A tense silence enveloped them. The muscles of his forearm hardened beneath his sleeve, and his mouth was pulled into a taut line.
“Say something?” she begged.
His eyes searched her face. “I only have one question, why?”
She shook her head sadly. “It was a dumb thing to do, but after we kissed on the Ferris wheel, I was falling fast and knew it would be way too easy to get hurt again. And then I had these terrible dreams that you’d left me stranded at the top of a mountain, so I came up with this crazy plan to have Lizzy pretend to be me. I didn’t want anything to happen that might jeopardize you catering Kinsley’s wedding.”
His eyes were dull, and she couldn’t tell what he was thinking. A minute later, his arms were no longer around her, and he got up stiffly as if he were in pain.
“I’m tired. I need to go to bed. Good night, Em.”
She wasn’t sure how long she stayed out on the porch after he went inside. Time didn’t matter. What if he decided not to see her again? She shuddered inwardly at the thought. Maybe after a good night’s sleep, he’d understand her reasons for having Lizzy impersonate her. Maybe then he could forgive her. She clung to that hope because to do otherwise would leave her desolate.
15
Chase felt utterly miserable. He was trying to understand Emmy’s explanation for having Lizzy pretend to be her, but it wasn’t working. Maybe it was because he was still in shock. Maybe in a few days, he’d feel differently, but right now, he didn’t know how to deal with her deceit. It was so unlike the Emmy he’d known. Maybe too much time had gone by to get back to where they’d been. Perhaps he’d never known her as well as he’d thought.
When she’d told him about her father having taken the letters, he wasn’t surprised. Chase had already assumed that he had. He just didn’t know if Emmy would ever find out. Her courage was admirable. A lot of people wouldn’t have had the guts to confront a parent. But that didn’t change how he felt about her tricking him.
He closed his eyes and tried to fall asleep, but he was too upset. It had to be close to four in the morning before he finally drifted off, and then just a few hours later, the alarm on his phone woke him. He wanted to get up early to get on the road before Emmy got up. If he saw her, he might say something that he’d come to regret. It was better to put some distance between them. At least for a while.
A few days later, he was still miserable, and it was noticeable to his staff, causing Karen to comment on it.
“Hey, boss, you need to tell me what’s going on, because you’re acting like a bear,” she said.
“I’ve got a lot on my mind. That’s all.”
She shook her head. “I think there’s more to it than that. You always have a lot on your mind. It comes with the territory. You’re a business owner. But you don’t usually act like this. You’re so melancholy. It has me worried.”
He turned off the stove, giving a final stir to the sauce he’d made, and then sat beside her at the table. “Thanks for caring. You’re a good friend.”
“Hey, I gave you some advice the last time we talked, when you told me about Emmy. Seemed like you followed it too. I saw you guys dancing at the wedding, and you looked like you were having a really good time. Maybe I can help you out again. You know, give you a woman’s perspective because I’m pretty sure for you to be this down, it has to have something to do with your love life. Did something happen later on at the wedding?”
He wasn’t sure that he wanted to talk about it, but then again, it could make him feel better and hopefully give him another perspective on things. “Emmy and I had a little falling out over a date that happened a few weeks ago. It turned out I didn’t actually go out with her. Unbeknownst to me, it was her twin sister instead.”
She stared, wordlessly for a moment, and then said, “Well, that had to be quite a shock when you found out.”
“You could say that. And it’s not so much what she did or why, but that she deceived me. I can’t seem to get past that. How will I ever trust her again?”
“Trust is a tricky business. It’s there, and then it’s not.” She shrugged her shoulders. “People do stupid stuff all the time. I guess it depends what they do after that counts. Tell you on their own or wait until you find out.”
She had a point. Emmy didn’t have to tell him. Yet, she risked losing him, to be honest.
“If you love this woman,” Karen added, “then you can work on rebuilding that trust. But if you let her go, you may not find that love again.”
Chase knew that only too well. Having it put to him that way, made everything crystal clear. He wasn’t about to let Emmy go. Not now. Not ever again. “Thanks, Karen. You’ve been a big help.” When he got up from the table, he took his cell phone out of his pocket. “I’m going upstairs to make a phone call.”
Emmy answered on the first ring. Her voice sounded anxious.
“I’m sorry I left the sanctuary without saying goodbye,” he said. “I needed some time to think. What you did hurt me, but it shouldn’t be the end of us. Would you like to go out Saturday night?”
She didn’t hesitate at all. “I’d love to.”
He had something very special in mind. “Pick you up at eight.”
When he hung up the phone, it felt like a huge weight had been lifted from his heart. There wasn’t a woman on earth who could make him feel the way she did.
16
“Emmy, Chase is here,” Lizzy called up the stairs.
“Thanks! Tell him I’ll be right down,” she yelled back. After rechecking her makeup for the millionth time, she grabbed her purse and then headed downstairs. To say she was nervous was an understatement. Emilia had been on pins and needles all day. She hated not knowing if Chase would ever completely forgive her. She wished she could redo the night he went out with Lizzy! If only she could go back in time for just those few hours… But dreams would get her nowhere. She had to deal with reality. No matter how painful that might be.
When she reached the bottom step, Chase took hold of her hand. “You look stunning.” His gaze scanned over her floral print dress, then up to her face, lingering on her lips. “Ready to go?” His hazel eyes shone purposefully.
“Yes.”
Before they headed out the door, Newton came galloping down the hall with Lizzy close behind. “Have a good time, kids. I won’t wait up.”
Emilia smiled. “Good. I didn’t expect you to.”
“Where are you going, anyway?” her sister asked.
“It’s a surprise,” Chase replied, petting the dog’s head before they left.
“I’m not a big fan of surprises,” Emilia remarked as walked across the street to where Chase had parked his SUV.
“This one you’re going to like, so relax.”
“Okay. I trust you.”
Since she had no idea where they were going, she did as he suggested, and after settling into the passenger seat, closed her eyes, ready to enjoy the ride.
A few minutes later, though, she looked over at him. His profile was strong. His smooth olive skin stretched over high cheekbones, and his firm mouth curled a bit as if guarding a secret. A swath of wavy hair fell casually across his forehead, so she reached out and gently tucked it behind his ear. Before folding her hand in her lap, Chase brought it to his lips and kissed the back of it, sending her heart fluttering wildly. There was a tangible bond between them that against all the odds had never been broken.
When they reached Brooklyn, she couldn’t hold back her curiosity. “Can’t you give me just a little hint of where we’re going?”
Amusement flickered in his eyes as he looked over at her. “Nope. We’ll be there soon enough.”
“Why do I get the feeling you’re enjoying keeping me in suspense?”
“Because I am. I’ve been waiting all day to see your expression when you discover what we’re doing.”
She tried to think of some of their favorite places. Micky’s Diner had fabulous burgers. They used to go the
re after football games. She doubted they were going there tonight, though. Couldn’t go ice skating in the park, not in May. The pond wouldn’t be frozen. Maybe he was taking her to see his dad. She would love that. However, a couple of minutes later, he pulled into Avery High’s parking lot.
“We’re going back to high school,” she said with a laugh.
“In a way.”
The lot was nearly full, and Chase had to drive all the way to the back to find a parking spot.
“Something special must be going on,” she said, watching a group of teenagers walk by the car.
“I think so.” Chase turned off the ignition.
Before he got out, she said, “I’m really sorry about having Lizzy take my place on our date. You have no idea how much I wish I’d never done that, but I can’t change the past. However, I can make sure I don’t ever do anything that stupid again. Please give me a chance to prove that you can trust me.”
“I do trust you, Emmy,” he said with quiet emphasis. “We’re trying to pick up where we left off ten years ago, and that’s not easy. It’s going to take work… work that I’m more than willing to do if you are.”
The sourness that had been in the pit of her stomach for days started to go away. “You know that I am. I’m just sorry that we wasted all those years. If it hadn’t been for my dad, we could’ve been together.” She dropped her lashes quickly to hide her feeling of guilt. “Are you sure you can forgive me for not having more faith in you? I should’ve known you’d never just walk away.”
“Of course. We were kids—emotional, hormonal teenagers, as unsure of ourselves as we were of each other, but despite what happened, look at all we’ve gained. We learned our love could last no matter what. How many people can say that?”
A tear slowly found its way down her cheek as she opened her handbag and took out the little diamond ring he’d given her before he left for Minnesota.
His hazel eyes showed the tortured dullness of disbelief. “You kept the ring all these years?”
“I never took it off until a few weeks ago. It just seemed crazy to hold onto something that seemed so impossible, and then there you were sitting in my reception room looking like you had ten years ago—strong and ruggedly handsome. I thought my prayers had been answered, and then I saw your wedding band and felt like I’d been stabbed in the heart.”
He pressed his hand over his face. “I should’ve told you right away that I was divorced, but wearing the ring was my means of protection. I never stopped loving you, Emmy, not for one single day, and then when you walked back into my life, I felt like maybe there was a chance for us until I heard the cold tone in your voice and saw that steely look in your eyes. There was no way I’d let myself fall for you again unless I thought your feelings were mutual.”
She spoke with quiet but desperate firmness. “Can we put the past away, please? The future looks so much brighter.”
“Absolutely. May I?” Chase gently took the ring from her.
“Of course.”
As he slid the diamond band onto her finger, he said, “Not only is this my promise that I’m going to marry you. It’s going to be soon.”
Emilia pressed her lips against his, sealing the vow with a kiss. Her knees weakened, and she melted against him, her body aching for his touch. Gathering her into his arms, he held her snugly, and she knew without a doubt this was where she belonged.
A group of students hurried past the car with one of them saying, “I hope we’re not late.”
Chase kissed her gently. When their lips parted, he said, “I think that’s a cue for us to head inside.”
As they walked toward the sprawling brick building, Emilia was transported back in time. She felt like a naïve sixteen-year-old girl whose life was just beginning. Anything and everything seemed possible. With a joyful heart, she grabbed Chase’s hand and held it tightly as they entered the school.
He flashed her a brilliant smile, ushered her into the auditorium, and down to the front row. She was surprised there were two open seats, and even more shocked when she saw that they’d been held for them.
“What’s going on?” she whispered as she sat beside him.
“You’ll find out soon.”
A minute later, the lights dimmed, and Principal White walked onto the stage. His hair was a little grayer and his mid-section a bit wider, but his welcoming demeanor hadn’t changed at all since they’d attended Avery High.
“I’d like to thank you for coming tonight,” he said to the audience. “This is a very special performance. It’s been twelve years since we put on West Side Story. Twelve years since, a very talented sophomore graced this stage with her incredible portrayal of Maria.”
The blood began to pound in Emilia’s temples, and she was glad of the semidarkness that hid the flush in her cheeks.
“We’re extremely proud to have her here tonight,” he went on to say, “so that we can dedicate this rendition to our beloved Emilia Sullivan.”
The crowd erupted into applause, and Principal White motioned with his hands for her to stand.
She stiffened, momentarily abashed at his extravagant praise. It wasn’t until Chase whispered in her ear, “Go on, stand up. They love you, just like I do.”
Tears wet her eyes as she stood there, blank, amazed, and extremely blessed. When she sat back down, she said to Chase, “I can’t believe you did this for me.”
“You’re so talented. I wanted you to know how many people think so too. I know how much you care about Lizzy and your business, but don’t ever give up on yourself or your dreams, Em. It’s never too late to make them come true.”
She knew he wasn’t just referring to singing but to love, too, and with Chase by her side, anything was possible. Maybe not a Broadway career, but there were plenty of other venues to try.
A warm glow flowed through her, and for the first time in many years, she was blissfully happy and fully alive.
Epilogue
Emilia rushed into the Briarwood Tavern, anxious and excited at the same time. Anxious because she had to tell her friends that tonight would be her last night as a member of the No Brides Club. Excited because she was about to embark on a new journey with the man she loved more than anything in the world.
She weaved around the usual Wall Street guys who hung out at the bar before making her way into the dining room. The group was at their usual table, and she slid into one of the tufted banquettes besides law school student, Ava Lewis.
“My, my, you’re all smiles tonight,” she said. “I take it the caterer came through, and Kinsley’s wedding went off without a hitch.”
“Well, not exactly without a hitch. The assistant chef got a flat tire on the way to Camille, and Dylan’s dogs, along with a little help from Newt, knocked over the table, holding the wedding cake.”
A loud gasp erupted around her.
“Poor Kinsley! She must’ve been devastated,” Marnie cried. “And you must’ve been in a panic,” she added.
“You’re right about me. I was a mess and convinced it meant the end of Happily Ever After. But Kinsley was great. She said with all the food at the reception, no one would miss the cake, anyway. That wasn’t true, though. Every bride wants a cake, and all the guests want to watch the bride and groom cut it.”
“So, what did you do?” Ava asked.
“Chase and I made a new cake. It might not have been as fancy as the original one, but it was still beautiful and quite delicious if I do say so myself.”
“Sounds like you and Chase have gotten pretty chummy,” Marnie said. “Guess you’ve forgiven him.”
“There really wasn’t anything to forgive. It was a misunderstanding by both of us. His dad wound up in the hospital with chest pains, and when he arrived at the park a few hours later, I was gone. He’d left messages on my cell phone, but of course, Lizzy lost it in the lake, so I never got them. And my dad took the letters Chase sent me.”
Another gasp erupted around the table.
&nbs
p; “That’s awful. Will you ever be able to forgive your father?” Ava asked.
“I already have. I’ve spent too many years embittered by the past. It’s time to let go and look forward to the future.”
“And what does that hold?” Marnie asked.
“True love and happiness,” Emilia replied, lifting up her left hand and waggling her ring finger.
“What’s that?” Marnie shrieked. “Isn’t that the ring Chase gave you back in high school? You’re wearing it again. What does that mean?”
“It means we’ve promised to start over, and this time not let anything keep us apart.”
Ava’s jaw dropped open. “Does that mean you’re leaving the group?”
“I have to. It’s in the rule, but don’t worry. I’ll be stopping by to say hello and to introduce the new member taking my place.”
“You’ve found someone already?” Ava asked.
“Yep, and I know you’re going to love her.”
Marni lifted a brow. “Who is it?”
“Lizzy!”
“Your sister?” Ava’s eyes were wide with disbelief. “But she never goes two days without a man in her life.”
“Not anymore. Those days are gone. She’s tired of all the bad apples and wants to concentrate solely on our business.”
“Well, if we have to lose you, then there’s no one we’d rather have take your place than Lizzy.”
“Cheers, Emmy!” Ava lifted her wine glass. “To finding happiness, and you better invite us to your wedding.”
Emilia held her glass up high. “Are you kidding? You’re going to be my bridesmaids!”
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