Page 15 of Catching Her Heart
"I love you," he says.
"I love you too," I reply. "Always."
"Even when I'm being insufferably stubborn?"
"Especially then."
From behind the counter, Mrs. Adams starts a slow clap. "About time," she calls out. "I was starting to think I'd have to lock you two in here until you worked it out."
We laugh, still holding hands across the table, and I realize that sometimes the scariest choice is also the right one. Sometimes you have to risk everything for love.
CHAPTER EIGHT
One yearlater
I'm standing in the grand foyer of Rosewood Manor, watching Kathleen pace back and forth in front of the maître d' like a caged lioness. The Victorian mansion turned event venue is gorgeous—all restored hardwood floors, crystal chandeliers, and floor-to-ceiling windows—but I'm pretty sure Ted's mom is about to have a nervous breakdown.
"Are you absolutely certain there will be enough salmon?" she asks the poor man for the fourth time in ten minutes. "Because I counted, and with Ted's teammates and their appetites, and my sister's family coming in from San Antonio, and what if people want seconds?—"
"Mom," Ted says gently, appearing at her elbow. "It's going to be fine. They've been doing this for twenty years."
"But what if it's not fine? What if people leave hungry? What if?—"
"Kathleen," Nana interrupts, patting her daughter-in-law's arm. "You're working yourself into a tizzy. The boy's getting married tomorrow, not today. Save some worry for the actual wedding."
I catch Ted's eye across the foyer and we share a smile. He looks devastatingly handsome in his navy blazer, and when he winks at me, my heart still does that little flip it's been doing for over a year now.
"You look beautiful," he says, making his way over to me. His eyes travel over my emerald green dress—the one Bridget helped me pick out because "it makes Ted go all swoony."
"Thank you. You clean up pretty well yourself."
"Just pretty well?" He leans closer, his voice dropping. "I was hoping for devastatingly attractive, irresistibly charming, maybe a little ruggedly handsome?—"
"Don't fish for compliments," I laugh, straightening his tie. "You know exactly how you look in that blazer."
"Like a man who's about to marry the most amazing woman in Texas?"
"Exactly like that."
Before Ted can respond, the maître d' announces that dinner is ready to be served, and our families start moving toward the private dining room. Ted offers me his arm, and we follow the cheerful chaos.
The dining room is perfect—long tables arranged in a U-shape, candles flickering in tall glass holders, and massive arrangements of white roses and greenery. Our families mingle as they find their seats, and I watch my parents trying to keep upwith a conversation between Nana and Jay about the finer points of slide techniques.
"Your grandmother is explaining baseball to a professional baseball player," I murmur to Ted.
"And Jay's listening like she's the expert. And Jay’s actually a pitcher, I couldn’t tell you the last time he slid into a base, " he murmurs back. "I love your family, but mine has no shame."
Dinner is actually perfect, despite Kathleen's worries. The salmon is perfectly cooked, there's more than enough food, and the wine flows freely. By the time we reach dessert, everyone is relaxed and laughing.
That's when Bridget stands up, tapping her wine glass with her fork.
"Excuse me, everyone!" she calls out. "I have a special surprise for the happy couple!"
Ted and I exchange glances. "Should I be worried?" I whisper.
"Definitely," he whispers back.
"As you all know," Bridget continues, beaming, "I've been practicing for this moment for over a year. And now, I'd like to perform a special song for Ted and Piper!"
