The moonlight gilded his face and curls, hiding parts of him in shadow. Now that she’d finally acknowledged the depth of her feelings, she still wondered about his. Was his kindness just friendship or did he, like her, long for more?
Here, away from the party, the night took on an enchanted, dream-like quality. Abby found that, here, in this half-magic state, she had the courage to try for what she wanted. She turned her face to the velvety sky and chose a glittering star high above before closing her eyes and sending a quick wish out to the universe.
“I’m sorry we didn’t get to have our dance,” Abby whispered to him as she stood and faced him in the moonlight. The space between them felt like a chasm. How could she get closer? She wanted to feel his big hands on her again, their hands clasped together, the enticing scent of him teasing her senses, his warmth washing over her front, beckoning her closer. Abby took a tiny step forward.
"Why not do it now?" Shortie untied his apron, balled it up, and tossed it into the truck. He held out his hand to her and she slipped her hand into his. He wrapped his warm fingers around hers and drew her close, pulling her gently toward him with a hand on her waist.
This close, the scent of cinnamon, sugar, and fresh soap that always clung to Shortie centered her. She leaned her head on his chest, his heart thudding, warm, steady, and safe beneath her ear. She wrapped an arm around his waist as he rested their clasped hands on his chest, in a comfortable, easy embrace. With Shortie, everything that Abby had found so challenging before about intimacy disappeared. With Shortie, Abby felt safe, comfortable, secure and bold enough to take the next step.
She raised her head, their gazes meeting in the moonlight, before Shortie stepped forward. Instinctively, her body followed his, trusting him to lead her, they stepped off the path, the grass soft beneath her sore feet. They spun together under the moonlit trees, her skirt belling around them as they waltzed.
When the music stopped, they stood next to the path, not far from his truck. Both panted slightly, out of breath from their dizzying whirl among the trees, still clasped tightly together. She tilted her head back before sliding her hand up his neck to tease the soft curls at his nape.
Slowly, he lowered his head, giving her plenty of time to pull away. Instead, she met him halfway, tilting her head as their mouths pressed together, a sweet first kiss, full of promise for the future, learning the taste of each other. His big hand cradled her cheek, his thumb tracing her cheekbone as they melded together.
A metallic door slamming made them break apart. Abby stared at Shortie, flushed and out of breath, his hair a nimbus around his head. She’d done that, with the force of her own desire, want, and need. Her gaze fell to his swollen lips and all she wanted was more of that amazing mouth. Abby swayed toward him when a man cleared his throat nearby. Abby turned to see Leo standing at the back of the van.
“Don’t let me interrupt,” Leo chuckled.
“Guess we’d better get back to work,” Shortie groaned, still holding her close.
“We’re all done here, boss,” Leo called as he headed around the corner of the barn. “I’ll catch a ride with the servers. Night.”
“He’s the best,” Abby smiled, wrapping her arms around Shortie’s neck.
“He’s my favorite minion,” Shortie grinned. “So, I know this great place in town that makes omelets 24 hours.”
“I think I have to go finish being a bridesmaid first.”
“Then I’ll wait,” Shortie whispered.
“Might be a bit.”
“You’re worth it.”
Epilogue
One year later…
The first sunny day of spring found Shortie Campbell unloading a wedding cake from his shiny, brand new delivery truck. He carefully balanced the small, three-tiered confection as he strode into the recreation center at Savannah Ponds. Inside, Abby and Erin worked to transform the utilitarian area. They appeared to be draping white tulle over every available space.
“So, Gram, now that Linda’s tying the knot—again—will we be celebrating your wedding soon?” Abby teased as Shortie placed the cake in the center of the festooned cake table.
“Maybe,” Gram answered. “There’s a few Romeos I’ve got my eye on.”
Leo arrived, carrying silver trays of canapés. A sleek Weimaraner puppy, his silver fur shiny in the sun, trotted behind, his intense gaze never leaving the gleaming trays. Leo set them on the buffet table and, as soon as the enticing trays disappeared, the dog made a beeline for Abby and made to jump up.
“No!” Abby said sternly. “Sit.”
When the dog obeyed, Abby patted his head and rewarded him with a small biscuit from her pocket. He gobbled the treat and inclined his head so she slipped him another one.
“You spoil him,” Shortie complained. He’d given her the dog as her birthday gift just a few weeks before.
“Jasper’s not spoiled,” Abby cooed to the dog, “and who’s the one baking dog biscuits for him from scratch every day?”
“They’re a big hit at The Pie Plate. Jasper’s just the beneficiary of my new business strategy.”
“Right,” Erin laughed. “Shortie, did I tell you that the Watson wedding wants 800 dog biscuits for favors?”
“Dog biscuits for wedding favors?” Leo shook his head. “What next?”
“People are silly about their dogs,” Gram agreed. “Letting them sleep on the bed and teaching them tricks and I don’t know what else.”
“I nearly forgot to show you Jasper’s new trick, Gram. Watch. Jasper, Shake!”
The dog tilted his head in confusion. Abby scratched his ears again. “We’ll keep working on it, Jasper.”
“He’s going to be a big one,” Erin covered the awkward moment. “Look at those paws.”
“He’ll be a great lumbering oaf soon enough,” Shortie agreed. “Still can’t believe she named him Jasper.”
“After another great lumbering oaf,” Erin laughed.
“If it hadn’t been for that sweet puppy, I’d never have met Shortie,” Abby stood on her tiptoes to press a quick kiss to Shortie’s mouth.
“I don’t think you were calling him a sweet puppy when he dragged you through the mud in Forsyth Park,” Shortie dropped a kiss on Abby’s head.
After their moonlight waltz and first kiss, things moved quickly between Abby and Shortie. To her surprise and delight, Abby discovered she enjoyed being a bridesmaid, making happily ever after come true for others, now that she’d found her own. They worked well together, happy and content, and, in time, Shortie moved into her apartment, filling the space with noise, laughter, and love.
Over the past year, Abby also found the courage to start performing again, for small groups and intimate friends. She may never be a professional singer, but now, with Shortie’s love and support, she could enjoy her song.
“I need to go warm up,” Abby stepped back to survey the transformed room. Of necessity, the recreation room at Savannah Ponds was stark and utilitarian. But the Always a Bridesmaid staff, along with their favorite caterer, softened the room. Now, with tulle and flowers, as well as a gorgeous wedding cake, the room looked positively bridal—fit for any bride to marry her handsome Romeo.
“Wait, Abby, before you go,” Shortie caught her hands in his and cleared his throat, shifting from foot to foot, “I’ve got a question.”
“What’s up?” Abby answered, distracted as she ran through the set list she planned to sing.
Shortie knelt on one knee and Jasper came to sit obediently next to him. “Hey Jasper,” Shortie rubbed behind his ears, “Think that you’d be up to being a ring bearer in a few months?”
Shocked, Abby stared at him for a second, sure she was misunderstanding. Her gaze found her gram, who stood with her hand over her mouth and her brown eyes misty. Next to her, Erin dabbed at her eyes with a tissue. Leo stood behind the cake table, his smile wide.
“Are you asking me a question or Jasper?” Abby met Shortie’s gaze, her pulse pounding in he
r wrists.
“Maybe you better come look at his collar.”
Abby knelt across from Jasper and Shortie. Gently, Shortie twisted the jangling collar to reveal a sparkling diamond solitaire, tied with a blush pink ribbon.
“Abby,” Shortie whispered, “will you marry me?”
Abby nodded, unable to speak, and he leaned over to drop a kiss on her mouth, full of hope and promise and love.
“Hey, no kissing the bridesmaid,” Leo crowed.
“She’ll be a bride soon enough.” Shortie answered, before claiming another kiss, the love between them real and bright and true.
Forever.
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About the Author
Courtney Hunt is the author of the breakout Cupid’s Coffeeshop and Always a Bridesmaid series, as well as the Kindle Scout winning novel, The Lost Art of Second Chances. She is also the author of A Teacher for the Billionaire in the Billionaire Babes Club series.
www.courtney-hunt.com
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Have you read them all?
The Cupid’s Coffeeshop Series
Where happily-ever-afters are served daily.
Fans of the Gilmore Girls will love
spending time in Ashford Falls
Join us in the quaint and charming town of Ashford Falls, nestled in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains for the heartwarming Cupid’s Coffeeshop series, featuring an entire year of couples finding their happily-ever-afters, filled to the brim with warmth, humor, and a dash of the unexpected.
Java Frost
When single dad, Ben Foster, hires preschool teacher Amy Lane to show him how to play with his young daughter, will lessons in fun turning into playing for keeps?
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Cupid’s Kiss
Card shop owner, Valentina Mahon hates Valentine’s Day. Will hunky delivery man, Mac Romano, convince his crush, the Grinch of Valentine’s Day, to be his Valentine?
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Lucky Latte
When Claire O’Shaughnessy needs a date for her sister’s wedding, her sexy new work rival, Grayson March, offers to help her—for a price. She’s got to work with him on the firms biggest account. Will a fake romance turn out to be more like love?
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Cherry Blossom Cappuccino
When ace reporter, Jefferson Elliot, returns to Ashford Falls to cover the story of Cupid’s Coffeeshop, he runs into his old flame, attorney Ruby Davis. In her youth, Ruby turned down Jefferson’s proposal for the chance to go to law school. Will they discover that it’s not too late for true love after all?
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Café Au Lait
Artisan chef Kennedy Roberts is furious when the owner of the Ashford Falls Café calls in newly minted MBA Alex Wells as a business consultant. She’s sure that the scorching kiss they shared at her high school graduation has nothing to do with her fury. But this time, Alex will stop at nothing to steal Kennedy’s heart and never let her go.
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Berries and Cream Chai
Joe Lockhart, co-owner of Cupid’s Coffeeshop, needs fresh seasonal berries for his latest signature drink creation. Molly McCarthy is desperate to save her pick-your-own produce farm and has no time for the “coffee hunk.” Until he comes up with a scheme to use his viral fame to help her save Berry Hill Farm. Will working together lead to more?
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Fireworks Frappe
Ava Lane swore she’d never come back to Ashford Falls or her first love, Duncan Knight. But when she comes home to be her sister’s maid-of-honor, she’s just lost her high powered job. Will Duncan give her a reason to stay?
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Coconut Iced Coffee
When Zooey Lockhart celebrates her 21st birthday at the beach, will an intense island fling turn out to be more like love?
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Apple Cider
Single mom Harper Wells has pined for her gorgeous neighbor Cooper Mason for two years. But when a friendship blossoms between them, can Harper and Cooper find their happily ever after right next door?
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Pumpkin Spice
When Natalie Lawson arrives in Ashford Falls to coach the failing high school football team, the whole town thinks she’s a joke. Only her boss, principal Jameson Kincade believes in her. Are they game to admit they are the perfect match?
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Thanksgiving Dream
High school junior Alice Wells is in charge of National Novel Writing Month in Ashford Falls. She’s finally going to make her writing dreams come true. When school quarterback, Kieran Kincade, sits next to her at the weekly write-ins, will Cupid’s magic finally make her Thanksgiving Dream come true?
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Cup of Joy
Cupid’s Coffeeshop is all decked out for Christmas to participate in the town’s annual Christmas celebration. They just need someone to play Santa. The search for Santa is on with Patrick Lockhart and Joy Baker in charge. Patrick’s pined for Joy since she first stared baking cookies for Cupid’s Coffeeshop to pay for her upcoming wedding. Now that her engagement is over, will Patrick get all he wants from Santa?
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A Teacher for the Billionaire by Courtney Hunt
in the Happily Ever Alpha: Falling for the Billionaire boxed set.
20 Billionaires. 20 Sizzling Ways to Fall in Love. Whether your fantasy is a prince or a self-made man, this set has all the hard-bodied, Alpha billionaires you can handle. Let our award-winning, best-selling authors take you on a trip filled with exotic locales, dizzying privilege and heart-warming happily ever after.
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The Always a Bridesmaid series
Professional bridesmaids finding their happily-ever-afters
Forever a Bridesmaid
Erin Delaney’s struggling professional bridesmaid’s business needs an infusion of cash—quick—so she can support herself and her younger brother. When she gets a last-minute contract for a week of wedding festivities in Savannah, she jumps at the chance to create the perfect wedding. But she didn’t count on the groom’s disapproving brother… Charming architect Matthew Westbrook will do anything to stop his younger brother’s pell-mell rush to the altar. He just didn’t count on falling for the smart and sexy brides
maid that his mother hired… When his matchmaking mama offers to sweeten the deal, Erin will earn the money she needs, if she can manage to keep Matthew from destroying the wedding. But, when her secret deal comes to light, will she lose her chance at love…in Forever a Bridesmaid, first in the Always a Bridesmaid series?
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Once a Bridesmaid
Happily ever after is not in her plans... Always a bridesmaid… And that’s exactly how professional bridesmaid Lauren Bennett wants it. All she'll allow herself to indulge in is a quick occasional fling or a one night stand. She won’t risk falling for someone and ending up trapped in a loveless marriage like her parents. She knows all too well that love and marriage equal misery and she never wants to live like that. Never the groom… But photographer Kyle Rawlings would like to be! At 30 years old, he’s done playing the field and wants to settle down with the right woman. When mistaken identity drops Lauren into his lap —and his bed— he thinks fate has finally granted his wish. He just didn’t realize it would take a force of nature to convince his stubborn professional bridesmaid that two people can be more than lovers. But Kyle is nothing if not patient, and he’s going to use every means possible to show Lauren just how wonderful love can be.
Kiss a Bridesmaid (Always a Bridesmaid Book 3) Page 7