Page 91 of Bumping into You

Her eyes search mine. I don’t know what she’s looking for butwhatever it is, I hope she finds it.

She’s quiet for a moment, then says, “I’m not ready to get back to real life.”

“What do you mean get back to real life? This is real life.”

“No, I mean, yes, it is real life, but it’s not at the same time, you know? I mean, when the cruise is over, we have to go back to our homes, back to our jobs and life as . . . normal, like before.”

Holly and Greg start off the dancing with their first dance. Seeing my mate happy makes me happy. After years of loving Holly, he can finally call her his wife. But I don’t know how he waited for so long.

One week with Gwen has me seeing life in a whole new perspective.

“Want to dance?” I ask Gwen, putting my hand out to her.

A small smile lights up her face. “Sure.”

As others fill in on the dance floor and the songs change between romantic and fast-paced, I keep Gwen laughing song after song. The happiness radiating from her makes my soul feel full.

The band takes a break, and it’s announced that Holly is going to throw the bouquet and all the single women need to stand on the dance floor. Even though she’s the event planner, Gwen’s also part of the wedding, so she cannot skirt this tradition no matter how hard she tries to convince me.

“Nope,” I say. “It’s tradition and you wouldn’t want to break tradition.”

She mumbles as she makes her way to the dance floor.

Holly stands in front of the group. There are about ten women out there including little Maggie. With a light toss, the bouquet lands directly in Gwen’s hands. Everyone cheers and many women congratulate Gwen.

Well alright then, another sign from Mam.

Chapter 41

Gwen

Catching the bouquet doesn’t mean anything. Right?It’s not like these flowers can tell Niall and me how to make us work after the cruise.

Tammy walks up to me. “Looks like a good sign for you and Niall’s future,” she says, nodding to the flowers.

“Umm, thanks, Tammy,” I reply.

“Hey, Gwen,” she continues. “I know things have been a bit weird with, well, me and Bradley being here, but I just wanted to let you know he thinks highly of you, even after how things ended. And personally, I think you are an amazing event planner, I saw the wedding from a distance, and it was beautiful, and this reception is just so magical.”

“Thank you, that was very kind.”

“I will be sure to tell all my friends and coworkers about your event-planning business,” Tammy says cheerily.

“Thank you, Tammy.”

Bradley walks over to us and whispers something to Tammy. She nods then heads off, leaving Bradley alone with me.

“Gwen?” Bradley asks.

“Yeah?” I say.

“I wonder if I could have a word?”

I notice that Niall is immediately on alert, but I give him a small smile letting him know I’m okay.

“Sure.”

“You really do have a knack for event planning,” Bradley starts.