Moving On: A Gwank Fic (Gwen's POV)    
By: Jen (Bama)

Author's Note: This is a different kind of format for me. I got inspired after reading UA's story A Kiss Is Just A Kiss. I hope you don't mind, UA.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this story. They belong to JER, NBC, and Passions. I'm just borrowing them for awhile.
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I can’t believe it’s really happening.

I loved him wholeheartedly for ten years. And then she came along and stole him away from me.

And now she’s getting what she’s always wanted. She’s marrying him.

It is sunset.

Across town, a wedding is taking place.

Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald is marrying Ethan Winthrop.

And I, Gwen Hotchkiss, am sitting on a bench on the wharf.

Alone. Staring out at the ocean.

I don’t even love him anymore.

Really, I don’t.

He broke my heart. And he doesn’t even care.

I know I need a man who will love me, and ONLY me.

But I hate that she won, damn it.

I sigh and drop my head into my hands.

Suddenly I hear something. A noise.

I thought I was alone on the wharf.

I look up to see a man standing a few feet away.

Hank Bennett.

Gorgeous Hank Bennett.

I can’t pinpoint the moment I first noticed that Hank was a hunk.

But he is.

His blue eyes watch me carefully, assessing me from the top of my auburn hair to the soles of my leather sandals.

He calls my name, and I meet his gaze.

“Are you all right?” he asks as he approaches.

I nod, almost imperceptibly.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

“Why aren’t you at the wedding?" I ask curiously. "Ethan is your nephew.”

He shrugs. “We’re not exactly close. I don’t like the way he treated you.”

Oh.

Well, that's enough to knock me for a loop.

He sits down on the bench next to me, and I have never been more aware of anyone in my life.

Ethan never overwhelmed me with his presence.

Not like Hank is doing.

And he’s not even trying.

“You’re not upset about Ethan marrying Theresa?”

Hell, yes, I’m upset. But not because of the reason he thinks I am.

“I’m not in love with Ethan anymore, Hank.”

He looks surprised.

“In fact, I think I stopped loving him the moment he broke off our engagement the night before our wedding.”

He arched one blonde eyebrow.

“It’s true. I can't believe I wasted months trying ot get him back. What a waste.”

My honesty seems to have shocked him.

“Theresa can have him, as far as I’m concerned.”

“Well, that’s good.”

Now he’s surprised me with his softly-spoken words.

“What are you talking about, Hank?”

I’m confused.

But every part of me is tingling with excitement.

His eyes really should come with warning labels.

Warning: Could Cause Shortness of Breath or Increased Heart Rate.

He grins a little, and his smile is dazzling.

My heart feels like it’s pounding out of my chest.

“There’s something I’ve been wanting to do for a long time, Gwen.”

Is it my imagination, or is he leaning closer?

Oh, my God.

Hank Bennett is going to kiss me.

Anticipation is making me breathless.

“How long?”

My voice comes out as a squeak.

I swallow hard.

“I think it started the night Ethan broke your heart.”

My eyes widen in surprise.

“But the timing wasn’t right. You were hurting.”

“You’re right,” I agree in a whisper. I’m mesmerized by his lips as he speaks.

“But by the time I walked you down the aisle at the double wedding, all I could think about was kissing you.”

“Oh.”

That delicious-looking mouth of his is only an inch away now. I can feel his breath caress my cheek.

If he doesn’t kiss me soon, I think I’ll die.

“Is the time right now?” he asks, his blue eyes dark.

I nod. “Oh, yes.”

This isn’t about forgetting Ethan, or punishing him.

I want Hank’s kiss more than I’ve wanted anything in a long time.

In the next instant, his lips cover mine.

Immediately, I scoot closer and wrap my arms around his neck.

His hands are in my hair, and mine are clutching the material of his shirt.

I can’t believe I’m kissing Hank.

It’s different, but incredible.

I’m used to kissing Ethan. His kisses were comfortable.

But ‘comfortable’ is not the word I’d use to describe Hank’s kiss.

I feel like my insides are melting.

I don’t want it to stop.

The feel of his lips on mine is more wonderful than I can describe. Words wouldn’t do it justice.

All I know is that when he finally pulled away, I was breathless and flushed. And I wanted nothing more than to pull his mouth back to mine.

“Wow.”

Not the most eloquent thing to say, but it was all that I could think of.

My brain was still lost in a fog.

He grins, which does not help me get my pulse back under control.

“Do you want me to walk you home?”

I shake my head.

I had planned to sit out here awhile longer, and Mother would have a conniption if she saw Hank Bennett bring me home.

She’s already livid that I didn’t do more to stop Ethan from marrying Theresa.

We need to have a long talk. Her days of controlling my life are over.

“Can I take you out sometime?”

The look on his face as he asks is so earnest. He really is sweet.

I feel a smile spread across my face.

I can’t remember ever being this happy about a simple dinner invitation from Ethan.

That should scare me, but it doesn’t. I can’t wait to go out with Hank.

“I would love that.”

He lets out a breath and takes my hand in his.

“How about we have a picnic on the beach tomorrow night?” he suggests.

A picnic on the beach sounds perfect.

But tomorrow night seems like so far away!

“That sounds wonderful.”

His blue eyes sparkle as he raises my hand to his lips and brushes a gentle kiss across the back.

“Until tomorrow night,” he says, his mouth curving into that dazzling smile of his.

I watch him go, not taking my eyes off him until he has turned the corner and I can’t see him anymore.

My lips still tingle from his kiss, and now so does the back of my hand.

Anticipation of our date tomorrow night is already making my skin tingle.

Ethan who? Theresa who?

Funny how the day that could have been the worst of my life has now turned into one of the best.

It feels pretty good to finally move on.

And it’s all thanks to one Hank Bennett.

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Feedback is adored!

~~Jen