Page 91 of Summer Kisses

Elena was already with the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with, and Ivy was pregnant. Everyone was moving on in their lives while mine was standing still.

If Brady didn't want me, that meant going back to my single-lady existence. No ring on my finger. No beach house. And no love of my life. Max was already irritated that we were back in my apartment. What would it be like if this was my life?

I'd have to watch Brady date and marry someone else. Would I forever be single? Would we drift apart, neither of us baring to be close anymore? I couldn't see any way around it because there was no way that I could pretend to be okay with him dating someone else. Or hanging out with him and not wanting to touch him. It would be impossible.

Maybe I should consider leaving the island, starting over in a new town. I could start an after-school program at a library in another city. There were options.

But I didn't like the idea of never seeing Brady again either.

There was a knock on the door, and I jumped into action, throwing the pregnancy box into the trash and covering it up with paper towels. Then I washed my hands and exited the bathroom.

Once everything was in place, I ran home to shower and change, hoping the redness in my face would dissipate slightly.

I wanted to look my best when I told Brady how I felt. I was nervous about admitting the truth in front of everyone, but it had to be done.

By the time I returned, people were arriving for the party. I walked inside, pleased to see the lanterns providing twinklinglights for the evening. Music played over the speakers. There were round tables placed throughout the room for eating, and a dance floor.

A slideshow presentation played on the overhead projector, showing the work the Kingstons had done on the center, and various parties. The photo array included pictures of many people who'd contributed to the center over the years.

The plan was for me to thank everyone for coming, and then say what I needed to while I had their full attention. My hands shook, and it was difficult to draw in a deep breath because my chest was tight. As the room filled, the nerves only got worse.

The director, Phyllis, motioned for me to come on the small stage and handed me the microphone.

"I wanted to welcome you to the senior center. We're so happy to have you here tonight to celebrate—" I broke off because Brady walked in, and Ivy rushed to the projector. She held up a finger for me to wait.

I chuckled nervously. "There must be some difficulty with the projector."

Ivy stepped back, and the pictures disappeared. In its place was a video of Brady and a man I'd never seen before. He introduced himself as Colin Waters, a reporter from an independent Florida newspaper.

The room was quiet as the video played of the man interviewing Brady. Brady explained how we met, the engagement, and the fake relationship. I couldn't believe that he'd done this. I looked over at him, and his gaze was locked on me.

His words continued to play over the speakers, how he loved me and wanted a future together but wasn't sure how I felt about him. He was worried about losing our friendship, but he didn't want to let the love of his life go.

Tears filled my eyes until I couldn't see him clearly anymore. I swiped at the moisture, desperate to see him, to know that what he was saying was real.

His voice ended, and there he was in front of me, holding my hands between us.

"Do you mean it?" I asked him.

"Every word." His voice was tremulous as if he wasn't sure how he'd be received. "There's just one thing I have to know."

"What's that?" I asked as he stepped closer, cupping one cheek.

"Do you feel the same? I've been dying to know." He placed my hand over his heart. "But I'm scared to find out that you don't feel the same."

His heart was racing.

"I love you, Brady Kingston. You're my everything."

It was like a weight had been lifted from our shoulders, and there was nothing holding us back. His lips touched mine, and I was only vaguely aware of the cheers from the crowd around us. Nothing else mattered but this moment.

Brady loved me. This wasn't just a friendship, or a friends-with-benefits situation. All my fears and doubts fell away until I was pliable in his arms. He pulled me close to him, tucking my head into his chest. "I'm never letting you go."

The rumble of his voice against my cheek solidified his words. This wasn't pretend. This wasn't to prove anything to anyone else but me. Now the town knew everything, and I hoped they wouldn't hold it against us. What mattered was that we ended up together, right where we were supposed to be. "You'd better not."

"I've waited too long to make you mine, hiding behind fears and doubts. Worries that I'd lose our friendship. But then you said something about moving off the island, and I was scared to leave everything behind, my family, the business. The thing was,I was more scared of losing you. That's when I knew this wasn't just a fling or a blurring of the lines. You're it for me."

Mabel appeared at our side. "I knew you'd work things out. But everyone would like to see the happy couple dancing on our lovely dance floor."

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