He reaches over to play with a strand of hair that’s fallen into my face.

“Yes, I would.”

“You’re beautiful, Ella.”

“Thank you.” I lean toward him. I can’t help it. He’s not moving, and I need him to.

He closes the distance to my swaying and takes my head in his hand as he kisses me.

It’s just as good as the first time. We both are immediately urgent, trying to work around the console between us to get as close as we can.

I’m about to climb right into his lap when he suddenly jerks back. “Wait.”

I’m gasping. I can’t catch my breath, and it feels like someone socked me in the gut. “Wait? Why?”

“Because we’re not supposed to do that.”

“Why not?”

“Because we agreed. To put the… the chemistry aside until after The Plan is over.”