Page 22 of The Wedding Run (The Wedding Letter #1)
Luke
K iss her… kiss her… kiss her …
The crowd’s chanting rings in my ears and vibrates through me. I’d like to accommodate them, but I don’t dare. This is Libby. This is my best friend’s ex.
But then, Libby challenges me. "Derek," she says, "has no claim here." She flirtatiously bats her eyes, pushing me toward a different decision.
I hand the wedding dress to the man in the overalls. “Do you mind, sir?”
“Not at all,” he says with a grin. “Give the fella some room.”
But the crowd gathers closer.
I move toward Libby, gliding my hand around her waist. With one swift tug, I yank her against me.
Someone emits a piercing whistle.
I take my sweet time because, quite frankly, I may never get this chance again. And I might get my other cheek slapped.
But it’ll be worth it.
The crowd goes silent.
I tip her chin upward and look deep into her eyes. It’s then I realize I’m in deep trouble. But it’s too late.
I lower my voice in a confession for only her to hear, “I’ve been wanting to do this for a while.”
“You what?” Her mouth opens.
A surefire invitation.
I capture her mouth. At first, I press my lips to hers, waiting for her to soften, which she does, and then she yields.
It’s no longer me kissing Libby; instead, she’s kissing me. We’re truly kissing. Right here on Main Street, with God and everyone… and I mean, everyone watching.
Amid the haze buzzing through me, I realize I don’t want this kiss to end. I want this kiss to go on and on. The realization makes me withdraw.
As suddenly as it began, it’s over.
It feels like Libby and I are in a protective bubble. I can hear her breathing and feel her heart pounding in rhythm with mine. I become aware of my hands on her waist and hers around my neck. Gently, I tug her hands free. “You can let go now.”
She jerks back a step, breaking contact, wobbling. As I steady her, I become aware of the loud whoops and applause from the crowd. Car horns blast. The crowd of faces spins around us in a blur.
I turn to the man in the overalls. “Thank you, sir.”
He hands me the dress, and I hook it over my shoulder. Libby looks dazed and confused. I take her hand, and the crowd parts as I lead her to the train depot.