Page 16

One year later…

On the day of her wedding, Harper woke up early, restless and impatient to get on with it. The ceremony, the reception, and the future she and Knox were eager to start. In her mind, the countdown clock was ticking. Loudly.

Today was the day. Finally.

And now that it was close it seemed like time was moving even slower.

She bounced out of bed and freshened up. Too excited for coffee, she pulled on shorts, an oversized tee, and her flip flops. She slipped out of her room and headed downstairs.

It had been a long year of waiting, planning, juggling, and more waiting. But today—in just a few more hours—she’d exchange vows with the man she loved with all her heart, the man who was her ideal partner. Not perfect, just perfect together.

When it was clear her family wouldn’t let them get away with a small wedding, she and Knox had conceded to having the wedding and reception at the resort. An entire wing had been blocked for the three-day weekend of rehearsal and welcome party, the wedding and reception, and a farewell brunch hosted by their parents.

Missing that occasion was one of the biggest perks of being newlyweds, in her opinion. After a long discussion with her mom and dad, Knox had invited his parents. He’d warned them that he’d kick them out if they pulled any of their normal stunts.

Harper didn’t much care what they did. Since announcing their engagement, she and Knox had developed a detached, neutral communication with them. No longer estranged, but not yet warm and friendly.

Today she was solely focused on Knox and his happiness. She would rely on her plentiful family to keep his parents in line.

Thinking of Knox, she checked the time on her phone and grinned. Room service would be delivering a tray of breakfast sandwiches to his room any minute now. Sneaking around through the service hallways, she reached the staging area where the decorations for the day were waiting. Just like she was.

The resort staff and her wedding planner had everything in order—she wasn’t concerned about that. She just wanted a minute to sit by herself in the quiet with all of it. This morning, she was a bride. Before sunset, she’d be a wife and definitely the happiest woman in the world.

Unable to resist, she did a fast happy dance, complete with a spin.

“I thought I might find you here.”

Harper whirled once more, pleasantly unsurprised to see Knox. He looked positively yummy, braced against the open door. Or maybe that was the breakfast sandwich in his hand.

“You got my surprise.” She bounced on her toes. “I didn’t make them, just told them what I wanted for you.”

“It’s perfect, thank you.” He stepped closer. “Wanna share?”

For a long moment, she stood there, admiring the man who would soon be her husband. “Do you think there’s still time to elope?”

“Today? That would probably take longer than just going through with the big wedding.” He opened his arms. “Come here.”

It was so natural to move into his embrace, to rest her head against his shoulder and breathe him in. “You smell better than the sandwich.” Her stomach rumbled.

“I’ll remind you about that one day when I get back from fishing.”

She lifted her head and stared him down. “Don’t think you’re ever going fishing without me again.”

His laughter rumbled through his chest. “I solemnly swear the bachelor party was a one-time deal.”

“Is that a vow?”

“The first I’ll make to you today,” he murmured.

Her heart soared. “You know me so well. I love you.”

“I love you right back.” He looked around the room. “You’re not having any jitters or cold feet?”

“No and no.” Smiling, she looped her arms around his lean waist. She would never tire of looking at him. Of loving him. “We really should have eloped.”

“Disagree.”

“Hang on. It was your idea.”

He dipped his chin. “Sure. At the very beginning. But I want to be your husband for a long time. Preferably for the rest of your life. Your aunts would’ve cut my life short if we had eloped.”

“Well, that is true.” She moved deeper into the room. “Come look at these columns.” Gauzy ivory tulle and glossy green ivy were twined around the tall pieces. “Nina and Molly have gone above and beyond for us today. I know the event is about more than the decor, but I’m so excited to see it all come together. Is that weird?”

“Whatever gets you through.” He grinned. “It’s a big day. Our big day.” He dropped a quick kiss on the tip of nose. “We’ll make memories today.” His mouth touched hers with melting tenderness. “I only get to call you my fiancé for a few more hours.”

“I think today you get to call me your bride all day long,” she said.

“If he’s smart, he’ll call you his bride for the rest of his life,” a muffled voice declared. “Maybe my dad should give these new husbands some lessons.”

Harper laughed as Nina and Molly bustled in with boxes of flowers and arrangements from the Island Bloomers shop. They quickly set down the supplies on a nearby table.

The blend of sweet and lush fragrances was enough to give Harper a happy contact high. “It’s really happening.” She rushed to hug her friends. “Thank you for making it an amazing day.”

“You want us to give you a few more minutes?” Molly asked sweetly.

Both women were smiling as if they understood all the secrets of eager brides. Of course they did, both women were recently married and also consistently booked for weddings.

“We can find another place to be,” Knox said.

“I just wanted a few minutes before the chaos breaks out,” Harper admitted.

“There will not be chaos.” Nina said sternly. Her stoic expression cracked when she exchanged a glance with Molly.

“At least none that you know about. Bride’s privilege,” Molly said, her eyes sparkling. “Every wedding has some near-disaster that makes for fond memories.” She squeezed Harper’s hands. “If you want a few more minutes of quiet, avoid the breakfast room.”

“Already?”

Nina and Molly nodded in unison.

“Thanks for the tip,” Knox said. Saluting her with the sandwich, he grabbed Harper’s hand. “And thanks for making our day amazing.”

He rushed her away from her friends and out into the soft early morning air. The ocean was a faint drumbeat, growing louder. “Where are we going?”

“Just far enough.” He led her over a patch of thick grass in front of the dunes, sheltered by stout palm trees.

On a small bistro table flanked by two chairs a thick candle burned brightly inside a glass hurricane shade. A dark lunchbox was topped with a deep pink bow.

Knox pulled out one chair. “For you. To start the day right.”

She sank into the chair. “Knox.”

“Open it,” he said, taking the other chair.

“How did you manage this?”

“Love. Same as you.”

Tears threatened. She blinked them away as she untied the bow and opened the lunchbox. Inside, four glossy truffles were lined up in a row. “These are gorgeous.”

“Try one,” Knox urged, looking as excited as if the gift was his own. “Unless you want some real food first.”

She shook her head and plucked a truffle from the tray. Biting into it, she sighed as the flavors filled her mouth. Chocolate, marshmallow creme, and a crunchy graham cracker crumble blended into a perfect bite. “S’mores!” She tipped the box so he could take one. Enjoying this moment and remembering their night down by the fire pit. “You’re brilliant.”

“I just know where to shop.”

He was too humble. This interlude was so much more. He was right that they were making memories today. No matter what chaos or near-disaster happened today, as long as the minister declared them husband and wife, it would be the perfect start to their married life.

As the sun climbed into the sky, they shared the sandwich and polished off the final two truffles in a breakfast she would treasure forever.

And after a few sweet kisses full of promise, they blew out the candle and went back to the wedding day waiting for them.

* * *