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When I follow her exit with ot the attention of her mother, stepfather, brother, and Dahlia Her mother starts toward the door, but I step in front of her and say, "Please let ht"

Charlotte steps aside and with all eyes on me I head toward the closed door of the bathroohtly tap on it

The door cracks open

"What are you doing?" I ask her as I take a step in and she takes a step back It’s a small bathroom just like the men’s--two stalls, one sink, and aher eyes

I move closer still My pulse pounds so fast I can hear it in my ears "I wanted to see you I missed you"

"Why? I was such a bitch I don’t knohat ca you for more that wasn’t there"

I lift her chin towardonce she raises her eyes to me

"You were not a bitch And there’s more I was the dumb ass who didn’t understand what you needed because I couldn’t see what I needed I let you walk out because of it But I’ve had time to think about it and I knohat I want"

Her eyes sharpen "What?"

"You I ca that makes sense Sweat coats my brow and I draw my hand back to loosennervous She’s not saying anything Maybe I’m too late?

"What do you mean?" She steps closer to me Her warht contact makes my body buzz

I press my forehead to hers "Can we talk?"

She nods but quickly pulls away Her eyes flash over my face and I’m certain that what she thinks she sees isn’t how I feel This has to be one of the hardest things I’ve ever done I’ve been so closed off in my own life I haven’t really allowed anyone in She’s the closest I’ve coh Obviously it wasn’t

I look around at the small space "Soives ives way to a s, as if she’s trying to hold back the tears I try to pull her to me, but she pushes le with her I want to comfort her, just hold her But I’m not sure how she’ll react if I push I knowout; they should have been up already I want to do this right, so I opt to guide her out of here My hand finds the dip in her back and with just that slight touch I’m electrified Every inch of her seems to draw me in She fills me--my body, my mind, my soul, and my heart

I open the door and try hard to avoid the stares of her fae of the dance floor I whisper in her ear, "We have an audience"

She shakes her head "Give me a minute I’ll meet you at the elevator"

With my hands in the pockets of my suit pants, I rock back on my heels and wait for her She’s just a few feet aith her faathered around her My breath co her mother and head toward ly much cal the rooftop We enter along with two other couples I stand behind her, and heat fills the large gap between us

"You did a beautiful job planning the wedding," one woman compliments Bell