“Looks like there’s a formula over here,” says Trent, who followed Bradley and Tammy through. Gwen steps to the side before Trent notices my hand on her and makes her way over with Bradley to try to work out the formula.
“Four, the number is four,” says Bradley. Gillian runs back over to Holly and Greg through the open part of the wall and tells them the number.
“Great job,” Gwen tells Bradley. He nods before looking for the next puzzle to solve.
We finish after fifty-nine minutes and twenty-three seconds and have one clue left to spare. When the door unlocks and the television announces that we’ve escaped, I wrap Gwen’s hand in mine. I’m so ecstatic at winning and wrecked from all the secretiveness that I’m not thinking straight. I twirl her around to face me and pick her up. She reaches her arms around my neck and gives me a not-so-friends-only kiss. My heart races as I kiss her back.
“Gwen?” Greg says, his voice stern, sharp. “Niall? What is going on?”
We both freeze then break apart as we remember the rest of the group standing all around us. I close my eyes and squeeze her hand in mine, not able to let go of her.
“I guess it’s no longer our secret,” I say.
“I think you’re right,” she says softly.
“I knew there was something going on with you two,” says Miles.
I take in the rest of the group. Margot is giving me a huge grin,while Holly wears a soft smile. Trent seems happily surprised, and Bradley and Tammy’s faces are etched with confusion. Everyone else seems not too phased, but my heart drops to the floor when I see the look on Greg’s face. It’s the one I had been dreading seeing. And on the bachelor party day of all days.Feck, Niall, way to pick the most inopportune time to forget yourself and blow your secret.
Gwen, silent, glances up at me, and I turn and give her a lopsided grin.
“Well, this should make for an interesting day,” I say.
Chapter 35
Gwen
“Gwen?” Greg says again, his voice even more stern than before. “Will you please explain what the hell is going on?”
I turn to face him, but Holly grabs my arm, pulling me away from Niall and toward her. “Oh, would you look at that, we’re going to be late for the spa if we don’t go now.”
“Yep,” Margot says, taking my other arm in hers. “Come on, ladies, we have to leave. See you all later!” Margot waves to the guys as we turn away and head toward the elevators.
I glance back just in time to see Greg glaring at Niall and Trent smiling and patting Greg on the back.
I hope Niall will be okay back there.
After the three of us get on an elevator, Holly says, “I know I just saved your butt, but I also want to know what is going on.”
“I was going to tell you both,” I say. “I really was, but I didn’t want to take away from the wedding.”
“So?” says Margot, gesturing for me to continue.
“Niall and I decided to give it a go.”
Margot squeals. “I knew it!”
“I’m happy for you,” says Holly, giving me a wide smile. “You deserve it.”
“Thank you,” I say. “I just hope I haven’t ruined Greg’s bachelor party.”
“No way,” says Holly. “He’s going to be a grumpy overprotective brother for like five minutes, then he will see how amazing you two are for each other, and things will go back tonormal. Plus, there is no way your joy could take away from our wedding. We love you and only want good things for you. Your happiness makes us happy.”
“Thanks, Holly,” I say as tears brim in my eyes. “You two are the best.”
Margot waves her hand at me. “Yeah, I know we are. I’m so happy for you too. I’ve been rooting for you two to get together since this cruise started.”
“You have?” I ask.