Libby stared up at the ceiling, her eyes refusing to focus. Her body still tingled with the memory of his hands and lips on her, as though he’d tattooed the feeling onto her skin.

As she raised her hand to cover her face she noticed the band of diamonds on her ring finger. She’d forgotten to take it off before she went to bed, and now the diamonds glistened like tears catching sunlight.

What happened to avoiding relationships? Did she really want to put herself out there and risk the shame and rejection that had plagued her for her entire twenty-five years?

Yes.

Her mind may try to argue, but her heart spoke the truth. It sang the word from the deepest part of her soul.

She loved Paul Chapman, her fake boyfriend turned fake fiancé. All she had to do was tell him…and hope that what they’d shared hadn’t all been in her head. She couldn’t have imagined the looks he gave her during the speech last night, nor the way he seemed drawn to her the way she was drawn to him.

The black dress hung from the wardrobe door, a silent challenge. It would be easy to stay warm and cozy inside her comfort zone, but there was nothing there for her anymore. She’d taken a risk starting Libby Gal Cocktails, and it was starting to pay off. Perhaps if she took that same risk on love she’d find happiness there, too.

Libby sat up and swung her legs out of the bed. Today would be the day she let her heart do the talking, and she’d have an answer one way or another.

By the time the reception was due to start Paul had decided that perhaps weddings weren’t so bad. His mother had turned into a weepy mess in the room where the family had a quiet breakfast, but everything else had been fairly painless.

Paul, Des, and Noah had shared a celebratory Scotch with his father in the dressing room. Despite his outwardly confident demeanor, Paul knew his brother was anxious for the proceedings to kick off.

The chapel had been decorated, and the boys stood in their places in front of the neat rows of pews that would soon be filled with family and friends. Music floated through the air as people filtered in, sorting themselves on either the bride or groom’s side.

“You ready?” Paul asked, though he’d never seen anyone so ready to get married before.

“One hundred percent.” Des grinned. “I wish Mum would stop the water works, though.”

“Not going to happen.” Noah shook his head. “Not a hope in hell.”

Paul chuckled and adjusted his cuffs. “She’s already naming her grandchildren, you know that, right?”

“Hopefully she won’t have to wait too long.” Des clasped his hands behind his back and surveyed the chapel. “Then it’s your turn.”

“We’re focusing on you today,” Paul reminded him.

“I’m happy for you. You deserve it.”

Paul swallowed and pretended to fix a cufflink. Did he, really? Libby was this incredible creature, creative, a risk taker. She blew him away every time they made love.

Made love.

He hadn’t thought about sex in such a way since…forever. The collar on his shirt felt too tight, like hands closing in on his windpipe. He bounced on the balls of his feet and kept his eyes straight ahead.

Then Libby walked through the door, and the rest of the room fell away. Black fabric swished against her skin, the modest hem length and sleeves contrasted by the flash of bare back she exposed when she turned to greet the usher and grab a copy of the program.

Red hair gleamed as it tumbled over one shoulder, tied loosely with a black ribbon. She caught his eye and broke into a bright smile. Following the line of people heading down the aisle she slipped into a pew on the groom’s side.

How would he pay attention during the ceremony with her sitting right there?

“Paul?” Des tapped him on the shoulder. “I asked if you had the rings. Don’t freak me out, man.”

“Right here.” He patted his breast pocket. “I wouldn’t forget the most important part of the show.”

“Second most important,” Des said, turning to look down the aisle as the organ music started.

Chapter Fifteen

The wedding sped by, time seemed to zoom ahead as his brother took the biggest leap of his life. A twinge of envy had replaced the disdain that colored Paul’s life almost two months ago when Gracie and Des first announced their date.

He didn’t have the opportunity to talk to Libby as they were whisked away for photos right after the ceremony—to catch the right light, according to the photographer. Then the guests were ushered into the reception area in time for the emcee to announce the bridal party and newly married couple.

He milled around outside, enjoying the afternoon sunlight and cool breeze carrying the scents of greenery and wine. Laughter and conversation floated from within the venue—an old barn that had been converted into a luxury ballroom—and Paul shoved his hands into his pockets. He’d been anxious to talk to Libby from the moment she’d stepped into the chapel, and the itching feeling to be near her grew stronger with each moment that passed.

“Paul?” A feminine voice caught his attention and made the hairs on his neck stand up.

He’d know her voice anywhere. Sadie. He turned slowly, drawing back his shoulders and unclenching his hands.

“I think all the wedding guests should be inside by now,” he said coolly. “Are you lost?”

She shook her head, neat blond hair swishing about her face. Her hand rested over a small bump at her belly, floral fabric skimming over her new shape, almost concealing it. As always, she looked elegant and put-together. Sadie never had a hair out of place, never looked flustered or overwhelmed or stressed.

“I’m not lost. I hoped to catch you for a moment so we could talk in private.” Dark smudges under her eyes were barely concealed with makeup.

He forced himself not to have any sympathy for her. “I have nothing to say.”

“But I do.” She shifted her weight and, when he didn’t respond, she continued. “I realized that I never apologized for walking out on you.”

“Or for cheating on me,” he pointed out, looking around to make sure he hadn’t missed the call for the introductions.

“I’m truly sorry,” she said, her eyes bright. “You never deserved that.”

A bird chirped overhead. Sunlight filtered down through tall trees. This was far too picturesque a place to be opening up old wounds.

“No one deserves that.”

“I feel like I should explain,” she pressed on. “We never talked about it, and I know you must hate me, but I had my reasons.”

“Why do you feel the need to say something now, in the middle of a bloody wedding of all times?”

“I don’t want to become a mother with something like this hanging over me, and I know that you’d never talk to me unless we were forced to be in the same room.” She looked down at her stomach. “How can I teach my children to be good people when I did something like that and never apologized or explained myself?”

Her fine brows knitted, and she looked at him with such despair that he couldn’t help but soften. “Boy or girl?”

“One of each.” She nodded slowly, as if convincing herself. “Talk about jumping in with two feet.”

He shook his head. “I hope you’re catching up on sleep now.”

“You know I always loved my sleep.” She glanced over at Paul’s mother who quickly turned her head away as if she hadn’t been trying to listen.

“You’ve got a few minutes before we get called in,” he said, bracing himself. “Say what you need to say, because I don’t ever want to talk about this again.”

“Thank you.” She wrung her hands in front of her. “I wanted you to know I never set out to cheat on you. I didn’t plan it, it just…happened. I was lonely.”

“Lonely?” He fought back the urge to argue. How could she have ever felt lonely?