He nodded. “I know. And I get it. You weren’t afraid to do the thing no one would’ve expected you to do. You’re great at taking chances. It’s something I need to get better at.”
“I took a chance when I kissed you that first time.”
“That’s the perfect example. I need to stop playing it safe.” He swallowed back the emotion of the moment, of how much she meant to him and how grateful he was that she’d stuck around and kept pushing when he’d been doing nothing but putting up walls. He was so lucky to have her in his life. “When you’ve lost everything, it’s just easier to play it safe. Don’t risk a thing. Don’t put anything of importance on the line. Friendship. Your heart. But then you came along and took my heart from me. You have it, Alli.”
She cocked her head to one side. “I do?”
“Yes. And I don’t want it back.” He took her hand and pressed it flat against the center of his chest. It had hurt so badly that morning, and now it was nothing but impossibly warm. A single touch from her and he was healed. “I want you to keep it forever. Promise me that you’ll hold on to it. I love you, Allison Randall, and I don’t want you to ever forget that.”
Her eyes lit up, bright and brilliant. “Oh, God, Zane. I love you, too.” She gripped his elbows and leaned into him. “I think I’ve loved you since the moment I met you.”
His heart felt as though it had swelled to twice its normal size. He hadn’t realized how little hope he had that she’d return the sentiment until the words crossed her lovely lips. They fell into the most memorable kiss yet—it was an unspoken promise, wrapped up in years of friendship, tied with a wish for forever.
They came up for air, and he rested his forehead against hers, holding her close, not wanting to let her go ever. “I want it all with you, Allison. I realize it hasn’t even been a week since we first slept together, but I know that the foundation is there between us. I don’t want to wait to build our life together. The two of us. Forever and ever. Husband and wife. Best friends. Platinum bands and wedding bells.”
She bit down on her lower lip. “A Rose Cove honeymoon in a cottage up on the hill?”
“Will it make you say yes?”
“I don’t need a trip to an island to know that I’ll love you forever, Zane. Of course I’m saying yes. A million times yes.”
Epilogue
One month later
Angelique and Allison’s mom walked into Angelique’s bedroom at the exact right moment—Kianna was putting the finishing touches on Allison’s bridal hair.
“So beautiful,” her mom said, smiling, then kissing Allison on the cheek.
“The most beautiful,” Angelique added.
Allison’s heart was already so full of love, she wasn’t sure how she’d survive the wedding. She knew she’d better prepare. There was only a half hour until they’d walk from Angelique and Hubert’s house for the dock at Rose Cove. From there, Marcus would be taking everyone via boat to Mako Island. Zane had decided it was only fitting that they get married there. He liked the idea that no one else would ever be able to say that their wedding had taken place on that particular patch of sand in the Caribbean.
As for Allison, she was simply glad that they’d decided to have the ceremony be a small and informal affair. Only so many people could fit on Mako Island, so they’d kept the guest list small—Scott, Brittney and the kids, Zane’s mom and dad, Allison’s parents, Angelique and Hubert, and Kianna. The dress code was decidedly casual—bare feet and flip-flops, shorts and sundresses, hats and sunglasses. Allison had gone with a new white bathing suit—a simple one-piece for modesty since her parents were in attendance, but with a plunging back for Zane’s required sexy factor. A white sarong embroidered with silver threads wrapped at her waist completed the look. Zane had once said that he loved her flair for fashion, and she was happy her bridal ensemble perfectly reflected her individual style. She could not have gotten away with this getup in Falling Brook. All the more reason to be glad to be far away from that.
“It’s so amazing that you were able to get the guest cottages fixed up in time for the wedding,” Kianna said to Angelique. “From everything Allison said, things were pretty messy.”
“My husband was highly motivated. He had a crew out here as soon as Alli called to tell us the news. He didn’t want her second visit this year to Rose Cove to be anything less than perfect,” Angelique said. “It was mostly water damage. Luckily, all of the building structures rode out the storm just fine.”
“I’m so glad,” Allison said. “It could’ve been so much worse.” Although that scary weather event had caused so much heartache, she was still oddly thankful for it. It forced her and Zane to get past their other issues. It brought them together. If it hadn’t happened, she might have spent the rest of her vacation holed up in her cottage, mad at Zane. And the rest of her life feeling as though something big was missing.
“How is your husband doing?” Kianna asked Angelique.
“Hubert is a new man. The doctor gave him a clean bill of health, so it looks like we’re in the clear, which is a huge relief.”
A knock came at the door and Brittney poked her head inside. “I think they’re ready for you. It’s only forty-five minutes until sunset.”
“Angelique, we’d better get the flowers,” Allison’s mom said. “We’ll meet you on the boat, sweetheart.” She cupped Allison’s face. “I love you. Always.”
Moments like that reminded Allison how precious her family’s love was. It wasn’t a burden as she’d sometimes felt. “I love you, too, Mom.”
Angelique and her mom left, while Kianna made one final adjustment to the
