Page 11 of Marrying the Accidental Groom
“Not to me,” she snapped. “Every detail matters. I didn’t plan for this.”
His jaw clenched. How many times in a few short days had he watched her cling to plans as if they were the only thing holding her up? It was like she was afraid of chaos—of life itself.
“I get that you want control,” he said softly, “but sometimes, you’ve got to let go. You don’t have to face it all alone.”
Her shoulders slumped just a bit, the fight bleeding out. “My life is a disaster. I can’t let this trip be a mess, too.”
“Maybe the mess is what’s waiting to set you free,” he said quietly. She didn’t respond.
They made it back soaked and silent, the tension crackling in the spaces between them. He felt the walls she’d built around herself, high and unyielding.
He hated how her defenses kept him out. But he also understood. They were the same walls she’d built to keep from breaking. That night, the bungalow was quiet, except for the sound of rain still falling outside. Juliana avoided his gaze, and he gave her the space she needed.
The next morning, she came out just as he finished packing his bag. Her face was washed, her hair tied back in that same perfect bun she wore like armor. Whatever walls they’d broken down in the last two days were firmly back in place.
"You’re leaving," she said, like it wasn’t a question.
"Got a seat on a boat," he replied. "They’re starting up charters again, now that the weather’s shifted. I should catch it before they head off without me.”
She nodded, lips pressed tight.
"You okay?" he asked.
"I’m fine."
He raised an eyebrow.
She let out a breath. "No. I don’t know. I keep waiting to feel...better. Lighter. Like I’ve taken back control of my life. But I don’t. Not really."
Gideon set his bag down and crossed the room in two steps. He didn’t touch her, just stood close enough to make sure she heard him.
"You have taken control, Juliana. You stood there yesterday and didn’t crumble. You showed up when it would’ve been easier to quit. That’s something."
She glanced away. "It still feels like Leo won. Like he got to make the decision, and I’m just stuck reacting to it."
"Leo the Loser didn’t win anything," Gideon said, voice low. "He lost the chance to stand next to a woman who knows who she is. Who stands her ground. You? You’re a fighter. He just wasn’t man enough to stand beside one."
Juliana blinked, eyes suddenly glossy. "You really believe that?"
"I do."
She didn’t reply. Just stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him.
He held her for a breath. Then another.
When she pulled back, she wiped under her eyes with the side of her hand. "Thank you."
He nodded. "For the record? I’m really glad I ended up on the wrong island."
She smiled at that. It wasn’t the first real smile he’d seen from her, but it was the one he liked best.
Gideon reached for his bag. "Take care of yourself, Jules."
"Don’t call me Jules," she said, but there was no edge in it.
He tipped an imaginary hat, turned, and walked out the door. He wished her the best, but Juliana Emerson was far from the kind of woman he needed. He’d drive her crazy with his lack of planning, and she’d make him want to stab his eye out with a shrimp fork with her schedules and expectations.
No, it was better that their journey ended here. What had the ceremony said?Honor the journey, no matter how brief.
