“Let’s face it. My chance to play Carly Shaw on a soap opera was an absolute fluke. To be honest, I’m eager to get back to the university. In retrospect, two years away from the books makes me want to jump right into my studies again.”

“Still planning a graduate degree in Archaeology afterwards?” he inquired.

“I don’t know. My parents were hoping I’d follow them into their field, but I’m also thinking Anthropology. Maybe I liked this stab at acting as much as I did because I’ve always found people and their behavior fascinating.” Especially yours, Alex Kieris.

“Carly, Fabio, Melissa-church scene coming up next!” the stage manager announced.

Alex’s gaze swept over her. “Let’s go do it, shall we?”

They walked the short distance to the vestibule of the church where Carly and Fabio would link arms for the walk down the aisle ahead of the bride. Melissa took her position behind the back door where she could eavesdrop on their conversation.

When they were in place, Alex whispered, “Smile, Reese. It’s our wedding day. All the grief and misunderstandings between us are about to come to an end. In a few minutes we’re going to give the viewing audience a twist they’re not expecting.”

“It’s a twist with a sting,” she murmured, hoping he couldn’t hear her heart clogging up her throat.

He cocked his dark head. “That’s true. You’ve been on the show a year longer than I have. After losing Lilian, the fans are going to have a doubly hard time letting you go.”

He unexpectedly reached out to adjust her hat. At her questioning glance he said, “Just making sure the rim doesn’t get in the way of my kissing you at the altar. I don’t understand why they gave you a hat to wear.”

With a grin he said, “In Greece a bride wears a garland of flowers so the poor grooms don’t get injured before the honeymoon even starts.”