Girls You Marry

by Tina Gallagher

“Because I loved the look in your eyes when you saw it.”

  “But we weren’t even together then.”

  He shrugged. “I always had hope.”

  “And you kept it all these years?”

  He nodded.

  “What if we never…”

  “It wasn’t something I was willing to think about.”

  “You’re either extremely hopeful or just plain crazy.”

  “I guess so.”

  “Thank God,” I said before I tackled him and kissed him senseless.

  Chapter Twenty-nine

  “To Dan and Sabrina.” Jeff held up his glass, prompting everyone else to do the same. “May they have a long, happy and healthy life together.”

  A chorus of “here, here” followed just before the crowd, which consisted of Dan’s family and mine, took a token sip of champagne. I did the same, feeling as though a tornado had taken me up, spun me around and plopped me right in the middle of the life I’m currently living. Dorothy Gale from Kansas has nothing on me when it comes to being overwhelmed and confused.

  I don’t mean that as a bad thing, it’s just…overwhelming and confusing. My feelings for Dan are rock solid, and I trust we’re going to have a wonderful life together. I still have to tie up some loose ends back home, but other than that, I’m ready to start over again with Dan and Lexi. Everything has just happened so fast. It’s going to take me some time to catch up.

  “Sabrina, I can’t believe you kept this a secret,” my mother said, trying to sound stern, but not quite succeeding with a 1000-watt smile plastered on her face.

  “Sorry Mom, but things happened kind of fast.”

  “As long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters,” she was quick to say.

  “I am,” I assured her. “I’m very happy.”

  “And that Lexi is such a sweetheart. It’s about time you made me a grandmother.”

  “She’s wonderful and I know you’ll have fun spoiling her. She loves shopping, by the way.”

  My mother’s eyes brightened. “A girl after my own heart,” she said, placing her hand over her chest. “Unlike my daughter, who would rather be out slopping in the mud.”

  “I never slopped in the mud, Mother.”

  “Well, you couldn’t tell that by the condition of your clothes when you came inside. They were always a mess. I swear, I don’t know how I ever got them clean.”

  Before I could defend myself, Dan sidled up next to me.

  After my mother nearly squeezed the breath out of him, and told him of her utter joy of our impending nuptials for the gazillionth time, he turned to me. “Bri, Megan wants to talk to you. I told her I’d send you to her so she didn’t have to haul herself off the couch.”

  “I still can’t believe she’s here. She looks like she’s going to have that baby any minute.” Dan’s sister, Megan ventured to the impromptu engagement party eight and a half months pregnant.

  “Maybe that’ll be you next year,” my mother chimed in.

  “One thing at a time, Mother,” I said. “I’ll go see what Megan wants.”

  Dan’s sister wanted nothing more than to congratulate me in person. We sat in a semi-quiet corner and talked about everything from the impending birth of her first child to my wedding. Dan and I had agreed that we didn’t want a huge affair, and I even talked him into holding everything at the house. We were planning on having an outdoor ceremony and reception, but the house would be prepared in case of inclement weather.

  I looked around the now deserted living room. Those who weren’t spending the night had driven off a couple hours ago, and everyone else was tucked into their rooms. Dan had gone upstairs a half hour ago to make sure the kids weren’t causing too much damage in Lexi’s room. I was wondering if they’d decided to hold him hostage when I heard him come up behind me.

  “Whatcha thinking about?” Dan asked as he wrapped his arms around my waist.

  “I don’t know. Nothing. Everything.”

  Dan kissed my cheek and rested his chin on my shoulder. His warm breath caressed my face when he spoke. “Still nervous?”

  I felt the tension in his body despite his soft tone. “No more than any other bride-to-be.” I turned in his arms. “It’s all happening so fast. Give my mind time to catch up, okay?”

  “But you do want this?”

  I leaned forward and brushed his lips with mine. “More than anything.”

  Chapter Thirty

  “Are you sure you have to go?” Dan asked, looking way too appealing lying in my bed clad only in a pair of black boxer briefs.

  “I’m just going to pack my apartment.” I kissed his cheek. “Then I’ll be back to stay.”

  “But I’ll miss you.” Dan’s exaggerated pout was nothing if not adorable.

  I stuffed the shirt I’d just folded into my duffel bag before laying down next to Dan. “I’ll miss you, too, but I have to go.”

  “Did you talk to Lexi yet?”

  “Not yet. I wanted to talk to you first.”

  “About what?”

  “I was wondering if you’d mind if I took her with me.”

  “Really?”

  “I know you can’t go, but if Lexi doesn’t have anything going on, there’s no reason she can’t.”

  Since Dan’s leg was on the mend, his agent had set up several meet-and-greets in the area and of course, they correspond with my trip home. “Are you sure?”

  “Yes, I’m sure,” I said around an exasperated chuckle. “It’ll give us some time to get to know each other one on one. I think she’ll have a good time.”

  Dan pulled me into his arms. “Good time? I think she’ll have a great time.” He kissed me breathless before pulling back. “You’re everything I’ve ever dreamed of, you know that?” I felt my face heat. Dan ran his index finger down my cheek. “And you’re adorable when you blush.”

  That was the last thing either of us said for a long while.

  ****

  “What else should I bring?” Lexi asked.

  I looked at the suitcase on her bed then shifted my gaze to the two full ones resting on her floor.

  “Is there anything left in your closet?”

  “I just want to make sure I have everything I’ll need.”

  “Lex, we’re only going for a couple days. I only packed a duffel bag.”

  “Yeah, but we’re going to your house. You have clothes there.”

  How could I argue with that logic?

  “All set?” Dan asked from the doorway.

  “I think so. But Lexi has other ideas,” I said.

  Dan surveyed the suitcases and chuckled. “That’s my girl.” He kissed the top of Lexi’s head.

  “I’m missing the gene that makes women over pack,” I said. “In fact, I’m missing several female genes. I don’t wear make up, I hate having my nails done, and it only takes me fifteen minutes to get ready, and that’s from shower to door.”

  Dan’s green eyes surveyed my body from my toes to the top of my head before lowering and meeting mine straight on.

  “But all the important genes are there.”

  His voice sounded slightly husky and my body reacted accordingly. If Lexi weren’t in the room, we’d have been all over each other by now.

  “Why thank you, sir,” I said, using my best southern belle voice, trying to cool the room down a little.

  “You’re more than welcome, ma’am.”

  Lexi found our performance amusing and giggled, as only an eight-year-old could. Dan moved over and wrapped her in his arms.

  “How long do you girls plan on being gone?” Dan asked.

  “Three or four days,” I answered. “It shouldn’t take longer than that.”

  “Then you’ll be here to stay.” Though he said it like a statement, it was definitely a question. The longing I saw in his eyes tugged at my heart.

  “Then I’ll be here to stay,” I said.

  He held out his arm, inviting me to join his and Lexi’s hug. It was an invitation
I couldn’t refuse. I took the few steps toward them and allowed Dan to pull me into his arms. Lexi wrapped her arm around my waist as Dan’s curled around my shoulder.

  “I don’t know what I’m going to do without you two,” Dan said. “I’ll miss you.” He kissed Lexi and me in turn.

  “You’ll be busy singing autographs and having people tell you how wonderful you are.” I tried to make light of the situation. I mean, really, we’re only going for a few days. It’s not like we’re moving to another planet. And even as my head knew those facts, my heart still felt like it was being squeezed at the thought of leaving Dan for any amount of time.

  “You’re the only person I want telling me how wonderful I am,” Dan said around a smile.

  I couldn’t help but laugh.

  Chapter Thirty-one

  Jodi’s eyes twinkled and her smug smile would have bothered me if I weren’t so happy. “I take it things are working out.” Her gaze fell to Lexi, then to the ring on my left hand.

  “Things are just fine,” I said, not wanting to give her any more details than I already had.

  “When’s the wedding?”

  “We haven’t set an exact date yet,” I said.

  “Why not?”

  “Jodi, I don’t want to play twenty questions with you.”

  “Then tell me everything so I don’t have to ask.” The look on my face must have warned her to stop. “Okay, okay. What do you need to know?”

  “What’s the deal with this partnership?” I asked. “Is it still going to happen if I’m not working here everyday?”

  “We had a deal, Sabrina. Here’s the paperwork you have to sign.” Jodi patted a fat folder that rested next to her right arm. “Just sign and it’ll be official.”

  “That’s it?”

  “That’s it,” she said. “I don’t know why you’re so surprised. Bill’s a partner and he rarely comes in.”

  “Yeah, but Bill’s never been around. He put up his money, and you and Jack brought knowledge and experience. He was never meant to work here.”

  Jodi waved her hand as though swatting a fly. “Regardless, he’s not here every day, and you don’t have to be either.”

  “Thank you.”

  “And it’s not like you’re going far away. I’m sure you’ll be able to make it here for a meeting or two.”

  “Definitely.”

  I couldn’t hide my joy or relief. I love Dan, and I want to spend my life with him, but I’ve worked hard for this partnership.

  Jodi stood and held up the folder that I knew held the partnership agreement.

  “I’m sure you’ll want a lawyer to look this over.” She handed the folder to me and stepped around her desk. “Now what do you say we take this little girl out for lunch. She’s been so well-behaved, she deserves something special.”

  ****

  “Can I call Daddy?”

  “Sure.” I looked at the clock. “He should be home by now.”

  Lexi grabbed the cordless phone off its cradle and dialed her home number. She looked exhausted. We’d spent the day running from place to place, and I couldn’t help but wonder if she was regretting her decision to come along.

  I folded a pair of jeans and placed them in a packing box. Lexi’s face was puckered in concentration as she held the phone to her ear. “Hi, Daddy. Me and Sabrina are home for the night and I just wanted to call and say hi. Call us back when you can.”

  She shut the phone off, placed it in its cradle once again and shrugged. “He wasn’t there.”

  I tossed a pair of socks into the box and closed the lid. “Maybe he went somewhere with Jeff,” I said. “I’m sure he’ll call back soon.”

  But my words were false. Dan never called and as moonlight turned into morning light, the phone still hadn’t rung. My stomach knotted and I had to force the niggling doubts that played at the back of my mind from surfacing. He probably got in late and didn’t want to wake us.

  That’s exactly what I told Lexi when she asked if he’d called after she fell asleep. She seemed so worried I offered to take her home.

  “I don’t want to go home. I just want to talk to Daddy.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “I’m having a lot of fun.”

  Though I doubted her statement, I didn’t ask again. “Why don’t you try him now? He should be up.”

  Lexi did as I suggested, but once again left a message. “You don’t think anything happened to him, do you?”

  Her worried expression tugged at my heart. “I’m sure he’s fine, honey.” I put my arm around her shoulder and gave her a quick squeeze. “Come on, let’s hit the road.” In an attempt to cheer her, I added. “Maybe we can stop at the mall on the way home.”

  I knew she was really worried when even that failed to lift her spirits.

  ****

  Lexi and I were sitting in McDonald’s when my cell phone rang. One glance at the caller ID told me Dan was on the other end of the line. “Hello.”

  “Hey, honey. How’s it going?”

  “Great.”

  “You two getting along okay?”

  “What do you think?” I asked, a smile in my voice.

  “Is she behaving?”

  “Of course, and she’s really a big help. We got a lot of packing done last night. How was the signing?”

  “It went well, but I think I need therapy on my writing hand now.”

  “That many people?”

  “A good amount showed up,” Dan said.

  I looked over at Lexi who was bouncing around in her seat as she waited to speak with her father.

  “I hate to cut you short,” I said to him, “but Lexi is dying to talk to you.”

  “I’ll call you later,” he said. “I love you.”

  “I love you, too.”

  That said, I handed the phone to Lexi. While she nodded and laughed and told Dan everything we did during every second of our time together, the knot in my stomach disappeared. The reason it had formed there in the first place is something I’m going to have to work on.

  Chapter Thirty-two

  I underestimated how much help Lexi would be. We’d finished packing up my belongings, besides accomplishing every other task I had on my list, in record time. Dan said he’d have a professional moving company clear out my furniture and other household items and deliver them to his door. What we’re going to do with them after that is beyond me.

  “Well, Miss Lexi, I think our work here is just about done.”

  “What about all the other stuff?”

  “Your dad is going to hire someone to come get it.”

  “So what are we gonna do now?”

  “I thought we’d stay here tonight and head back tomorrow morning. We should be home by lunchtime.”

  “Okay.”

  “Do you want to go out, or order in?” I prayed that if she wanted to go out, it would be somewhere other than McDonald’s.

  “Pizza sounds good.”

  “Great, we’ll order a pizza.”

  I wanted to talk to her, and I figured having a conversation around pizza would lighten things a bit. “Lex, can I ask you something?”

  She nodded and took a huge bite of her slice. “Is this thing between your dad and me okay with you?”

  “Yeah, it’s okay.”

  “You’re sure?” She nodded and took another bite of pizza. “Because if there’s anything you want to talk about, I’d be happy to listen.”

  She thought for a minute before shaking her head. “No, I don’t think there’s anything I want to talk about.”

  “You’re not worried about me moving into the house, into your life?”

  “You’ve been living at the house and it’s been great. I think you’re great.”

  I smiled.

  “I think you’re great, too,” I said, feeling very maternal. I imagine my face must be beaming like a proud parent. “I’ll be right back. I have something to show you.”

  I made my way back to the dining room
and retrieved the book I’d found shoved into the back of my closet. Returning to Lexi’s side, I settled in next to her and proceeded to open it.

  “Is that you and my dad?” Her eyes opened wide.

  “Yep.”

  Lexi studied the pictures on the first page before moving over to those on the second. My eyes followed the same path as hers, and I couldn’t help but smile. The couple in front of me was so young, so hopeful, so in love. I haven’t looked at this scrapbook of Dan and myself in ten years.

  “You played softball in college?” I nodded. “That’s so cool.”

  “It was a lot of fun.” And that was the truth. Besides the thrill of playing and the companionship of the team, the men’s and women’s teams at the college traveled together, increasing my quality time with Dan.

  “Is that how you met my dad?”

  “Sort of. I worked in the trainer’s room, and he came in to have his ankle taped one day.”

  “And it was love at first sight,” Lexi sighed dramatically, batting her eyelashes and giggling.

  I slapped her playfully on the shoulder.

  She flipped through several more pages, silently studying them. “I wish you guys stayed together all those years ago. I wish we were a family all this time.”

  I knew the feeling, but after seeing these pictures again, I realize how young Dan and I actually were. Maybe we wouldn’t have made it if we stayed together back then. And, most importantly, Lexi wouldn’t exist if we hadn’t broken up.

  “We’re together now, and that’s all that matters.”

  She nodded. “I guess you’re right.” Then her eyes widened and she pointed to a picture. “Daddy used to keep this picture in his nightstand.”

  I glanced over and smiled. Dan and I smiled, frozen in time forever, his arms wrapped around my waist, his cheek brushing mine. It was the first picture we had taken as a couple, and Dan used to keep it on the nightstand next to his bed.

  “Are you sure?” I asked.

  “I’m sure. I found it one day and asked him about it, but he never really answered me. The next time I went looking, it wasn’t there.”

  “When was that?”

  “A couple years ago.”

  I couldn’t hide my shock at that revelation. No matter what Dan said, I always had trouble believing he was pining for me for the past ten years. But if what Lexi said is true—and I have no reason to believe it isn’t—he has been.