Page 64 of Kiss the Bride

“I, I guess.”

“When I said we were too young, what I meant was we didn’t know enough about ourselves to know what we wanted. Maybe for a couple of years, but I didn’t want to marry the first girl I’d met, only to turn into my dad or yours.”

“Your parents are still together. They worked things through.”

“Yeah, but my brothers and I paid the price while they were sorting things out. I can’t count the times I found my mother crying in the kitchen, pretending it was over a failed recipe when I knew it was because Dad had found someone new, again.”

“I guess, at least my father only flaunted Sondra in our faces,” I muse. “We wouldn’t have been like that.”

“But what if we were? What if I became every fucking cliché douchebag and bailed on you and our kids? What if I broke your heart after promising you a life together? Even worse, what if Ididn’t leave but made you miserable because we’d grown apart but were too connected to make the break.”

“Shit. You thought about all this when you were nineteen?”

“They were just feelings then. Instincts. But I’ve had a lot of time to wrap words around them. It was easier to say,too young. And no one questioned what I meant. After all, most nineteen-year-olds are out doing their thing.”

“Did you do many,things?“ I mean women, and Hunter knows it.

“Not going to kiss and tell. All you need to know is no one ever compared to you.”

“Ouch.”

“Why?”

“I feel I let you down by the whole engagement thing.” If I knew Hunter still loved me, would I have saidyesto Mitch? Or, would I have gone running into Hunter’s arms? Even now, I don’t know. I want to think I’d do the right thing by … who? Mitch is happier without me, and Hunter says I’m the only woman he’s ever loved.

“No, you never let me down.” Hunter takes a danish from our breakfast platter and offers me the larger half. “I wanted you to be happy and thought you were.”

“I was content. Satisfied. And tried to convince myself that could be enough.”

“So, this thing with us?” Hunter finishes the last of his coffee and takes my empty cup.

“Fling or rebound?” I say the R-word before he can.

“I want to fling your ass around this bed a few times a day,” he jokes. “And I want to find out if I throw you down onto the mattress, whether you’ll bounce back.”

“Only into your arms.”

“Fuck, Liv. I live for you.”

Finally, his words are enough. I understand, and we can move forward.

Mind, body, and soul.

Forever?

Olivia

“Hi, Daddy.” I’m curledup on the day bed, wearing Hunter’s tee from last night over my denim shorts. My voice sounds more tentative than I intended but I’ve always been a Daddy’s Princess and these last days have done a number on me. What if he blames me for Mitch cheating? No. I heard him on the phone with Hunter. Daddy loves me and I’ve missed him. Still, I couldn’t call him until I’d showered and Hunter left to rusle up another picnic hamper and organize some activities. Yes, we’ll have to leave the villa and wear clothes, but it’s time we started building new memories. Second time around, Hunter and I are older, wiser, and definitely both more adventurous in bed.

“Baby girl. Have you spoken to your mum? She’s so worried about you.” That’s sweet—my father looking out for my mother after all these years.

“She’s my next call. I wanted to hear your voice and thank you.”

“Livia, I’m so sorry about everything. I should have realized.”

“Because you did the same to Mum?” I start before choking back. “I’m sorry, Daddy. That was so mean, and I didn’t mean it.”

“It’s fine, and I guess it took what he did to realize what a bastard I’d been. Your mother and I have done a lot of talking these last few days.”

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