“Have you ever been to Tandy’s Bar & Grill? It’s one of my favorite bars and it’s just a couple of blocks from here,” Christy asks as we walk out of CVS with a huge package of travel tissues. She claims she suffers from allergies in October. “It’s a small place and sometimes has live music.”
“It sounds familiar, but there are so many bars in Seattle, I can’t keep track anymore. Why?” I swerve to the left to avoid a dog sniffing a fire hydrant.
She ushers me to a bench and drops her stuffed shopping bags on it. “I know it’s kind of early, but d’you want to go for a drink? I’m exhausted and thirsty after our shopping spree.”
I chuckle. “You mean your shopping spree.” I’ve spent too much money recently on my new, top-of-the-line computer to be going crazy today.
She cocks her hip. “Hey, you bought five pairs of Happy Socks.”
I lift my little bag. “Yeah. This one is mine, and the other three bags are yours.”
“You’re right, which means we definitely need a drink.”
“I’m game, but do you really want to go to a bar with so many bags? Are you planning to hand out tissues to all the customers?” We laugh.
“Maybe I will.” She sticks her nose in the air with a cheeky glimmer in her eye. “I haven’t been there in a while, so I thought it would be fun. Let’s go. Let me text Gale. Maybe he’ll meet us there.”
I snort. “Of course he will. He follows you around like a puppy dog.” Her face lights up. I’m jealous, but I refuse to show it. I have other things to be happy about.
She stuffs her phone in her jacket pocket. “Okay. Let’s see if he responds.” She grabs three of the bags and I carry the last one to help her out. “We need to take a right turn on to the next street.”
After a few minutes, she leads me down the road where the bar is. We near a small crowd lined up behind a red rope in front of a restaurant that’s adjacent to Tandy’s. I wonder what they’re waiting for.
Christy halts a couple feet before the door. “Let me check if Gale responded.” She unlocks her phone and giggles. Her fingers type away. “Okay. He’s coming. I told him we’re already here. Let’s see if we can find a cozy table.”
She opens the door and bustles in with me trailing behind her. My focus is on one of her ballerina flats. There’s a tag or something stuck to the bottom of it.
“Ellie,” I hear Gale say. Huh? Gale?
I look up and almost fall backwards.
“SURPRISE!”
My mouth drops wide open like a pocket on a pool table. I can’t speak, so I just shake my head, eyes wide. Christy takes my bags. Gale puts his arm around my shoulder, and everyone quiets down. “Ellie, we wanted to surprise you to say congratulations on the book deal you landed for Memories of Us. We are so happy and proud of you.”
I look around. The whole corner of the room is full of tables occupied by grinning people I know. Mom and George. Dora and Grace. A couple lawyers I used to work with. And then I see Cass and JT. But no sign of Sam. Well, what do I expect? I’m the one who walked out on him, and we haven’t spoken since, not even after he sent me the turtle and flowers. I always wonder if Cass gave Sam the book. She hasn’t said anything and I’ve never asked.
“I know this is overwhelming, but you deserve to celebrate,” Gale says and starts clapping. Everyone else joins in. My face becomes warm because other people in here are watching us.
I know I should celebrate and be ecstatic. In a way, I have been, but there’s something missing—and it’s Sam. My nerves have finally calmed down after everything that happened. I can breathe again. But I still love Sam just as I always have. Maybe even more. I want to share and enjoy everything with him. Then why am I not with him again? Because I needed time. A lump forms in my throat. But I should’ve gone to him.
My shoes are glued to the floor. “Oh my gosh. I’m speechless. I can’t believe you did this for me.” I point at Christy. “You knew about this all along. I’m going to get you!” We all laugh.
“Did you remember tissues?” Gale whispers to Christy but not quietly enough.
“Of course. They’re in one of the bags.” She peers at me, and her eyes gleam like she’s been caught red-handed. What do they have planned now?
Time passes quickly as I move from one table to the next, greeting and squeezing everyone. I can’t believe Mom came with George. And Cass and JT flew all the way up here just for the party? But she’s my new editor and helped me get the deal, so it makes sense. It hasn’t been easy though. We both agreed to publish this book as fiction under a pen name.
I turn my head and notice a stage in the corner, set up with instruments. I nudge Gale. “Is a band playing tonight?”
“I think so.” He takes a swig from his beer, avoiding eye contact. Interesting.
“I’m going to the bathroom. I’ll be right back.” I ask Mom if she needs to go, and she agrees to go with me.
When we come out, members from the band are warming up. We take our seats, and Gale tells us they’re about to start. I finish my second glass of wine and put it to the side.
The lights dim and the crowd quiets down. I rest my back against the cushioned red bench. Rainbows of light sparkle as the guitarist plucks some strings.
Finally, the entire band begins to play. I know the song in an instant. I cover my mouth and glance at Gale. I swear, his smile stretches from ear to ear. Mom squeezes my hand. James Arthur struts onto the stage singing “Can I Be Him.” My eyes start to tear. I absolutely love his voice. But it makes me think of Sam.
I will not let thoughts of him ruin this experience. I guess this is what the tissues are for.
James Arthur performs three songs, then takes a break. I wave my hand at my face to cool off. I’m sweating like hell from the excitement. He sounds even better in person.
“Gale, how did you know he was going to perform here? Of all the singers! Thank you so much! I love that it’s such an intimate performance. I better be able to meet him. I’m surprised he’s doing one like this. Is there a special occasion?” I can’t stop babbling.
“I don’t know. A friend mentioned something, and I thought it was a perfect opportunity to throw you a surprise party with all your success.”
I squint sideways at him. He’s acting weird. Why do I feel like he’s not telling the full truth?
“Mom, don’t you love his music?”
“Yes. It’s not hectic. He has such a lovely voice.”
“I’m sure I’ve mentioned him to you before. You know the show, X-Factor? He won the X-Factor UK a while ago. I’ve been a fan ever since.”
“I don’t remember. Don’t forget, I’m getting old,” she jokes.
Christy comes back with more drinks and shimmies through to her seat. I take a sip of my icy Diet Coke—I’ve had enough wine.
The lights dim again, and James Arthur walks out onto the stage, then stands in front of the microphone.
“How’s everyone doing tonight?” The crowd howls and whistles.
“This is a special night for someone in the crowd. I was asked to perform a certain song this evening, but someone would like to say a few words first. With that said, I’m going to give the microphone over to the famous soccer player, Samuel Moore. Let’s give him a round of applause and some good luck. He might need it.”
What is this? I’m so thankful I’m sitting down. Mom squeezes my hand again. I glance at Gale, and he has a shit-eating grin on his face. Christy already has tears in her eyes. I zone in on Cass, and she winks at me. They were all in on this the entire time. Obviously, Ellie.
Sam struts onto the stage. Whistles fly through the air again. Oh my gosh. He’s grown out his hair like when I first met him. He’s beyond gorgeous. I can’t stand how much I’ve missed him. We’ve been apart for two long months. My heart screams for his again.
“Here, take some tissues,” Christy says as she hands me a pack. “Now you know why I bought the jumbo one.”
“Let me have one of those,”
Mom whispers. I take one out and place it in her hand.
“Hi, everybody. Thanks for coming here tonight. I hope you don’t mind this little break. I promise I’ll make it quick.” The crowd claps and hoots.
“A little while ago, I might have lost the only woman I’ve ever loved. I say might, because I hope that she still loves me too.”
I nod and mouth, I do.
He walks across the small stage and down to where I’m sitting; the house lights brighten.
“Ellie, I see you everywhere I go. When I’m shopping, I buy pomegranates and white chocolate because they remind me of your favorite things. When I see hearts, I think of the heart-shaped freckle on your shoulder. I saw someone with an infinity tattoo. Red hair is supposed to be rare but I swear everyone with red hair lives in Seattle.”
He’s talking to me like there’s no one else in this room.
“When we told each other what three of our favorite things were, I never told you all three of mine. One was sports and the other was flying. But I already knew then that you had become my number-one favorite thing.” He chuckles. “Sorry, person.
“I read your book, Memories of Us.” I sit up in my chair. I’m sure my eyes are popping out of my head. “Cass sent it. Don’t be mad at her. It was perfectly written. Thank you for dedicating the book to me. Once I read it, everything became clear. There’s so much I want to say to you.”
It takes everything I have within me to stay seated. I just want to touch him.
“What we’ve experienced is something no one else will ever understand or believe. But we know it was real, and that’s all that matters. You are all that matters to me. We’ve taken some time apart to get our bearings. I hated every second of it but I knew we needed it. During that time, I realized I’m just an ordinary man who’s in love, and has become very impatient.
“After I read the book, I noticed you left out one specific detail. Maybe you forgot, or maybe it was to keep it a secret because I’d never told anyone but you. But I’m not embarrassed to say it out loud now, because it’s no longer my biggest fear.”
He approaches me cautiously. I can see he’s nervous. I wipe the tears—and the running mascara—from under my eyes. I fumble in my little pack for another tissue.
“Ellie, my biggest fear now is that I won’t be able to grow old and gray with you. The thought of never holding you in my arms again, never waking up next to you in the morning, never feeling your soft skin against mine, never kissing those wonderful, soft lips—that’s what rocks me to my core. I can’t live without you. I want you in my life from this day forward. I know it won’t be easy, but I’ll give it my all because I know we’re worth it. I’ll do everything in my power to never make you regret loving me. There hasn’t been one single day since we met that I’ve doubted my love for you.”
I want to jump into his arms, but he doesn’t seem to be finished. Besides, I love listening to his voice.
“It’s great that I have a brother in-law who has connections in the music industry. He contacted James Arthur for me. I told him how much you loved his music and how one particular song will be your wedding song one day. ‘Say You Won’t Let Go.’ You were adamant about that. You said your future husband would have to agree, or he’d be out the door.” The group around us laughs.
He approaches me and pulls me off my chair so I’m standing in front of him. He squeezes my shaking hand.
“Well, I’m not going anywhere until you agree to marry me.”
I gasp.
He gets down on one knee and hands the microphone to Gale, who has moved over to a seat next to us. I place my hand over my heart. Sam pulls something out of his pocket and takes my left hand. Then he places a diamond ring at the tip of my ring finger.
“Ellie Crimson, will you marry me?” He pushes the ring farther up my finger. “Say you won’t let me go. Please don’t let us go. We’d be crazy to walk away from what we have. I love you, and I always will. Say yes.”
“Yes!” I jump into his arms. “I love you so much, Sam! I’ll never let you go again. I promise.” Our lips connect as the crowd cheers us on.
James begins to sing “Say You Won’t Let Go.” One by one, everyone congratulates us. Last but not least, Cass and JT stand in front of us. I hug and thank them profusely.
My new and old family are here to share this with us. This day couldn’t be any more perfect. My heart is full again and I finally found my peace.
Epilogue
Ellie
Eight Months Later
We walk along the beach, hand in hand as husband and wife. With hardly any discussion, we decided to have a private beach wedding at the resort in the brochure that had started it all. Mom, Cass, JT, Gale, and Christy all came to celebrate with us. We only wanted those with us who knew about our dream. We’ll have a big party when we get back.
Sometimes, people who’ve read Memories of Us have asked about the dream. I just told them most of the book is fiction with reality mixed in. Sam and I talked about going to some doctors to tell them what happened to us and to find out how it was even possible. But we thought we’d just become guinea pigs in a medical experiment. No thanks. I like the idea of only a couple of people knowing the truth. It makes life a lot easier.
Sam asked me if I wanted James Arthur to come to our wedding, but seeing him perform in person when Sam proposed was enough for me.
I dreaded the flight here for days, but with Sam next to me and distracting me with his delicious kisses, the flight went by in a flash. He bought a little velvet bag for me to carry my father’s cross in. I take it with me everywhere.
Gale and Christy are still going strong. Maybe another engagement is on the horizon.
Oh, and the day we arrived at the resort, Cass surprised us with the news that she’s pregnant. Soon I will be an aunt. I love having a sister.
While Mom couldn’t see our wedding on the beach, she’s thrilled to be here and to feel the warm ocean breeze on her face and the sand between her toes. I love seeing her happy.
She went with me to pick out my wedding dress. It’s amazing how much she can see with her hands. She gently examined every dress I put on. When I found the one I loved, I didn’t tell her. I wanted to see which one she liked the most. And just as I thought, it was the same one I had chosen. I wish my dad could’ve been here.
Our hotel suite is similar to our dream, but much more extravagant. There’s no kitchen, though. I’m not sure why we created them in our dream. We took a tour with everyone through the hotel and pointed out other things that were similar. We spotted a parrot that looked like our Petie, but he didn’t talk to us. There were no sea turtle babies either, but that’s okay. Our memories are enough.
Sam loves being a coach. He seems to have found his calling. Seattle University’s soccer team finished in second place this season. He stresses it’s too early to say he’s doing a good job, but second place up from fourth proves that he is.
Right after we got engaged, we did something crazy. We both got infinity tattoos. Mine is on the inside of my left wrist, since it’s the hand I have my wedding ring on. He got one in the middle of his shoulders, right below his neck. It’s hot as hell. My opinion on tattoos has changed.
Life is quiet now. The paparazzi doesn’t hound Sam and me as much. I guess we’re too boring for their readers. There’s nothing juicy to say other than we love each other. I’m happy with that.
Carlotta is behind bars and Stephanie and Jenny had their own share of legal woes too. They won’t be a problem for anyone anymore. The law office closed down due to bad publicity and the mass exodus of employees and clients.
I don’t practice law anymore. I’m writing full time. Memories of Us released a month ago and hit No. 2 on the New York Times best seller list and No. 1 on USA Today. The day before we left for the wedding, Cass told me there’s a company that’s interested in turning the book into a movie. Sam and I couldn’t believe that, and we’re not sure if we’ll say yes. Our focus ha
s been on us and the wedding. We’ll deal with that when we get back.
I never knew what qualities would make up the man of my dreams until I met Sam in one of my own. And he ended up being more than I could’ve ever asked for. I’m the luckiest woman in the world.
Acknowledgments
I can’t believe I’ve finished my fourth book. Into Thin Air is my favorite so far. I couldn’t have done it without the support of my beta readers. Your comments, suggestions, and constant encouragement pulled me through the ups and downs of the publishing process. You are the best. Thank you Silke, Vicki, Nadine, Rachel, Launa, Amanda, Jody, Jamie, and Lisa.
The editing process is always exhausting. Rachel Overton of Wordscapes, you really know your stuff. Your eye for detail is amazing. Every time I finish a book, I walk away a better writer because of you. I’m so thankful that we make a good team. I hope we will work together again in the future.
Helen Pryke, I’m so glad we could work together this time. Your friendship on a personal and professional level means so much to me. I knew you would be the perfect proofreader for Into Thin Air. Thank you for your help!
Thank you again, Sarah Hansen from Okay Creations, for designing another amazing cover.
Rik Hall from Wild Seas Formatting, thank you for being part of my team again. You’re always there when I need something, even with the ocean between us.
My husband and kids are my biggest fans. I love you and am truly blessed to have your support and love every day. I couldn’t do this without you.
To my readers, without your love for my books, Into Thin Air might not have been written. Your kind posts and messages give me the kick to keep going. Thank you so much!
Please follow me on my website or social media for updates on my books.
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