*Previously on Crazy Stalker Love – Read Chapter 6 HERE

Henley is fixing little details at the rehearsal dinner, as Hunter walks in dressed in a crisp black suit his eyes land on her.

“Well, you look incredible,” he says coming over to her and wrapping his arms around her waist from behind, he kisses her neck.

Henley smirks as she stands in it for a beat, and then realizes people are noticing, she quickly pulls away.

“Hunter,” she says as he moves away, confusion on his face.

“I’m sorry didn’t we just wake up in bed together this morning. Yea, pretty sure we did.” he says smirking at her.

“Not here,” she says giving him a stern look, as she turns away to fix some table décor.

“Is this about what my sister said?” he asks as Henley looks up at him.

“Hen- come on, she didn’t mean it.”

“Yes, she did. And she’s right. I’m her best friend, you’re her brother. How could I think that she could stay objective. Of course she’s pissed, I’d be too, if I saw someone treating someone I loved the way I’ve treated you. I just never realized what I was doing.  And I never knew it bothered her that we were together. I’m a terrible person.”

“Oh yea you’re really terrible. God just the worst. That’s why I’m madly in love with you, and why Piper has been crying all day because she hurt you. And why you are here working your ass off to make this a perfect time for your best friend. Just terrible.”

Henley looks up at Hunter and smiles as the room begins to fill with guests dressed in their best.

“Thank you for that,” she says.

“So needy,” he says smirking with a roll of his eyes.

“You know you were being so wonderful and now the moment’s over,” she says smirking at him, as she shakes her head, hands on her hips.

Hunter laughs, “Yea well, it’s part of my charm,” he says fixing his tie, dignified.

Henley laughs as she smiles up at him.

“So…put me to work, what can I do?” he says looking around.

“Nothing really, everything is pretty much set. How does it look?” she says looking around, her eyes scanning the room for the slightest imperfection.

“It looks like page 14 of Piper’s dream wedding planning book,” he says looking around and nodding.

“Check,” Henley says with a finger as she smiles. “You know it’s kind of sexy that you know that.”

“Oh yea, does my interest in wedding planning do it for you?”

“Yea. A little bit,” she says smiling at him, unable to stop herself from flirting with him.

“Oh really well let me show you my Pinterest board,” he says wrapping his arms around her waist as he pulls her toward him.

Henley laughs as she looks up at him.

“That didn’t work did it?” he says regretting it immediately.

“No not at all. But I appreciate the effort,” she says laughing as he kisses her cheek.

“Ok I’m going to get a soda, can I get you anything?” he says.

“Yes water please,” she says smiling.

“You got it,” he says winking and walking away.

“Hey Hunt-“

“Yea?” he says stopping and turning back toward her.

Henley walks over to him, she takes his hands in hers.

“I really care about you. So much. You mean a lot to me. And I know our history is screwed up. And there are things I can’t let go of. But I hope you know that if I ever hurt you or made you feel like I was just using you. I’m sorry.”

“Hen- you don’t have to apologize…”

“Yes I do. I’ve been taking you for granted. And I’m sorry. I know I’m a lot to handle. And I know I’ve been confusing and sending you tons of mixed signals, but I just- I don’t want you to think that I don’t want you in my life. Because I do. I just don’t know in what way yet. I just know that I want us to always be in each other’s lives. Somehow. My worst fear is you not being there. It scares me to think about. That’s been really hard for me to admit. But there it is,” she says looking up at him.

“You don’t know how bad I wanna kiss you right now,” he says smiling as he looks away.

Henley blushes as she looks away too.

“If I wasn’t so screwed up right now, I might have let you,” she says with a small smile.

“I will never not be here for you,” he says smiling at her.

“And I will never not be here for you,” she says smiling back at him.

“Besides, if I really had a problem with our arrangement I wouldn’t be such a willing participant,” he says raising his eyebrows as he looks around to check if anybody’s looking, he places a sweet, soft kiss on her lips, as Henley kisses him back.

***

Piper and Parker walk into the restaurant hand in hand as Henley waves and smiles at them, Piper blowing her a kiss as a thank you. The crowd mingles and enjoys the grand array of food. Glasses clinking and utensils clanking upon plates. Floral scents mixing throughout the air. The ambiance romantic, yet subtle. Henley’s signature style for planning. Everyone chatting about something funny that the priest said at the church earlier.

***

Later on that night, Henley sits on the balcony with a glass of wine.

Hunter walks out.

“Hey you, I saw you come out here all by yourself, you ok?” he asks.

“Yea, I’m good. Feeling real good,” she says slurring her words as she looks up at him with a goofy grin.

“Ohhh, Ok. Yea, I bet. You’re a little tipsy there aren’t you?” he says smirking down at her as he sits next to her.

“Yes. I am. I’m sorry. That’s insensitive of me. Does it bother you?” she says worried.

Hunter smirks, as he looks at her, “No, of course not. You’re allowed. It’s not some rule that says just because I can’t drink, you can’t.”

“I just worry.”

“I know you do. But I also know that getting drunk isn’t really like you. What’s this really about?” he says bumping his shoulder into hers.

“I just- she’s getting married, you know? And I am so happy for her. I am. Parker is great. And he really loves her. And she deserves this. All of this. But-“

Hunter looks at her.

“It just makes me think ya know…when is it going to be my turn? I don’t know sometimes I just realize how you know time isn’t really on my side. The clock is ticking and I am so far away from my happy ending. I don’t even know if I’ll ever get it. You know the house with the white picket fence, and the kids running around in the backyard and the really amazing husband that just makes life better somehow. You know how they say those who can’t do, teach, well those who can’t have their own wedding, plan them.”

“No no, not you. You’ll get there.” He says looking at her longingly.

Henley rolls her eyes.

“You will. I promise you, you will,” he says his glare deep and knowing.

“How do you know that? Are you going to marry me? And have my babies?” she says drunkenly.

Hunter laughs, as Henley looks at him confused, “Oh you know what I mean.” she says waving her hand.

“Sure,” he says smiling at her, “I’d marry you in a heartbeat.”

“Shut up,” she says rolling her eyes.

“Your happy ending, its coming, its closer than you think.”

“I hope your right,” she says smiling as she snuggles into him.

“I know I am,” he places a kiss on her forehead as he breathes in the familiar scent of her lavender shampoo. His heart skipping a beat.

To be continued…

*I do not take credit for any images used in my edits or otherwise.*

-<3-