by Jenny Rabe
Emilie watched as Finn guided Ava back to the hallway where she and Dean were eavesdropping. They hurried around a corner in time to see Finn and Ava walk by, holding each other as if their lives depended on it. After they passed, Emilie released a breath. “That was close.”
Dean appraised her. Heat filled her cheeks while he took in her tracksuit. Why hadn’t she changed? “Casual day at the hotel?”
She slapped his arm and pulled him in the direction of their room. “Let’s go before someone catches us spying.” She slipped her hand in his. “I didn’t think you’d be back this soon.”
He winked and a sly smile slipped on his face. “Started early and got a full day in. I missed you like crazy and couldn’t stand the thought of you being alone tonight.”
The heat in her cheeks increased. “Would you believe me if I said you didn’t miss much?”
He swung their hands back and forth while they walked to their room. “I’m guessing the conversation we overheard was the most exciting part of the day.”
She nodded and unlocked the door. “Right-o. We’ll just have to wait and see how tomorrow shapes up. Finn’s mom is not going to be happy.”
28
Dean
The next morning, Dean opened his eyes slowly. He glanced across the room to where Emilie slept in the bed. It had taken every ounce of self-control to leave her in the bed alone after a completely perfect night, full of good food, long chats, and cuddling.
She stirred then stared up at him with wide eyes.
He kissed her forehead. “What? You think I’ve never smelled your morning breath before?” He pulled her hand down and kissed her lips. “I could do this every day, you know.”
She pulled away and ran for the bathroom. “I’m going to get ready.”
While Emilie was in the bathroom, he ran over to his luggage and pulled out the black box he’d hidden in his tux. There might not be a better moment than this morning. He climbed back in bed and rested against the bed’s headboard. His heart raced as he pulled out the ring and spun it in his hands. It was a common ring by worldly standards, but the thin gold band and single diamond had a simple beauty.
The bathroom door swung open, and he scrambled to hide the ring and box under the covers. She glanced at him through the steam filtering out of the bathroom.
“Everything okay? You look like you were caught stealing.”
He shrugged and secretly shoved the ring into the box and pushed it into his pajama pocket. It wasn’t time yet. He rubbed at his tired eyes and went through the motions of getting ready for the wedding.
While Emilie dressed, he retreated to the other side of the room and hid the ring box back in his tux pocket. He showered and dressed, feeling the weight of the small box in his pants as he shaved and knotted his tie.
When he finished, he looked in the mirror. It had been a good move to rent the tux. He wore a white shirt and black-and-gray-striped tie that even he had to admit looked sharp. He shined his shoes since they were a bit dusty and started gathering his things.
“Can you help me?” Emilie tapped on his shoulder and stepped in front of him. Her mauve dress brought out the paleness of her skin and the touch of pink in her cheeks. He gulped as she spun around and revealed her slender back. “Will you zip me up, please?”
“Sure.” He fumbled with the zipper, keeping his eyes averted to anywhere other than her soft skin. To think this would be just one of many times he’d be zipping her dress was exhilarating. His heart soared. He led her to the couch and sat down, his knee turned toward her.
She grinned at him. “Everything okay? You’re serious all of a sudden.”
Panic flashed through him. Was it too early to make a decision that would affect them for the rest of their lives? He pulled her into his arms and found comfort in her embrace.
He slipped his free hand into his pocket and held the box tightly. “The last few weeks have been a roller coaster of emotions. I’ve gotten anxious and angry and elated and depressed. But I’ve also never been so happy.”
She bit her lip, bringing more attention to her mouth. He shook his head, pushing away thoughts of kissing her. There’d be time for that later.
He pulled the box out and presented it to her. His eyes shifted from the box back to her face, waiting for a sign he was on the right track. “Emilie, you’re someone I’ve loved for a long time, and I don’t want you to slip away from me ever again.” He opened the box and showed the ring.
She inhaled sharply, and he went down on one knee. “You’re the only woman I’ll ever love. Will you marry me?”
She blinked fast and stared at the ring then back at him. “But we just— How can you be sure?”
His confidence wavered as she continued to sputter. The box shook in his hand. After another few seconds, he rested it on his lap. He had a bad feeling the ring wouldn’t make another appearance today. “I just do.”
“I don’t know if I love you yet. It’s only been a few hours since we started dating. I mean, I guess you could say we’ve been dating since I got home, but I’m not counting that time.”
Dean’s face burned with embarrassment. He stood up and paced the room for a few seconds before meeting her gaze, the box still grasped firmly in one hand. It felt heavier, and he wished he could chuck it out the window and pretend it never existed.
She stood and pulled him back to the couch. “That came out all wrong. I care about you a ton, and I like you, or else we wouldn’t be together. But this is all too new.”
He nodded and closed the ring box with a snap. She cupped his chin with one hand and waited until he met her gaze. “It’s too soon to predict what’s going to happen, but I do want to find out.”
Just because he knew he loved her didn’t mean he needed to rush things. He slipped the ring box back into his pocket and took both of her hands. “I’m willing to wait.”
A small smile started on her lips. He held out his arms, and she leaned against his side as he stood next to her. The hope he clung to was like a flicker compared to the hopeless ache inside his chest.
Emilie’s phone buzzed, and she stood to check it. “Ava needs me to help her into her dress. I think I’m mostly ready. Should I meet you there?”
He gave her a light kiss on the cheek. “I guess the wedding is still a go. I’ll see you there.”
When Emilie closed the door behind her, Dean’s knees weakened, and he dropped to the ground. The box dug into his thigh and he pulled it out of his pocket and laid it on a nearby table.
At eleven thirty, he brought their things to the truck then went to the chapel, or what was a large ballroom set up to look like one. Instead of pews, there were rows of chairs tied with bright gold bows at each end. Soft violin music played in the background, giving the ironic atmosphere a calm façade. Dean chose a seat in the front with a good view of Emilie.
She flitted past him a few times, only giving him a half wave. He’d made things uncomfortable, and she couldn’t even look him in the eyes. He sighed, leaned forward, and rested his chin in his hands.
Family and friends filled the seats around him, their voices hushed. He wasn’t the only one who thought this wedding wasn’t happening.
A preacher walked out in front of the audience, followed by Finn and his father. Finn’s appearance was no longer haggard, but his expression was stiff. A wedding march sounded on the overhead speakers, signaling all noise to stop.
A flower girl skipped down the aisle first, followed by a few of Ava’s bridesmaids from college. Emilie was next, a small smile on her lips as she gracefully moved down the aisle. Her smile was forced, pained even. Instead of glancing Dean’s way, she kept her gaze fixed forward.
Ava was no doubt beautiful, grabbing every eye in the audience. Since she had no father, she walked alone.
Dean sighed and focused his attention on Finn as he welcomed Ava up the steps. He didn’t look so good. Although his appearance appeared fine, his face told a different story. Finn removed her
veil and kissed her lightly on the cheek. Then the two turned toward the preacher.
The preacher cleared his throat and smiled at the congregation. “Welcome, friends and family of Finn and Ava. We are gathered here today to join—”
“Wait!” Finn’s voice sounded through the chapel area like a cymbal clanging in the silence. Dean smirked and leaned back in his chair. That hadn’t taken long. Finn turned to Ava, his face now completely pale. “I’m sorry. I can’t do it. You don’t love me, and I can’t marry you.”
Ava’s mouth dropped open as she stared back at Finn. “Wh— You can’t marry me?”
“People don’t change overnight, and I know how you truly feel about me.”
Whispered conversations and mutterings rose to normal speaking levels. Ava spun to the audience, her face crestfallen. She turned back to Finn. “Honey, let’s talk about this.”
He took a measured step away from her. “No, I should’ve done this much sooner. I’m sorry if this hurts you. There will always be a part of me that loves you, but I can’t marry you today or ever.” He gave her one more lingering glance and then fled the stage, pushing open the exit doors with a new gusto.
Ava wailed, her cries piercing the hush of the crowd. They watched in stunned shock as the grown woman completely fell apart, throwing bouquets of flowers across the stage and into the audience. Some audience members moved out of harm’s way and others stared, fascinated with the sudden change. Her sobs came out more erratic as she gasped for breath.
Emilie made her way to Ava, but someone beat her to the punch. Gail, dressed in a matronly gray dress, hurried to the stage. Ava was as surprised as anyone. She held a flower vase above her head and froze.
“Mom? Wh—what are you doing here?”
“I’m rescuing you before you mob someone with flowers. Now, let’s go.”
Ava shook her head and pushed away her mother’s hand. Black tears sped down her face at an alarming rate. “Now you want to show up? After everything is ruined?”
The spunky older lady wrapped an arm around Ava’s waist, lowered the vase to the ground with her free hand, and pulled Ava in the opposite direction of Finn’s grand exit. “It’s good to see you too, sweetie. Let’s catch up when we don’t have an audience.”
Dean stood, and together, he and Emilie helped Ava and Gail off the stage. When Ava struggled, Dean threw her over his shoulder and carried her, kicking and screaming, to a private back room, away from the crowd’s whispers. Ava’s sobs quieted to breathless whimpers. The room went eerily quiet.
Emilie and Gail led Ava to a chair where she collapsed and leaned forward, nearly toppling off the seat.
Gail grabbed her in time, grunting as she pushed Ava back in the chair. “You’re too old for this. Almost didn’t come today, but I thought something like this might happen.”
Ava lifted her head to glare at Gail. “You did? How thoughtful of you.” Her voice was thick and full of sarcasm. “I thought you gave up on me long ago.”
Emilie and Dean took a few steps back. Gail moved a chair closer to Ava and sat down.
“Well, I guess I did, too. But a mom never really gives up on their children. I was always thinking about you and hoping you’d eventually make good choices.”
Ava slumped further in her chair. “Some good choice I’ve made. Dumped at the altar. Nowhere to go.”
Gail hesitantly reached for her hand. “This is going to be hard, but it’s not like you haven’t got someone to turn to. I’ve always been here.”
That was their cue. Dean took Emilie’s arm and led her away, both ladies not even looking up as the door opened with a click.
It was quiet as they walked to the front of the hotel where they waited for their truck at valet parking. The wedding party was everywhere, laughing and talking as if nothing happened. Sharon was all smiles, graceful to anyone who walked by her.
“Emilie and Dean,” Sharon said, gripping and shaking their hands. “Thank you for coming. I’m so glad things turned out the way they did.”
Emilie’s jaw tightened as she studied the woman. “It’s good you’re concerned about everyone but your son. Even if he did do something that pleased you, don’t you know him well enough to know it was a hard decision for anyone to make? He could use your support.”
The woman’s sly smile slipped from her face, and her eyebrows knit together. A few seconds later, she fled to the nearest elevator, not even stopping as family passed her.
“You’re something special.” Dean slipped an arm around Emilie’s waist as they moved to the entrance to wait.
“I am sad for Ava, but I think it’ll be for the best.” She took his hand, sending his heart racing once again. “About what you said to me earlier…”
Fear curled around his lungs. Saying anything about marriage that early had been a mistake.
“I want to be sure how I feel before I make that commitment. I’d never want to leave you at the altar. Can we give it some time before you ask again? Every moment with you has been a gift. You make me feel safe in a house I’ve hated for so long. You make me laugh, even in the most serious, dreadful situations. You fill me with hope and make me want to stay in Danvers forever.” She squeezed his fingers. “Our chemistry’s not half bad, either. I guess I want to test the waters more, just to make sure this is not beginner’s luck.”
Hope fluttered in his stomach. Before his chances had seemed so small, but now her words filled him with confidence. Not a second of their time together had been a waste, and he had all the time in the world. “I’m glad to hear it.”
29
Emilie
Emilie answered the phone, a bit out of breath. “Emilie’s Dance Studio.” It was a week before the Christmas recital, and she’d been running back and forth from dress rehearsals to answering questions from anxious parents.
She panted as another parent expressed their concerns about when and where to be at the performance. She talked them through the plan as patiently as she could then hung up the phone.
A tap sounded on the office door. Dean poked his head around the corner. He lifted a cup and a bag. “Your favorite hot cider and apple fritter.”
Her stomach growled in response. She laughed as she took the bag. “How did you know I haven’t eaten?”
He raised his eyebrows and planted a kiss on her forehead. “Lucky guess.”
His skin was cold and refreshing against her hot, sweaty mess of a body, and she pulled him in close to capture all his goodness in one hug.
He laughed and buried his face in her shoulder. She tried squirming away, but he held her in place. “I’m all sweaty.”
He leaned against her. “And I’m freezing. I haven’t gotten warm since getting on the boat this morning.”
She dug into the bag and ate hungrily. “How’s the catch?” Winter months were usually harder for fishermen, but Dean kept his team busy, making connections and signing contracts with local restaurants and grocery stores.
“Pretty good. We went upstream farther than we usually do and froze our butts off keeping the net moving. Fish are slower in colder water, but we caught enough to fill our orders for the day.”
She tapped his nose with a finger, leaving a glazed sugar mark. He laughed and wiped it away, licking his finger for good measure. She stepped forward and pointed to her sugary lips. “You missed a spot.”
His laugh deepened as he covered her mouth with his in a very wet kiss. “I can give you a bite if you want?”
He snapped his teeth together. “Why? I could just take a bite out of you.”
She giggled and scooted around him and out the office door. “Our rehearsal starts in a few minutes. Want to stay?”
He checked his watch and shook his head. “Better not. My family’s getting in any minute, and I still haven’t showered.”
She wrinkled her nose, though his smell was her favorite, fishy or not. “I’ll be glad when this is over. I’ll be home around ten. Can you drop by for a minute? We need to talk ab
out something.”
Concern filled his brows. “Is everything okay?”
She bit her lip. Things were scarily okay, and it was time she did something about it. “Yes. It’s nothing really. I just want to see you.”
The creases in his forehead settled, and he shoved his hands into his pockets. “Not a problem. Good luck with rehearsal.” He kissed her once on the lips then headed to the entrance. The bell jingled as the door opened and closed. She took a slow breath, releasing the tension in her shoulders. She’d almost given everything away.
She turned back to her desk, grabbed her cider and remaining fritter, and headed back to the stage area for a very long evening. Little dancers sat on chairs, dressed in their Christmas costumes. Bells rang as they switched seats to chat with their friends. It’d been the perfect start to her dance year. At the beginning of the season, all the classes were full to the point that she had to create new ones to accommodate the growing interest.
It was an exciting adventure she’d started and the thought of leaving Danvers hadn’t crossed her mind in months. She clapped her hands to get the dancers’ attention. “All right, friends. Let’s start?”
Hours later, after walking through the show two times, she left the stage relieved and proud. Her teachers had worked hard to get the students prepared. She waited for the last parent to pick up their child before she locked the door and headed back to her office for her purse.
A knock sounded at the front of the studio and she turned around to see which dancer had left their shoes. Instead of a tiny girl, Emilie screamed when she saw who waited for her on the other side of the door. She hurried to unlock it, swung the door open, and ran into her friend’s arms.
“Bridgett, what are you doing here? Aren’t you guys still on tour?”
“We got the week off.” Bridgett’s glossy black hair swung around her.