Chapter 25
twenty-five
. . .
BLAKE
I tapped a fork against my glass, the sound ringing out through the marquee, and the wedding guests fell silent. Gripping the microphone in one hand, and my glass of whiskey in the other, I raised the mic to my mouth.
“For those of you who don’t know me, I’m Blake. I’m Hudson’s brother and the best man tonight.”
Cheers went up from the guests and a corner of my mouth lifted in a small smile.
“For some reason, Kelly and Hudson have given me the task of getting up here to make a speech extolling all the best things about love and marriage, in the hopes I might be able to impart some wisdom on you all.”
I shifted on my feet, swallowing. As a CEO, addressing packed boardrooms was an everyday occurrence. But there was something completely different about addressing a room full of your family and friends on a topic I had little to no experience with.
Especially when I was about to lay my heart on the line in front of them all.
But I told myself I’d do whatever it took to get Honor to listen to me, and given she’d successfully avoided me all night—blending into the crowd like a damn chameleon the moment I got too close––this was the only chance I had at getting her to hear me out.
And I was desperate for her to hear me out.
“I put off writing this speech for a long time, surprised, to be honest, that Hudson even asked me to make it. Given I have little experience with love, and know nothing about marriage beyond my own failed engagement.”
I cleared my throat, my heart seizing at the idea of what I was about to do, but knowing I was going to do it anyway.
“That was until this trip,” I said into the mic, the marquee was silent, the expectant faces of the guests staring back at me. “Because since coming here, I’ve learned what it’s like to have someone by your side who really means something to you. A partner that makes everything better, just like Hudson and Kelly do for each other.”
I paused, willing the nerves rocketing around my body to chill the hell out. I’d never done anything like this before. I wasn’t the kind of guy who easily bared his soul, especially in a room full of people.
But I’d do it for Honor.
Because as much as Hudson and Spencer loved giving me a hell of a hard time about being a closed off asshole, they were right; if I didn’t open up, I was going to lose one of the best things that had ever happened to me. And I wasn't willing to risk that without exhausting every option first.
“A partner like that opens your eyes to possibility. And suddenly you find yourself viewing the world in a way you’d never considered before. On this trip, I’ve learned what it’s like when someone fits in perfectly with your family. And what it’s like when you realize you want more in your life than just a career.” I paused, not trusting myself to look at Honor. “And when you realize you do know how to love someone else after all. And more than that… you actually want to.”
Motion caught my eye, distracting me, as Honor pushed from her seat, turning her back on me and slipping from the marquee in the direction of the beach.
Fuck.
I reached for my drink, rushing to announce a toast. “So to my brother and his beautiful new bride, I’m so glad you’ve found each other.” I held my glass aloft. “To Hudson and Kelly!”
“To Hudson and Kelly,” the crowd echoed, and I downed a sip of whiskey before discarding my glass and the microphone on the table, and rushing after Honor.
The breeze coming off the ocean was still warm as I hustled down the path, my shirt sticking to my skin. Making my way onto the sand, I spotted Honor sitting on the beach facing the water, her arms resting on top of her bent knees.
I slipped my hands in my pockets as I approached her.
“Was my speech that bad?”
I prayed she wouldn’t get to her feet and run from me again.
She glanced at me, startled, before turning her attention back to the ocean. “No. Not at all.” She sighed heavily. “It was beautiful.”
I stepped closer, moving slowly like I was approaching a spooked lioness that might rip my head off at any second.
I’d let her tear me to insignificant shreds if that’s what it took to get her back.
“I meant every word, Honor.”
She nodded, biting the inside of her cheek. “You’re right, Kelly and Hudson are lucky to have each other.”
I moved a few paces closer, stopping at her shoulder so I was staring down at her. “I meant it about you.”
She looked up at me, her eyes watery. “There’s no way you could feel that way about me. We barely know each other. We haven’t had enough time.”
Her tone was weak, like even she didn’t believe the words she was saying.
Sliding my hands from my pockets, I sat down beside her, careful to give her the space she clearly wanted.
We stared out at the water, sitting side by side.
“If you’d told me a month ago, I’d be sitting on a beach at my brother’s wedding, confessing my feelings for a woman I’d only known for a couple of weeks, I would have had the same reaction.”
She turned to look at me, resting her head on her arms like she was worn out. And maybe she was. Hell knows I was exhausted from her consuming my thoughts for the past twenty- four hours. But I’d be tired for the rest of my life if it meant I got to think of her every day from here on out.
“I’m not the kind of guy who makes reckless decisions based on his heart. I’m a head kind of guy.”
Her brow quirked, that usual amusement suddenly coating those tired blue eyes again and I smirked.
“Get your head out of the gutter, Honor, I’m trying to bare my soul here.”
She gave me a small smile and it lit up the night. “Please continue then…”
“We’ve only known each other a couple of weeks, but you’re under my skin. You’ve been there since the moment you walked towards me in that airport lounge. I have no idea how to dig you out, but I realized days ago that I don’t want to.”
She lifted her head, and I threw caution into the fucking ocean, sliding a hand along her jaw and cupping her face.
I celebrated a little on the inside when she didn’t pull away. “When it comes to relationships, I don’t know what the hell I’m doing. But I know, without a doubt, that I want to do it with you. You’re in my head, Honor, and I want you there every day for the rest of forever.”
She stared up at me and I wanted so desperately to kiss her. When she leaned closer, I pressed my lips to her forehead, resting them there and praying to everything that was holy that she’d let me back in.
“Please tell me I haven’t lost you,” I whispered against her.
Silence hung between us, the sound of the waves crashing filling the space.
Then she pulled back, my stomach knotting at the loss of her against me.
“You didn’t trust me,” she said quietly. So quiet it made my chest crack. “You pushed me away. You outed both of us as liars in front of your family. A family I’ve come to care about.”
My jaw tightened, readying myself for the moment she pushed me away.
She sighed deeply, staring back at me. “But that hurt was nothing compared to the hurt I’ve felt being without you.” Hesitation filled her expression. “I’m falling for you, Blake. And I don’t want to be without you, either.”
I stilled, a smile creeping across my face. I reached out to brush a hand along her jaw, pulling her closer. My mouth edged towards hers as if drawn there like magnets, our lips brushing as I spoke.
“Well, then you won’t be.”