Holiday Wedding (Holiday Romance-Spicy Version #2)

37

Tuesday, December 24

Wedding Day

Gwen

Way to steal my thunder, Jenny. I was supposed to find Gwen, not you,” Caleb jokes. The hand that’s wrapped tightly around my waist is unsteady. Except for when the EMTs checked me out, he hasn’t let go since I climbed out of that tomb of a box.

“Sorry, dude. You may play a superhero in the movies, but it turns out I’m the real deal.” Jenny playfully socks him on the shoulder. “Although Pip’s really the hero. She’s the one who figured out where Gwen was.” She points over to Pip, who snores softly, asleep on Megan’s lap. After the EMTs said I was okay, it had taken almost an hour of coaxing to convince Pip that she could leave me, and I’d still be safe.

I glance around Gate B14, where all the seats are empty, except those occupied by Caleb’s and my family, plus a couple of his bodyguards stationed along the perimeter. Airport staff had assured us that no more planes would be leaving from this gate tonight. They told us we could stay here as long as we wanted. We’re currently waiting on Dean, who is the last of us to be interviewed by the police.

Boarding is called over the loudspeaker for the gate next to us, B13. I watch the passengers line up and wait patiently for their turn to scan their boarding passes. One by one they disappear into the jet bridge. I have no desire to join them in their travels. After the trauma of tonight, all I want is to stay close to home.

Caleb’s tense next to me. He coughs into his hand. “Jenny, I’m sorry for what I said back at the penthouse.”

Strained lines deepen around his mouth. I tighten my grip on his waist, wondering what’s going on.

Caleb responds to my touch. He gazes sadly at me and says, “I had a hard time without you, Gwen. Lost my head. I accused Jenny of things I shouldn’t have, and I feel awful about it.” He pulls away from me. I follow with my hand on his back. He’s not the only one who needs the reassurance of physical contact right now.

He takes a step toward Jenny. “I’m sorry. You would never hurt Gwen or me. You’re one of our best friends, and I treated you worse than a stranger. Please forgive me?”

Jenny doesn’t hesitate. She throws herself into his arms and gives him a hug that I know from experience is rib-crushing. “Forgiven!” she cries loudly, with such an expression of relief and joy that it makes me grin.

I reach up and touch my cheeks with wonder. There were moments in that container when I thought I’d never smile again. Moments when I thought I wouldn’t get out, yet here I am. Gratitude isn’t a big enough word. There’s a settling of my bones, a loosening of my limbs, to know I’m here safe and sound with the ones I love.

As if he can hear my thoughts, Caleb reaches back for me. He grabs me and pulls me close. Jenny’s still hugging him, so I join in. The three of us stand there quietly for a minute, with our arms wrapped around each other.

Dean walks up behind Jenny and splays his large hand over her shoulder. She breaks out of our embrace and turns to face him.

“You okay?” he asks her, which is odd considering I’m the one who was kidnapped. Jenny stares up at him, her eyes dreamy.

Out of the corner of my mouth, not moving my lips like I’m a ventriloquist, I whisper to Caleb, “What’s happening right now? Why aren’t they trying to murder each other?”

His laugh is a low rumble in my ear. The familiarity of it sends a shiver dancing down my spine. “A lot has changed since you’ve been gone.” Those words turn my shiver into one of dread. I push against him, slowly inching him backward, away from our friends and family. Far enough that we can talk without them overhearing.

He goes willingly.

“Those things that have changed,” I say, staring at the floor, unable to look him in the eye. “Are any of them how you feel about me? About the wedding?”

“Of course not. Nothing could ever change my love for you. We’re getting married.” Caleb removes his iron grip from my waist. Now he’s the hesitant one, avoiding my gaze. “If you still want me?”

Words aren’t enough to answer that question, so I let my body do the talking. I wind my arms around his neck, rise on my toes, and kiss him with everything I’ve got. I pour all of my fear, my insecurities, and my love into him and he gives it back ounce for ounce. Caleb tilts his head, his fingers on my chin, adjusting me as we refamiliarize ourselves with each other. By the time we pull away, my heart is racing from his touch.

I bite my lower lip, his darkened eyes tracking the movement. “I can’t believe I went so long without touching you.”

He sets his forehead against mine and squeezes his eyes shut, but not before I see the tears glistening in them. “I was so scared,” he rasps. “Scared you were mad at me. That you were going to leave me. Then when you were missing, I was terrified.”

He rips his hand through his hair. “This is all my fault. I should have warned you better, been honest about the danger. You would never have been in this situation if it weren’t for me. Lola wouldn’t have targeted you. She’s still out there. The police can’t find her.”

“Shh,” I say, placing a finger over his lips. “Stop. This isn’t your fault. I don’t blame you, and you can’t blame yourself either.” I wrap my arms around him and bury my head in his firm chest, inhaling his spicy cinnamon scent.

“Lola’s on the run. She won’t be able to come after me again. Not with the police after her and the fact that our bodyguards know to look out for her. Plus, she’s so recognizable, someone’s bound to find her.”

Caleb lets out a breath. “I hate how things have been strained between us the last few days. If I’d lost you before I got a chance to tell you that I’m sorry for not being more patient, more understanding, I never would have forgiven myself.”

“It’s not just you. I’ve been stubborn, too. The truth is, I’ve struggled while we were apart. You warned me that it would be difficult dealing with your fame, but I was na?ve, in denial. You were right. People recognized me, my lecture didn’t go well, and I hid my feelings from you. I don’t know how to handle being secondhand famous.” It takes a minute to break old habits, to find the bravery to say, “Please help me? I can’t do this on my own.”

He tenderly cups my cheek. “Gwen, no one expects you to be an expert on this. I’ve been a celebrity my entire life, and I still have no idea what I’m doing. It’s not an easy path, to walk beside me. No one would blame you for bailing.”

I lock my eyes to his and say vehemently, “I’m not walking away from you. Never. I understand this will be hard and there will be days, weeks even, like the past couple of ones, where I’ll fail. I used to be terrified of that. Of letting people down, not having everything under control. I’m learning more and more how unpredictable the future is. Losing my dad, meeting you, Lola and Justin, so many things change the direction of life without warning. I’m ready to let go of needing to be perfect and strong. Instead, I’ll roll with the punches and adapt. I’ll ask for help when I need it. I promise. I can do this with you. Forever and always. Please don’t give up on me?”

“Give up?” He shakes his head, incredulous, like he can’t believe what he’s hearing. Caleb leans his forehead to mine. He closes his eyes and says fervently, “Don’t you know, don’t you understand that when I walk into a room, you’re the one I see? When I sleep at night, it’s you dancing through my dreams. You are my past and my future. You’re the only one for me.”

We stay like that for a minute, leaning against each other. Our foreheads pressed together. Our breath mingling between us.

Finally, Caleb pulls away. There’s still a hint of hesitation when he asks, “We’re still getting married?”

I nod, grinning up at him. “We’re getting married.”

Caleb whoops so loudly I swear the entire airport looks over. If all the random tourists hadn’t noticed that Caleb Lawson was in their midst before, they certainly notice him now. He picks me up by the waist and spins me around until I’m dizzy. Then he places me on the ground and kisses me, quick and hard. He says, “Thank you. Thank you for giving me this life. It’s better than anything I ever dreamed. I wish I could marry you right now. Right here. No more waiting.”

“I can help with that,” says a rough voice next to us.

Surprised, Caleb and I jump apart. We were so consumed with each other that we didn’t notice Wayne has come up to us.

Wayne repeats, “I can help. If you want, I can marry you right now.”