The crowd went wild.
A balloon of happiness floated in her heart. In the past couple of weeks Matthew had met her friends. They’d travelled to Ireland, and spent time with her mother and his family. They were still living apart, but spent the nights together at her house or his apartment. His presence at her show was the icing on the cake. They might not be happy-ever-after, but they were certainly happy-for-now. They loved each other, she didn’t need more.
*****
Everything was ready. Logan Advertising’s team were ready at the start line with their monitoring equipment, which had been rigorously tested over the past week.
“Go.” Jason pushed Matthew’s arm. “We have it covered.”
“Wish me luck.” Jason knew of Matthew’s plan for today.
“You won’t need it. She’ll love it.” Jason grinned. “You’re a brave man though. I wouldn’t have the balls to do what you’re going to do.”
“Sure you would, for the right woman.” What they had was almost perfect. They met up every evening for a run, and then after went to his house or her apartment to spend the evenings together. But it wasn’t enough. Wasn’t perfect. He wanted her to know the depth of his love. Wanted everyone to know. There was only one way to show her he was serious. Publicly.
The streets were packed with spandex-nistas. The air buzzed with estrogen as eager runners lined up ready for the off.
“I better go.” Matthew searched the sidewalk for a way through. “The girls will be waiting.”
A thumbs up from Jason, then he was cutting through the crowd to the staging post where the supporters stood, clutching signs before a bank of cameras.
Marie, Eliza and Amy jumped up and down as they saw him coming. Amy had slotted right back into April’s life as if their time apart had never happened.
He walked right into the little group. “Are we ready?”
Wow, girls really do squee…
“I’m so excited!” Eliza gripped his arm so tight it almost cut off his blood supply. “She’s going to love it.”
“Nobody tipped her off?” He fixed each in turn with his give-it-up-glare.
“No way.” Marie shook her head. “We wouldn’t ruin this for anything.”
“They’re off!” Amy shouted. “Get ready!”
There was no way of seeing April in the crowd, no way to judge her reaction to what was to happen. Matthew’s stomach clenched tight as he logged in to the race’s URL and typed in the RFID tag number from the tiny device tied onto her shoelace tracking her position.
“She’s left the starting grid.”
Along the course, there were five mats which registered a runner’s progress around the course. It shouldn’t take long for her to pass over the next mat. Her time had increased substantially since they’d started training. If it hadn’t been a women only event, he’d be right there running with her.
Spending each evening running, talking along the way was his second favorite way of getting hot and sweaty. Showering together after their run was fast becoming addictive.
Last week, she’d had her hair cut into face-framing layers, and tinted warm red.
She looked great with her hair any color, but red was fast becoming a favorite.
The emerald dress she’d worn at her fashion show made her look so hot he’d been gasping for air. She’d received so many compliments she was already gathering brightly colored fabric swatches for her next collection.
“Look.” Amy pointed at the tablet. “She’s pinged.”
Matthew picked up the first sign.
Go, April Go!
She’d told him she loved his makeshift sign the first time around, so he’d had signs professionally produced with the words he wanted to say printed large.
He held it up in front of his chest, grinning like a fool as he imagined the effect seeing it would have.
*****
April’s lungs burned as she rounded the corner. The last screen was just up ahead, and she couldn’t wait to see what sign Matthew would be holding up when she reached it.
The steady rhythm she’d set since the start of the race meant her time would be more than respectable—the hours of training with Matthew had paid off big time. She’d never thought running would become such a satisfying pastime, in fact, she’d only started because Matthew loved it so much.
She liked sharing his passions. Loved the changes running had gifted her body. She’d always been lean, but honing her muscles had streamlined her look, and increased her stamina.
Stamina was good.
The first sign, “Go, April Go,” had made her smile.
The second “I’m giving you a massage when we get home,” had made her giggle.
The third “I love you,” had brought a tear to her eyes, especially when she saw the look in Matthew’s eyes.
He’d told the world.
Her pace picked up as she approached the sign.
The image of her friends and lover filled the screen. Amy, Eliza and Marie were jumping up and down; she could only imagine the sounds they were making by watching their mouths open and close.
Matthew stood dead center. His face was somber, serious.
The moment she saw the sign she stopped dead and stared.
“I won’t run. Will you?”
Emotion blindsided her as she fought for breath. She swiped a hand over her face, feeling the dampness of tears on her cheeks.
“No,” she whispered. “No.”
He waited at the finish line, with the sign at his feet.
“Help me out here,” he muttered as she ran straight into his arms. “Say you won’t run.”
Her gaze tilted up to his. “Only to you.”
Matthew pulled her close. He slipped a circlet of gold on her finger, sparkling diamonds and sapphire chips glinting in the sunlight.
“Eternity starts now.”
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Other Books by Sally Clements
The Morning After
Catch Me a Catch
Marrying Cade
Bound to Love
Love on the Vine
Challenging Andie
Angel All Year
Blaze (A Minxes of Romance anthology)
Table of Contents
Copyright notice
Newsletter sign up
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Table of Contents
Blaze (A Minxes of Romance anthology)
Copyright notice
Newsletter sign up
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Runaway Groom Page 15