“You’re actually super-romantic. It’s nice. I’ve never felt this special in my life.”

Locking my gaze with hers, I say, “Didn’t I promise to always make you feel special?”

“You did,” she says breathlessly, her eyes swimming with love.

“And I’ll never break a promise, Claire.”

Running her fingers through the hair on my jaw, she fixes her gaze on my lips and then she closes the distance, locking her mouth against mine. Slowly I kiss her, thoroughly, and with all the love and passion in my heart. I honestly dream of kissing this girl. Every second, I imagine her lips on mine, her body pressed to mine, and when it happens, I swear it takes me a while to recuperate from her. I love the feel of her heart against my chest, her lips so soft against mine, and the dreamy look on her face when we part for a breath.

It’s all so perfect. It feels like it’s meant to be.

Cupping her neck, I press my head to hers, sharing the same breath as we continue to move slowly to the music. Looking deep into her sparkling blue eyes, I know I don’t have to tell her I love her. She has to see it, to feel it, because I know I do. Her love for me pours out of her in waves, and I can’t believe I am on the receiving end of such a beautiful love.

Our love.

We dance for a little longer before Reese is pulling her away unexpectedly. “I’m sorry, Jude. We need her for a few pictures.”

I smile. “That’s fine. I’ll go get a drink.”

“I’ll be back,” Claire promises, and then she’s off. I watch her for a moment; she laughs and jokes with the women who stand around her before they all pose for the photographer. With a grin still on my face, I head for the bar, getting myself a beer before leaning against it. I people watch as I wait for Claire to come find me.

“Enjoying yourself, Jude?”

Glancing to my left, I find Phillip standing beside me, his own beer in his hand. He’s not looking at me, and if he hadn’t have said my name, I wouldn’t have known he was talking to me.

“I am. It’s a beautiful wedding. Congratulations.”

He nods, still not looking at me. “Thank you. I’m very blessed.”

“You are,” I agree and take a pull of my beer.

“Are you old enough to drink?”

I shake my head. “Nope, but they served it, so I took it.”

He laughs. “I should probably say something.”

I shrug my shoulders, taking another pull of my beer. The liquid has taken the edge off, and I’m not tipsy by any means, but I know this is my last one. I have to drive Claire home.

“Don’t drink and drive, especially with Claire in the car.”

“Wouldn’t think of it,” I say, hoping that he knows I am genuine.

Nothing is said for a moment and it isn’t an awkward silence like I would expect with us; it’s more of a relaxing one. Letting out a long breath, I watch as Claire talks animatedly with her aunts, and I smile when she does. She steals the show, even beside Reese, who is hands down the most gorgeous bride I’ve ever seen. Looking up, she catches me watching her, and I chuck my chin up at her. She sends me a grin before turning to look at Elli, the small smile still gracing her face.

“She really likes you.”

I look up at Phillip. This time he is looking at me, his eyes stern, and his jaw taut. “I know, and I feel the same.”

“Because she cares for you and I want her to be happy, I plan to be nicer to you.”

“Good to know,” I say, liking where this is going.

“But you don’t deserve her. Not in the least.”

Nodding my head, I look down at the ground, my heart in my throat. “I couldn’t agree more, but who does, Phillip?” I ask, turning to face him. His eyes turn to slits as he glares, and he goes to say something, but I stop him and say, “No one deserves that girl because she is the most beautiful and unbelievable person I’ve ever met. She makes me want to be a better man. She has come along and completely changed the way I think, the way I want my life to be, all with one smile and one little snarky comment. So, yeah, I don’t deserve her, but you best believe that now that I have her, I won’t ever take her for granted. I’ll love her until the day I die. I know you don’t trust me, or even like me, but it doesn’t matter. All that matters is who makes her happy, and I’m the man to do that.”

He’s still glaring, and I don’t understand that. I thought that speech was a good one. I meant every single word, it came from my heart, but obviously he must think it was all lies.

“You think you got it all figured out, don’t you? In only a month you think you are her forever?”

“I don’t think – I know. She is my forever and I’m hers.”

Shaking his head, he lets out a long breath. “I swear to God, you break her–”

“You’ll break me. Yeah, you’ve said that, your friends have said that, but am I running for the hills? Did I run when she told me about her past, about the men, about her shitty life before she got to you? No, I’m here. You don’t have to like me, Phillip, I get it, but you might want to accept I’m not going anywhere without her.”

Looking away, he takes in a deep breath and then looks back at me, letting it out. “I should kick your ass.”

I scoff. “Why?”

“’Cause you’re a smug bastard, and I don’t like the things you’ve said.”

“You don’t like that I’m basically latched on to that girl, and want to do everything in my power to make her happy?” I ask incredulously. “Shouldn’t you be thankful?

He steps closer to me, and I want to step back, but I know that would show weakness. So I stay where I am, meeting his angry gaze. “No, I can’t be because I know you tell her these things, these promises that have the chance to be empty. I know that she believes you and is probably planning her future around you, and when you decide that you don’t want this, you’re going to leave her in your dust. And who will be there to pick her up? Me. So no, I’m not thankful. I’m scared. She’s had it rough. I can’t handle you breaking her all over again, and you have the power to do that.”

Taking in a deep breath, I look away and gather my thoughts before glancing back at him. “I know there is no telling you that I’m not going to do that. You’ve already made up your mind about me, and all I can do is prove to you that I’m not going to hurt her. I love her, Phillip. I can’t stop that.”