“I now pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss the bride.”

I stood at my big brother’s side with an unstoppable grin on the day he finally married the love of his life. Poppy shoved her bouquet at Talia who wore a brittle smile, and threw herself into Blake’s arms for a kiss hot enough to burn the little building to the ground.

The crowd cheered and whistled, celebrating new love. Young love. But my eyes were drawn to Talia, who couldn’t seem to buy a genuine smile today. No matter how hard she tried it just wouldn’t reach her eyes. It was heartbreaking.

“All right kids, save something for the honeymoon.” The audience laughed and when they broke apart, Blake and Poppy looked like kids caught making out by their parents. He wore her lipstick and she flushed like a virginal school girl. “Come on, we have ten thousand photos to document this momentous occasion.”

Poppy beamed a smile my way, mouthing, “Thank you,” as she took my brother’s hand and dragged him back up the aisle.

I took Talia’s stiff arm and escorted her up the aisle in total silence. “You look gorgeous today.”

“You look nice too,” she replied but she never even looked at me and my shoulders fell, wondering if this really was a lost cause.

Once we were out of the church I grabbed her arm and pulled her aside. “You hate me now, don’t you?”

“No Lukas, I don’t. I can’t.” But she wished she could.

Shit. “I love you, Talia.”

“Lukas.”

“Stop, just stop it with this Lukas bullshit. To you, I’m Luke. Always.” She sucked in a shuddery breath and looked up at me with love and wariness shining in her eyes. The first buoyed me and the other, left me gutted.

“Today is Blake and Poppy’s day.” She made her escape, helping fluff Poppy’s dress and smooth her hair while the photographer set up near the gazebo.

“No luck?” Blake couldn’t take his eyes off his bride, who laughed excitedly while Talia fluttered around her, mother-henning.

“None. She doesn’t want to talk to me, won’t hear my declarations of love.”

“Does she love you back?”

I nodded. “But it seems to be a strike against me because loving me doesn’t matter because eventually I’ll betray her and leave her devastated.” Saying it aloud left a bitter taste in my mouth but those were her words.

“Damn, that’s rough. Time to go big.” Poppy waved him over with a wide grin and like a besotted husband, he went running. When she dragged him towards the photographer, leaving Talia behind, I made my move.

“You can’t avoid me, forever.”

“Not forever, just a few weeks.”

“Dammit, Talia. I’m in love with you and you’re in love with me, but fuck all that because one day in the future I might hurt you? That’s bullshit babe, and you’re not that girl.”

“Don’t tell me who I am, you don’t know me Lukas!” She pushed at my chest angrily, only settling when she drew a few stares.

I grabbed her arm and pulled around the church, stopping her beside a large tree with plenty of shade. “I do know you, dammit! You love takeout and you hate to cook even though you do it well. You love old school soul and R&B, and you bite your bottom lip one second before you orgasm. You pick the olives from your salad and pizza but somehow love tapenade. I know that you love fiercely and protect even harder. I know that you love me and that it terrifies you.” She shook her head but I cupped her jaws to stop the movement, brushing my thumbs along her bottom lip. “It’s okay, it terrifies me too. I’ve never been in love before, especially not with a woman who hates my guts.”

“Stop. I don’t hate you, Luke. I just don’t want to love you.”

I scoffed. “And you think I want this? It feels terrible. I can’t stop thinking about you, can’t stop wanting you. I feel sick and I can’t eat or sleep, I don’t’ want to do shit other than drive by your place a thousand times just to make sure you’re all right.” Our lips met in a soft, gentle kiss. “I’m in love with you Talia and all I want is a chance to prove to you that I’m the guy you told Poppy I was.”

“Shit, Maple?” I nodded and she groaned. “I don’t know.”

“I don’t know either but I want to try. I have to try because I can’t think about living without you. I won’t.”

“Luke.”

“I love you Talia and I’m going to tell you every fucking day until you look me in the eyes and just believe it. I want you to see me, to connect with my gaze and know without a doubt that you are loved. That are you safe and protected and cared for deeply. Because you are.”

Tears fell and she pressed her forehead to mine. “Luke, I love you too. I’m scared as hell and I tried to stay away from you, but I couldn’t.”

I kissed her hard and fast because I could. Because nothing sounded sweeter than hearing her say she loved me. “Because I’m so damn irresistible?”

“And modest,” she joked. “I really couldn’t resist you and now I don’t have to.” She kissed me then and it was everything a kiss should be, hot and sweet, long and drawn out, and it had lots of tongue. “But we need to go slow. I love you but I’m scared.”

I smiled at her and pressed a kiss to her temple. “So you don’t want the ring in my pocket?”

She arched an eyebrow. “That was a ring? And I thought you were just happy to see me.”

I laughed and wrapped my arms around her as my heart beat at a rapid pace. It might not be the easiest path in the world but I knew Talia and I would be okay. She had sass and gumption, and I had her love. Together we could do anything and I had a feeling that we would.

As soon as I could get my ring on her finger.