Page 71 of Matched with Her Runaway Groom

I lean over and rest my head atop hers, letting the tears slide down my face freely. Her words match up. He was irritated at lunch the other day, saying how my sister destroys everything around her. I’m guessing he meant Hillary’s suggestion about breaking up.

“I haven’t seen him in a whole day. I’m worried he’s running again.”

“Well, when you catch him, tell him how you feel. If he runs after knowing all that, then it isn’t meant to be.” Hillary wraps an arm around my shoulders. “That’s all I wanted for you, sis. To be happy no matter your situation.”

“When are you coming home, Hill?” I ask, pulling her a bit closer.

“Sometime. I’ve just got to work out the last few things in my life before I face Mom and Dad.”

I nod, understanding the worry there. “I’ll be there to help you, you know.”

It’s in that moment I feel more like real sisters than in the last twenty-six years of my life.

“Go enjoy the rest of your cruise. And tell Landon I say hi.”

We both laugh a little before a long embrace.

Once we’re out of the room, I turn to Tiffany and Dani. “If it’s all right, I think I’m going to search for Landon. I’m a little worried he fell off the ship or something.”

“We can come with you,” Tiffany says, taking a few steps in my direction.

“No, it’s all right. Enjoy the castle.”

I hurry outside, wishing I could reach him by cell phone.

I check most of the venues, looking for him or anyone from his company. It takes a bit, but I find Roman and Isabella in line for a chair lift that boasts the sights of the whole island.

“Have you seen Landon?” I ask, glancing between the two of them.

“I saw him around noon in the movie theater,” Roman says.

“On the ship?” When he nods, I yell thank you behind me as I run toward the dock.

Once onboard, I search the movie theater and all the other theaters close to it. I go down to the billiard room and over to the skydiving simulator. He’s nowhere.

I finally knock on his door, holding my breath that he’ll answer.

The lock turns and my heart leaps in my chest, until I see his face. It’s all swollen and red.

“Hey Rachelle,” he says, giving me a small smile.

“Where have you been? I’ve been searching for you everywhere since last night.”

He scrubs a hand across his face, looking as though he hasn’t slept in days. “I’ve been doing some thinking and just needed some time.”

I raise my eyebrows. “Well, are you done?”

He frowns, looking confused. “You don’t know what I’m thinking.”

“I have a good idea. I just saw Hillary.”

His eyes go wide and his mouth opens and closes several times with no sound coming out. “You saw Hillary?”

“She told me the whole story, how she didn’t want me to resent you like my mom does to my dad.”

“Really?” That flicker of hope is back in his eyes, giving me the courage to continue.

“Yeah. I don’t know why you’ve been hiding from me, but you should know that I love you. I don’t think I ever stopped. But there was the element of learning to love myself during our time apart that I needed and am grateful for. To be able to do the things I’ve done, I’ve had to grow a spine and stop being the scared Rachelle I’ve been my whole life. I’m excited about the future. But I would love that future to include you.”

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