I laid my light green bridesmaid dress down on the bed next to Carson’s best man outfit. I planned to pack them at the very last minute. I didn’t think they’d wrinkle in a garment bag, but I wasn’t sure. Ironing wasn’t a skill in my tool box, so to speak. So not putting them into something where they’d be bunched up until it was absolutely necessary seemed like a reasonable thing to do.

“Cutting it a little close there, aren’t you?” I said as Carson threw the door open and ran straight into the bedroom to get ready. Because he had exactly nothing packed, despite my frequent reminders over the past two weeks.

“Plenty of time.” He grabbed the suitcase I’d put out for him eons ago and headed into the walk-in closet.

“Yeah, like five extra minutes.”

He flinched and spun around when he realized I’d followed him. I wish I knew why he’d been so distracted or anxious lately.

That’s when I saw the white plastic bag he was shoving into his suitcase. When did he have time to go shopping?

“Yep, plenty of time.” He reached out to grab my hand and pull me into him, sliding his hand onto my ass and squeezing. “Thanks for this morning, by the way. I needed that.”

“Me too.”

It’s funny how sex can bring people closer. Not that I missed the literal meaning of the idea, but the emotional component still came as a surprise to me, even after the countless times Carson and I had done it. But being with someone I truly loved and was 110 percent sure loved me just as much was still kind of new to me. Having a guy on top of you, or inside you, didn't automatically provide that experience. But with Carson, I knew he wasn’t holding anything back. Every movement he made, every word he groaned, gave him away.

This morning wasn’t just sex for either of us. It was a moment of shared vulnerability, openness, and acceptance I’d never had with anyone before him. And since I knew he’d never had it before, it was as if we were both experiencing the same thing, feeling the same emotional component.

Actually he probably wasn’t thinking anything in the moment. If he were, it had probably been something like, “Ahhh…oooh…goooood.”

“I’m coming,” I whispered.

“Huh?”

Shit. I’d said that last part out loud. I shook my head. “I mean the car we ordered is coming. Soon. It’s coming soon.” Meh cover. Thankfully, he didn’t question it.

I raised onto my tiptoes and kissed him, planning it to be quick so he could finish packing. But Carson lived in the moment. And at this moment, he wasn’t thinking about what to pack or how long it would take us to get through airport security. He matched my quick kiss and raised me a scorching connection of tongues and heat until I’d forgotten everything else too.

“Knock it off!” I pushed away from him. “We don’t have time for any of that, mister.”

“Fine,” he grumbled. “I can wait until after the captain has turned off the fasten seatbelt sign.”

---

While I threw together a quick breakfast for us, Carson shoved stuff into a bag and got ready to go.

When my phone buzzed, letting us know our ride was downstairs waiting, Carson was dressed and I was running around trying to figure out what I’d forgotten to pack. Because, obviously, I’d forgotten something.

“Was the wedding switched to a clothing-optional event?” Carson said, stuffing the last bite of the breakfast burrito into his mouth.

“What are you talking about?” I followed his gaze to the bedroom, toward the wedding attire I’d laid out about three minutes ago and then had promptly forgotten about. “See? I knew I’d forget something.”

“So we aren’t doing it naked?” he asked, frowning melodramatically. “Bummer. Hopes dashed. Disappointment overwhelming.”

“Disaster averted.” I took one last look at my dress and his outfit before zipping up the garment bag, willing them not to wrinkle. The dress was gorgeous and would flow beautifully with the island breeze, but I would’ve gone with a more formal look for the men. Especially because Carson looks painfully gorgeous in a tux.

Carson grabbed our luggage, I locked the apartment door, and we ran to get the elevator. It was a short ride down, but it gave me enough time to obsess a little more.

Specifically, I thought about how weird it was that it had taken me this long to start daydreaming about what I would want at my wedding. Until I’d met Carson, it was my favorite fantasy. Well, that’s not fair to Carson. He hadn’t been the reason I’d stopped daydreaming about it. The asshole before Carson could have all the blame for that one.

I really hadn’t thought about getting married in a long time. I wished I could say it was because Carson gave me all kinds of new, better, and naughtier fantasies—which was entirely true—but I worked alone all day long. Plenty of time to imagine the really dirty stuff and the traditionally girlie stuff. But I hadn’t. Why not?

Fear. Wasn’t that always the reason people avoided something? In my case, it was probably fear of falling into the same trap I’d fallen into before…a bunch of times. Stuck in the trap until I got dumped. Way past the moment I’d realized the guy was a jerk. But I’d already committed to the idea. It was too late to back out.

Yes, eventually I realized how stupid that was. It just took a lot longer than I wish it had.

Before Carson, I was fantasizing about being Mrs. Whoever by the third date. Everything was different this time around, better, smarter, healthier. I needed it to work. I think I’d been so busy trying to make sure I wasn’t the same stupid person I used to be, that I’d never really allowed myself to think of anything beyond that.

I was momentarily blinded by sunlight when we stepped out of the building. By the time I could see again, Carson was already shaking hands with the driver of our car.

I walked toward the door Carson must have opened for me. As soon as I felt leather under my ass, I closed my eyes and waited. Once Carson had put all our bags into the trunk and slid into the seat beside me, I scooted into the center seat so I could rest my head on his shoulder.

---

We made it through airport security and to the gate with about two minutes to spare. Carson was dragging all the bags and wouldn’t accept my help with them, so I ran ahead to make sure they didn’t shut the door.

“See?” he said as we took our seats in first class. “Plenty of time.”