Page 55 of Reluctantly Married

It wasn’t a limousine this time, just a regular taxi. The driver was chatty, and Megan was thankful the camera man wasn’t with them. A few of the crew had already flown out so they could set up at the resort.

When they got to the airport, they boarded a private jet. Megan decided she could get used to that. No long lines, far less waiting, and luxurious accommodations. They even had champagne, although she didn’t drink any. Her nerves were making her nauseous.

The clock read six thirty-five when they touched down in Florida. Adam grabbed her hand and pointed out the small airplane window. “Look at the sunset.”

Of course the sky was gorgeous. He was gorgeous. The stupid plane was gorgeous. And she couldn’t enjoy a second of it because she knew what was coming.

Megan took a small bite of her shrimp. She’d been pushing her food around her plate for the last half hour. Adam had finished and was staring at her with this weird expression on his face. Was he about to pop the question?

Worrying about when he was going to ask was ruining everything. She needed to get a grip. There’d be no enjoying the weekend if she couldn’t get past the proposal. She set her fork down and took a cleansing breath.

“You seem tense.” Adam placed his hand over hers, and she jumped, and a completely embarrassing squeak came out.

Heat seared her face, and she hoped the microphone hadn’t picked that up. “Uh, yeah. I guess. Sorry. I’m not used to hopping on a plane and flying off to some island resort.”

“It is a little weird.” He chuckled, his dimples turning her nerves into butterflies.

The camera man walked around the table to get a better angle on her, and she tried to ignore him. She stared off the patio at the expanse of darkening sky over the tide coming in. The light breeze carried the scent of seaweed and salt water, and a hint of Adam’s cologne. Her gaze fell on him.

Was he going to propose tonight? They’d just arrived. Surely he’d wait until they were more settled. Right? It was too early to do it. She studied him, trying to gage his thoughts.

“Listen, Megan…” He squirmed in his seat as his voice trailed off.

Oh, crap. This was really it. He wasn’t going to wait after all. And she hadn’t even confessed to Doctor Lemon that she loved him. Would it be unrealistic for her to accept a proposal if she’d never even admitted that she loved him?

He took a breath to continue, and she panicked. “I love you,” she blurted. Unfortunately, the force of her words caused a blob of spit to fly out of her mouth and land on Adam’s cheek.

Mortified, she stared at the saliva slowly sliding down his face. Should she apologize and wipe it off? Ignore it? Her throat closed. Ignore it or wipe it?!? What should she do? Maybe he hadn’t noticed. She wasn’t sure if the stunned look on his face was because of what she said, or the ball of slobber leaving a wet slug-like trail down his skin.

“You, um…what?” He picked up his napkin and subtly patted his cheek. “Say that again?” A sexy half-smile formed on his face.

Relieved when he didn’t call attention to the fact that she’d spat on him, but rather successfully dealt with it without being obvious, she giggled. It came out high pitched and hysterical. Now she felt silly for confessing her love. Maybe he really hadn’t heard her. “What did I say? I’m not sure. Who knows?”

His grin grew, and his gaze flickered to the camera. “You said ‘I love you.’”

A blush warmed her face. “Did I?” No getting out of it now. She had to go with it. “I mean, yes. Yes, I do.”

He raised his eyebrows.

She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Maybe getting this whole thing over was best. Rip it off, like a Band-Aid. “I love you. So, if you have something you want to tell me, go ahead.”

He blinked, his face blank. “What?”

“You were going to say something before I interrupted. Sorry. Go ahead. I’m ready now.” She waved her hand to encourage him to get on with it.

His lips twitched, like he was trying to hide a smile. “I was just going to ask if you wanted to call it a night. You look tired.”

Really? That’s what he was going to say? She swallowed, her mouth suddenly dry. “Oh.” She picked up her glass and took a big gulp. Her hand shook so bad she almost slopped water all over the table.

“You seem to have been thinking I was going to say something else.” The corners of his eyes crinkled in a hidden smile.

“Nope.” She set her glass down. The warmth in her face spread until she was sure she looked like she’d had an allergic reaction to the fish. “Not at all.”

He seemed to be enjoying her discomfort way too much. “I see. Maybe before we head back to our rooms, we should take a romantic stroll along the beach.” He stood, grabbed her hands, and pulled her up on her wobbly knees. “I think there’s something we should probably discuss.”

Oh, this was it. He really was going to propose now. She tried to calm her thudding heart as she walked alongside him to the water’s edge. “All right.” Her voice came out breathy and weak.

They walked through the sand, the camera men trailing behind them, and Adam’s thumb rubbing slow circles over the back of her hand, driving her crazy. The beauty of the moonlit beach provided the perfect setting. Any minute now he would get down on one knee.

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