Crazy for You

by Rachel Lacey

  “I am.” She pressed her face against his neck.

  “You’re going places.”

  “Sometimes I wish they weren’t such faraway places,” she whispered.

  “Yeah, me, too.” His voice sounded a bit gruff. “But Georgia’s not so far away. You can still visit, and we’ll come see you, too.”

  “Yes.”

  They were quiet for a few beats, just clinging to each other while she tried to think of a way that leaving him behind in Haven didn’t totally suck.

  “We’re going out tonight to celebrate,” she said.

  “Yeah?”

  She nodded against his neck. “I don’t know the details yet, but Gabby’s rounding everyone up.”

  “Sounds good to me. I’ve got some business in town this afternoon, was on my way there when I saw your missed call. I’ll come by and pick you up later?”

  “Okay.”

  He pulled back to look into her eyes. “Not that I ever doubted you’d get in, but seriously…congratulations. This is great news.”

  Her eyes grew misty. “Thanks.”

  “I’ve got to run, but I’ll see you soon, okay?” He pulled her in and kissed her, hard, then headed for his bike.

  Emma watched him go, her emotions tumbling like a whirlwind inside her. Maybe she was feeling a little homesick about leaving them all behind—Ryan especially—but she wasn’t going to let it ruin her celebration tonight or her plans for the future. She was going to get her degree and start her own landscape design company. And hopefully the rest of her life would fall into place behind it.

  * * *

  Ryan pulled up in front of Emma’s apartment a few hours later and cut the engine. She walked out her front door, dressed in snug jeans and a blue jacket, her eyes wide.

  “What’s this?” she asked, eyeing his new ride.

  He swung out of the cab and grinned at her. “We needed a way to move equipment and gear around the property, and I knew a guy selling a truck.”

  “So you bought a pickup truck?” She ran her hand over the hood.

  “Sure did. What do you think?”

  “I like it. It suits you, I think.” She glanced over at him, her lips curved in a soft smile.

  “The bike suits me better, but it sure doesn’t help me move lumber across the property to make repairs on the zip-line platforms.”

  “I think there’s room in your life now for the bike and the truck.” She was still smiling, and he got the feeling she was talking about something more than just moving lumber. But okay, yeah, it had been frustrating that he couldn’t drive Trent anywhere. Ryan wasn’t a lone wolf anymore. Sometimes a man needed a passenger seat.

  And a truck bed.

  He glanced at the empty truck bed, then at Emma. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”

  “We might need to christen it at some point,” she said with a wink.

  “I think that’s a definite.”

  She giggled as she walked around to the passenger side. “So I hear we’re meeting everyone at The Drunken Bear.”

  “That’s the plan. Ethan and Gabby will be coming late after he finishes coaching the swim team at the high school.”

  He cranked the engine and drove them into town. Climate control was nice and all, but he missed the rush of riding on his bike. Holding Emma’s hand as he drove through town was pretty nice, too, though. Maybe she was right. Maybe there was room for both vehicles in his life.

  “This worked out well for tonight,” she said after he’d parked. “I love riding with you, but it really does a number on my hair.” She ran her fingers through its blond lengths.

  “Don’t get too used to it,” he said, leaning in for a kiss. “I don’t plan to drive the truck all that much.”

  “Didn’t think you would.”

  They walked down the street together and found Trent standing outside The Drunken Bear, busily texting on his phone.

  “Hey, Trent,” Emma said, “I’m so glad you could make it.”

  He looked up with a smile. “So you’re going to college, huh?”

  She threw her head back and laughed. “Ironic, right?”

  “Yeah,” Trent said. “It really is.”

  “It’s never too late,” she said, hooking her arm through Trent’s as the three of them walked inside The Drunken Bear.

  They were seated at a table near the window. Emma ordered a Celtic Sunrise—a house special with Irish whiskey, Grand Marnier, orange juice, and a splash of grenadine. Ryan wasn’t big on mixed drinks, but this one wasn’t half bad. He’d tasted everything on the menu when he started tending bar here. Tonight, though, he stuck with beer. Trent ordered a Dr Pepper.

  “I do think it’s cool that you’re doing this,” Trent said.

  “That mean you’re going to re-enroll in the fall?” Ryan couldn’t help asking.

  Trent shrugged. “Still thinking about it.”

  Emma pressed her hand over his. “You’ve got plenty of time.”

  “So you’re moving to Georgia?” Trent asked.

  “Yeah.” She glanced at Ryan.

  “That’s a bummer,” Trent said.

  Tell me about it. Ryan was still smarting over that information himself, even though he ought to be thanking his lucky stars because this gave him an easy out with Emma before things got any more complicated between them than they already were. A clean break.

  “Well, if you’re ever in the Atlanta area, look me up,” Emma told Trent with a smile.

  “I will.”

  “So you guys have been really busy at Off-the-Grid lately, huh?” Emma said.

  “Booked solid on the weekends and doing decent business during the week,” Ryan said. Now that the weather had warmed, business had definitely picked up, and he expected it to keep growing as they headed into summer. This would be their first full summer in operation, and if things kept going in the direction they were going, they were in pretty good shape.

  “And how are things at the club?” Emma asked Trent.

  The kid’s eyes lit with real excitement. “Sweet. I’ve got a regular gig there now on Tuesday nights. Iris has really been awesome. I’m learning so much.”

  Emma leaned forward with a conspiratorial grin. “So if I came by one Tuesday, would you introduce us?”

  Trent’s eyes rounded. “Uh…”

  Ryan grinned.

  Trent glanced between them. “Yeah, sure.”

  “We’re really proud of you. You know that, right?” Ryan told him.

  Trent ducked his head. “Thanks.”

  They kept on like that, talking about all the things going on in their lives, and it felt really good. He, Emma, and Trent shared such an easy rapport together. It was hard to imagine not having either of them in his life, yet they were both going to leave Haven in the coming months. Sure, he’d still see them from time to time but not like this.

  And he didn’t like it one fucking bit.

  Emma whispered something in Trent’s ear, and the kid almost fell off his chair, doubled over in laughter. She winked at Ryan.

  He just shook his head. “Yo, you better watch it, you two.”

  “Or what?” She raised an eyebrow in his direction.

  “Or I’ll start whispering some things of my own.”

  Trent shook his head with a grin. “You guys are weird.”

  “Family’s supposed to be weird, right?” she said with a laugh.

  “Yeah.” Trent’s head bobbed, a wide grin on his face.

  The door opened, and Mark stepped inside. He slipped his shades into the pocket of his jacket and scanned the room until he spotted their table. He walked to them and put a hand on Emma’s shoulder. “Congrats.”

  “Thank you.” She gave him a warm smile.

  Mark took the seat next to Trent, then glanced at Ryan. “Saw the new truck. Should come in real handy.”

  “Yeah. I’ll drive it tomorrow so we can get lumber out to that platform in back.”

  “Great.”

 
Mark ordered a beer, and the conversation turned to Off-the-Grid’s upcoming obstacle course race, the Adrenaline Rush. It wasn’t too much later when Ethan and Gabby arrived. They ordered a fresh round of drinks for everyone.

  Emma leaned in to whisper in Ryan’s ear, “This is great, right? It almost feels too good to be true.”

  * * *

  Emma was feeling pretty giggly by the time she’d polished off her third Celtic Sunrise. She’d eaten dinner, too—fish ’n’ chips because they were delicious here—or else she’d probably be on the floor already from the amount of alcohol she’d consumed.

  “I booked us spa treatments on Saturday afternoon,” Gabby said, polishing off her own Celtic Sunrise. “I figured we’d need some pampering after I drag you around with me all morning looking at wedding dresses.”

  “That sounds perfect. I can’t wait to help you try on dresses.”

  Gabby got a dreamy look on her face. “I have no idea what I want. I guess we’ll just see what looks right once I start trying them on.”

  “We’re going to have so much fun,” Emma said. “I see you in something kind of light and flowing. Flowers in your hair.”

  Ethan leaned in, a big smile on his face. “I think Emma just nailed it.”

  Gabby swatted at him playfully. “Shh, you’re not supposed to know anything about my wedding dress.”

  “I can as long as the dress is still hypothetical.”

  “Not if you want to keep your manhood intact,” Ryan joked.

  Ethan flipped him the bird. “If fantasizing about my wife-to-be in her wedding dress threatens my manhood, then I’m happy to take that risk.”

  Emma noticed that Trent had retreated from the conversation, busy texting on his cell phone. Whether the wedding conversation had gotten too boring for him or his girlfriend was just distracting him, she wasn’t sure. “You playing at the club next Tuesday?” she asked him.

  He nodded. “Yeah.”

  “Cool. I’ll see if any of my friends want to stop by with me. It’s a lot of fun dancing and listening to you play.”

  “Thanks. I think I’m going to head out. Congratulations again.” The sheepish look on his face made Emma pretty sure he was sneaking off to meet up with his girlfriend, but she couldn’t say she blamed him.

  “Thanks, Trent. I’m so glad you came out with us to celebrate.”

  “Any time.” He said his good-byes to the rest of the table and headed out.

  “I think he’s meeting up with Iris,” Ryan said, watching him go.

  “Me, too. He seems really into her lately.”

  “Yeah.” And Ryan didn’t look too pleased.

  “So what’s the plan, Emma?” Gabby asked, butting back into the conversation. “When do you think you’ll be leaving us to head off to Georgia?”

  “I think I’ll probably leave after the memorial opens. That will give me time to get settled in an apartment and find a part-time job before classes start.”

  “I’m already planning my first visit,” Gabby said with a smile. “Girls’ night out in Atlanta.”

  “Definitely.” She glanced over at Ryan, who’d gotten suspiciously quiet.

  Would he visit? Or would it be a final good-bye?

  Chapter Eighteen

  Emma and Gabby collapsed in a fit of giggles. Their attendant at the Ivory & Lace Bridal Boutique had served them flutes of champagne as they browsed the aisles of dresses. Consequently, they were both feeling rather silly by the time they settled into the dressing room to actually try them on.

  Their attendant, a cheerful brunette named Eliana, bustled into the room with an armload of gowns, hung them up, and went back for more.

  “Wow,” Gabby said softly. She reached out to run her fingers over the beaded bodice of the gown closest to her. “I can’t believe I’m really doing this.”

  “I know.” Emma took another sip of champagne. “It’s pretty great.”

  “Thanks for coming with me.”

  “I’m so glad you invited me.” She and Gabby hadn’t known each other very long, not even a year, but they’d become really close.

  “This is everything,” Eliana said as she hung up the last of the dresses they’d picked out for Gabby to try on. “I’ll be just outside if you need any assistance. The sample sizes will be too big for you, but I can pin them to give you a better idea of how the dress would look in your size.”

  “Thanks,” Gabby said with a smile.

  Eliana left, closing the door behind her.

  Gabby gestured to the rack of dresses. “Where do I start?”

  “Let’s start big.” Emma reached for the Cinderella-style ball gown she’d insisted Gabby try—just for the fun of it since they both knew it wasn’t Gabby’s style. “Try this one on for fun, and then we’ll get down to business.”

  “Sounds like a plan.” Gabby stripped to her underwear, and Emma held the poufy gown open so that she could step into it. It was strapless, white satin with intricate beading across the bust and a ridiculously full skirt. She zipped it, then grabbed one of the pins Eliana had left behind to clamp the extra fabric so that it didn’t fall down.

  “Wow.” Emma grinned widely as she caught Gabby’s reflection in the mirror. “You look like a princess.”

  “Like I’ve just stepped out of a Disney movie,” Gabby agreed, her eyes glossy. She ran her hands over the front of the skirt, then twirled in front of the mirror. “I never would have picked it, and I’m not going to walk down the aisle in it, but just seeing it on me is like something out of a fantasy.”

  “Let me get a picture.” Emma grabbed her cell phone and snapped a few shots of Gabby showing off her best princess pose.

  After that, Gabby tried on dress after dress. If they deemed it a contender, they’d leave the dressing room and let Eliana pin it properly so that Gabby could preen in front of the big mirrors outside. Emma got teary several times watching her friend try on dresses.

  They made it through the first rack with a handful of contenders but none either of them felt sure was “the one.” Emma couldn’t stop admiring one of the dresses she’d picked out for Gabby. It had little pink flowers made of rhinestones sewn together with beads across the bodice and a simple, flowing white chiffon skirt.

  “It’s beautiful,” Gabby commented as she stepped out of the dress she’d just tried on. “But it’s not me. It’s you.”

  “What?” Emma yanked her hand back from the dress.

  “You should try it on.”

  “But I’m not getting married.” Emma reached instead for the next dress on the rack, an off-white gown with a delicate lace bodice, cap sleeves, and a long, flowing skirt edged in lace.

  “Yet.” Gabby winked as she slipped into the dress. “Because you and Ryan…oh.” Gabby looked in the mirror, and her eyes welled with tears.

  “This is it,” Emma said breathlessly, pressing a hand to her chest. “This is the one.”

  “Yes.” Gabby just stared at her reflection as Emma zipped her up. The sample gown was a few sizes too big, but the lace added a classic yet feminine touch that was so Gabby, and the long, flowing skirt was reminiscent of the bohemian skirts she wore almost daily.

  “Let’s go show Eliana,” Emma said, lifting the lacy train to follow Gabby out of the fitting room.

  Emma and Eliana helped Gabby up onto the little pedestal in front of the bank of mirrors so that she could see herself from every angle. The dress looked even more perfect out here. The creamy color complemented Gabby’s pale complexion and caramel brown hair, and the cap sleeves and lace accents suited her style perfectly.

  “This one,” Gabby said, twirling in front of the mirrors. “It’s perfect.”

  “Oh, I agree,” Eliana said, bustling behind Gabby to spread her train out and show the dress in its best form. “It is absolutely stunning on you.”

  “It’s you, Gabby. I don’t think you’ll find anything more perfect if you tried on a hundred more dresses,” Emma said, feeling a lump in her throat to see
her friend in her wedding dress.

  Gabby preened in front of the mirrors for a few more minutes before making her decision final. Eliana moved in to take measurements and then there was a ton of paperwork to make it all official. Gabby’s dress would arrive in four months, just in time to get it ready for her October wedding.

  When everything had been taken care of, Emma and Gabby retreated to the fitting room.

  “I don’t know about you, but I’m glad I booked us at the spa this afternoon. This was exhausting,” Gabby said.

  “Yes.” Emma stepped behind her to unzip the dress. “But worth it. I’m so happy for you. This dress is perfect.”

  “It really is.” Gabby ran a hand over the lace bodice. She stepped out of the dress, and Emma hung it back up while Gabby got dressed. “There’s one more dress to be tried on before we leave, though.”

  Emma turned in confusion. “What?”

  Gabby held up the dress Emma had been admiring earlier, the one with the pink, beaded flowers across the bodice. “I promise I’ll never tell anyone, least of all Ryan, but will you try it on? For me?”

  “Oh no. I really shouldn’t.” Because what if she loved it? A wedding was nowhere on her horizon.

  “Just for fun,” Gabby said. “Come on.” She lifted the dress from its hanger and spun it so that the chiffon skirt twirled around her legs.

  “All right. Just for fun. No pictures.” She pointed a finger in Gabby’s direction.

  Gabby pouted.

  Feeling slightly ridiculous, Emma slipped out of her T-shirt and shorts and stepped into the dress. Gabby zipped it up and clipped the back, as Emma had just done for her.

  “Open your eyes, silly,” Gabby said from behind her.

  Emma hadn’t even realized she’d closed them, but now she peeked through her lashes at the mirror. And gasped.

  “Wow,” Gabby said, one hand pressed to her mouth.

  Yeah. Wow. It was perfect. The pink flowers added a splash of color, and the chiffon skirt was delicate and feminine, but not too dressy. It would be perfect for a mountaintop wedding.

  “When you get engaged,” Gabby said, “you’ve got to come and try on this dress again.”