Page 130 of Fake it for Keeps

“Then we should save it for the altar.”

“Yeah.” But neither of us moved. “We should.”

Finally, with what looked like physical effort, he stepped back. “Your mom is waiting to walk you down,” he said. “I’ll see you out there.”

“Colt?”

He paused at the door.

“I love you.”

His smile was brilliant. “I love you too, Hallie. More than I ever thought possible.”

He left, and I stood there in my childhood bedroom, staring at the ring on my finger, feeling like the luckiest woman in the world.

I floated back to the master bedroom.

“Ready, sweetheart?” Mom asked when I stepped back into the room.

“Yeah,” I said. “I’m ready.”

She linked her arm through mine, and we made our way downstairs. Hallie and April were waiting at the bottom, ready to follow us out.

“You look perfect,” April whispered.

“Go get your billionaire,” Hallie added with a wink.

Mom led me toward the back of the house. I could hear music playing. Classical and beautiful and perfect.

We stopped at a doorway, and Mom turned to me.

“Your father would be so proud,” she said, her voice breaking. “So proud of the woman you’ve become. Of the love you’ve found.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

“Ready?”

I took a deep breath, my heart full to bursting. “Ready.”

We stepped through the doorway, and I saw it.

My wedding. My real wedding. And at the end of the aisle, waiting for me with love shining in his eyes, was Colt.

My future.

My forever.

My home.

I smiled through happy tears and took the first step toward the rest of my life.