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“You ready?”
The rest of the groomsmen cheered. I nodded curtly.
Then, Caleb threw the garter up over his head.
I initially made no move to try and catch it, simply watching as it sailed through the air. One of the men behind me – potentially Elliott, trying to save Maria from having to dance with someone who would make unsavory comments – accidentally shoved me. My arms flew out to balance myself… only to end up catching the garter.
Maria started laughing off to the side, as did most of the groomsmen. But they all called it a valid catch, and I stalked off the floor with my ‘prize.’
Right to Maria.
“I suppose this means I must dance with you, but… I’d like to do it properly. May I have the next dance, Maria?” I asked, reminding myself that the other night had been no big deal.
“Mav, you are all gentleman. Sometimes, I wonder if you belong in this century at all,” Maria teased as the DJ started to play a slow song.
I took her out to the dance floor, and we swayed in rhythm to the song. She was both all blushes and all smiles as we moved. Being so close to her again almost… electrified my body in a way I hadn’t expected – or hadn’t wanted to happen. I wanted to hold her close like this all night long. To simply be this close to her all night long, with her head almost resting on my chest.
But I didn’t get the chance because as soon as the dance was over, Stacey asked Maria for help changing into her secondary outfit.
When Maria returned, she walked over to me.
“How about a walk around the church grounds instead of a dance? It’s too hot in here,” she said.
“That can be arranged,” I replied as I held my arm out for her.
We walked out to the church grounds together, where there was a beautiful garden to explore. As the sun set, it looked as gorgeous as I thought it might.
“What are your plans for after the wedding, Mav?”
I pursed my lips.
“Just returning to Waterfront, going back to my job,” I replied. “I don’t have anything super fun coming up. Just living my life. What about you?”
“I’m returning to Lantana.”
I nodded slowly. She didn’t say much more, but I wanted to know everything. We simply didn’t have the time for it. I let go of my previous thinking to just forget what happened the other night and the way I felt. I picked the question that nagged at the back of my mind the most. Why waste time with the formalities when I didn’t have the time to waste?
“Would you ever leave Lantana?”
“I don’t know. I enjoy the business Jade and I have and where we’re trying to take it – more online kind of thing. So if I were to leave Lantana, it would probably be for one thing and one thing only - love.”
I put my hands on her shoulders and turned her towards me. “And have you found - love?” I asked her, stumbling somewhat to get that word out. She stared into my eyes, and then, we kissed—a bit unexpected for both of us, I think.
She pulled back. “Well, that was a bit of a surprise,” she said breathlessly. “I really need to get back inside.” And she turned and walked back into the church.
I continued walking the gardens for a little longer, wondering what had just happened. And thinking that I had really misjudged our feelings all along.
Could I be falling in love with Maria Underhill? Or was I imagining it?
Chapter nine
Maria
Irolled over onto my side, half awake. I knew it was Sunday morning, and then my thoughts went immediately to last night—and the kiss.
Did I kiss Mav, or did he kiss me? Who made the first move? My mind felt confused but also dreamy. And why did I walk away? I think he scared me. Or was I scaring myself because I was falling in love with him? Wait! How could I be falling for this practical and serious guy? And why would a guy like that be interested in me anyway, with all my silly ideas and ways of doing things? Although he had said he was becoming more comfortable with my zany ways when we danced at the party.
Suddenly the sound of a door slamming brought me out of my tranquil state. I glanced at my phone for the time. Eight o’clock. That must be Maverick returning from the airport, having helped to deliver everyone for their early flights out this morning.
