Read The Wedding Wish for Free Online

Cindy was right. “It really stinks being a grown-up sometimes.”
    “I know it does,” Cindy said, leaning forward. “But at least we can be grown-ups together.” Her face was etched with sympathy. “And if he gives you bad news, I don’t want you to think your world has ended. Because, let’s face it, Isabel, you’re a great girl. Plus, you’ve got your whole life ahead of you… A career. A future. And someday, yes, someday, you’re going to find a way to share it with the perfect guy.”
    Isabel felt like she’d already found the perfect guy. Perfect for her in so many ways. The only question was, did Robert feel the same way about her?

    Early the following Sunday morning, Isabel found herself at the shore with Robert. They’d spent a wonderful evening having a picnic in the park before an outdoor movie screen. They hadn’t watched an action film or a chick flick this time, but rather a classic oldie instead. It had been a fun and refreshing story, one of those old wartime love stories from long ago. As the last scene faded, closing on a couple kissing on a beach, Robert had taken her hand. “Let’s go somewhere,” he’d said. “Do you want to?”
    “What do you have in mind?” she’d asked him. And when he’d said the beach, Isabel had found it impossible to say no. She loved the majesty and romance of the seashore and always had since she was a kid. It was a four-hour drive, but she didn’t mind, as long as she was taking it with him. They’d driven mostly in silence, listening to funky jazz tunes on the radio that caused her heart to pulse in rhythm just at the thought that he was still holding her hand. She had to brave the question, and she knew it. As soon as they got to the shore, she was prepared to ask him. But then they’d gotten there, and everything had been so beautiful as he led her across the dunes and down to an empty stretch of sand.
    “You know what I like about being here?” he asked her. “I like the fact that’s it’s just me and you.”
    And it was. Not even the gulls were awake at this hour, and all the sand crabs had long since been tucked in. “I like that too,” she answered.
    He spread his car blanket on the ground and offered her a seat beside him, tucking her under his arm to shield her from the early chill. “Robert,” she said as the waves crashed and roared before them, “I’ve got something to ask you.”
    “You can ask anything you want. But first, I need to do this…”
    When he brought his mouth to hers, Isabel thrilled at the moment. She’d wanted him for so long, and his slow, languorous kiss was like warm molasses on a sultry afternoon. Isabel sighed against him as she kissed him back and he threaded his fingers through her hair.
    “You’re even prettier than I remembered,” he said, gazing down at her. He lightly brushed his lips to hers. “And you’re a helluva a lot better kisser too.”
    “You’ve improved yourself.”
    His brow rose in mock offense. “You mean I wasn’t good then?”
    “You were fine then,” she said with a smile, “but you’re rocking now.”
    He growled lightly and pulled her to him. “You don’t know how much I want you.”
    “I want you too,” she breathed, even sensing it was wrong with her not fully knowing the truth.
    “I think I’ve always wanted you,” he said. “But somehow, with time and space…and life moving on…it’s almost like I’d forgotten.”
    “Yeah.”
    He kissed her again, then spoke in a husky whisper. “I want to make this work. You and I… We have something, Isabel. Something worth fighting for. I believe that.”
    “I do too.” She met his eyes as the sky streaked purple with the dawn. “But, Robert, I’ve got to know… Is there somebody else?”
    Robert broke their embrace.
    “Robert?” she asked, her voice tinged with pain.
    He rested his elbows on his knees and hung his head.
    “You’re the only woman in my heart.”
    Isabel felt as if a blade had sliced