Page 156 of Counting On You

Chapter Forty-Three

Vicky

It’s been barelyfive minutes when a knock raps at the door. The only person who might need me is the wedding planner.

Kristy and I have an arrangement.

Whatever problem, issue, or trouble, she’ll come to me first to avoid causing unnecessary panic between the Sullivan members of the family.

I glance at my cell phone.

Only ninety minutes to go.

She’s probably ready to brief me in or has last-minute questions about the seating arrangements.

The problem is I don’t want to talk to her because I can’t focus on anything but the man I’m desperately trying to avoid.

My heart feels like it’s about to burst at the prospect of talking to him after such a long time. My body seems to tingle all over at the memories of his touch.

A flicker of hope ignites deep inside me.

A flicker of want travels through my core.

This could be the closure we both need.

But do I even want closure?

Maybe I won’t have to face him at all.

Maybe he’s here to thank me after which he’ll leave.

Maybe this insane attraction is all in my mind, and all that I need is one good look at him, and he’ll be out of my system for good.

Who are you kidding, Sullivan!

“I’m busy,” I yell and step in front of the mirror.

I still have to change out of my old Mickey Mouse shirt and my hair which was all glossy, red curls barely an hour ago thanks to Gracie’s amazing hairstylist, is now a dull, tangled mess. There’s no way I’m walking out of my room looking the way I do.

Only, I need to get my dress from Gracie’s room.

Another rap at the door before someone throws it open and my sister’s head appears.

She’s not looking at me as she calls over her shoulder, “She’s in here. Hiding, obviously.”

Before I can blink, she’s gone again, leaving the door ajar. Something tells me I’m no longer alone—or as alone as you can be in a house full of people.

A lump settles in my throat, cutting off my air supply.

He’s here.

I can feel him, his presence unraveling, his magnetism overpowering.

“You’ve been avoiding me.”

Sweet mercy.

His familiar voice sends a shiver down my spine. I’ve been longing to hear it for weeks.

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