by Candace Shaw
*****
“You’re in great spirits,” Reagan stated to Brooklyn as they perused a rack of sample bridesmaids’ gowns in a bridal boutique in downtown Brunswick. “In fact, you’re glowing.”
A wide smile she couldn’t suppress emerged on Brooklyn’s face as thoughts of the last month she’d spent playing house with Chase—as Zaria called it—soared through her mind. She loved waking up next to him, making breakfast together, and spending quiet time in the evenings at home or going to the beach since the weather had become a tad cooler and lovebug season had ended. Deciding to live in the moment, she pushed the fact he wouldn’t always be there to the back of her brain. Her decision was one she didn’t regret, especially when she caught him staring at her with an adoration which made her feel like the only woman in the world. This was exactly what she’d always wanted with Chase. A chance to test the waters and see if he was all she imagined. And he was. Even though her heart winced at the thought of him going back to Memphis, she decided to place it out of her mind and whatever happens, happens.
“I’m happy with my decision even if it is temporary, but you and Zaria are definitely the ones glowing.” Brooklyn grimaced and shook her head no at a pink, puffy dress the bride-to-be held up. While salmon pink was Reagan’s color of choice for the bridal party, she wanted each bridesmaid as well as the maid and matron of honor to wear a dress that fit their style and body type. Today they were gathering ideas to present to the other ladies in the bridal party before they all met at the store next week. Reagan wanted everyone to love and be comfortable in their own selected dress as long as it was salmon pink.
Placing the dress back on the rack, Reagan selected a straight, strapless one. “I think Zaria maybe …”
“Yep, I think so, too,” Brooklyn agreed with a knowing wink. “I’m sure she’ll tell us when it’s the right time.”
“As for you, I’m glad you finally came to your senses … well, halfway, but at least you aren’t letting that hunk of chocolate go to waste even if it’s temporary, I suppose.” Reagan shrugged her shoulders, and handed off a few dresses to the sales girl who approached and scurried away to the dressing room where a couple of more dresses awaited. “All ready for your trip to Destin tomorrow?”
“Yes, and I’m so excited!” Brooklyn chose an empire-styled, flowy dress, and Reagan smiled with approval. If Zaria was indeed expecting, this style would be ideal for her. Brooklyn draped it over her arm with three others, and they headed toward the dressing room.
“I’m sure you are. Chase is going with you.”
“That too. But I’m also looking forward to shooting Kameryn’s latest glass art collection.”
“Right. You don’t have to worry about bridezillas, moody flower girls, and hung-over groomsmen itching to sprint to the buffet table and open bar.”
“Exactly. Glass art can’t gripe, complain, become antsy, or talk back. However, I have to obtain the right angles and lighting in order to capture the true essence of the exhibit. Plus, Kameryn has the final approval.”
“Everything will go smoothly. You have an eye for this. Can’t wait to see the finished book. This could definitely lead to other creative projects.”
“That would be nice, but I still wouldn’t mind shooting people as well sometimes, or mentoring and teaching future photographers,” Brooklyn stated, opening the dressing room door. Her mind trekked back to the building for sale in downtown Memphis. “All right, let’s see how many dresses you make me try on today, madam bridezilla.”
“While I’m nothing of the sort, I will say I don’t like the cut of this one for you.”
“I won’t try it on.”
“I’ll go grab some more.”
“Perfect,” Brooklyn said with a half-laugh as she shut the door.
*
Later on that evening, Brooklyn placed the last of her clothes in the suitcase and set it by the front door next to her camera equipment. Chase was at the kitchen table grading midterms and snacking on carrot sticks with bleu cheese dressing. He was off for fall break, and she was elated he would be able to accompany her to Destin. Shopping for bridal party dresses with Reagan reminded Brooklyn that while she was happy in the moment with Chase, their relationship wasn’t going to end up with her planning a wedding with him. Though she could imagine being his wife and spending a lifetime together. Her heart skipped a beat before thumping hard against her chest. Brooklyn shook her head at the craziness she was putting herself through; however, in the end she’d have to suck up the hurt, lock that chapter forever, and move on with her life.
Get it together, girl. This was your bright idea, remember?
Taking her camera out of its bag, Brooklyn treaded lightly to the kitchen entrance so she wouldn’t disturb him and switched off the flash. She snapped a few pictures to remember their quiet times like these where they were doing separate tasks but fully aware of the other person.
“I see you, Brook,” he whispered, still staring intently at an exam before marking it and grabbing the next one.
“I know.”
“You can join me.”
“Nope. I know you need to finish before we leave, and I need to make sure I have everything for the trip. The car service will be here promptly at six in the morning to take us to the private airport. Kameryn is a stickler for punctuality, so I need to make sure everything is in place.”
A devilish grin crossed his face. “You packed bikinis?” He looked up, tossed the pen on the table, and leaned back in his chair.
“Yes, but I was referring to work related items.”
“Can’t wait to see you in your true element.”
She tilted her head to the side. “You’ve seen me at plenty of weddings and events. Couldn’t take your eyes off of me,” she said, remembering the times she’d peek through her camera and catch him staring at her with a delicious smile. She would snap a quick picture before turning away.
“Mmm … yes, but this will be more of a creative type of project. Your true calling.”
Brooklyn simply nodded her head because he was right. She was never excited over a wedding unless she knew the bride and groom. Otherwise, it was simply a job she dreaded waking up for.
A light tap at the patio door sent their attention to it as it opened, and Addison stuck her head inside with one hand covering her eyes, wearing a mischievous smirk.
“Is it safe to come in? Are ya’ll naked?”
“No, Journey,” Chase replied, with a half-laugh. “It’s safe to come in.”
“Okay, cool,” Addison said, entering the kitchen and heading straight to the freezer. “I’m not used to having to peep in. Brooklyn rarely has male company. I wanted to grab the rest of the shrimp from the freezer for dinner before I head to the midnight bowling event I set up for the teachers’ association. They needed to release stress on a Friday night.”
“Girl, I don’t know how you do it,” Brooklyn said, sitting next to Chase. “But you’re young.”
“I enjoy what I do … for now.”
“That’s right,” Chase teased. “You’ll find something else eventually, and I guess it won’t be law school.”
“You got that right,” Addison answered matter-of-factly, leaning against the counter next to the refrigerator. “Brook, did you and Reagan select bridal party dresses today?”
“We perused the samples. I tried on about twenty since I won’t be with you guys next week. Today she wanted to view the samples of Elle Lauren’s latest collection in person. Elle is personally designing Reagan’s wedding dress.”
“Cool. Glad she decided to marry on St. Simons after all. An intimate island wedding is perfect.”
“Reagan and Blake love the beach. They are truly beach bums. I want my wedding at my family’s church where my parents were married.”
“For real?” Addison switched her eyes back and forth at her brother and Brooklyn. “Well, alrighty then. Send me an invite you two lovebugs.” She winked and skipped out the backdoor with her
frozen bag of shrimp.
Brooklyn turned her head to hide the flushness washing over her face like a tidal wave. The image of gliding down the aisle in her mother’s dress to marry Chase trampled through her mind. She immediately stood to make her way to anywhere away from him, but he reached out his hand to hers, settling her on his lap.
“Not so fast. Church wedding? My mother will love it… and you. Just tell me what time to be there and where you want to go on our honeymoon. Paris is nice. Or maybe Madrid.”
Chase said it so seriously, for a moment she believed him. “Ha ha. I wasn’t referring to us. I meant in general. Wait. You think your mother would like me?” It doesn’t matter, and this conversation is pointless, she thought.
“I said love not like. She’d adore you. You’re independent and goal-oriented like her. She would appreciate the fact you’re chasing your dream of creative photography and not settling for something you don’t have the heart for. She’s actually on Addi’s side about not following in the family’s footsteps. I admire that about you as well. I know when I move back to Memphis this is over according to you, but I’d still like to know about your career decisions and when you decide to finally leave Precious Moments.”
Brooklyn hadn’t thought about life after him and whether or not they would remain in contact. She had assumed they wouldn’t for it would make it harder. “Sure, I can do that,” she replied, sliding off his lap, glad the wedding talk nonsense was over.
“Great,” he said, opening a folder and pulling out a booklet. “I have a few more midterms to grade.”
“I’ll let you get back to it. Going to my office to double check my list. I can’t have any mistakes this time.”
“Hmm … I need to finish packing,” he said as if he just remembered. “It won’t take long. Just tossing some shorts and casual shirts in my suitcase. Oh, and my golf clubs.”
Swiping a bottled water from the refrigerator, she headed toward the stairs of her home office. “Don’t forget the swim trunks,” she called out. “Oh, wait. You can leave them here. The beach house we rented has an indoor pool. We can go skinny dipping.”
“Now I know why I love you, babe. You have the best ideas.”
Brooklyn froze at the bottom of the staircase and tightened her grip on the banister when he said the “L” word. It was a phrase she’d heard Chase use before with Addison and on the phone with a friend. However, he had never said it to her, and while he probably didn’t mean anything by it, for some reason it was on the tip of her tongue to say it back. She heard papers rustling and carrot crunching, so clearly he was back to grading midterms and not waiting for a “I love you, too” response. Shaking her head at the paranoia she was placing herself in, she jetted to her office.
Later that night, Brooklyn laid nestled in Chase’s warm, secure embrace as he rested peacefully against her back in a sound sleep. However, she was wide awake, still brewing over the “L” word and how it was still on the tip of her tongue to tell him. Falling in love with Chase had been her fear all along, and one of the reasons she tried to stop their courtship cold turkey. However, deep down she was drawn to him since the moment they’d met. Nevertheless, this predicament was her own fault. She should’ve continued admiring him from afar, but she had to have him and now was restraining herself from telling him the three little words which would roll effortlessly through her lips.
Chapter Fourteen
“It’s a wrap!” Brooklyn yelled out as she snapped the last picture of the Creatures of the Sea exhibit at the Fine Arts Gallery in Destin, Florida. She shook hands with the two lighting techs she hired to assist with the shoot. “You guys were amazing with helping me capture the right spirit of the exhibit. And we finished in the nick of time. The doors open in an hour. Let’s take this stuff out of here.”
Once all the equipment was packed and secured in the van, she headed back inside to the lobby, where she spotted Kameryn reviewing last minute details with the museum staff. The private showing and cocktail party was that evening for local VIPs and the press. The doors officially opened tomorrow for the general public. Brooklyn was staying to take pictures of the event for an hour before heading home to change and have dinner with Chase. He’d sent a text earlier stating he missed her and couldn’t wait for her to witness the evening he’d planned for them. She hadn’t seen him since leaving for the museum at seven in the morning, and he was off to the golf course to play a few rounds with his frat brother who lived not far on Hamilton Island.
“We’re all done,” Brooklyn informed Kameryn once the staff scattered to their positions.
“I can’t wait to see the photos.” Kameryn clapped her hands rapidly. “This experience has been wonderful, and I’m even enjoying all the perks.” She glanced down at her flowy, white maxi dress. “I may have to keep this one.” She winked as the ladies began to stroll along an exhibit of jellyfish following a school of fish. “A local boutique is loaning it out along with the shoes and turquoise jewelry. I have to mention the store on my social media pages.”
“It all looks awesome on you,” Brooklyn complimented, while remembering her last encounter with jellyfish and Chase’s compassion in making sure she was fine followed by the first time they made love. “Definitely your style.”
“Thank you. I’m so glad you were able to be here for the private showing. I have another one right before the new year in Memphis. I hope you can attend.”
“Yes, your assistant sent me the information.”
“Perfect. It was a last minute request from the botanical gardens for their Christmas Winter Wonderland. Luckily, it’s only five pieces. It wasn’t on my already overbooked schedule to create, but it will be cool to add to the book.”
“No problem. I was going to be home around that time anyway. Rasheed is having his annual New Year’s Eve bash.”
“Mmm … that’s wonderful. I haven’t been with my family in years for Christmas, much to my parents’ chagrin. They moved to Hamilton Island a few years ago after they retired. My mom is a Hamilton, and we used to spend most summer vacations and Christmas there with my maternal grandparents, so it’s like my second home away from Savannah. Christmas is such a big deal on the island with festivals, decorating contests, and tree lightings. One day I’ll go, I suppose, but it’s a busy time of year for me. However, my parents will be here tonight, and I’m spending the day there tomorrow. Do you go home for Christmas?”
“It’s been a few years. Sometimes we have weddings on Christmas Eve, or Rasheed and his family go on vacation until the New Year’s Eve bash, so I may spend it with Reagan or Zaria on the island or sometimes alone.” She hated to admit the holidays to her weren’t as special since her parents died. Rasheed had felt the same way as well until he married and started a family of his own.
“Well, you won’t be alone this year thanks to the hunk of chocolate you brought along with you. Girl, if a man ever looked at me the way he looks at you maybe I’d give marriage a try again. I loved the way he held you close to him when we encountered a little turbulence on the flight. So sweet and attentive.”
“I’m sure you’ll marry again if that’s what you desire,” Brooklyn encouraged, ignoring her friend’s statement about her and Chase. She hadn’t mentioned to him she would be in Memphis for the holiday season. He was leaving St. Simons beforehand, thus ending their tryst.
“Girl, please. I’m a self-proclaimed workaholic. A husband would just be in my way. My ex divorced me because he said I forgot I was married. Not true, but I don’t think we realized how my career—which started as a hobby—would take off overnight, and I found myself working non-stop. But it’s fine.”
Brooklyn noted a tinge of sorrow in Kameryn’s tone as if she was convincing herself she was happy. “I didn’t realize you were married before.”
“Yep. Straight out of college, but we were high school sweethearts. Lasted three years. We had our wedding at my grandparents’ home on Hamilton Island … but that was a lifetime ago.” A wist
ful sigh emerged as she cast her eyes downward for a moment before placing her attention on Brooklyn. “Anyway, what are your plans for the rest of your time here?”
“Not sure. Chase said he’s made some plans for us.”
“Ah … how wonderful. You found yourself a keeper. And it’s perfect he lives in Memphis.”
“Yep. Just perfect,” Brooklyn agreed, not wanting to share it didn’t matter that he lived in Memphis. She didn’t and wasn’t going to ever again. “Looks like your guests are beginning to arrive,” Brooklyn said as Kameryn’s assistant was bringing over a local news crew and patrons began to enter the museum.
“Let the games began,” Kameryn stated, readjusting her braids around her shoulders. “Now, don’t stay too long. Snap a few pictures of the patrons admiring the exhibit for an hour or so and then skedaddle home to your future husband,” Kameryn demanded with a wink before scurrying in the direction of a news anchor who was ready for an interview.
Brooklyn laughed off her friend’s last comment, and for the next hour snapped pictures of the event; however, on her way back to the beach rental, her mind couldn’t shake the thought of being married to Chase. It wasn’t the first time her brain had driven her there, and while she did want to be married one day, it wasn’t the end all be all for her. She’d had a couple of long-term relationships, but she wasn’t ever upset or even concerned with the fact they didn’t end in marriage. Then again, it was never something she’d imagined with any of them … or at least not in a serious manner, but with Chase she could and it scared her.
Entering the gate of the beach rental, Brooklyn parked the car in the driveway and exhaled in order to rid her head of the nonsense it was filled with. As she slid out of the car, the front door of the house opened and Chase stepped out holding two glasses of what looked like margaritas.
“Welcome home, babe,” he said as they met halfway and he handed her the cocktail. “How was your day?”