Page 66 of Rules of Engagement

"But I also totally get why you didn't. After what I said about my family, you knew I'd… I'd have a problem with it. That I'd see the divorces rather thanyou."

Another gut punch. He nodded once, holding her gaze and silently willing her to continue.

"Carter, I'll be the first to admit this scares me, but do you think we can start over? With me being less judgy and you understanding I have severe issues that require complete and total honesty, whether I like hearing it or not?"

The elevator doors opened, and he was beyond thankful that they were empty. He tugged her inside and pressed the door close button, not bothering to wait before pressed her into the corner of the elevator and kissed her like the starving man he was.

"Is that a yes?" she asked against his lips.

He stared down into her gorgeous green eyes, maintaining contact as he slowly kissed her again. "That's a yes, sweetheart. I apologize for taking off like I did, but when I saw how disappointed you were and it sank in that I'd blown it, I had to get out of there."

She framed his face in her small hands and kissed him again.

"It wasn't disappointment. It was shock and jealousy and anger and… fear that you'd kept it from me. I let it overwhelm me and—"

He kissed her, hard and fast and purposeful, not letting her up for air until she clung to him and sagged against the wall behind her. "From now on, no secrets." He kissed her again. "We communicate." Another kiss. "We fight… and make up," he growled against her lips, kissing her at the same time. "But we figure it out together. You and me."

She stared up at him, tears glistening in her eyes as she nodded.

"You and me."

Four months later,Eliza stared down at the sparkling rings on her finger before shifting her gaze toward her almost-husband.

She wore fitted winter-white jeans and a matching sweater paired with boots and a beautiful cashmere coat borrowed from Amelia. The small group of friends gathered by the Carolina Cove Pier on a bright February afternoon, called at the last minute so no one could make a fuss, though she would admit to picking the date after hearing Amelia's shooting schedule would allow her to attend.

Marsali and Amelia stood beside her, Mac and Lincoln beside Carter. They'd even taken Piper out of school for the afternoon so she wouldn't miss the special event, and given her seashells to toss in lieu of flowers as they made their way to the pilings beneath the pier for the service.

Now Eliza repeated the vows said by the minister and slid the ring on Carter's finger, barely able to breathe. Not from fear but love. Shelovedthis man. This gorgeous, make-her-toes-curl, kiss-her-until-her-head-spun man and his beautiful little girl.

And best thing of all?

They loved her just as much. All her crazy. All her insecurities. All her neediness.

Carter loved her just the way she was, and ever since that day in the elevator he'd gone above and beyond to show her he wasn't the man of his past but a man who had grown up and changed and lived every day striving to be better. For her. For Piper. For the future he wanted with them and the life they'd have together.

The minister pronounced them husband and wife, and Carter used his hold on her hands to tug her closer, lowering his head to seal the pledge with a kiss that promised everything and gave her more than she could've ever asked for. A husband, a daughter. A life she couldn't wait to live with her family at her side.

Carter lifted his head and she blinked up at him, dazed and happy and so very glad she'd broken her own rules and allowed Carter into her walls, her heart. Because in the process, he'd shown her that true love healed.

And in this case? His case? The third time was definitely the charm.