Page 89 of Tuxedos and Tinsel

Some day, she told herself. Some day she would have that. At the moment, her heart still wished it were Lewis, but after a week, it was time for her to accept that that wasn’t going to happen. Instead, she’d be grateful for the time they’d had.

As she blinked away the dampness from her eyes, she felt someone settle into the empty seat beside her.

“I hope those are tears of joy.”

Susan stopped breathing. She was almost afraid to turn her head. Was that really Lewis sitting beside her? “You… I…”

He put his fingers to his lips. “Shh. There’s a wedding going on.” A second later, his hand captured hers.

The rest of the ceremony passed in a fog as the only thing Susan could focus on was the man beside her. Did his being there mean he returned her feelings or was he simply fulfilling one last obligation? A tear slipped down her cheek.

“Hey, now,” Lewis said as the rest of the group burst into applause. “What’s this?” He reached across and fanned her cheek with his thumb, his fingers lingering on her jaw when he finished.

What was he doing, smiling at her like she was the most important person in the world? People were still applauding and congratulating the happy couple, but she needed to know. The moment was too surreal to believe. Or rather, too perfect to believe.

“Come with me,” she said. Slipping past the crowd, she led him to the vestibule where they could talk in private. There, partially hidden by a poinsettia tower, she turned to him and finally asked what she’d been dying to ask the entire ceremony. “Why are you here?”

“I got your invitation.”

A week ago. She’d left her message a week ago.

She tossed her drink in his face.

“What was that for?” Lewis wiped the True Love from his face.

“Why do you think?” It was an instant reaction and probably over the top, but dammit! “You left me hanging for an entire week!”

“Is everything okay?” she heard Thomas ask.

All five members of her family appeared in the doorway, prepared to stand by her. Even distracted by Lewis, the show of solidarity squeezed her heart.

“Thanks, but I’ve got this,” she told them. “Lewis was just about to explain what the hell he was thinking showing up here after being MIA for a week.”

“I was trying for a romantic gesture.”

“You call leaving me hanging romantic?”

“Don’t be daft. I wanted to call you back as soon as I got the message.”

Out of nowhere Nick joined the group, brandishing a cloth napkin. Lewis took the cloth and wiped the last of the liquid from his cheeks. “Okay, Ishouldhave called you back as soon as I got the message, but I was out of town on business. I decided it would be better if I waited until I saw you in person so I could say I love you properly. Clearly I made a mistake.”

“Clearly you did… Wait.” Did she hear him right? “What did you say?”

“I said I made a mistake.”

“No, before that.”

Lewis smiled. “I said I love you, Susan Collier.”

Before she could say another word, he drew her into a kiss. He tasted like peppermint and True Love.

God bless silly cocktail names.

“I’m the biggest idiot on the planet,” he whispered when they parted. He rested his forehead against hers, his eyes shut tight. “I was so afraid of… I spent my entire life certain the only reason anyone would want me was because of what I could do on the field. That if I weren’t a star…if I weren’t in the spotlight, that people wouldn’t care. I wouldn’t be good enough for anybody.” Pulling back, he opened his eyes to reveal unshed tears. “Especially not for you.”

“You are an idiot.” Her lips were trembling so much, the words barely made it out. “I don’t care what you do. I never did.” The irony of his confession hit her and she started to laugh. “I thoughtIwasn’t good enough foryou.”

“Oh, sweetheart, you are so far out of my league. I consider myself lucky that you would ever give me the time of day.”