Page 93 of One More Shot
Her smile turns mischievous. ‘How long do we have left from Bailey’s thirty minutes?’
I glance at my watch. ‘Another fifteen, maybe?’
She pulls me deeper into the alcove and hitches her leg around my waist, a devilish smirk tugging at her lips. ‘Let’s get started then.’
Epilogue:DANE
THREE YEARS LATER
The bride-to-be accosts me as soon as I walk through the door. She’s wearing an old Great Dane Construction Services T-shirt. Her curls are wrapped up tightly with one of my scarves, and I don’t think Eliott has ever looked better.
I could be biased, though – sheismy fiancée, after all.
She launches herself into my arms and kisses me like it’s been years since we last saw each other and not eight short hours. I’m not complaining, though. Even after three years, the passion between us hasn’t tempered even a little and I still get excited every time she touches me.
‘How was your day?’ I ask, guiding her over towards the living room so we can both collapse onto the sofa.
‘Not bad,’ she says with a shrug. Her iPad is set up on the coffee table and I get a brief glimpse of the weddingphotos she’s currently editing. ‘Finished most of the edits I wanted to get through today. I’ve just got two more clients to go and then I’m officially on leave.’
I grin and drop my head onto her shoulder. ‘And then we’re getting married.’
She hums lightly, her fingers coming up to twist around my locs. ‘And then we’re getting married.’
If you count the two-year break in between, it’s taken us a grand total of five years to get here and I still can’t believe that in two weeks Eliott Rayne will officially be my wife.
We’re keeping it small and cosy, just like she’s always wanted. A trip to the registry office with our closest friends and family, and then a small reception meal at an Italian restaurant not far from the office.
And then we’re heading off on a six-month honeymoon.
Bailey won’t stop moaning about how jealous she is, even after I remind her that she jets off on all-expenses paid trips about three times a year. But I suppose I can’t blame her.
Thisisthe trip of a lifetime.
No work. No friends. No family. No requests for favours or money or time.
Just us for six months, being selfish and indulgent, giving in to whatever whim we feel like on any given day. If there’s anyone who needs this, it’s Eliott and I feel a strange sense of pride knowing that I can give this to her as my wife.
‘Oh yeah,’ Eliott sits upright suddenly, and I can hear theexcitement in her voice. ‘I got some new film today. You ready now, or do you want to shower first?’
I don’t exactly remember when we started up this tradition, but it’s quickly become one of my favourites. Whenever Eliott gets in a new roll of film, we make sure the first shot on it is of the two of us. We’ve got a pin board stuck up in the kitchen filled with photos of us over the last three years and it’s one of my favourite things to look at.
‘We can do it now,’ I say, sliding off the sofa.
I follow her into the kitchen where she’s got her camera set up on a stool waiting. I know the drill by now and wait for her to start the timer before pulling her into my side, my chin resting on top of her head.
‘Hey,’ I murmur as the flash starts to flicker. ‘I love you.’
She lifts her head up just as the timer goes off and the camera captures this moment. Eliott and I standing in our kitchen, the home we’ve carved out together over the last three years.
It’s perfect.
It’s ours.
I wouldn’t have it any other way.
She beams up at me and I still can’t get over how, three years on, her smile still manages to make my heart skip a beat. ‘Love you too.’
