Page 37 of Her Inconvenient Wedding Date

“That’s a relief to hear because I never want to be away from you, Lil.” I take both of her hands in mine. “And you’ve got it all wrong. From the first day we met, you’ve been a blessing to me, more than you know. Remember that day?”

She nods. “For some reason you kept asking me to repeat my name.”

“That’s because during the whole process of moving here and starting this job, I’d been holding onto those verses in Matthew 6 that talk about worry. I remember looking up photos of lilies and seeing how beautiful they are. Then I met you, and not only did your name remind me not to worry, you were the most beautiful woman I’d ever met. So beautiful that I couldn’t even speak, and the only thing that saved me from utter humiliation was that intern stuffing a bagel into my mouth. That’s why I got used to carrying one around with me in the office in case I found myself in another speechless moment.”

“It’s not because you like bagels?”

I wince. “I’m actually more of a donut guy, but bagels take longer to chew so they were a better option.”

Lily breaks into a big grin as she squeezes my hands. “You are so adorable. I didn’t think I could love you more, but I was wrong.”

“What did you say?”

“I said I didn’t think—” She eyes me suspiciously. “Are you trying to get me to say I love you again?”

I bite back a smile. “Is that what you said? I didn’t know if I heard you correctly.”

“Mm-hmm.”

“But even if I didn’t, the truth is that I love you, too.”

“Come again?” She laughs at my unamusedexpression. “Okay, you don’t have to say it, but I’d be open to you showing me your answer.”

She doesn’t have to ask twice. I pull Lily onto my lap and close the gap between us. Her lips, so soft and insistent, warm me to the core as she presses them to mine. I cradle the small of her back and marvel at how her curves fit so perfectly against my body. As we kiss, we move together to our own rhythm, creating a harmony that only we can hear?—

“Ahem!”

Or maybe not.

We break apart to find Al standing in the doorway with a couple of people crowded behind him. Apparently, the music Lily and I make is so powerful, it attracted an audience.

Al raises a bushy brow. “Seriously, you two, get a room. Just preferably not this one. We have another meeting starting now, which you’re both welcome to stay for if you can’t get enough of my yappin’.”

“No, we’re good!” Lily and I reply in unison, which gets us both smiling. We hop to our feet and scurry out of there like Bonnie and Clyde—except for the notorious criminal activity part, of course.

Walking hand in hand back to our cubicles, Lily surprises me by pulling me toward mine first. My eyes widen when I spot a plate of bagels next to my laptop. There are also a dozen pictures of cartoon bagels taped all around my desk. Printed on each one is a funny pun.

“What’s all this?” I ask Lily.

“It’s my way of letting everyone know that you’re my bae-gel.” She gestures to one drawing that has the wordsBae-gel: Before Anyone Else.“Some of these are a bit cheesy, so if you want to take them down, I understand.”

“No way!” I shake my head adamantly. “I love cheese. The more the better. I’m leaving these up forever. Especially thisone.” I point to my favorite pun:Are you a bagel? Because you’re everything I never knew I kneaded. “I love all of them, Lil. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. I’m glad you like puns because you’re going to be in for a treat when we go to dinner tomorrow. I’m already preparing my arsenal, and it’s going to be cheesier than ever.”

I loop my arms around her waist and offer her a confident grin. “Don’t worry. Everything’s gouda be fine.”

She groans. “That’s so bad, it’s good.”

“I have more where that came from.” I tap the tip of her nose. “I also have an idea. Why don’t we bring more dried seafood for your mom? We can buy some after work.”

“Good thinking. That’d be a lot easier than giving her a grandchild.”

My brows shoot up. “What did you say?”

“Oh yeah. That was minute seven of her voicemail. She thinks having a grandbaby in her life will make her stress go away. Don’t worry, it’s all talk… I think. Anyhow, we should get back to work.”

Lily pats my shoulder, then leaves me standing in my cubicle with thoughts of little Hunter and Lily bagels running through my mind. Oh boy (and girl). I have a feeling it’s going to be an interesting family dinner.

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