by Dara Girard
Rania saw the look of realization and nodded. “Yes, that’s how she’s kept you close. It’s time you broke free from caring about what she thinks of you.”
Caryn covered her eyes as the pedestal she’d put under her aunt slowly crumbled. She’d wanted to be like her. Did that make her crazy too? “I’ve done everything wrong.”
“No, you haven’t. When Adrian was buried, what did you do?”
“I talked to him and tried to get him out.”
“And when you couldn’t, what did you do?”
She searched her memory. “I held his hand.”
“Why?”
“Because I wanted him to know I was there.”
“Did you hold it the entire time?”
“Yes, until the firefighters could reach him.”
“Why didn’t you let go?”
“What?”
Rania lifted a brow. “If you truly loved him, shouldn’t you have let go?”
“No, he needed me.”
“So you held on.”
“Yes, of course.”
“Do you see the difference now? Letting go of something is not the same as abandoning it. Running away, pushing away, building up walls is not letting go, that’s turning your back. There are things you have to hold onto, that you have to fight for, that you have to claim as yours. You’re not your mother nor your aunt, or even your sister. Live the life you were meant to live. There is nothing wrong with holding onto the man you love no matter who it hurts, because you deserve to be loved by him.”
“But what if—”
Rania shook her head. “We don’t deal in ‘what ifs’. You have one special pair of stockings left. I think you know how to use them.”
Chapter Thirty-One
Adrian paid the driver, who’d taken him to the Lucky Stars restaurant, wondering what carnage he’d find in the kitchen. He still couldn’t drive yet, his arm was in a sling and he still was on pain medication, but after getting Ken’s call, he knew he needed to reach the restaurant fast.
The moment he noticed the Closed sign on the door, his heart dropped. Ken wouldn’t close the restaurant except in an emergency. Something was really bad, but he’d fix it. He always did. Too bad he couldn’t say the same about his love life. He hadn’t heard from Caryn in nearly a week, but he couldn’t think about her right now. His business needed him.
Adrian rushed inside and headed for the kitchen.
“The problem’s not there,” Ken said, resting an arm around Adrian’s shoulders and steering him towards to the dining area.
Adrian looked at his friend, surprised by his formal attire—a dark suit with a yellow flower. “What’s go—”
He didn’t have a chance to finish when he noticed the dining hall decorated with white and yellow ribbons, glass bowls bursting with small yellow bouquets nestled on white tablecloths. He started to grin. Had Ken set up a Welcome Back Party? But he didn’t see a banner. And he couldn’t understand why Caryn’s friend, Terri, was standing there wearing a cream colored dress, and her sister and brother. And why was his sister also dressed up and looking near tears? What were all the flowers for? Then he noticed the small arch lined with yellow roses, and a woman in a business suit standing underneath it as if ready for a ceremony...
His heart stopped when the music began to play.
The wedding march.
It couldn’t be.
He spun around and saw Caryn slowly walking towards him dressed in a bright yellow gown with tiny white accents, a small bouquet of roses in her hand.
Adrian glanced down at his jeans and sneakers in dismay then glared at Ken. “Why didn’t you warn me?”
“She wanted this to be a surprise,” Ken said without apology.
He looked back up at his bride as she approached him, his heart dancing with joy. She was coming to him. Her aunt hadn’t kept them apart and she couldn’t interfere again. She would finally be his completely. He’d won.
Caryn stopped in front of him, looking a little embarrassed. “I wanted to be your yellow bird.” She looked down at her dress. “But is it too much yellow?”
It was blindingly yellow. Wonderfully yellow. She was his sun. Something that could cast away all the dark clouds of his life.
He lifted her chin. “It’s perfect.” He bent down to kiss her.
Ken hit him on the back. “You get to do that after the ceremony.”
A ceremony that was small in attendance but big on love, their guests cheering, crying and laughing when the couple finally said ‘I do’. They kissed and everyone else faded away as they were briefly swept back to an autumn night on a balcony with the moon bright overhead, wrapped up in a magic that had a name all its own, and then swept forwards years into the future where they renewed their vows one spring afternoon in front of their children and grandchildren.
When they finally pulled apart, Caryn gazed up at the man who was now her husband, knowing she’d found her own true love. A man who’d once been a dashing, dark stranger who now filled every corner of her heart.
She turned to the small crowd, lifted up her dress and gave them a peek of the yellow fishnets she was wearing, which had given her the idea for her dress. While everyone was enjoying the cake Ken had made, she looked up, and through the large restaurant window she saw Rita across the street. The woman who’d helped her to dream of second chances again.
Caryn raced outside as Rita headed to a gray Acura and called out her name.
Rita smiled at her and waved, but didn’t stop. Instead she jumped into her car and drove away. Caryn blinked when she saw her license plate: STCKIGS.
Adrian came out and joined her, a look of worry on his face. “What’s wrong, CeCe?”
She watched the car disappear into traffic, then stared up at him, her gaze brimming with happiness.“Nothing,” she said, cupping his face. “Nothing at all.”
The End
Also Available
If you enjoyed Just One Look don't miss Dara's other works...
Playing for Keeps (Return of the Black Stockings Society, Bk 1)
After Hours (Return of the Black Stockings Society, Bk 2)
A Private Affair (Return of the Black Stockings Society, Bk 3)
Return of the Black Stockings Society 3 Book Bundle
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Table for Two (Book 1 in the Henson Series)
Gaining Interest (Book 2 in the Henson Series)
Careless Rapture (Book 3 in the Henson Series)
Dangerous Curves (Book 4 in the Henson Series)
Familiar Stranger (an extra Henson Series book)
The Henson Brothers (Includes the novels Table for Two and Gaining Interest)
Out of the Past (Includes the novels Careless Rapture and Familiar Stranger)
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The Sapphire Pendant (Book 1 in the Clifton Sisters Series)
The Amber Stone (Book 2 in the Clifton Sisters Series)
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Remember My Name
Illusive Flame
Honest Betrayal
The Daughters of Winston Barnett
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Discover these books and more at www.iloripressbooks.com
About the Author
Dara Girard is an award-winning, national bestselling author of more than thirty books including A Private Affair, The Amber Stone and Dangerous Curves. Dara loves to travel and hear from readers.
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For more information
www.daragirard.com
Copyright Information
Just One Look
Copyright 2016 Sade Odubiyi
Published by ILORI PRESS BOOKS LLC
Cover and Layout Copyright ILORI PRESS BOOKS LLC
Cover Photo © olejah/Dreamstime
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This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or
are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, business establishments, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
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The scanning, uploading, and distributing of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the copyright owner is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.