Page 59 of Double Trouble

I laugh. “Not anymore.”

“Last time you said it, you were pretty out of it.”

I jerk back. “I’ve said it before?”

A smile curls his lips, and my heart sings that I’m getting my Tanner back. He’s peeking out from the fog he’s lived in the past two weeks. “In front of the paramedics. You really like my hair, too.”

I won’t even deny it. “Sure do.” My eyes drift to those soft strands before floating back down to meet his gorgeous greens. “I guess my big moment was spoiled by head trauma.”

He brushes his hand across my forehead, smoothing my flyaways. “Oh, it still feels pretty big.”

“Good.” I shift in his arms, my good leg growing weaker the longer I stand on it. “I love you, Tanner. And I’m ready to hear you say those three words back… I mean if you feel them. No pressure or anything.”

He laughs and dips low, tucking his arms under my butt and lifting me onto his hips. The papers crinkle against the small of my back. “Mad… I’ve loved a lot of girls. A lot. I mean, more than a person should at my age.”

“Get to the point, boyfriend.”

His breath warms the space between us, and he meets my eyes. “I have never loved anyone the way I love you.”

My lips purse together to keep from grinning too hard. I rest my forehead against his. “Damn it.”

“Excuse me?”

“Your delivery was so much better than mine.”

He laughs against me and closes the gap between our mouths. I melt into his embrace, laughing and loving this perfect moment in time… when all my dreams came true.

Six months later

“Pete totally lucked out getting married on Valentine’s Day.” Aislynn drops into an empty seat at the head table just as I pan around with my camera. Most of the couples who are assigned to sit there are out on the dance floor, including the newlyweds. I should probably focus on them, anyway.

Maddie scoffs and takes a sip from her champagne glass. “No way. He’s going to have to do double duty now. Anniversary and Valentine’s Day all bundled together.”

She flicks her dark curls over her bare shoulder, and suddenly my lens has found her again. Pete and Candace will never ask me to film an event for them again with all these shots on Maddie. Her best man dress is a soft shade of yellow that hangs on one shoulder and ends right above her knee. She hates the thing, but she’d do anything for Pete and Candace. She promised I could tear it off her later.

Aislynn shakes her head. “I think he’s off the hook for Valentine’s Day from here on out. It’s all gonna be anniversary celebrations.”

Maddie rolls her eyes to me, and since I’m a good boyfriend, I silently agree with her on this one, giving her a thumbs up.

The girls chat some more while I walk around the dance floor, zooming in on the bride and groom as they slow dance to a fast song. Candace looks like a Disney princess in her flowing gown and tiara, and Pete just has this look like he’s won the damn lottery.

After a few good shots, I signal to the photographer that I’m taking a quick break and head to the buffet to grab myself and the girls some cake.

When I get to the head table, Candace has plopped down next to Maddie, and uses a seating assignment card as a fan to cool down her red face.

“Done dancing for a bit?” I ask, sliding the slice I got for myself over to her. Candace grabs a fork and dives in while Mad pushes her piece between us to share.

“My partner was stolen.” She jabs her fork toward the dance floor, and I catch the very tall groom dancing with the very short maid of honor. Pete grins at his little sister, all dressed in yellow with pink flowers in her hair.

I pull my camera out quick to get the shot of the sweet sibling moment, but I stop when Demi hugs her brother tight, tears glistening in her eyes.

I put my arm over the back of Mad’s chair and lean into her ear. “Is she okay?” I ask, nodding toward the dance floor.

Mad gives her brother and sister a glance before turning into our bubble with a smile. “She’s just going to miss him, is all. But I’ve got a weekend planned for her. She’ll be all right.”

I plant a kiss on her forehead simply because I can’t resist. Mad’s big heart is just one of the many reasons I’m in love with her.

“Ugh,” Aislynn says, her eyes on her phone. “The apartment fell through.”

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