Page 114 of The Backup Groom

“Let’s go for it,” Scotty said, grinning.

“Give me two minutes and I’ll get it started for you,” she said. “And let me know if you need anything else. Enjoy the movie.”

“Thank you,” he said, slipping on his headphones.

I followed his lead and slipped the headphones over my head, wondering what alternative universe I was in. My heart filled with warmth as he thoughtfully spread the blanket across our laps, giving much more to me, making sure I would be comfy outside in the open air, since I was wearing a dress.

A few seconds later, the movie began.

Superman.

I glanced over at Scotty and smiled.

He mouthed, “I’m sorry.”

I nodded my forgiveness and smiled again, then glanced back up at the screen.

As we watched the movie, I snacked on the popcorn and sipped on my Caramel Spockiato that I had missed so much. Not as much as the man who made it, of course.

Halfway through the movie, Scotty reached over and held my hand, squeezing it and kissing the top. Then he continued to hold on to it.

How could I even be mad at him? This had to be one of the most romantic evenings of my life, watching a movie under the stars with the man I loved.

The conversation with Scotty and his argument aboutSupermanand romance popped into my head, and I had to work to contain my laughter. Why did I have the feeling he was going to bring that up again?

After the credits rolled, Scotty slipped off his headphones, stood, and held out his hand. “See? That’s why I changed my mind about it being a romance. No kiss. It’s a sci-fi.”

I grabbed his hand and pulled myself up. “Did you see the way he looked at her? It could only be a romance with the way he felt, nothing more.”

We shared a look and laughed, then Scotty lost his smile. “I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you the truth, out of the fear of losing the chance to be with you. I was an idiot, and I promise to you that is the last time and it will never happen again. And in case you’re wondering, I have the divorce decree now. I’m officially divorced.” He pulled it out of his pocket and unfolded it to show me. “Please forgive me.”

I already had.

We needed to put this nonsense behind us.

I would be a fool to let him go.

“Of course I forgive you.” I said, moving closer. “I was wrong to jump to conclusions. Rather than running away, I should have stayed to listen to what you had to say, and why you did what you did. I would have still been hurt, but I would have understood better. Then we could have worked this out together rather than apart. Please forgive me.”

“Of course.” Scotty pulled me closer. “I missed you.”

“I missed you, too,” I said.

“Does that mean we’re good?”

I glanced at his lips. “Oh, we are more than good. We are—”

Before I could finish my sentence, his mouth was on mine, another deep, passionate kiss that took my breath away and made my legs wobble.

“I love you,” I whispered against his mouth, smiling, out of breath.

“I love you, too.” He caressed the side of my face. “And we need to go.”

“What?” I said, questioning why he wanted to end our moment so quickly.

Scotty grinned. “I have another surprise for you.”

I glanced down at his Superman outfit. “If you’re going to jump off the side of the building and try to fly, I can tell you right now that would be a bad move.”