A Wedding to Remember in Charleston, South Carolina

by Annalisa Daughety

  Preston put an arm around Chloe. “We’ll make sure you have the biggest, most fantastic baby shower this city has ever seen.” He pulled her close and planted a kiss on her cheek. “Anything for my girl.”

  Chloe giggled like a teenager on her first date.

  Luke fought to keep from rolling his eyes. “Great to see you guys.” He jerked his chin toward the house. “I’m going to see if Summer’s ready to go.”

  Thirty minutes later, he and Summer finally climbed into their SUV. She leaned her head against the seat. “Man. What a day.” She glanced at him. “Sorry I left you to navigate the party alone.” She reached over and patted his knee.

  He pulled onto the main road. “No problem.” He sighed. “Your dad invited me to go fishing with him. And I had a run-in with Jefferson. And Chloe and Preston.”

  She removed her hand from his knee. “Sorry.”

  They rode in silence for a few minutes. Luke wanted nothing more than to get home. He needed to mow the yard, and one of the flower beds could use some mulching. Sometimes it seemed like he could never get everything done.

  He flipped on the radio and turned it to an ‘80s station. The sound of U2 filled the vehicle, and Luke felt the tension begin to leave his body. Until he felt Summer’s eyes on him. He finally turned the volume down and glanced at her from the corner of his eye. “What? Is it too loud?”

  “You don’t think we should talk about things?”

  He sighed. “I know we argued earlier, but can’t we put that behind us?”

  “You want to put everything behind us. Pretend like nothing has happened.” She sniffed. “It doesn’t work like that.”

  “I don’t know what you mean.”

  “Don’t you? Because if you’re serious, then you really are the world’s worst communicator.” She crossed her arms. “You didn’t want to talk about Bobby’s accident. You didn’t want to talk about our baby.” Her voice shook with emotion. “But maybe I need to talk about those things.”

  Luke shook his head. He knew her well enough to know that when her voice took that tone there was no reasoning with her. “You’re upset about Chloe’s pregnancy. You can take it out on me if you want to. I’m used to being the scapegoat.”

  “You’re wrong. I’m not upset about Chloe. I’m happy for her. It was a shock, that’s all. I wish I’d had some warning. Learning about it in such a public place was hard.” She sighed. “You know how much I looked forward to making our own announcement.”

  He’d looked forward to it, too. He’d had this image of himself passing out those pink or blue bubblegum cigars to all the guys at work. He’d seen that once on some TV show, and it had stuck with him. But he could never tell Summer that. There was no reason to make her any sadder than she already was. “I know. And I’m glad you’re happy for Chloe. Me, too.” Maybe not, but he would be by the time the baby arrived. It’s not like they saw her that much anyway.

  Summer sighed. “I don’t want to fight anymore. It’s been such a long day.”

  “You want to go out to dinner tonight?” He glanced over at her. “We could go to Magnolia’s.” Her favorite restaurantwas bound to lift her spirits. “I’ll even spring for fried green tomatoes.” He hated fried green tomatoes, but Summer had always loved them.

  “Yeah. That sounds great.” She reached over and turned up the radio.

  The familiar strains of Bon Jovi’s “Never Say Goodbye” filled the vehicle.

  “No way.” Luke chuckled. “Do you remember this?”

  “Of course I do,” she said. “How could I forget the first time you told me you loved me?”

  Luke reached over and took her hand.

  “What a night that was,” he said. “And just think…if I’d have had my way, you would’ve married me as soon as we could get to a justice of the peace.”

  She looked down at their intertwined hands. She’d held on to his hand through so much. The first time he’d told her he loved her had been such a magical night.

  “You were the most beautiful debutante I’d ever seen.” Luke squeezed her hand. “And I still say that you could’ve passed for a bride in that white dress.”

  Summer’s mouth turned upward in a smile. “I must’ve looked like some kind of crazy person sneaking out of Gram’s house in that dress. But I wanted you to see it. When I got ready that night, it was you I wanted to impress.” After the ball, she’d climbed down a ladder from the second floor piazza and hurried to the Battery to meet Luke.

  “Have you been waiting long?” Summer hurried up the steps to the bandstand.

  Luke let out a low whistle. “I’d wait on you forever.” He grabbed her around the waist and pulled her close. “Don’t you know that?” He leaned in and kissed her on the lips until they were both breathless.

  “Sorry that it took me so long to get here. My parents kept questioning why I wanted to stay at Gram’s tonight.” She grinned. “Sometimes I think Gram knows that when I stay with her I sneak out and meet you, but she hasn’t said anything about it yet.”

  Luke laced his fingers with hers. “I’m glad I have at least one fan in your family.”

  “You have two.” She reached up and traced her fingers over his smooth face. “I’m your biggest fan. I always will be.”

  He raised his eyebrows. “You sure you wouldn’t rather be with

  Jeff?”

  She rolled her eyes. “Jefferson doesn’t hold a candle to you. How many times do I have to tell you that?”

  Luke knelt down and flipped on a tiny radio, and a Bon Jovi ballad filled the night air. “May I have this dance?” He pulled her close, and they swayed to the music. “There’s something I need to tell you,” he murmured against her hair.

  She pulled back so she could see his face. “You’re really a mirage?” she asked.

  He laughed softly. “No. I’m totally real. And I love you, Summer Rutledge. With all of my heart.” He kissed her gently on the mouth. “I always will.”

  Luke squeezed her hand. “You okay? I don’t think you’ve heard a word I said.”

  Summer glanced over at him. “Sorry. I was just thinking about that night. We were so young—”

  “And so in love.” He slowed down as they reached their street.

  Summer nodded. So in love.

  She wondered if Luke would’ve done anything differently if he had it to do all over. Would he have given up on his dreams to move back to Charleston to be with her? Would he have married her despite her family’s misgivings?

  She wondered those things, but she didn’t have the guts to ask.

  Chapter 11

  Ashley poured herself a second cup of coffee. The phone at Summer Weddings had been ringing nonstop all morning. And with Summer out meeting a client, Ashley was manning the office by herself. She’d already had to talk a very grumpy bride off of a ledge. The young lady wanted to change her wedding colors at the last minute and hadn’t been happy to hear the cost involved.

  Adding to her stress was the fact that Justin was supposed to meet her for lunch today. She knew it wasn’t a date. It was just business. But nevertheless, she’d taken great pains to look nice. Her bright pink wrap dress clung to her figure in all the right spots. With her hair pulled back into a smooth ponytail and her strappy black sandals, she’d felt pretty confident when she left the house this morning. She might be on the back side of thirty, but she could still pass for younger.

  But as the lunch hour neared, her confidence waned. Friday night she’d felt cute and sassy and had even flirted with Justin. But she’d learned a long time ago that there was something about a warm Friday night, listening to music and laughing with friends, that made her feel light and free. Now, in the light of day and the middle of the workweek, she onlyfelt foolish for even thinking a nice guy like Justin could be interested in being more than just her web designer.

  She took a deep breath. Going through a divorce was hard for anyone. But when you had to sit by and watch as your husband chose another woman ove
r you, it stripped away all of your self-confidence. It made you feel worthless and unlovable. Ashley had fought with those feelings of unworthiness for years. She’d thought she was over them. But today they were back with a vengeance.

  The ringing phone jolted her from her walk down memory lane. “Summer Weddings, this is Ashley,” she said into the receiver.

  “Ashley,” a male voice said. “It’s Justin. Justin Sanders. We’re supposed to meet today.”

  Her heart pounded so hard, she was sure he could hear it over the phone. She was so out of practice at this. “Y–yes. How are you, Justin?”

  He laughed, a warm, rich sound that reminded her of summertime and lemonade and all the things she’d loved from childhood. “I’m just dandy.” He cleared his throat. “Actually, somethin’ has come up at the last minute. I was wondering if we could reschedule.”

  Disappointment washed over her. “Oh sure.” She tried to tell herself it had nothing to do with him not wanting to spend time with her. He was a busy man. Something probably had come up.

  “Well, I was thinking…maybe we might get together tonight?” Justin asked.

  “Sure. I can stay late if you want to come by. I usually leavearound five, but I can stay until six or so if that works for you.” She wasn’t crazy about staying late but would if she had to. Especially if it meant getting to know Justin a little better.

  Justin laughed. “No. That’s not what I meant. I was thinking more like maybe I could come pick you up at your place. Take you out to a nice dinner. How’s seven?”

  Was he asking her on a date? Because that sounded awfully datelike. “Um…sure. That could work. Seven is fine.” She gave him directions to her house and hung up.

  Ashley was still staring at the phone when Summer walked into the store.

  “You okay?” Summer asked, a concerned expression on her face.

  “What? Oh yeah. I’m fine.” She filled Summer in on the development with Justin.

  Summer’s eyes widened. “That’s awesome. You’ll have a great time. Justin is the sweetest, nicest guy, but he’s always been painfully shy. I’m surprised he was so brazen as to suggest coming to your house. He’s not making any effort to hide that he wants to get to know you on a personal level.”

  “I wouldn’t normally give my address to some guy I only met once. But since you and Luke know him so well, it should be okay. Right?”

  Summer grinned. “Definitely okay. He’s the most respectful guy you’ll ever meet.”

  Ashley couldn’t hide her excitement. She was finally ready to move on with her life.

  And Justin sounded like exactly the kind of guy she’d been looking for.

  Summer was happy for Ashley, but she didn’t envy her. The thought of dating at this stage in life didn’t sound like much fun. “I’m going to run out and grab some lunch.” She walked over to Ashley’s desk. “Do you want to go? Or do you want me to pick something up for you?”

  Ashley shook her head. “Thanks. But I think I’ll just heat up a Lean Cuisine.”

  “Suit yourself.” Summer grabbed her bag and headed out the door. She wouldn’t have minded if Ashley had come with her, but since she was alone, she’d be able to stop by the cemetery. Ever since Chloe’s announcement at the barbeque, Summer had felt the need to go and spend some time at the grave of the little baby who’d passed away so many years ago.

  She slipped her sunglasses on and walked down King Street. Several shoppers milled around, their hands full of bags. She passed by a frozen yogurt shop full of college students from the nearby College of Charleston.

  Summer peeked into the window of an antique shop. She’d always loved antiquing, even though Luke preferred brand-new things. Their home was decorated with an eclectic mix of pieces that had been in her family for generations and new purchases she and Luke had bought together. She kept going, enjoying the warm breeze. Charleston could be unbearably hot in the summer, but late May was perfect.

  She reached the entrance to the church cemetery andwalked through the iron gates. The shade made the temperature drop immediately. She inhaled, and the sticky-sweet smell of honeysuckle took her back to a childhood spent playing amid the gardens of Gram’s friends.

  She settled onto the stone bench and read the headstone for what had to be the hundredth time. A tiny life, only on this earth for a day. She wondered again about the child’s mother. How had she survived the loss? Had her will to live died along with her baby? If she could find the energy, she could probably locate the story in the archives. But she knew it would be a story of sadness. Even if the woman had gone on to have ten children, that didn’t diminish the loss of this one.

  “I thought I might find you here.”

  She turned at the sound of Jefferson’s voice. “Were you looking for me?” She hadn’t spoken to him much at the barbecue, but Luke had confessed over dinner Saturday night that he and Jefferson had gotten into it a bit. No surprise there.

  His face broke into a grin. “Yes and no.” He nodded toward the bench where she sat. “Do you mind?”

  She shrugged. “I guess not.”

  “I didn’t set out to look for you, but I happened to be walking by and thought I’d pop in to see if you were here.” He stretched his legs out in front of him. “My office is right down the street. It’s amazing how things have stayed the same. There are more tourists though.” He raked his fingers through his hair. “I was going to go grab lunch, and there are lines outside most of the restaurants.”

  She laughed. “Hey, tourism is good for my business, so I don’t mind.”

  “I guess.” He was quiet for a moment. “I want you to know how nice it is to see you again. I know I’ve done things in the past, things I’m not proud of.” He peered at her. “But I’ve turned over a new leaf.”

  She raised her eyebrows. Jefferson had never been a bad guy, just a spoiled one. The kind of guy who was used to getting what he wanted and never knew how to handle himself when he was rebuffed. “I’m glad to hear that. Although I imagine it’s just that you’ve grown up.” She pushed a stray hair from her face. “We knew each other as kids. Not adults. We’re both different now.”

  He shook his head. “Not that different. The same things that drew me to you back then draw me to you now.”

  Summer ducked her head. “Don’t be silly.”

  “I don’t mean to make you uncomfortable. At all.” He shook his head. “But I do want to be your friend. We have a history that dates back to us in a playpen.” He chuckled. “I don’t want to throw away that kind of history just because we didn’t work out as a couple.”

  Friends. With Jefferson. A part of her said it would be improper. But another part was happy to see him. Jefferson reminded her of being seven years old and learning to ride a bike. Of suffering through manners classes at the insistence of their mothers. And of going Christmas caroling in the sixth grade. She nodded. “I’d like to be friends.”

  He looked her in the eyes. “I’m glad. I wanted to talk to you at the barbecue. I was worried about you. The way you ran off like that.”

  “I wasn’t feeling well.” Even to her own ears, the excuse sounded flimsy.

  He nodded. “That’s what Luke said. But I could tell he was concerned.” Jefferson rose from the bench and smoothed his gray suit jacket. “Just know that if you ever need an old friend to talk to, I’m right down the road.”

  “Thanks,” she murmured.

  With a wave, Jefferson headed toward the gate.

  Summer let out a sigh and turned her attention back to the headstone in front of her. She should’ve brought flowers.

  Maybe next week.

  She walked slowly out of the cemetery and headed toward her office.

  Chapter 12

  Justin pulled up in front of Ashley’s house in his brother’s car. A fancy red sports car. He was going to put forth his best effort here. He hopped out of the car and hurried up the sidewalk.

  The car wasn’t the only thing borrowed for this d
ate. He’d left behind his normal uniform of T-shirt and jeans and allowed his sister-in-law to choose his clothes for the night. Thankfully he and his brother were the same size. He tried to block the thought that the clothes he wore tonight probably cost more than the money he brought home in a month.

  He rapped on the door and waited for Ashley to answer it. He hoped that the borrowed car and clothes would help him shed his normal self. Justin was tired of being the perpetual friend. The one girls told their problems to before they proceeded to settle for some jerk. Nope. That was the old Justin. The new Justin was going to be a different kind of guy.

  The door swung open, and Ashley stood before him with a grin on her pretty face. She wore a pink dress that clung to her figure in all the right places.

  “Wow.” He smiled. “You look amazing.” Her blond hair was pulled back into a ponytail, and her makeup was minimal.

  Which he appreciated. There was nothing worse than a woman who hid behind a lot of makeup.

  She blushed. “Thanks.” She motioned into the house. “Do you want to come in for a minute?”

  He shrugged. “Sure.” He glanced at his watch. “But we have reservations, so we need to leave soon.”

  “Reservations?” Her green eyes were wide. “It isn’t a fancy place is it? Maybe I should change.”

  He shook his head. “Not too fancy. And you look fine.”

  She wrinkled her forehead. “Okay. Well, let’s go then.” She grabbed a black purse and ushered him to the door.

  Once they were outside, he hit the unlock button on the key fob. His own vehicle, an old pickup truck, didn’t have one of those. Even the windows had to be rolled down manually. Daniel’s car was much better suited for dating.

  Ashley paused at the passenger door for a moment. He knew she was giving him the chance to open the door for her. Normally, he would’ve been all over that. He was nothing if not a Southern gentleman. But he’d seen the way it worked. Women always fell for jerks.