Page 4 of Because You Loved Me

Grandma had bought her a few minutes, but Sarah was nothing if not committed and she hated to lose. Even if it was a ridiculous bridal shower game. Noa didn’t have much time before her cousin would be looking for her.

She took a breath, turned, and ran—straight into a hard chest.

“Whoa. Careful.”

Two big hands clamped onto her arms, steadying Noa before she tripped over the long toilet paper dangling all around her feet.

“Sorry,” she muttered as she looked up into the eyes so blue, they reminded her of a clear glacier lake. “I was…just…”

“Let me guess.” The man’s eyes sparkled with mischief, but he didn’t move his hands. “You’re either on your way to a very formal event, or…” He pretended to think. “The bathroom.”

An unexpected laugh burst out of her and echoed through the empty hallway. She slapped a hand over her mouth, her eyes wide as she glanced behind her.

“Wait,” the man said. “You’ve been attacked by a rogue toilet paper assailant and they’re after you.”

Again, she laughed. “Yes,” she said as seriously as she could. “You’re actually pretty spot-on with that one.” Behind her, she was sure she heard the door to the meeting room open. “I need to hide.”

Blue eyes winked. “Come with me.”

Without waiting for a response, he released her, grabbing her right hand as he spun around and pulled her down the hall to a steel door with a No Entry sticker on it. “In here.”

ChapterTwo

Asher wasn’tin the habit of rescuing women dressed in toilet paper gowns, but there was something about the way she looked at him with those big brown eyes, and when she laughed, he knew instantly that he’d do whatever it took to hear that sound again.

He turned quickly and moved for the first door he saw. “In here.” He quickly punched his master code into the keypad and pushed through the door into the banquet prep area of the main lodge kitchen.

“What? Where?”

Once the door clicked shut behind them, Asher released the woman’s hand, although somewhat reluctantly. “Whoever the lunatic toilet paper bandit chasing you is, he won’t find you in here.”

“She,” the woman corrected him. “My cousin. She takes her bridal shower games very seriously.”

The cute blonde held out her arms and spun in a slow circle, causing the layers of toilet paper to billow up around her legs.

Asher let out a low whistle. “I can see that.” He shook his head. “It’s very impressive.”

She raised an eyebrow. “I guess impressive is one word for it.”

“I take it you’re not a big fan of these games?”

She laughed again. He really was starting to love that sound. There was something completely unguarded about the way she laughed. Deep, throaty, and real. It was refreshing.

“I’m not a fan of weddings at all.”

Interesting.In Asher’s—truthfully—limited experience, most women loved weddings. “What’s wrong with weddings? They’re a celebration of love and happiness. Family and friends gather together and have a good time. Great food, lots of drinks. Dancing.” He shrugged. “How could you possibly object to a big party?”

“It’s not the party I object to.” She plucked at a rogue piece of tissue. “I like a good time as much as the next girl. It’s everything else.”

“The marriage part?”

“All of it.” She shrugged. “I guess I never saw the need to prance around in a white fluffy gown in front of a bunch of people and promise myself, heart, mind, and body to a man.” She rolled her eyes. “There’s so much ridiculous tradition involved that doesn’t make sense at all,” she continued. “I mean, what exactly is the point of making all your female relatives and friends dress each other in toilet paper, of all things?” She gestured to her ludicrous outfit, and he chuckled. “I look stupid, don’t I?”

Asher shook his head seriously. “I think you look cute.”

Her eyes widened but he stood by his answer.

“So besides the promises to another person and the silly toilet paper traditions, do you object to anything else when it comes to weddings?”

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