In Love by Christmas

by Cari Lynn Webb

  She let herself out of the house. Let herself cry one block from his house.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  “THEO, YOU SHOULD go after Josie.” Adriana set the garment bag on the bar stool.

  “To what purpose?” He paced around the island, opened the refrigerator and closed it. He wasn’t hungry. Or thirsty. He was restless.

  “To tell her that you love her,” Adriana said.

  Love. Theo flattened his palms on the marble island and closed his eyes.

  “You do love her, don’t you?” his mother asked.

  “How do I know?” Theo squeezed his eyes closed. “I don’t know anything about love.”

  But what he knew in the depths of his soul, deep inside his bones, was that he missed Josie with an intensity that suffocated him. That for the first time in his life he wanted to call someone to hear her voice. Share her laughter, not make a business deal. He wanted to have dinner not to formalize a contract or negotiate an agreement, but to enjoy the food and the company. He wanted to settle in for the night with his arms wrapped around Josie, not his laptop or his spreadsheets. Theo clenched his fists.

  He loved her. He was in love with Josie Beck.

  And miserable. Completely and utterly.

  He’d let her walk away. Twice. First at the gala. Then right now here at his house. He’d let her walk out of his life. “What am I supposed to do now?”

  “Win her back,” his mother said.

  Theo eyed her. “You don’t even like her.”

  “I misjudged her.” His mother’s voice was more pensive, less polished. “For that, I owe her and you an apology. I’m very, very sorry. Oh, Theo, you don’t have to look so surprised.”

  “It’s just... I am surprised.”

  “Let me surprise you even more.” His mother turned toward Adriana and took her hands. “I’m also sorry if any of my recent incidents caused problems between you and Ryan. That wasn’t ever the intent.”

  Adriana glanced at Theo. He recovered his surprise first. He asked, “What was your intent?”

  “I was hoping your sister would become a bit more of a bridezilla.” His mother released Adriana and wandered into the kitchen as if she’d just announced nothing more significant than she wanted a second cup of coffee.

  Adriana prepared herself a cup of coffee as if the additional caffeine might help her understand. “Why would you want me to be like that?”

  “It makes for great video.” His mother set the garment bag on the couch. “Things like that can go viral.”

  “Why do you want video of Adriana going viral?” Theo poured himself a cup of coffee. A headache throbbed at the base of his neck. “Is this for the TV show?”

  “No,” his mother said. “But I do have thoughts about the programming and schedule that I’d like to share with you sometime this week.”

  His mother wanted to turn his sister into a bridezilla. And now she wanted to sit down and discuss the format of the upcoming TV show. He’d admitted he was in love. Technically that should only turn his own world upside down. The whole world should not be turning over, too. “This was all fake then,” Theo said. The wedding-dress fiasco. The matchmaking. The floral shop. The bakery. He waved his hands around, unable to still his sudden irritation.

  “No. I intend to have a winter wedding. And for it to be a cover story.” His mother grabbed each of their hands. “And I fully intend to have my children’s blessing when I do it.”

  “Then what was this?” Theo asked.

  She picked up her phone, tapped on the screen and handed it to Theo. “It was for my vlog.”

  “Vlog,” Theo repeated. “What is HelenTs101?”

  “That’s the name of my video blog.” His mother took back her phone. Her grin slanted into mischievous. Satisfaction slipped into her tone. “It’s quite clever. It stands for, well, me and my helpful tips and advice on a number of subjects, many related to Coast to Coast Living.”

  “Mother.” Adriana walked to the island and took their mother’s phone. “You have an active vlog? A live, real-time vlog?”

  “I have quite the following.” Their mother tapped a finger against her chin. “Although I haven’t been able to increase my reach like I’ve wanted. I was going to ask you about that, Adriana.”

  “Me?” Adriana looked up from the phone.

  “Of course. You’re one of the best social-media minds at the company.” She glanced between Theo and Adriana. “Don’t you two ever talk to the staff?”

  Theo held up his hand. “We’ll come back to Adriana. Mother, what is this vlog about?”

  “I started speaking about remodeling and offering simple refashioning advice. Then I grew into personal topics, as well, for the half-century group.” She walked into the kitchen and poured herself a glass of water. “Now I’m offering relationship advice relevant to all ages.”

  Adriana set the phone on the marble counter. “Theo, she has over five million followers.”

  Their mother squeezed a lemon into her water. Exasperation squeezed into her words. “It’s not nearly enough.”

  “It’s impressive,” Theo said. “Why did you start?”

  “To prove to you that I could be useful.” His mother settled onto a bar stool and stared into her water glass. “I wanted to prove to you that I could bring value to the company and to our family.”

  Theo rocked back on his heels. That was his priority. That was his job. “I don’t understand.”

  “I thought if you saw my work, you might allow me to consult on the TV show.” She sipped her water.

  “It’s not a bad idea.” Adriana moved around the island, closer to Theo. “I would like to do more at the company, as well. I have a title, but no true responsibilities.”

  Theo retreated. “You don’t think I can run the business?”

  “This isn’t about you running the business.” Frustration rattled through his sister’s words. She pulled herself together, started again. “This is about mother and I being an active part of the business. Really contributing so you don’t have to do everything all by yourself.”

  “You want active roles at the company,” Theo clarified.

  Adriana held up her hand. “I want to do more than be your stand-in at events around town. If I’m going to give speeches and press releases on behalf of the company, I want to write those. Not you.”

  Their mother tapped the counter. “Adriana really should be in charge of the PR and marketing area. Ask the staff in those departments, if you don’t believe me.”

  He couldn’t believe he was having this conversation. He couldn’t believe they hadn’t had it sooner. Or, perhaps, he could. He’d been so busy listening to himself and his own counsel that he had failed to hear the people around him. Until Josie. Until Josie forced him to hear her. To see her. “There’s something you should both know.”

  Their mother raised her hands. “We’re going to disagree over things at work. That we should all know up front and accept right now.”

  “But that might not be a problem.” Only Josie had disagreed with him recently. Yet she’d pushed to him to look at things differently. He was better for it. He borrowed from her now. “As long as we don’t quit on each other. As long we keep talking through our arguments.”

  “It’s going to take some practice,” Adriana said.

  “We’re doing quite well right now.” Their mother smiled.

  “There’s something else.” Theo paused. But there was no good way to tell them. They wanted to be included. Would they back out or double down? He should’ve fought for Josie. He should never have backed out. “I’ve been positioning the company to go public.”

  Adriana sat down beside her mother. “When?”

  “The Monday after your wedding. The day before Christmas Eve—an early Christmas surprise,” Theo said. That day everything wou
ld’ve been perfect. Everyone would’ve understood. Now, nothing was perfect. Yet, it felt even more right. Sitting here with his sister and mother talking about the business felt right.

  “That’s why you changed everything,” Adriana said.

  “The potential shareholders wanted Coast to Coast to prove we could be viable in the wedding sector.” Theo dumped extra sugar and cream into his coffee. He doubted the sweetness could mute the bitterness in his tone. “I never meant to ruin your wedding.”

  “What did you mean to do?” Adriana asked.

  “Take the business to the next level. Grow the brand and the profit,” he said. “Make sure you were both happy.”

  “You’re confusing us with your father, Theo.” His mother spun her water glass in her hands. “He would never let himself be happy. Never let himself be satisfied.”

  “You’re doing the same thing as him,” Adriana said.

  Theo closed his eyes. “I thought you both would want this. That you would—”

  “Love you more.” His mother stood and walked around the counter. “No one can love you, Theo, if you won’t let yourself love.”

  “Love makes you weak. Love makes you content.” How many times had his father repeated that flaw, reminded Theo not to become like him? Warned Theo not to have any regrets. Well, Theo had one regret. Her name was Josie.

  “More of your father’s wisdom.” His mother shook her head. “Your father never let himself be content. He never stopped to enjoy his life. To cherish the little moments as much as the big ones. And that was his biggest regret.”

  “I’m not weaker for loving Ryan.” Adriana came around the counter to join them. “I’m stronger because of him and his love for me.”

  Josie had been stronger today. Inside his house. Theo wanted to believe he had a part in that. But he knew his bigger role was in hurting her. In breaking her heart. “You’ve twisted me up. Turned around everything I know.”

  “We know we want to keep the business in the family.” Adriana reached for his hand. “Run it our way. Not the way the shareholders dictate.”

  “You’re sure?” Theo looked at his mother, then his sister. Waited for their consent. “I’m not used to giving up control.”

  “We aren’t asking you to give up anything.” Adriana squeezed his hand. “We’re only asking you to let us help.”

  “To let us feel like we have a purpose, too,” his mother added.

  “I can do that,” he said. He might even like it. He’d been sitting in his office alone and carrying the weight. There was something appealing about the support. About knowing it came from his family—a family who wanted to be involved. Who asked to be involved.

  His mother laughed. “As long as we’re on a roll, turning Theo’s world upside down, Adriana, can we see the dress?”

  Adriana nodded, bounced around the island and picked up the garment bag. “Mother, will you help me?”

  “I’d be delighted.” His mother wrapped her arm around Theo’s waist and hugged him. “Wish us luck.”

  “You won’t need it,” he said. “Josie created that gown specifically for Adriana. It’s her gift.” She’d been his gift, too. And he’d lost her.

  Theo walked to the family room and the Christmas tree. He wanted a do-over. He wanted a replay. He wanted...

  “Theo...” His sister’s voice barely reached him.

  He turned around. He wanted what his sister had with Ryan. What his mother had had with his father. What Shanna and every other bride of Josie’s had with their grooms. He wanted what only Josie could give him. A forever kind of love.

  Tears streamed down both his sister’s and his mother’s faces. But there was a glimmer in their gazes, a glow in their cheeks. That was the magic Josie talked about. The magic Josie created. In one dress, she granted the bride her own fairy tale.

  “What do you think?” His mother’s voice lacked her usual potency.

  “I think it’s amazing.” From the illusion sleeve to the rosette-trimmed train to the delicate veil. Every hand stitch showcased his sister. Enhanced her beauty. Radiated her love. “I think it’s perfect. Truly perfect.”

  Adriana lifted the hem. “She even embroidered our initials and wedding date in blue thread on the inside. Along with Grandmother Pearl’s initials and wedding date.”

  His mother sighed. “There’s not going to be a dry eye at the wedding.”

  “It’s the best of Grandma Pearl’s dress mixed with me.” Adriana set her hands on her cheeks and squealed. “I have to get my groom back. We have a wedding this weekend.”

  “Let’s get you out of this dress quickly.” Their mother unclipped the veil and draped it over her arms.

  “What can I do?” Theo asked.

  His mother and sister turned toward him. Adriana shook her head. “Nothing. You need to win back your own true love.”

  His mother nodded. “Your sister is right, you know.”

  “I don’t know what I’m supposed to do.” Theo threw his hands up in the air. “Who I’m supposed to be.”

  “What if you’re the man you are supposed to be with Josie at your side?” Adriana locked her gaze on him. “Why don’t you be that man?”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  JOSIE ADJUSTED THE asymmetrical neckline of her floor-length gown. The crimson-and-black silk chiffon was flowy, bold and confident. Josie lost her confidence at the top step of the entrance to the cathedral. She shouldn’t have come.

  Despite Adriana’s phone call, issuing a personal invite.

  Despite Mia’s encouragement.

  Despite her two chaperones and their insistence.

  Helen and Jin linked arms and finished their climb up the cathedral’s staircase. Helen touched her forehead. “I might need another hip replacement after that jaunt.”

  Jin laughed. “It’s going to be worth it. Weddings always are.”

  Or it was going to be a disaster. Josie fiddled with the waist of her gown. She should’ve never left one shoulder bare. She’d never worn a gown quite like this one. She’d never created a gown quite like this one. Never been to a wedding like this one.

  She could turn around. Going down the stairs was certain to be easier than the climb up. Mia was documenting everything on her camera as the official wedding photographer. Josie could easily relive the day in pictures and film. She didn’t have to live it now. Live.

  “I recovered my breath.” Helen linked her arm around Josie’s. “Now I’ll be able to respond to the questions about your wedding-dress design appropriately.”

  “Adriana might not be wearing her grandmother’s gown.” Josie lowered her voice as the women entered the cathedral. “She never actually told me what dress she’d chosen.”

  Jin shooed away her argument. “Of course, she is wearing your gown.”

  “And if she isn’t, I have my breath back to give her a word or two about not honoring her grandmother.” Helen huffed as if she’d taken on the role of ensuring grandmothers everywhere were honored properly.

  The women bookended Josie and escorted her inside the church. Christmas trees adorned the front of the church, as wide as they were tall. Candles had been lit in the historic chandeliers and their light reflected off the collection of stained-glass windows lining every wall. Inside the church, the history was revered and celebrated, while the modern was accepted. The women took seats toward the back of the church and maneuvered Josie to the end of the pew near the center aisle.

  Jin leaned toward her. “This way you’ll have the best view of your gown.”

  Helen preened at a young couple behind them and pointed at Josie. “She’s the wedding-dress designer.”

  The couple offered polite congratulations. Josie tried not to slip under the pew and prayed Adriana wore her gown.

  The pipe organ struck the first keys of the “Wedding March.”
The guests rose and shifted to face the back of the church. Josie gripped the pew in front of her and kept her focus on the front of the cathedral. A sweet flower girl stopped next to Josie and handed her several rose petals. The ring bearer tugged the little girl down the aisle. Four more bridesmaids walked down the aisle in deep purple dresses. Then the gasps and murmurs flowed from the back of the church, sweeping over Josie.

  Jin clutched Josie’s arm. Josie shifted her head and swayed. Theo was beside her, his tuxedo impeccably tailored to his frame. On his arm, his sister wore her Grandmother Pearl’s upscaled wedding dress. Those murmurs continued through to the front of the church. Dazed, Josie sat in the pew and spent the remainder of the ceremony focused on Theo.

  A highlight in her career. A boost for her boutique. Adriana Taylor wore her upscaled vintage gown. A Josie Beck redesign. Josie should be in the pew celebrating and organizing her business cards. Instead she watched Theo. Wondered if he looked thinner. She’d seen him five long—very long—days ago.

  Wondered if he looked tired. That could be the candlelight.

  Wondered if he searched the guests, looking for her. That was absurd.

  If he’d wanted her at the wedding, he would’ve called her himself.

  If he’d wanted her in his life, he would’ve fought for her.

  Josie cried for the couple and their obvious love. Cried for herself and her one-sided affection. Jin passed her a tissue. Helen patted her arm.

  Finally, Adriana and Ryan shared a kiss as husband and wife. Finally, the celebration began. Finally, Josie could escape.

  She walked out of the cathedral, but strangers intercepted her. Asked about the gown. The inspiration for Adriana’s veil. Asked for business cards. Asked for consultations. Helen and Jin offered their own advice. Held court on the talented Josie Beck.

  Theo emerged from the church and stood beside Josie. His hand on her back almost undid her. He answered a question from a reporter. His voice sure and effective. “Adriana and Ryan’s wedding is a blend of the new while honoring family and the past. Something we learned was possible from Josie Beck.” His fingers flexed on her back. His next words were only for her. “You came and I’m unprepared. But I need to talk to you.”