Elle stood back from straightening fabric wound around an archway and smiled at her handiwork. The grounds of Murphy House—Theo’s family’s inn—had been transformed into a Starry Night-inspired fairyland for Theo’s sister’s wedding. Eowyn had a specific vision, one Elle had been delighted to help her create.

Gauzy fabrics hung from trees and fluttered in the wind. Later, as night fell, the lights she'd strung in the trees would make the space look like a dreamscape. For now, the back patio was the crowning piece of her efforts. Long tables covered in white were decorated with mason jars full of wildflowers and inky black linens speckled with silver like stars. It was exactly what the bride wanted.

"It's crooked."

The voice was low and grumbly, and even after dating for months, still made shivers run up and down her spine. The good kind. She turned to Justin with a sharp, "Is not."

He raised an eyebrow. She looked at the arch and realized he was right.

Elle swore as she climbed back up her ladder and fixed the arch. Justin micromanaged from the ground.

"A little to the left. No, too far."

"Justin!"

She glared at him over her shoulder. When she saw his teasing smile, she hopped off the stepladder. Elle didn’t look where she stepped, and her ankle gave way.

Strong, familiar arms broke her fall.

“Well this brings back memories,” Justin said, a smile in his voice. “Remember the first time I caught you?”

“Don’t remind me!”

“You wrapped yourself around me—"

“I did no such thing!” she interrupted. “I lost my balance.”

“You rubbed your face on my chest.”

Elle covered her face with one hand. “God, I totally did, didn’t I?”

His grin was huge.

She shook her head. “I’m only this much of a klutz around you, you know.”

“It’s my looks. You can’t help yourself.”

“That’s exactly it,” she said dryly.

Elle had spent weeks in a flurry of planning for this moment. She hadn't slept more than a handful of hours for the last few nights—and hadn't seen Justin alone for far too long. What she wanted was to wrap herself around him and never let go, but there was too much work to do.

She started to leave his arms, but he snagged her wrist. Elle protested for point two seconds, but when he tugged her to him, she didn't resist. Justin wrapped his arms around her and she snuggled in, breathing his scent and letting his warmth seep into her bones.

"Hi," she said.

"Hey," he said.

Elle let herself relax. She pulled back to look at him, savoring the feel of being in his arms and the joy of knowing he loved her.

"Are you ready for this?" she asked. “I know you thought it was a risk. Still think that way?”

After Elle moved to Woodbine Valley she'd started work at the local library. She still did freelance research work for her favorite professors and colleagues in the Triangle area—it turned out she missed medical journals, a fact that surprised her—but she spent most of her time in the Children's section at Woodbine’s library and loved every minute of it. She found a small apartment above the flower shop downtown and was able to walk to work. She and Theo met regularly for chats over sweet tea, and Elle even managed to survive a few babysitting stints with Theo’s boys.

Meanwhile, she dated Justin, getting to know him more and more, and falling deeper in love with him every day.

Still, she wanted more, and her time at Oak Bramble had planted the seeds of an idea. When Theo's sister Eowyn needed a wedding planner—she'd called wedding planning work of the devil—Elle jumped at the chance to help. She even went so far as to team up with Jess; Elle handled the planning and decorating, and Jess provided the food. If all went well, the next wedding would be held at Oak Bramble.

Jess loved the idea straight away, but Justin had been cautious about Elle and his mom going into business together. He hadn't wanted to risk hurting their relationship with a business venture.

Now, he said, "Sometimes risks are good."

He looked at her, eyes serious in the sunlight.

"There's another risk I want to talk to you about."

Elle couldn't help it. She checked her watch. "Really? Does it have to be now? The wedding party will be here any minute, and I still have to check the food. Oh, and make sure the DJ is on her way. And—“

Justin cut her off with a kiss. It started simple and sweet, then took a turn into something stronger, deeper. Elle sighed and relaxed into his arms, letting the warmth of the kiss spread from her stomach to her toes. To her heart.

He pulled back. "I love you," he said, his breath a whisper against her face.

She smiled, dazed. "I love you, too."

His expression turned serious. "I want to spend the rest of my life doing this."

"Arguing and giving me a hard time?" she asked, teasing.

"No," he said. His voice was rough. "I want to spend the rest of my life with you in my arms. I want to kiss you. I want to see you wake up in the morning. I want to argue with you and make up with you."

"Oh," she said, breathy and soft.

"Elle. Marry me."

Happiness filled her. Justin wasn’t the man she’d imagined for herself. He was so much better.

She blinked, fighting tears. “Yes," she said. Then, laughing. "Yes!"