by Katie Fox
“No.” He shook his head quickly, his eyes giving me everything and nothing at all. “I'm leaving because I don't belong here, Elle.” He sighed. “Look, I'd be lying if I said that I came on this trip strictly for business because it's not true. A large part of me wanted to be here with you. I wanted to make things right with you after everything that had happened in L.A., but I've realized that sometimes things happen for a reason. We need to stop dancing around whatever this is we're doing because this”—he waved his finger between us—“this can't happen.”
“And what exactly is it that we’re doing?”
“I don’t know, but I do know that it’s better if we stop.”
My lower lip trembled and I dragged it between my teeth in a bid to steady it. “Better for who? Better for me or for you?”
Silence.
More gut-wrenching silence.
Tears itched the back of my throat, and I glanced down at the bag still clenched between my fingers. “Wow, um…” I didn't know what to say. I suddenly felt like a fool for showing up there. My only thought was that I needed to leave. “I guess, I'll, uh…see you next week then.”
Convincing my feet to move, I started quickly toward the door, holding my breath as I brushed past him, my vision blurring when I realized we weren't quite done yet.
Stopping, I turned in his direction, finding it difficult to look up at him and his handsome face. “Here.” I pressed the bag to his chest, that same tremble controlling my lip now affecting my speech and traveling down my arm. “I purchased this in hopes you'd wear it on Saturday to the wedding, but seeing as you're leaving, then please, take it with you. I have no use for it.”
He freed the bag from my hands, and I hurried out of the door, a pain in my heart that spread throughout my entire chest as it pounded beneath my ribs.
Oh God. Why did this hurt so much?
I practically ran across the parking lot, my strides widening as Owen’s voice shouted from the room.
“Elle!”
I yanked open the car door and slid in behind the steering wheel, turning the key in the ignition.
“Elle, wait!”
I didn't wait. There was nothing to wait for. We were done before we’d even begun.
He was right. It was better this way.
Throwing the shifter into reverse, I backed out of my parking spot and drove off, the unbidden tears finally forming into wet drops as they skated free with each blink of my lashes.
I swiped at my eyes, keeping my attention on the road. “Stupid female emotions.”
Driving around until my composure was regained, I took the road that led back to my parents’ house. Everybody was at the church making the last-minute preparations for the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner, and I immediately headed into my bedroom, slipping beneath my blankets and curling them tightly around me as if they had the ability to protect me from all the hurt in the world.
“Elle.”
The soft voice pulled me from sleep, and I blinked against the darkness, my eyes still puffy and sore from the release of my emotions. I began to turn to sit myself up, but the mattress dipping beside me and the warm arm wrapping around my stomach kept me in place.
“We missed you at the church tonight. I thought you were going to be there.”
“I’m sorry. I know I’d said I’d come, but something came up, and needless to say, I didn’t think I’d be the best company.”
Being my sister, she had that sisterly power known as intuition. “Would this something have anything to do with Owen?”
My silence provided her answer.
“Do you want to talk about it?”
I shook my head and cleared my throat, my voice still raspy from sleep. “There’s nothing to say.”
“I don’t know about that.” Kimmi moved closer, snuggling deeper and resting her head on my pillow. “Judging by what I saw Tuesday night, I beg to differ.” She paused, and I sensed it was because she was unsure how to give voice to her next thoughts, which was really unlike her because she always spoke her mind so freely. “Do you…are you romantically involved with your boss?”
My chest fell on a condescending laugh. God, when she put it like that it sounded absolutely ridiculous. Who in their right mind falls for one’s boss, especially when said boss is clearly emotionally unavailable?
Me. That was who.
“No.” I twisted around, pressing my palms together and tucking my hands beneath my cheek as I faced her. It was dark, but her blue eyes were bright and shining with the very emotion I didn’t want anyone to feel for me: pity. Blinking fast, I pulled in a shaky breath. “But it’s not because I don’t want to be.” My chest grew tight and uncomfortable with my admission, but I needed to stop lying to myself, and if there was anyone in this world I was comfortable telling, it was Kimmi. Growing up, we’d shared all our secrets with each other: first crushes, first kisses, and first loves. We’d shared our hopes and dreams and our fears. And I needed to get this off my chest before I suffocated beneath the weight of it. “I think I’m falling in love with him.”
Not looking at all surprised but a frown tugging at her brow, she licked her lips. “How did this happen?”
“I don’t know.” I knew how, but I couldn’t tell her, not without giving her every detail. Doing so would mean she’d discover every single lie I’d been feeding to not only her but to all of them the last five years, and right then, I needed her comfort and support, not her disappointment. “Would you do me a favor?”
Kimmi nodded, staring at me as if she was feeling completely helpless. “What’s that?”
“Can you not tell Mom and Dad? I’d rather they not know.”
“Yeah.” Her hold on me tightened as she dropped a kiss to my forehead. “Yeah I can do that.”
“I CAN’T BELIEVE my baby girl is minutes away from getting married.”
I turned to glance at my mother, seeing the tears collect in her eyes, as she helped Kimmi tie the corset on the back of her gown, and a genuine smile tugged at my lips. Despite feeling broken inside, like I had lost a part of myself that I’d never get back, I was happy. My baby sister was getting married to the man of her dreams, and there was a congregation full of people waiting to watch. Nearly everyone in town had been invited, and I was excited to see the faces I hadn't seen in so long, but when Bobby and Rae Fischer walked through the front doors of the church, it took everything in me not to ask if Owen had checked out of his hotel room on Thursday evening. As curious as I was, I held my tongue. I couldn't bear to know. More so, I didn't want to feel the disappointment that would shatter through me when they said yes.
Slipping into my dress, I tugged on the zipper, and my mind immediately traveled to that day in the car when Owen had placed it in my hands. I wouldn’t have been standing there wearing it if it weren’t for him. It was one more thing in my life he’d made possible, and as I ran my palms over the glittering purple beads on the bodice and the chiffon of the skirt, a swell of painful emotion lumped in my throat.
I wanted him there.
I wanted him there so damn bad.
Grandma Georgie peeked her head around the large oak door, yanking me back to the present and the small office we were using as the bride’s dressing room. “How's it coming, my dears? Are we almost ready?” She moved over to where Kimmi stood in front of the mirror, placing a kiss on her cheek and taking Kimmi’s hands in her fragile ones. “You look absolutely gorgeous, sweetheart, and you have an equally stunning young man out there waiting for you. What do you say we get you walking down the aisle?”
Kimmi pulled in a deep and nervous breath, and not even a second later, the bridal procession began. I pulled my sister into a tight hug and kissed her on the cheek before helping her with her veil.
Grandma Georgie was right. She looked gorgeous, and I told her so—told her I loved her and that I was happy for her and Chris. I also may have whispered in her ear that I was perfectly fine with her making me an aunt at any time; at which point
she laughed and proceeded to inform me it wasn’t happening, at least not for a little while.
Collecting my bouquet from my mother—the sounds of the organ playing and echoing off the walls and tall ceilings of the church—I waited until it was my turn to walk down the aisle. Once my cue was given, I plastered a smile on my face and kept my focus toward the front and where the pastor stood, determined to reach it without stumbling over my feet or looking around. If I did, it would be impossible to not search and hope that Owen would be standing somewhere in the congregation.
Stepping up next to the altar, I pulled in a deep breath and waited until Kimmi made her entrance. I’d told myself I wouldn't cry, but with my emotions a mess the last couple of days, I couldn’t help the silent tears that formed and escaped the corners of my eyes as my father walked her down the aisle. A part of me had always thought I’d be taking this journey first, but like many things in my life, I had put my happiness aside for others. Love hadn’t been on my cards, and when I’d thought it might’ve been, I was proven wrong. Again.
As I stood beside my sister, listening to her make her promise for forever, I betrayed the vow I’d made to myself right before we arrived. My gaze drifted lazily around the pews. Mom sat with tears in her eyes and Dad did, too. Everyone seemed to be there—even Martha and Sue, and I wondered what batch of gossip the old women were possibly stirring up to serve from their bench come the next morning.
I continued to look around at the familiar faces, and the ones I didn’t recognize, and sighed inwardly.
Stop wishing he were here, Elle.
How could I have been so stupid?
Jumping into any sort of relationship with one’s boss had disaster written all over it, yet I'd done it anyway. I’d become so wrapped up in Owen Caldwell I’d ignored the possible consequences, and now there I was, thinking and dwelling on what could've been instead of focusing on my sister and her big day.
How was I supposed to return to work and act as though nothing had happened between us? It was an impossible feat, especially considering I had no control over the way my body reacted to his. And that's when I realized that as much as I loved working at Caldwell Publishing, it was time to start searching for something new. I would see the Bower manuscript through to publication, and then I would give my notice.
Deciding that was the only option, I turned to once again face my sister, and as my gaze did a final sweep of the church, I caught sight of something totally unexpected. My breath hitched and my heart picked up its pace, a warmth rolling through me despite my entire body feeling numb. I stared at the stunning green eyes—the same stunning green eyes that belonged to the one person who constantly surprised me, who made it his priority to push me in the direction of my dreams.
Owen.
A small, uncontrolled gasp parted my lips as he held me from afar, a thousand silent words passing in the distance separating us. Everyone’s eyes were on Kimmi and Chris, but his eyes were on me, and that lost piece of myself felt as if it’d magically returned.
He came.
Instead of returning to New York, Owen had stayed, and I was suddenly desperate for the ceremony to be over. The muscles in my legs twitched with the need to run over to him.
I glanced back at my sister right as the pastor announced her and Chris as husband and wife, and after a sweet kiss that couldn't end soon enough, we were all striding back down the long aisle.
People filed out of the pews, and I stood at the back, searching for Owen who seemed to have gotten lost in the sea of bodies. As the church emptied, revealing no sign of him, something hard and heavy settled in my stomach.
I stood for a few more minutes, hoping he’d appear.
Nothing.
Had I been so consumed in thoughts of him that I imagined he was there? The notion seemed ridiculous but entirely plausible. After all, my mind was known for creating the imaginary, and his presence could have very well been another figment.
He’s not here, Elle.
The cold grip of disappointment squeezed my chest, and I pivoted around, the corners of my eyes stinging as I started in the direction where the bridal party limo was parked outside. My arms swung freely by my sides, and as I passed through the doors that led to the corridor I was in search of, my steps halted.
A large, warm hand slid down the inside of my arm and across my wrist, flattening against my palm. Strong yet gentle fingers laced themselves with my thinner ones, and my heart took off in my chest.
I'd recognize the feel of those hands anywhere.
One lift of my arm and a spin on my heels and I stood face to face with Owen. I stared at him through glassy eyes and instinctively reached out, gripping the lapel of his jacket with my free hand, afraid that if I didn't he'd vanish.
He smiled softly at me. “Hey.”
My voice was a whisper. “Hey.”
His thumb drew a lazy pattern against mine causing a weakness in my knees that had my body moving closer to his.
“You're here.”
“Yeah. I am. Lucky for me, everyone in town seemed to know exactly where the Callihan and O’Hara wedding was being held.”
I shook my head, still in disbelief that he was standing right in front of me. “I thought…I thought you were going back to New York.”
He lifted a shoulder, shrugging at the same time a lighthearted smirk tugged at his lips. “I was, but then I realized I'd never worn purple before and figured what the hell—why not?”
My gaze dropped to the purple tie around his neck, the one that was a perfect match to my dress and that had taken me an entire afternoon to pick out. Warmth flooded my veins as I ran my fingers over the silk material. “It looks good on you.”
Gifted with another one of his breathtaking smiles, I felt a sudden urgency to tell him everything but especially how sorry I was. “Owen, I—”
“Shh.” His breath was warm against my lips. “We’ll talk later, okay? Let’s enjoy the day for what it is.”
There was an unspoken promise in his words, and I nodded in agreement. “Okay.” I glanced over my shoulder in the original direction I’d been heading and gestured toward the doors that led to the parking lot. “I have to go and pose for pictures, but I’ll see you at the reception, right?”
“I’ll be there. I promise.” Owen must have sensed my reluctance in letting him go because he squeezed my hand reassuringly before pressing his lips to my cheek and gently placing a soft kiss to the corner of my mouth. “You look absolutely beautiful, by the way.”
Our eyes connected one more time, and then he turned and walked away; only this time, I stood watching with a smile on my face and a splutter of hope reigniting in my heart.
The large deck that surrounded the perimeter of my parents’ restaurant, and which led to the actual pier that stretched over the beach, had been converted into a beautiful outdoor reception area. Lights entwined the wooden railings, and the round tables—dressed in white tablecloths with purple runners—provided more than enough seating for all the guests. The floral arrangements we’d spent the last week making, coupled with the floating candles, served as the perfect centerpieces, and the ocean, with its distant sound of crashing waves, created a gorgeous and stunning backdrop.
Every little detail was so compellingly beautiful you couldn’t help but feel that maybe all the ups and downs that came with falling in love were worth the journey it took to happy ever after.
As promised, Owen attended the reception. Since I was maid of honor and seated at the bridal party table, he had been on his own for the first half of the party. He sat at a table with Martha and Sue and, as always, charmed them with his handsome good looks and his natural ability to win people over. I was mesmerized by him. I found it difficult to keep my eyes off him, and when the time came when I was free to leave the table, I immediately walked over to join him.
Dinner had already been served and most of the guests had moved to the makeshift dance floor, including the two elderly women who had permanen
t smiles fixed to their faces, courtesy of Owen.
“You know, you’ll be the talk of the town tomorrow.”
Straightening himself at the sound of my voice, he dropped his foot onto the deck from where it had been casually propped on his knee, and turned toward me, that smile I was completely in love with on full display. “Is that right?”
I nodded, smoothing my hands over the back of my dress as I sat on the empty chair beside him. “Yep. Martha and Sue run the rumor mill around these parts of town. Although judging by the smiles on their faces, I imagine they’ll have nothing but good things to say.”
Owen chuckled, and the sound of it warmed me from the inside out.
God, he was so handsome.
We sat quietly for a few beats, his eyes running over my face as if he were committing every line and curve to memory, and feeling a tiny bit insecure under his scrutiny, I breathed deeply, getting ready to tell him I was happy he was there.
I didn’t get a chance.
He spoke first, his words leaving me speechless. “You’re so beautiful, Elle.”
My cheeks reddened. I glanced down at my lap where my hands rested and my fingers fiddled with the silver band on my thumb, swirling it around absentmindedly, nervously.
Gently lifting my chin so we were once again eye to eye, Owen stared at me with something in his dark green eyes that I was almost scared to define. I didn’t want to give it a name or even a definition, afraid I’d be wrong.
“Would you do me the honor of dancing with me?”
As I nodded in response, Owen took my hand in his, helping me out of my seat and guiding me around the tables and over to the part of the deck where people were swaying slowly. We walked to an open area in the center of the dancing crowd, and he lifted my arm, twirling me around and spinning me right into the warmth of his chest. His hands immediately slid around my waist, and as he pulled me flush against him, our hips perfectly aligned, I melded right into his embrace. My hands smoothed up his arms, finding their home behind his neck, and my fingers threaded through the soft strands of his hair. Like he had been born a pro, Owen took the lead, dancing us around in circles all the while keeping his eyes glued to mine.