“I, um…I felt sick, so I went to the restroom. I felt so guilty for making you feel that way, and then, um…” I looked away and whispered, “Old memories came back, and I just…lost track of time.”
Reed placed his finger on my chin and turned my face up to his. The love in his eyes warmed my heart and filled my soul with peace.
“I just freaked, angel, that’s all. I was worried that I was rushing you, and then you said your parents were upset and all. I’m so sorry I said anything to hurt you.”
My breathing picked up, and I couldn’t believe what he was saying. I had been a bitch and purposely made him worry, and here he was, saying such wonderful things to me.
“You lost track of time?” Whitley said from behind Reed. “Really? That’s the best you can come up with, Court? You deliberately said that bullshit to Reed to make him upset, and then you take off when he freaks out. I just—”
Reed turned and held up his hand. “Whitley, it’s okay.”
Whitley started shaking her head as she walked over toward Reed and me. “No, it’s not okay, Reed. So, because you had some stupid old memories come up, you caused all of us to worry?”
I sucked in a breath of air, and Reed grabbed on to me tighter.
He turned and gave me a questioning look. “You haven’t told her yet?”
I felt the tears burning my eyes. The last thing I wanted was for Noah to invade my world, especially these next few days when I should be the happiest I’d ever been. The moment I felt a tear roll down my cheek, I quickly wiped it away.
I looked down and whispered, “Not yet.”
“Courtney…” Reed said as he pulled me closer to him. “Baby, I love you so much.”
I pulled back and looked at Whitley. Her anger had turned to concern.
“Told me what? Is this what you were supposed to tell me but kept putting off?” Whitley asked.
Layton came walking over. “I hate to be the one to say this, but if we want a wedding dress and tuxes, we need to get going.”
I tried to give Layton a smile, but I was afraid it came off fake as all get-out. I should have been excited to get my wedding dress. Instead, I was filled with panic, guilt, anger, and love. All the emotions were beginning to build up, and I was afraid they would break the dam at any moment.
“Whitley, Layton, can y’all give us just a few minutes? Then, we will head out to the bridal store,” I said.
They both nodded their heads.
Whitley walked up to me and brought me in for a hug. She whispered in my ear, “I’m so sorry. I was angry, and these pregnancy hormones make me crazy with my emotions. Please, Court, please talk to me, okay?”
When she stepped back, I cleared my throat and said, “I will. After we get our dresses, okay?”
She nodded, and then she turned and followed Layton out of the room.
Before Layton shut the door, he said, “We’ll meet y’all down in the lobby in ten minutes.”
Once the door shut, I lost it and fell into Reed’s arms, crying hysterically. I started to just spit everything out, like I only had moments to say it all. “Why? Why is he invading my thoughts now, Reed? I want him gone. I need him gone. I’m so sorry. I was kidding. My parents never threatened you. Okay, that’s a lie. My father did threaten to hurt you if you hurt me, but they’re not coming here. They were never coming here. I’m so sorry. I never meant to make you so upset. I’m so, so very sorry.”
He pulled me in tighter and began moving his hand up and down my back. “Shh…angel, please don’t cry. It’s okay. I promise, it’s all going to be okay. I’m here for you, Courtney, and I will never leave you. I’ll never let him hurt you. I swear to God…I’ll never let him hurt you again, Courtney.”
I looked into his eyes that were filled with so much love, and I instantly felt a warm sensation run through my whole body. I wanted him inside me so badly. I needed to feel him close to me. I needed him to love me.
“Make love to me,” I whispered.
He smiled and kissed the tip of my nose. “We don’t have time, Court.”
I pushed myself into him and felt his growing erection. “We can be fast…please.” I batted my eyelashes at him.
He stepped back and held up his hands. “As much as I want to bury myself inside you and make you feel nothing but love, we can’t.”
I attempted to give him my best pouty face, but it didn’t work.