“I’m so sorry.” Tears filled her eyes. “But you need to go. I can’t handle this right now.”
Giving in to her demand, he nodded. “I’m sorry, too. I’m sorry our second chance ended like this.” He closed the distance between them and softly kissed her cheek. “I hope the memories we created eventually beat out all the ones you just remembered, and you won’t think so poorly of me.”
Grabbing his coat and keys, he walked out of her house.
Chapter Thirteen
‡
Lily was a certifiable wreck. Her eyes were red-rimmed. Her hair looked as if a dozen rats had made a bed in it, and she was drinking wine out of a plastic cup with strawberries painted around the middle.
“Way to keep it classy, Sawyer,” she muttered. The old-new her would have never drunk wine out of a plastic cup, but the right-now her didn’t give a damn. “Probably wouldn’t have gotten drunk either.”
But who cared. It was Christmastime and that was when people drank alone or with the ones they loved. Since she had sent the one she loved away yesterday, it was option number two.
Her vision blurred, but she could clearly see Luke’s face as she broke up with him. The weird thing was, she couldn’t quite understand why she did it in the first place.
Over the past weeks, she’d spent every waking moment with him, trying to recapture a past that no longer existed. Except their moments were all new, all sweet, and without the inexperience of their youth.
She let out a shaky breath as she finally allowed the entire memory of that day to wash over her.
“You’re just leaving me?” she cried, shoving the door to the bedroom open, but the room was so small that it bounced off a basket of laundry and hit her in the arm. She winced, rubbing her skin, but Luke didn’t even notice. He kept shoving his things into a large duffle bag.
“I told you I have to go,” he said. “I also told you that you’re welcome to come with me.”
“Gee, thanks. I’m thrilled to be so welcome to come with you.”
“Stop being so childish.”
“Stop being an asshole.”
He paused in the middle of packing, his face growing dark. “I’m an asshole for wanting something better than this?”
“Better than me?” She crossed her arms over her chest, tipping up her chin. “Will the women you meet in Miami be more to your liking than some skinny white girl?”
“Yeah, that’s exactly what I meant. Make it all about you, Lily, when it’s about us. Our future.” He moved to her, his eyes blazing, but he didn’t touch her and she wasn’t afraid of him. He’d never intimidated her with his size. “If you think I give a good damn about other women, you don’t know me at all.” He shook his head in obvious disgust. “Skinny white girl—what the fuck is wrong with you?”
“I’m not going.”
“Whatever. I’ll see you in a couple of weeks.”
Relief flowed through her, but she wasn’t quite sure what he meant. “You’re coming back here in a couple of weeks?”
His jaw worked. “No, that’s usually how long it takes for you to stop throwing a temper tantrum.”
Relief gave way to hurt. “I’m not throwing a temper tantrum. You’re leaving me by choice!”
“And you’re staying here by choice.” He gave her a hard kiss, but she didn’t bother to close her eyes or even respond at all. “Let me know what date you can leave, and I’ll buy the plane ticket.”
She watched him go, and she did nothing to stop him. “I won’t go, and you’ll come back.” He always came back once he cooled off, then they would make love and everything would be back the way it should be.
Two weeks passed and she heard nothing from him, except for an email saying he’d gotten settled and had rented a really nice apartment with a water view.
“You’re supposed to come back to me,” she said.
Another week passed, and he left her a message on their answering machine, saying he’d deposited money into her bank account and that he really needed to talk to her. But to her ears, he didn’t sound sorry enough. He didn’t sound sorry at all.
Hardening her heart, she refused to call him back, refused to consider any other way but hers. Another week passed, then another and another without Luke coming back, until she finally got the message—she wasn’t worth coming back for.
“The show must go on,” she whispered right before curtain lifted. She had to go on. This was her dream and if he couldn’t support her, then she had no reason to keep him in her life. If he wanted her, then he could come back and apologize, but she knew that wouldn’t happen.
Another memory bubbled up. She and Luke were talking about…the past and based on how he looked, it was a recent conversation.
“Then I guess I should confess that I went to every production you were in.”
Shocked and giddy at his confession, she could only say, “You did?”
He nodded. “As mad as I was, deep down, I was proud of you, too.”
“Very deep down,” she said, then shook her head. He’d come back for her. All that time… “I can’t believe you came and didn’t say anything.” Why hadn’t she done the same for him? If only she would have taken the time call him back. No, not the time. She had plenty of time.
If only she would have bent a little in his direction. If only she would have compromised. He’d compromised for her so many times, and she’d forgotten that. She’d forgotten it had been her decision to move to New York City earlier than planned, and he’d moved heaven and earth to make that happen for her.
“It wouldn’t have been pretty. I would have probably showed my ass,” he admitted.
She had been such a stubborn, prideful fool. Worse, she was still a stubborn, prideful fool.
“Not this time,” she said, jumping to her feet. “I am not waiting another decade for a do-over.” She swayed slightly, but she made her way to the sink and poured the rest of the wine down the drain. “Tomorrow, when we’re sober, we’ll go get our man.”
Chapter Fourteen
‡
Luke couldn’t believe his eyes or his ears. It had to be a trick of some sorts. His Lily would never come to him. She hadn’t before. Her stubborn tail had stayed in New York. Then again, he hadn’t been the most understanding either.
“What’s wrong?” There had to be something wrong. It was the only thing that made sense.”
“I was wrong to send you away,” she said without preamble as she stepped inside his apartment. She closed the door behind her. “I was wrong to judge you by a past without all the facts, and the fact is that there are years I can’t remember. There are days I can’t remember of you trying to do right by us.
“But what I do remember is how you’ve being trying now. How different you are with me. There’s a meme going around on Facebook,” she grinned a little, “and it’s where you take a guy’s name and you insert it in Corinthians—you know the one that was read by Zoe at our wedding?—to see if a guy is right for you.”
He nodded, still silent.
“If I were to do that—if I were to say Luke is patient. He’s kind. He doesn’t keep record of the past. He’s slow to anger. Luke always hopes.” Her voice cracked as tears coasted down her cheeks. “He always—always—perseveres, it wouldn’t be a lie. It would be so true, so incredibly true that I wouldn’t be able to stay away. I don’t have the excuse or the right to stay away, not if I want to show you that I’ve changed too.”
“You’re a fan of Facebook now?” he asked.
“Changed my status to in a relationship with Luke Ambrose before I came over here.” She took a step closer to him. “Make an honest woman of me?”
He grabbed her, kissing her until he couldn’t breathe and didn’t want to. She was all the air he needed. Finally, he managed to stop kissing her long enough to say, “You’re mine. I’m yours. We are very much in a relationship. In fact, I want to change mine to married to Lily Sawyer—my lover, my friend…the woman who’s foreve
r owned my heart.”
“I don’t want a long engagement.”
“We’ll get married next week.”
She laughed. “But I don’t want to be a Christmas bride either.”
“Whatever you want. I can wait.” He picked her up and spun her around. “You have just made me the happiest man alive.”
“Adopt babies with me,” she said, and he squeezed her tighter.
“Hell, yes. Babies, kids, teenagers—I don’t care. All of our plans, the ones that never came to fruition, I want to make them all happen. With you.”
“I love you,” she said.
“I love you.” He crushed her to him. “I love you so damn much.”
Chapter Fifteen
‡
Two months later
Luke stood by the preacher, waiting for his bride. Anticipation made his knees shake and his palms damp.
He couldn’t remember being this nervous the first time, and maybe that had been part of the problem. He hadn’t taken their marriage seriously, only viewed it as the next logical step, not a ceremony in which two people were actually joined. Committed to be one with one another.
But this time, this time was different, because he was different. So was Lily. This time, they would make it work. How could they not with all they’d been through?
She still didn’t remember everything, and sometimes, the nights were hard to get through, but get through them, they did. He loved her. More than he loved himself.
The music changed as the pianist and guitarist segued into The Wedding March. Luke’s heart slammed against his chest as his mother stood, then the rest of the guests followed suit. Soon, Lily would appear.
His pulse pounded and his vision sparked in anticipation.
“Don’t puke,” Logan whispered in his ear. “Women hate that.”
Nothing like his brother to get him to calm down yet cause his blood pressure to spike. “Be. Quiet.”
His twin laughed in total glee. Lucky for him, it was silent glee.
“Did you ask the caterer to make extra cucumber sandwiches?” Heath asked, not bothering to lower his voice. “Not asking for me, but for Haven. Okay, for me. I’m hungry.”
Luke sliced his gaze to his youngest brother. “I will take a baseball bat to your head.”
Their mother gasped. His sisters snorted—at the same time.
“Stop being so bloody violent,” Christian chimed in with his smarmy British accent. “You’re a doctor, for God’s sake.”
“Don’t know why I asked you to be in the wedding,” Luke muttered.
“Because I’m irresistible,” Christian said with a smirk.
He was something all right. Lying prone on the ground would be a great look for his movie star of a brother-in-law.
“Here she comes,” the preacher said in a loud whisper. “Let’s make this about her instead of bodily fluids and hunger issues.”
“Yeah, Luke,” Heath said. His lips quirked.
Getting into a fight with his brothers would upset Lily. He couldn’t do that. This was their day. Plus, his mother would kill them all.
Suddenly, Lily appeared in a vision of white lace, practically blinding him with her beauty. His dad at her side, escorting her down the aisle.
Luke’s heart swelled so big that he was sure it would burst from his chest. Unable to hold himself back any longer, Luke strode to them, stopping just short of grabbing his bride and hauling her away so they could start the honeymoon early.
“Son. Not yet,” his dad chastised, but there was a goodly amount of humor in his voice.
Lily smiled at him, all pink-cheeked and sparkling eyes. “I don’t mind.”
“I really should go back and wait,” Luke said. “But before I go…”
“Yes?”
“You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on. Thank you for giving us another chance.”
He could see the shine of tears in her eyes. “Thank you for not giving up on us.”
“Never again,” he swore.
“Also, you can kick your brothers’ tails during the reception,” she said, biting the side of her lip to keep from laughing.
“Knew I loved you,” Luke replied with a grin.
The musicians played the same chords again.
“I think that’s my cue.”
Blushing, Luke’s grin turned shy. “Guess I’ll really go back now.”
“Don’t worry, I’m right behind you.”
He touched her cheek through the veil. “Soon to be right by my side.”
“Always,” she said.
Epilogue
‡
Four years later
Lily gripped Luke’s hand tightly in hers as they walked through the halls of the orphanage he and his brother had lived in until they were seven years old.
“Just a few more hours and they’re ours,” he said softly.
“Feels like forever,” she replied. Last night, she’d barely been able to contain herself at the hotel. It was only a block away, yet they had to wait for the doors to The Children’s Village of La Serena to open before they could get their children. Unfortunately, the office didn’t open until the next morning.
For the past three years, she and Luke had gone through every parenting class, every piece of red tape, and paid all the fees that Chili required for foreign adoption.
Camila and Diego waited for them in the great room. They sat side-by-side, brother and sister, so small yet courageous as they held hands. Diego said something to his little sister. A ghost of a smile graced her face.
They were four and seven. Young enough to get excited to see new faces, but old enough to realize that those new faces rarely came back for visit after visit.
But this time…
Lily smiled as Camila spotted them.
The little girl jumped to her feet. “Mama. Papa. You came back!”
Ever reserved, Diego hung back a little while keeping a watchful eye on his sister.
Letting go of her hand, Luke knelt in the floor and held his arms wide open. Camila barreled headfirst into them, wrapping her skinny, little arms around his neck.
He spoke to her in Spanish, whispering words of encouragement and love.
Lily bent to give her new daughter a kiss and a hug, then moved to her new son. She got down on her knees to look him in the eye. “We’re here to take you home,” she said simply, knowing he only wanted the truth.
He gazed at her skeptically. “For how long?”
“Forever,” she said. “We’re taking you both with us today. We’ll drive to the airport, get on a plane, and fly to our home.”
“Promise?” His little boy face was so serious. So old. His eyes were ancient.
“Yes,” she said. “Haven’t we always kept our promises?”
He nodded.
“Today’s no different. You’re leaving with us.” She held out her hand.
For a long second, he stared at her hand, and then glanced over her shoulder to stare at his sister. Without saying a word, he placed his hand in hers.
Lily pulled him to her, hugging him tight. She felt Luke and Camila come up behind them, wrapping them up in their arms as well.
Tears gathered in her throat and pricked at the backs of her eyes. This was her family now. This was their family now.
She let the tears fall. They were happy tears, and she wasn’t ashamed to let anyone see them, least of all the ones she loved the most.
“Ready to go?” Luke asked.
Wiping her tears away, she smiled at their son and daughter. “I am. What about y’all?”
Camila jumped into Luke’s arms, laying her head against his chest, clutching her the doll they’d given her on their first visit.
“We’re ready,” Diego said. “Take us home, Mama. Papa.”
Tears shone in Luke’s eyes as he ruffled Diego’s hair. “Let’s go, son.”
Lily gave Luke a teary smile. He kissed her, wiping her tears away with his free hand. “Sti
ll happy tears?”
“The happiest,” she said.
Luke smiled tenderly. “I love you.”
“And I love you.” She lifted Diego into her arms.
Together they walked outside, with their children in their arms, and got into the waiting car.
*
Thank you for reading Lily and Luke’s story. Please consider leaving a review to let others know what you thought. And don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter so you’ll stay up to date on all my releases!
Keep reading for a sneak peek at The Christmas Bride. You can preorder it now, or add it to your TBR at Goodreads!
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Sneak Peek at The Christmas Bride
Navy SEAL, Logan Ambrose, has come home for the holidays, ready and willing to propose to his longtime girlfriend and leave the military. Only, the homecoming he expected is suddenly derailed when he discovers her in bed with his best friend. So, what’s a guy to do, but head home, get drunk… and wake up married to a woman he doesn’t recognize.
Willow Vaughn has been in love with Logan forever, but when he left town, she gave up hope of ever making him hers. So, when fate strikes and the two run into each other in Vegas, Willow jumps at the chance to be with him. But never in her wildest dreams did she expect to wind up married to the hot military man.
This should be easy to explain to their families…only, the two of them are not sure what to say or do—stay married or pretend the whole thing never happened?
(unedited)
Willow Vaughn had never done anything so irresponsible in her life, but she was sick and tired of waiting in the wings. Sick and tired of being the girl who went to every wedding, yet never got to be the bride.
The Forgotten Bride Page 9