Love at the Little Wedding Shop by the Sea - Jane Linfoot Page 0,140

I wanted to do was help you, and make you feel better. If I have to pinpoint one moment in time when you grabbed my heart, it was then. That was the moment when my whole world pivoted.’

I’m biting my lip. ‘I’d just heard Hunter had been born. I was wailing because Phoebe had stolen my baby name.’ It seems so long ago now and matters so little to me. But at the same time, it’s somehow momentous that that awful moment from my past was so important in shaping my future. It’s strangely satisfying and significant that at my worst moment of my old world falling apart, my new one was also coming together. ‘I remember looking across and seeing you standing on your own in the dark, and suddenly feeling less alone.’ It’s sending shivers down my spine to think that was when we both felt that first connection.

He laughs. ‘That’s why I came storming over to you with my parking permit. The wardens aren’t that bad. They’ve been really lenient with me, parking without one since.’

I’m picking my jaw up off the floor at what he’s revealing here. ‘But you said it was a spare.’

He’s laughing. ‘It was my one chance to connect with you and I was desperate. And when Poppy came over, it felt like cupid really was looking down on me.’

I’m shaking my head. ‘Did she tell you what a loser I was?’

‘Not at all. She said you needed one small kiss and asked if I had any friends who might help. I wasn’t hanging around to ask questions, I was straight in there, and the kiss only proved me right. So by the time you hit me with your arrow, I’d already been in love with you for quite a few hours.’

Now it’s my turn to laugh. ‘This might be where I say “back at you” again. When you turned up and I thought you were marrying Pixie I struggled. But then when I found out you weren’t engaged after all, but were slightly less available than a monk, that was even worse.’ I take a deep breath, because it’s okay to tell him. ‘I had such a hard time keeping my hands off you those five months. All those times you were naked … But I convinced myself it was misdirected lust, all the way to our first dance. Then, as I listened to Ellie sing, with my head on your chest, it hit me – everything I’d been feeling all along was because I was completely in love with you.’

‘And then straight after that I went on to tell you I had to go away … because I loved you.’ He’s shaking his head. ‘What terrible timing that was. I’m sorry I messed up so badly.’

‘I knew it would only upset you more if I told you the truth, and I didn’t want to do that. But I did try to give you a way to understand. And I did get to have the best night of my life.’

He laughs. ‘Me too, Milla Vanilla.’

‘And then you went away, and I’ve tried really hard, but I’ve been so miserable.’ It comes out as a wail.

He blows out his cheeks. ‘I’m so sorry. Pixie was right to want to run me over. But thanks to you, and your mum, I’ve finally got here in the end. So, do you think I could have a kiss now?’

He gets up, grasps me by the wrist and pulls me into his arms, and a moment later, my mouth is buried in his, and the world slides out of focus for a very long time.

As I finally let him go and push myself back again, Nic’s pupils are dilated. He’s holding on to me very tightly, and I’ve got my hands on his chest, looking up at the dreamy smile on his face. ‘I was looking out at the stars every night, willing you to come back.’

He lets out a low laugh. ‘And I was looking up at the stars, knowing I had to. And now that I have, I’m here to stay.’

I’m smiling now, but still sniffing back my happy tears. ‘Five months to get to know each other properly is good – so does that mean we’re officially going out now as well as being in love?’

He drops a kiss on the top of my head. ‘If that’s okay with you?’

My head’s racing, looking for the catch. ‘But what about your friend’s mum and dad