Page 60 of The Bride's Pink Shoes

In that moment, Andrew realized he’d once again been looking to the future and what this wedding would have meant to Clara… And to him. In the meantime, he was missing being in the present and appreciating how happy they’d been over these past few weeks. And now it was too late. Or was it?

The truth was when his thoughts turned to the future, he couldn’t imagine going back to his lonely existence. He wanted Clara by his side, where she’d always belonged if only he’d been thinking clearly when she’d agreed to marry him.

He cleared his throat. “I never lied to you about anything with the wedding or my feelings for you. Everything I told you the night of our date was the truth. I didn’t come to San Francisco with the intention of rekindling things with you, but when I saw you, when I remembered how good we were together, I—”

“Andrew, don’t—”

“Don’t what? Say I love you. If I’m honest, I never stopped. Are you going to say you don’t feel it, too?” When she didn’t say anything, he reached out, taking her hand in his. “If it’s my injury that’s holding you back, I understand. I’m not the same man you once knew—”

“No. It’s not that. I think you’re amazing. You are the most thoughtful and romantic man I know. Any woman would be lucky to be with you.”

“Then what is it?”

What was the problem?

Clara didn’t move.

Why wasn’t she throwing herself into his arms?

After all, he’d stood up for her to Tula Fox. No one had ever done something so gallant for her. Andrew really was one of a kind. And he’d salvaged her business connections. He understood how important her business was to her—he understood her.

So what was holding her back?

When it came down to it, she was afraid to give him her heart again. She couldn’t stand to lose him again. But if she didn’t say something soon, that was exactly what would happen. He was going to walk way, and she would never see him again.

She choked down the rush of emotions. “I owe you an apology, too.”

“But you didn’t do anything wrong—”

“Oh, but I did. I totally messed up things after our date. When I slept in and missed an appointment, I panicked. I blamed you, and it was all my fault. I had all of my hopes and dreams pinned on that celebrity wedding, and in the process, I used it to hide from my feelings for you.”

Andrew moved in close, taking her hands in his. “What are you saying?”

She blinked back tears as she lifted her chin. “I love you. I never stopped.”

“I love you, too.”

She was getting ahead of herself. “But your life is on the East Coast and mine is here. How will we make it work?”

He sent her a knowing smile. “Actually, the California sunshine is growing on me.”

Clara’s mouth gaped as she clasped her hands together. “You’re staying?”

He smiled. “If you want me to.”

“I do. I do. I really do.” Her heart was very full now. It was full of love for the amazing people in her life, appreciation for all of the good things in her life, and most of all for the man she’d never stopped loving.

Andrew pulled her close, capturing her lips with his own. Her heart beat so loud it echoed in her ears. He loved her. Her arms slipped up over his broad shoulders. Her fingertips trailed up his neck and threaded through his hair as she pulled him closer.

It didn’t matter how far away she’d moved or how much time had passed, he was still her soul mate. When they were together, she was complete. This was just the beginning of something beautiful.

When he pulled away, it was much too soon. She didn’t want to let him go, not when he’d just come back into her life.

“I’m not going anywhere. I promise.” He smiled at her.

“And I promise to always put us first. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

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