Page 92 of One-Star Romance

Rob turned, then did a double take, his eyes widening at the sight of her. He looked so handsome in his navy suit that it made her heart ache. An ache at how lucky she was, how much she wished she could go back to Natalie five years ago and whisper to her, It might not feel like it now, but good things are coming. The best stuff takes time, so keep the faith.

Rob cleared his throat. “No need to apologize. You are completely worth the wait.”

When they’d talked about how they wanted their wedding to go, they realized that they didn’t feel particularly wedded (ha!) to tradition. They wanted to keep things small, somewhat casual. No big wedding parties, just a maid of honor and a best man. No tossing of a bouquet or expensive wedding cakes.

“And I don’t think I want my dad to walk me down the aisle,” Natalie said, feet in Rob’s lap, as they sat on their couch discussing how the ceremony might go.

“Really?”

“Obviously he’s invited. But he’s barely been around in my life. I’m not going to attain some special sentimental significance having him by my side.”

Rob tapped a pen against his lips. “Maybe we walk down together? After all, you’re not being presented to me. We’re two people entering into this commitment side by side.”

Natalie bit her lip, thinking it over.

“Unless you want a moment to shine alone, of course,” Rob went on.

“It’s not that,” Natalie said. “Just that I was kind of hoping you’d make your entrance via zip line?”

So now, here they were, just the two of them and the friends who had made this possible, who had hung on through life’s ups and downs, and would be there as the years yet to come unfurled their inevitable surprises, their triumphs and heartaches. Natalie knew enough now to realize that nothing lasted forever—no bliss, but no sadness either. Happiness followed pain and pain followed happiness, and all you could do was hang on and feel every bit of it for as long as this world would let you.

For today, though, everything was all joy. And, looking at her fiancé, she couldn’t help feeling that, yes, their relationship would change with time, but she’d never stop knowing how lucky she was. Rob offered Natalie his arm, and she threaded hers through it. Struck by a thought, she laughed.

“What is it?” he asked.

“I just can’t believe that I have to walk down the aisle, twice, with a man who gave my book one star on Goodreads.”

“I’ll have you know that I deleted that rating years ago,” Rob said.

“You did? I haven’t been on that website in forever. Not even to check the advance reviews for Friend of the Family.”

“My fiancée. A woman of great restraint.”

“Yes, that’s what people have always said about me.”

“Are you lovebirds ready to stop flirting and start moving?” Gabby asked, and they nodded. So Gabby looked out the door and gave a signal, and the small band they’d hired began to play.

Rob leaned over to Natalie and whispered in her ear, sending a shiver down her spine. “I hope you brought your A game when you were writing your vows. Because I’ve been practicing.”

“Please. I brought my A-plus game. Prepare to be blown away.” She made her expression innocent, batting her eyes sweetly at him. “But it’s not a competition.”

“Right,” he said with a smirk. “Not a competition.”

Angus pulled the door open. The people they loved turned to look as Gabby and Angus began to walk. Nat and Rob smiled at each other. Then, together, they stepped into the sun.