Page 15 of The Marriage Pact
Despite the champagne, practicality was holding her back. There were so many unanswered questions, and such a great possibility of failure. And yet, Kaitlyn knew her life was at a crossroads. Her mom’s death had brought with it the question of what happened next. Where should she go? Who should she be? Kaitlyn had never really found her place in San Francisco. Shehad friends there, acquaintances, and there was the studio. But as for being wedded to a place…
“Why not? Isn’t tonight proof that it could? I thought it was going to be difficult. I didn’t know if we’d get on with one another or find anything in common. But I feel so at ease with you. I know we were young and foolish on prom night. But I meant what I said, even if I’ve forgotten it since. Can’t you give me a second chance?”
Kaitlyn wasn’t usually so immediate in her decisions. Usually, she liked to wait and take time to think. To weigh things out and come to a decision based on knowing all the facts. This was different. Alex wanted an answer now, and though her heart and mind weren’t yet as one, Kaitlyn knew she wanted to say yes. It was a strange feeling — the feeling of risk, of leaping into the unknown. Except Alex wasn’t the unknown. In some ways, he was the only thing shehadever known.
“I can,” she whispered, hardly daring to believe what she was saying.
Caution was thrown to the wind. She’d said yes to the proposal he’d made all those years ago. It had taken only one night together to make her realize she’d never truly let him go. He’d occupied a place in her heart for all these years. Pushed down and hidden out of sight, but there nonetheless. It seemed extraordinary, but Kaitlyn knew she couldn’t refuse. There’d never be another chance. Perhaps she might’ve suggested they take things slowly, a day at a time. They could get to know one another again and figure out just how all this was meant to work. But if Kaitlyn had learned anything in the past few months, it was that life was fleetingly short. She thought of her mom, and of all the things she’d wanted to do with her life but had beendenied.Nowwas the moment to seize, not an imagined moment in the future.
“Then that’s a yes? You’ll marry me?” he asked, staring at her as though in disbelief.
Kaitlyn nodded. “I will,” she replied.
For a moment, they sat in silence, both, it seemed, coming to terms with the remarkable decision they’d made. It felt surreal. Itwassurreal. But in saying yes, Kaitlyn at last felt she was taking control of her life. She’d made a decision to change. It was something new, and yet something that should always have been.
“I can’t believe you said yes,” Alex said, still holding Kaitlyn’s hand in his.
“We made a promise, didn’t we? I didn’t forget it. I thoughtyouhad, though.”
Alex shook his head. “I never forgot it, either. I just… well, I wish it had happened sooner. It’s strange… seeing you again, being together like this. It’s like we’re right back there in high school, picking up where we left off.”
Kaitlyn smiled. “A little older and wiser, perhaps?” she ventured, for enough water had passed under the bridge to make her remain cautious as to how this would actually work.
She hoped Alex’s words wouldn’t prove to be a false promise. That he wouldn’t return to New York and promptly forget about her. He’d made promises before. But, to her relief, he nodded.
“I’d like to think so. For both of us,” he replied.
With her hand still clasped in his, he leaned forward. Kaitlyn’s heart skipped a beat as their lips met in a kiss. She’d waited so long for this. A deep longing for this man made her stomach flutter and time stop. It felt natural. There was nothing forced or false. There was no sense of show, for there was no one else to see. As their lips parted, she smiled at him as he brushed a strand of hair back from her cheek.
“Will it work?” she asked, holding her breath as she waited for his answer.
“If we make it work,” he replied.
Fireworks now rose into the darkening sky above them — the finale of the wedding — and looking around, Kaitlyn could see the other guests crowded onto the terrace, exclaiming with delight at the sight of the bright colors bursting above. They were a celebration of love, of Rachel’s and Sean’s marriage. And yet it felt to Kaitlyn as though, somehow, they were meant for her and Alex, too. The colors reflected in the shimmering waters of the boating pool, and Alex slipped his arm around her as Kaitlyn rested her head on his shoulder. It was a perfect moment, the sort that occurs only rarely, when it seems as though every point in the universe is perfectly aligned. Kaitlyn knew Rachel would see her. Even now, she was probably whispering to Sean and pointing with curiosity as the fireworks continued to burst above. But explanations could wait for the morning. Right now, Kaitlyn felt entirely content, knowing she’d made a decision that was for her and her alone.
“Shall we slip away? They won’t notice us. We could walk back. It’s a nice night,” Kaitlyn said after the fireworks had come to an end.
She wasn’t exactly sure what she was saying, whether it was an invitation or simply a suggestion of practicality. They couldn’t very well go back to Alex’s mom’s house. There’d be questions, awkwardness, and the embarrassment of the morning.
“For a nightcap?” he asked, his eyes more intense and his voice husky.
Kaitlyn blushed. But why not? There was no reason not to. They were getting married. It still seemed strange to think it. Itwasstrange, but wonderfully so.
“Come on. They’ll be saying goodbye to the others. I’ll message Rachel in the morning,” she said, taking him by the hand.
Together, they slipped around the side of the clubhouse, emerging onto the drive through the trees. The other guests were beginning to leave. Cars were pulling up, and goodbyes were being exchanged. Kaitlyn and Alex walked hand in hand. It felt like being a teenager again, doing as they pleased and not caring what anyone else might think. Kaitlyn felt happy. It was an unusual feeling, one she hadn’t known for a long time. But Alex’s proposal had jolted her back to life. She realized she’d been on pause, waiting for something that wasn’t going to happen unless she made it happen. It was so very unlike her, and yet it felt so very right, too.
“I’m so happy we met again. I’m so happy you remembered the promise,” Alex said as Kaitlyn unlocked the door of her mom’s house —herhouse — and led him inside.
“I’ll make us some coffee,” she said, smiling as she ushered him onto the couch.
It was a far cry from a billionaire’s apartment, or so she imagined, at least, but it was home, and she was glad to have him there. Glad to have someone to break the silence.
“Why don’t you come and sit down?” he said, smiling at her. “We can leave the coffee for now.”
Kaitlyn did so, slipping her arm around him as he kissed her. The warmth of his kisses reached all the way to her toes. It was the most wonderful feeling, one she never thought she’d know. Meeting Alex again had changed everything. It had given her happiness back, and now, in his company, with his arms around her, just like it was meant to be, Kaitlyn at last felt hopeful for the future.
CHAPTER 6
