Business and Pleasure (27 page)

“So, dear husband,” I say.
Husband
…God; I love the sound of that! “Are you going to
tell me where you’re flying me off to?”

Alex lets out a laugh and pulls me closer.
“I guess I’ve made you wait long enough, huh?”

I giggle—a sound I only seem to make when
I’m with him, and one I know he finds irresistibly sexy. He groans,
soft and low, and nuzzles my neck. His warm breath against my skin
gives me chills, and for a moment, I forget all about where I might
be spending the next few weeks of my life. But the song ends, and
I’m back in the moment.

“Well?” I ask him. “If you were trying to
distract me from my question, it didn’t work.”

“Ah, I should have known better. Are you
ready for a few weeks of just me?”

“If I get to bring my laptop I am.” I can’t
resist teasing him a little.

“On our honeymoon?” He pouts. “I guess you
can bring it, but if you have the time or desire to work while
we’re gone, then I’m not doing my job.”

“Ha! You have a point.” I glance around the
room. I’m surrounded by everyone I care about. My work family, my
existing, newly formed family, and tons of mutual friends. My life
is complete; I couldn’t ask for more. “I think our wedding was a
success. How about you? Was it everything you imagined?”

Alex holds me a little tighter. “Yes…and
then some.”

I open my mouth to question him again
regarding our honeymoon destination, when my sister comes running
up and interrupts me.

“Oh, my God, Lizzy! Mark just asked me to
marry him!”

I glance down at the amazing, round-cut
diamond and platinum ring on Becca’s hand.
Wow
.
Talk
about a rock
! The man did well. Although some might say Becca
and Mark hadn’t known each other or dated long enough to make such
a big decision, I didn’t agree. After all, the same might be said
regarding Alex and me, and we think we made the right choice in
getting married. I can only feel happiness for my sister,
especially since I never thought I’d see her engaged. She’s never
struck me as the “serious relationship” type, and you can’t get a
much more serious relationship than a marriage. But like me, I
suppose Becca was just waiting for the right man to come along.

“Congratulations, Becca! The ring is
beautiful!”

Alex and I both hug her at the same
time.

“Thanks, you guys! Lizzy, I expect you’ll be
ready to start making wedding plans again when you get back from
your honeymoon. But Mark and I have decided on a year-long
engagement, so we have plenty of time.”

I smile at my lovely sister, who has grown
up too fast.

“You got it, sis. I love you.”

“I love you too. Have a wonderful
honeymoon.”

Mark walks up just then, and we offer him
our congratulations, as well. The evening is winding down, and
people are beginning to come up to congratulate us and say their
good-byes. There aren’t many people left, so Mark and Becca bid us
farewell, too, and head off to hold their own little celebration.
As I watch them go, I smile. Mom and Dad would have been so
proud.

“The band is beginning to pack up. I guess
that’s our queue.” Alex leans down and presses a kiss to my lips.
“So, Mrs. Elizabeth Preston, are you ready to head to Paris
tomorrow?”

I smile as I look into my handsome husband’s
emerald eyes.
Paris
! He is taking me to Paris for our
honeymoon! I cannot hide my excitement as I answer him,

“I am on cloud nine, Mr. Preston.”

Smiling, Alex leans down to speak right next
to my ear so only he and I can hear. “Well, then, let’s get home,
so I can take care of you my lovely wife.”

~The End~

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