Page 80 of Kiss the Bride

But I love her too much to make the decision harder, or disrespect her by pushing for more than she is willing to give. If there’s a chance that Mitch can make her the happiest, then I owe it to Olivia to let her go.

“What will it take for you to decide?”

“I don’t want to commit to spending the rest of this holiday with him.”

“Then don’t.” I feel thebutbefore she even says it.

“But I owe it to him to give him a chance, don’t you think?”

“Babe, only you know your heart. You know how I feel, what I want for us. Only you know if that’s what you want too.”

“I thought I did, but …” She looks away but I can see the pain of indecision.

“You’re choosing him?”

A wave crashes in front of us, the incoming tide moving up the beach until it reaches our feet. Close, but not close enough to touch. It feels like a metaphor for Liv and my second chance, butI refuse to go down without a fight. I turn to sit facing her, legs crossed and palms open. When she matches me and rests her palms in mine, we just stare into each other’s eyes, and I hope she feels the depth of my love.

“He asked for a week,” Liv speaks first as my heart is pounding louder than the waves. “I’m going offer him twenty-four hours.”

“What? Why?” If I didn’t have her hands in mine, I’d think that all hope is lost. Instead, I press her fingers to my lips and nibble at the tips until she giggles. She said she wanted to laugh—and I’m the one that can make her giggle even when my heart is breaking.

“This afternoon and tonight, I’m going to hang out with Jess and Tash—just doing girl stuff. I’ll see if we can get massages and facials, hire kayaks, and do fun stuff.” She smiles, “Consider it a guy detox with no pressure and no crying. Tomorrow, we’ll all have breakfast together.”

“And then?”

“Mitchel has twenty-four hours to talk. There will be no kissing or sex. He says I owe it to him to at least listen to what he’s got to say.”

“And the sleeping arrangements?”

“If he only has twenty-four hours, he won’t want to waste them by sleeping. Do you trust me?”

“I love you.” We lean until our foreheads touch, savoring the peace as the waves get closer. “I wish there were words that I could say to make you tell him to go to hell. I wish I could make you see our future as clearly as I can—doing that food tour of Greece we used to joke about, or do the circumnavigating the United States while taste-testing coffee and pizza pact we made when we were fourteen.”

“I do love my coffee, and you’ve always been so pedantic about your pizza.” Liv laughs and curls around until she’s in my lap. “I need to do this. Twenty-four hours.”

Our breathing synchronizes and we sit in silence until the sun dips below the ocean. We look up to the sound of footsteps and Jess joins us, taking a seat nearest to me but on a slight angle so she can face Olivia. “You have quite the audience.”

“Mitch?” Liv’s hand squeezes mine and I want to hold her closer, tighter. I want her to reassure me that this thing between us isn’t over and for her to change her mind about giving Mitch a day. It isn’t enough that she spent the afternoon in my lap instead of with her friends. I want more. I want her forevers.

“For one. You know Hunter’s always had his one-woman fan club.”

“I only gave away one ticket to the club, and that woman’s right here.” Olivia rewards me with a neck nuzzle and at least Jess gives us both a smile. “Is Tash going to be a problem?”

“Depends on what our sweet Olivia does next. Mitch told us you agreed to spend the rest of the holiday with him.”

“No, I didn’t.” Olivia pats my thigh before I can react. “But I do need to talk to him. Can I stay with you girls tonight?”

“Sure. If that’s what you want.” Jess flashes me a cheeky smile, “Should we make sure Tash is locked in her room, or is she allowed out to make house calls?”

Instead of responding, I help Olivia to her feet and brush away the sand, determined to take every last opportunity to feel her curves and pretend for a moment that this isn’t the end. But the finality becomes real when Jess follows us back to what had beenourvilla, and helps Liv pack an overnight bag.

“That’s it, then.” Jess stands awkwardly, looking between the two of us. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Hunter.” She gives me a hug and quiet, “You’re a good man.” Pulling away, she takes Olivia’s bag and says, “I’ll wait for you outside?”

“Thanks, Jess.”

I don’t wait for Jess to leave before ravaging Olivia’s mouth, kissing her with the desperation of a dying man. And let’s bereal, if she leaves me for good, I might as well be dying. Our hands tangle in hair, and I deepen the kiss, wanting more, wanting one last time to feel her around me, feel her pulse against me. But when I press my hips to hers, she breaks away.

“I can’t, I shouldn’t,” she pants guiltily.

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