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She’d been a teaching assistant, grading papers for hinments So to discuss a particular student, their issues, good and bad Then one night, Whitney blew into town for a visit And as soon as Evan saw her sister, Paige had become all but invisible

But she’d alondered: Would he eventually have fallen for her, his friend and confidante, if he’d never s were unknowable

What she could hold on to noith all her ht, he’d finally kissed her A kiss she had waited on for nine long years

"You’ve ain, healedI have to give, I give to you Please take my heart, my love Because they are yours forever"

In the row ahead of Paige, Susan sniffled softly with Bob’s arm around her Sebastian looked tenderly at Charlie While Evan stared ahead with fierce determination to appear coan her vows "I will take your heart, your love, and give you ht I could need anyone the way I need you I never thought I could let ht I would meet someone I could trust with my life, with my brother’s life I trust you with all of that, Will, andht You are mine," Harper declared as Will drew her closer "And I ah of happiness at the ros fro bearer on the planet After Harper and Will had slipped the bands onto each other’s fingers, the officiant said, "I hereby pronounce you husband and wife You may now kiss the bride"

Will cupped Harper’s face in his pal her features as if he needed to map each beautiful contour he saw Then he slowly lowered his e held her breath for the perfect hed when it finally ca of their lips, their hearts, their souls Harper’s hands fluttered ahim Their kiss was almost too intimate to watch, yet too beautiful to turn away fro hands down her throat, skiathered her into hi With one hand across her back, he dipped Harper low over his ar her with all the passion that always burned between the at Evan again She swore she saw the saht back at her, at least for a split second before he turned away, a htened with a grin, Harper laughed, her face glowing, and Jere Will hard Then he said in his best manly voice, "You better take care of my sister or else" He looked over at the other Mavericks and asked, "That’s what they always say in the ed Jeremy and Harper "Yep, that’s what they always say I will definitely take care of her, buddy"

"Just like we’ll take care of Will," Harper said, then gave her new husband another very hot kiss

Soon, everyone gathered around for hugs Susan wiped tears from her face as she kissed Harper’s cheek This was family and love, close friends and best wishes And when Se was sure e circled around, planning to offer her congratulations once the crush was over On the far side of the room, Evan watched, the barest hint of a s, wasn’t it?"

She turned at the sound of Daniel’s deep voice

"The perfect wedding for a perfect couple," he said "Although I can see that you’re worrying" Daniel nodded in Evan’s direction

Busted Of course Daniel had noticed her scrutiny The Mavericks didn’this wedding to theirs"

"I’h this"

"Of course he will" She gently nudged Daniel’s ribs "After all, he’s got you guys to talk hie"

That was definitely true Evan had always had her, whether he knew it or not Yes, she’d put up with Whitney’s behavior all those years because of her proe had also stayed for Evan--because she hadn’t been able to bear the thought of walking out of his life if she’d walked out of Whitney’s

And no that he and Whitney were done? Now that he and Paige had kissed?

She sighed, wishing she knehat to do, wishing she had all the answers Her feelings for Evan were stronger than ever, but despite his passionate kiss last night, he was doing his damn level best to act as if it had never happened She hoped he wasn’t sorry, that he hadn’t been about to apologize for kissing her when everyone burst out onto the porch to play in the snow But given ho and bruised inside he clearly was froret for their kiss was a distinct--and awful--possibility

"Anything else you want to talk about?" Daniel asked "Because that was a heck of a sigh" His eyes arm and far too perceptive