by Beth Michele
“Tell me.”
A soft smile spreads across her lips and her cheeks flush pink. “That I was meant to be yours all along, like even before we got here. I know that probably sounds silly.”
“I don’t think it’s silly at all. I believe there’s something bigger, you know? There has to be with all those stars. Come on, open your gift,” I whisper, “I suck at waiting now.”
She nods and smiles before clawing at the wrapped box. She rips off the paper and opens the lid, letting out a tiny gasp of surprise. Lying on a bed of cotton is a delicate silver necklace threaded with a silver teardrop, a star, and a heart. She holds it up, and as the charms twirl round in the air, she reads the engraving on the back of the teardrop—“life.” On the back of the star—“hope.” And on the back of the heart—“love.” The creases of her eyes pool with tears and she clutches it against her chest. “It’s beautiful, Dylan.”
My fingers find hers and I link them together then pull her hand to my heart. “I wanted to give you back all the things you’ve given me.”
She tilts her head on a sigh, kissing every part of my face with her gaze. Tears cascade down her cheeks and land on her blouse. “Will you put it on?”
“Of course.” I gather her hair and drape it over one shoulder, sliding the chain around her neck and clasping the loop in the back. “There.”
She takes the charms between her fingers and rubs her thumb gently across each one as if making a wish. “I love it so much, thank you.” She pats her tears with the sleeve of her shirt. “Now it’s my turn,” she says, and her eyes are once again embroidered with excitement while mine are pulled together in confusion.
“It’s your birthday, you’re not supposed to be giving me a present.”
“Oh well. Reach over the edge of the sofa, will ya?” She winks and the hairs on the back of my neck prickle as I extend my arm over the side of the couch. I lift the square package off the carpet while her gaze is focused entirely on me.
“Come on, open it,” she says with an air of nervous excitement.
“Feels like a book?”
“Stop guessing and just open it.” Her arms are crossed over her chest and she’s in bossy mode so I know I don’t stand a chance. I unfold the paper to find what appears to be a scrapbook. On the cover is a simple red heart. But it’s when I open the book that my pulse begins to race, my eyes start to water. Page after page of my words, the poems I’ve penned over the years, all printed in black calligraphy. I stop on the last one, the poem that my father ripped in half but I pieced back together.
I set the book down and take Evie’s face in my hands, resting my forehead against hers. “Evie, this is… this… it means so much to me. My words—”
She places her fingers against my lips, tears tracking down her cheeks. “No,” she says in a breathy whisper, “your heart. It’s all there and it’s so beautiful. I love you, Dylan Reid.
I RECLINE BACK against the wall, listening to Evie play the piano. I watch, the corners of her lips lifting into a larger than life smile. Everything inside me blooms as the melody floats through the air.
Gran comes over and bumps up against my shoulder, whispering, “She plays so beautifully now.” A tiny noise travels up her throat. “She’s so much like her mother, Dylan. She has that same spirit.”
“I know, she is.” I turn to Gran. “Did she tell you that she plays piano now for some of the kids at the hospital where she volunteers, and she’s been trying to teach some of them to play, too?”
“Yes, and I’m so happy, dear. For her, and for you, too.”
“Thanks, Gran,” I reply, as the front door opens and Trey struts into the living room. I glance over at Evie. “Who invited the hot physical therapist?”
Evie and Zoey erupt into full, shoulder-shaking laughter, and Zoey raises her hand high in the air with a proud smile. “Guilty as charged, DW.”
I walk over and shake Trey’s hand then take a seat on the bench next to Evie’s wheelchair. “So, your sister has a thing for Trey?”
“Maybe. You never know with Zoey. By the way,” she looks toward the stairs, “where the heck did Nora go? She disappeared to the bathroom a while ago but hasn’t come back down.”
“Nope. Come to think of it, Braden went to the bathroom, too. Interesting, considering there’s only one bathroom up there.” We both look at each other at the same time and laugh.
“Well, I guess Nora doesn’t like Braden anymore,” she points out, which makes absolutely no sense to me. But then again, we’re talking about Nora.
“I don’t even want to venture a guess as to what that means.”
“That’s probably smart,” she teases, banging on a few of the keys.
“Time for cake!” Wanda yells, and everyone claps. Evie tucks her head into my neck and I lean down and kiss her temple.
A few minutes later, as they’re cutting the cake, I hear a subtle tap, tap, tap, on the glass doors leading out to the porch. My face instantly brightens, lips quirking up into a mischievous grin. When I look over at Evie, she’s already smiling. Her eyes are stunning, a twinkling blue.
Setting my plate on the table, I cross the room and scoop her up out of her wheelchair and she squeaks. Not from surprise, simply because she knows exactly what we’re doing, where we’re going. She leans her head against my shoulder and I kiss her hair and exhale a contented sigh. Her scent sends me to another place. The only place that matters.
“What are you two doing? You can’t leave your own party, Evie?” Wanda says, taking a pause, holding the knife in midair.
“Excuse us, but Evie and I have a date,” I say politely, and I watch as warm smiles cover Jordan and Zoey’s faces. They know.
By the time we make it outside, the rain is slightly more than a drizzle, tiny drops splashing our faces. I stare at Evie, her eyes shimmering with life, happy giggles tumbling from her mouth. “Are you having a good birthday?”
“The best,” she says, and I brush a few strands of damp hair away from her eyes. “I feel like I need to pinch myself. I’m so happy and I can’t believe you’re mine.”
“I’ve always been yours. You just had your eyes closed, Hopper,” I tease, placing whisper-soft kisses along her jaw.
“Good thing they’re open now,” she grins, letting her head fall back to give me better access to her neck.
“You know, someday soon I’m going to ask you to marry me.”
As I say the words, my heart speeds up, and she pulls herself forward to meet my intense gaze. Light rain dances over her cheeks, her lips curled into a riveting smile. I’ve never seen her more beautiful than she is right now.
“And someday soon I’m going to say yes.”
Maybe it’s the whisper of the sky, or perhaps it’s my Grandfather’s watch weighing heavy in my pocket. Whatever it is, the words leave my mouth without thought.
“How about now?”
“How about now, what?” she asks, her red strands falling like a drape as she angles her head to the side, searching my eyes.
“Evie, I… You….”
“What is it, Dylan?”
I exhale a breath but suddenly need more air. “You stretch my soul, Evie. You make me want to do better, reach higher. You’re the bravest person I know and I’m in awe of you. You know,” I pause, summoning my own courage now, “you’re the same to me as you were before the accident. So sometimes now, I’m your legs. But sometimes you’re my smile, and you’ve always been my heart. You’ve carried me my whole life,” I breathe. “Now let me carry you. Let me love you. Be my forever, Evie. Marry me.”
Her eyes widen, her hand splays across her chest, over her heart.
“What?”
“I think I loved you from the first time I saw you.” I trail my fingertips along the soft skin of her cheek. “Through stargazing and cotton candy, too many lost games of tag, lots of last goodnights, swings that creak, melted ice cream on front steps. It’s only ever been you. You’re my best friend. The girl I fell in love with. And
the woman I want to love for the rest of my life. Nothing’s going to change for me, today, tomorrow, in ten years. I want to marry you, Evie.”
“Yes,” she says in the softest whisper as she wraps her arms around my neck and I spin us in circles in the rain. She draws back, both of us dizzy with happiness, and love. “Where’s the ring?” She grins.
“Shit, I need a ring.” Her mouth falls open, droplets of rain trickling in, and I smile.
“Can we pinky swear on it?”
“Oh well, I suppose you’re good for it,” she says, then loops her pinky around mine.
“Give me your finger, you silly girl.” And she immediately does as I ask, while I dig in my pocket for the ring that I hadn’t planned on giving her today. I slide it onto her finger and her lips part on a gasp as she stares at the vintage diamond engagement ring that belonged to her mother.
“Oh my God, Dylan. My mother’s ring. How… w-where did you get it?”
“Zoey gave it to me.”
“I love it, and I love you, so much,” she murmurs, tears spilling down her cheeks. “It’s absolutely perfect.” She gazes at the ring in admiration before focusing back on me.
Happiness looks so damn good on her.
“So, do you want to know how the story ends?”
“Tell me,” she prods, her breath fanning my skin.
I sweep my lips over hers, slow and sweet. “He kissed her,” I whisper, “with the breath of a thousand lives, because that’s how long he’d loved her.”
A bright smile lights up her eyes, and my soul rejoices. “And she kissed him right back, because she’d loved him just as long.”
“Forever, right, Dills?”
“Forever, Evie.”
Beth Michele is the author of Love Love, Lovely, Scarred Beautiful, Finding Autumn, Rex, and For the Love of Raindrops. She is a Connecticut native who loves spending time with her husband and two children. If you can’t find her, though, she’s probably hiding out with her laptop or her kindle somewhere quiet, preferably a spot overlooking the ocean. She has an affinity for Twizzlers, is a hopeless romantic, and a happily ever after fanatic.
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Love Love
Lovely
Scarred Beautiful
Finding Autumn
Rex
To Richard, for your love, for your light, for always supporting me and standing by my side. For your belief in this story and your belief in me. I love you.
To Isabella and Richie. Thank you for being so patient with Mom while I was writing this book. For being understanding when I said I needed one more minute, and then one more after that. You are my true joys, you are my smile, and you are my heart. I love you.
To Nikki Groom. You may be on the other side of the sky, but you are always in my heart and in my thoughts. Your friendship is a true gift, as is your support, and your love. Thank you for knowing what I need before I even open my mouth. Two peas in a pod. Love you Bubs!!!
To AJ Warner. You are a gem and I’m so glad that somehow in this fabulous book world we connected. I’m grateful for our friendship, for your crazy spirit that matches mine, and for your support. Love You Biscuit!!!
To Vi Keeland. What can I say Larry? I feel truly thankful that our paths crossed and am so grateful for your friendship and your support. I love our chats and your ability to always make me laugh! Love you Larry!!
To Cheryl McIntyre. Thank you for your friendship, for all of our talks, for listening, making me smile, and sometimes pulling me back from the ledge. I appreciate you both as a friend and as a fellow author. Thank you for taking time out of your busy writing and home life to read and give me feedback on my story. So much love and respect for you!
To Dawn McIntyre. Thank you for your friendship, and for always making time for me. For your suggestions, your enthusiasm, and your amazing feedback. Oh, and for that eagle eye of yours! I appreciate you so much!
To Erika Gutermuth, Barb Johnson, Cristina Arpin, Andromeda Jewls, Kizzy Williams, Sherrie Cannitello-Fahey, and Caroline Hattrich for being so supportive and encouraging with my writing and my novels. You guys rock my world!!
To Stephanie Addison-Fontaine for, well, just about everything. Your love, your support, your friendship. I admire your strength, your passion, and your courage, and I love you!!
To my fellow authors. Thank you for being a constant source of inspiration, and for all of your support and encouragement.
To all of the bloggers who willingly take the time to read, review, share, and promote. There is no way that I could get the word out about my books without you. From blog tours, to reviews, to ARCs, to all the little messages I receive containing your enthusiasm and excitement for my novels. I can never thank you enough. Thank you to Natalie Catalano and the ladies at Love Between the Sheets for always doing such a wonderful job organizing my release blitz’s, blog tours, and anything else that my mind conjures up!
To Sommer Stein. For the most beautiful and perfect cover, as always, and for putting up with me and my perfectionist ways! I know I can be a big pain and I appreciate your understanding and your PATIENCE!!!
To Angela McLaurin, who I rely on and trust with making my novel absolutely smashing. Thank you for always going above and beyond, and for being there for me at the drop of a hat!
To Lea Burn, for being as neurotic as I am about putting out a piece of work that I can be proud of, and for pushing back when I absolutely need it. Your advice and comments are invaluable and I’m grateful to you.
To Derek and Amy Watkins for being the most perfect models and amazing real-life couple, and allowing me to take something precious of yours and share it with the world. Thank you so much!
To Tim Davis, for taking the most beautiful picture that is everything I imagined and more for my cover.
Finally, to my readers. I honestly don’t know how to express what it means to me that you take the time to read my work, send me messages, mention me in posts, and spread the word about my books. You always manage to put the biggest smile on my face. Knowing my writing has made a difference in your life is what makes a difference in mine. I hope that Dylan and Evie’s story has touched you, even in some small way. Thank you!
Say It Again – Natasha Bedingfield
Love Like This – Natasha Bedingfield
Mirrors – Justin Timberlake
Please Don’t Stop The Rain – James Morrison
Best Friend – Jason Mraz
Stay With Me – Sam Smith
Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran
Give Me a Lifetime – Anthem Lights
Magic – Colbie Caillat
She Will Be Loved – Maroon 5
Ho Hey – The Lumineers
Say Something – A Great Big World
I Don’t Wanna Love Somebody Else – A Great Big World
Make You Feel My Love – Adele
A Thousand Years – Christina Perri
Many the Miles – Sara Bareilles
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