Backstage Romance: An Austen-Inspired Romantic Comedy Box Set by Gigi Blume (ebook reader with highlighter txt) 📕

parked on the grounds but I couldn’t find the security team. I went around the house, looking outside and inside with no luck. Where in Pemberley would they have taken him? It’s not like we had a dungeon for intruders. Those guys were just a security service my brother hired out when he had special events. They had limited access.

I was about ready to scream in frustration when I heard a pssst. It was Ephraim at the other end of a hallway. He motioned me over.

“There’s a guy in the media room who wants to talk to you. He seems a little loco, ya know what I mean?”

“It’s okay. You go enjoy the wedding. I’ll take it from here.”

He smirked and trotted back upstairs.

The media room, as my brother liked to call it, was actually a small movie theater with luxury seating. There was even a small concession area in the entryway. I found Wyatt fiddling with the controls on one of the chairs raising and lowering his feet. He jumped up when he saw me enter, taking me in with wide eyes.

“Wow.”

I wanted to fly to his arms. He was grubby looking but I’d missed him. My heart hurt so much. But I wouldn’t be the fool. I wouldn’t let my love for him cloud my judgment. I had to know first if he was here for me or his story. I crossed my arms, mostly to keep them from curling around his waist to squeeze him into me.

He reached his hands out pleadingly. “Before you throw me out or send me to the tower to be executed, hear me out.”

He sighed, seemingly at a loss for words. Then he said, “I had a long drive to think about what I’d say. Grovel. Beg. Try to explain my stupidity. But now—seeing you here—I realize my words are small. Who am I? Nobody.”

I wanted to interrupt him to say he wasn’t a nobody to me. He looked so pathetic, though. Like a sad, hungry puppy. I remained quiet so he could finish his speech.

“I don’t deserve you,” he said after a pause. “Not even close. But I promise, if you give me a chance, I’ll do anything—work my tail off—to deserve your love and forgiveness someday.”

My heart soared. But I didn’t betray that in my face. I recalled what Stella said earlier. How Beth changed her mind about my brother after he told his side of the story. This was Wyatt’s chance to do the same.

“What about your article?” I asked tentatively.

“I don’t care about any of that. I don’t think I ever did.”

His eyes searched mine. Looking for a sliver of hope.

“That was some scene you made.”

He grimaced. “I had to get in here somehow.”

“Oh? Didn’t you have a vendor pass from...T Dawg?” Ugh. It embarrassed me just to use the word T Dawg in a sentence.

“No. I made an anonymous call to the caterer because I suspected T Dawg was selling vendor passes.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. He sort of let it slip when I phoned him to call off our deal this morning. But that meant my pass no longer worked.” He shrugged. “I guess I shot myself in the foot.”

A sentimental lump swelled in my throat. “You called off the deal?”

“Georgia...” He moved to me, closing the gap between us. I could feel the warmth of his presence. “I should have called it off a lot sooner.” He took my hand. “I’m sorry I ever got involved in that whole thing.”

He was trembling, his breath an anxious quiver as he watched me with imploring eyes. So close. Drawing me in like the center of gravity.

“I’m not,” I replied.

His eyes widened just a little. “You’re not?”

“No. Because I would have never met you otherwise.” I raised myself on my tippy toes so our noses touched. When I spoke, my lips moved over his in a breathy whisper. “You’re my Christmas miracle.”

He captured my mouth, kissing me with every ounce of his soul. Filling me up. Completing me. My heart squeezed. I loved this hot mess of a guy.

He sucked in a deep breath and wrapped me in the most perfect hug. His heart pounded against my ear. I could have stayed like that forever if I didn’t want to kiss him again so badly.

He trailed a gentle touch over my hair and backed away to cup my face, pressing his lips on mine with several tiny kisses in a row. Then he smiled and gazed in my eyes with quiet wonder.

“I love you, Miss Darcy,” he said, his voice a soft rumble. “I know I must drive you crazy…”

“You can drive me anywhere,” I said, shushing him with a finger on his lips. “Even crazy in love.”

Epilogue

4 YEARS LATER

WYATT

Untying the string of my custom made apron, I squeezed JoAnne in a hug. She’d been my gravy partner for five Christmases in a row and presented me with the handmade creation this morning.

“For the best mashed potato server this side of Kansas,” she’d said with a proud grin. She had mad embroidery skills and stitched an image of Reeses with a Santa hat on the front. The caption said Feliz Navidog.

“Another successful year in the books,” I said. After five Christmases serving turkey dinner at Hope Church she and I were the dynamic duo of mashed spuds and gravy. Even though I had my eye on the carving job I didn’t think I could part with JoAnne. Not like Ralph would ever give up his spot.

“Will I see you and Georgia at the cafe tonight?” she asked. “I’ll help out with the children as long as you two sing your famous duet.”

“We wouldn’t dare miss it,” I said. “It’s a tradition.”

I kissed her cheek and made myself a small plate before the Living Nativity got started. Man, those mashed potatoes were good. A.J. really raised the culinary bar since he was allowed in the kitchen for the first time this year. The kid was going places.

Teresa found me, glancing at