Chapter 27
We’re gathered on the balcony of the hotel after the rehearsal dinner. String lights sparkle above our heads, and tropical music plays in the background. Behind us, the sun dips low in the sky. Our champagne glasses are raised in the air as Reece’s dad gives a quick toast.
“To Reece and Jana. May they always find happiness with each other.” Reece’s dad lifts his glass even higher. “To the bride and groom!”
“To the bride and groom,” we chime, clinking our glasses together. My eyes meet Matt’s as I take a sip. He’s wearing navy shorts and a white button-up with the top two buttons undone. His entire nautical look is on point.
I’ve been dying to talk to him all evening, but there hasn’t been a chance until now.
He slowly makes his way to me. There’s a different feel about him from this morning when we were paddle boarding. He no longer seems cold. He seems very warm. He leans his hip against the side of the railing, crossing his legs out in front of him.
“Are you having a good time?”
“Yeah,” I say, tucking my hair behind my ear. “Reece and Jana sure know how to throw a party.”
His eyes sweep down the length of my white wide-leg jumper. “You look really beautiful tonight.” He shrugs. “But I always think you look beautiful.”
And suddenly, I feel like a million bucks.
I’ve missed that.
“You look nice too. I was just thinking during the toast how much I liked your outfit.”
His brows climb in a playful way. “You were thinking about me during the toast?”
“Maybe,” I say, biting back my smile.
“I was thinking about you too.”
I’m trying hard to control my heart. If I don’t, I swear he’ll be able to see it pulsing through my clothes.
Matt’s eyes cast out to the ocean in the distance. Sunlight shines on the tranquil water, creating romantic tension. I want to yell at the universe to ease up a little bit. I can barely breathe right now. Do we really need a smattering of oranges and pinks dancing off the water in the most beautiful way? Geez.
“I could look at this view for the rest of my life,” he says.
I glance his way. He’s looking directly at me.
I’ve seen the movies. I’ve read the books. I know exactly how this scene plays out. He’s talking about me. He could look at me for the rest of his life. And although it’s been done before, it’s pretty romantic.
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah.” He looks back at the sky. “The colors, the clouds, the lapping water. It’s amazing.” He eyes me. “You couldn’t look at it for the rest of your life?”
Oh.
Maybe he was talking about the view.
I feel foolish.
But then I glance back at him, and his smile shows just enough amusement that I know he’s teasing me.
“The rest of your life is a long time, Matt.” I lift my chin up to him. “At first, something like the sunset is the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen, but then, after a few years, what if you realize that you don’t really love it? How do you know you won’t change your mind?”
“Because I’ve seen how magical it can be when you stick with it, when you fight every day to keep loving the same person.”
We’re officially not talking about the sunset anymore.
“That’s what my parents did,” he says. “And because of it, they had an amazing life.”
“I don’t have that example to draw upon, and because I haven’t seen it…”—I fight to keep my voice steady—“I’m not sure I know how to replicate it.”
“Rem, I know your heart. You’re more capable of loving than you give yourself credit for. And whatever we don’t know, we can figure out together.” His hand closes around mine. “You don’t have to be scared. I would never hurt you or leave you.”
“Did you tell Brittney the same thing?” I swallow, hating that I’ve brought that up, but if we’re going to make this work, we have to address my fears.
His brows lower. “Is that what you’re worried about?”
I fidget with my fingers. “Not entirely. I just… What’s to stop you from changing your mind about me like you did with her?”
“That was completely different. I was young and not ready to make big life decisions. I barely knew who I was back then.”
“And do you know who you are now?”
“I know that my career isn’t everything. I know that I want to spend my life with someone I love who makes me feel alive. I know that I want a family and all the ups and downs that come with it.” He reaches out, skimming along my jaw. “Is what you want so different from that?”
“No.” I close my eyes and lean into Matt’s touch.
I’m beginning to think trusting him might be easier than trying to push him away.
The speaker switches from tropical beats to something slow and soft. Matt drops his hand, and I open my eyes, looking around. Reece’s and Jana’s parents are sitting in the corner, laughing about something. Maggie, Sarah, Dalton, and Peter are taking selfies with the sunset. Lissy is sitting on Cobie’s lap, stroking his hair, and Reece has his arms around Jana at the other end of the balcony.
“Dance with me,” Matt says.
My chin drops. “Right now?”
“Yeah.” He takes my champagne glass and sets it down. I smooth my hair back and tug on my jumper as butterflies stir inside my stomach. You’d think I’ve never been asked to dance before.
Matt grabs my hand and pulls me to him. My body falls against his chest, and his arms wrap around my waist. I slowly lift my hands, placing them on his shoulders, fearing that if I move too fast, he’ll somehow disappear. Our cheeks fall in line, and I feel the warmth of his breath on my neck and shoulders. I close my eyes, focusing on his touch—the way his fingers dig into my waist, the way his strong arms close me in. My heart accelerates. Who needs exercise? I can reach my maximum heart rate just by being close to Matt.
Our bodies sway together to the music, and my hands tighten around his back. I’m full of excitement and nerves as if it were our first dance all over again. His nose skims the side of my cheek, to my ear, and down my neck until it finally lands in my hair. I feel him breathe in my scent, and he sighs like my smell alone has just revived him.
He pulls his head back, looking into my eyes. The tips of our noses touch, and his fingers roam up my back into my hair. I forget that we’re at a hotel with our friends, in the middle of Key West. For all I know, it’s just Matt and me.
I lift my chin, brushing my lips against his slightly. His grip around me tightens, and I do it again, dragging my lips across his. His breath goes ragged, and his eyes close. There’s no more restraint left. I go to my tippy-toes and pull his mouth down to mine. The dance moves from our bodies to our lips. Anyone watching us right now would never believe we’re broken up. If anything, they’d think we’re the ones set to get married tomorrow morning.
We spin around and around, getting lost in the moment. There are probably a thousand things we need to say to each other, a thousand things we need to figure out, but I don’t care.
Right now, it’s just me and Matt and the feeling that connects us.