by Renee, Holly
I walked into my apartment in a daze, and Tucker was sitting on my couch with his feet on the table and a beer in his hand.
My first reaction was to ask him to leave. To go into my room and bury myself in my sadness, but I wouldn’t. He deserved far better than that from me.
“Hey, Firecracker.” He smiled his perfect dimpled smile and the pressure on my chest lessened.
“Hey.”
“What’s wrong?”
“I…” I didn’t really know how to put into words what I was feeling so I just handed him the invitation before I plopped down on the couch beside him.
He was silent as he read the words on the pearlescent card in his hand then he set it along with his beer on the coffee table and pulled me into his lap.
I tucked myself into him and rested my head on his chest.
“Talk to me, Kennedy,” he whispered against the top of my head.
“I don’t know what to say. I’m just hurt. It’s stupid really.” I shrugged my shoulders.
“It’s not stupid. They don’t deserve your pain, but it’s okay that you feel it.” He rubbed his hand up and down my spine.
“I just hate that I let them hurt me. I knew this was coming, but I hoped it wouldn’t. I hoped they would change.”
Tucker nodded his head and kissed my forehead. “What can I do?”
I thought about his question for a moment and realized that he was already doing it. He was making things better by just being there.
“Just make me forget for a while.” I looked up into his eyes, which turned darker at my words.
“Now that I can do.” He lifted me in his arms, carried me to my room, and made me forget everything including my name.
…
“Not happening.” I shook my head in protest.
“Come on. Don’t be a party pooper.” Chloe bounced in her seat with excitement.
“I’m not a party pooper. I just don’t sing.”
“Don’t let her lie,” Tucker said from beside me. “She sings in the shower all the time, and it is amazing.”
I elbowed him in his stomach, which only caused him to laugh. He had just told me the other day that my voice was amazingly horrible. I didn’t take it as a dis either. I knew how bad my voice was, but I typically rocked it anyway. What I didn’t do was showcase it in a bar full of people with a karaoke mic in my hand.
“See.” Chloe waved her arms around, the alcohol she was drinking clearly loosening her up. “Come on. It will be just us girls. It will be amazeballs.”
She and Brooke both stood up and I hesitated before Tucker gave me a gentle push.
I straightened my shirt, threw a dirty look over my shoulder at Tucker, and then followed the girls on stage. The guy running the sound equipment put a microphone in each of our hands, and I stared down at the thing and prayed that it burst into flames.
Instead, the music started and Brooke hooked her arm in mine with a giant smile on her face. I was about to embarrass myself in front of this entire bar, but for that smile on my bestie’s face, I would do just about anything.
The music began to pump through the speakers and I laughed when the words “Like a Virgin” by Madonna lit up across the karaoke screen.
Then we rocked the shit out of it.
A full on girl band happened on stage, and although we probably sounded hideous, the crowd of people loved us and sang along to the words.
By the time we made it back to the table, I was sweaty, laughing, and feeling drunk on life. I leaned into Tucker and planted a kiss onto his smiling lips.
He pushed a piece of hair off my sweaty forehead. “I’ve been thinking.”
“About?”
“About how we haven’t been on a proper date.”
I had to wrack my brain, but he was right, we really hadn’t.
I put my hand on my chest, shocked. “What kind of girl am I? You haven’t even taken me on a date, and I’ve already given it up to you?”
He grinned a wicked grin. Only one dimple popping out. “I’m pretty damn persuasive. You couldn’t resist my charm.”
“Oh shit. It’s getting deep in here.”
He pulled me into his chest and chuckled against my head.
“I’m being serious though. I know you’re busy all week with shoots, but what about next weekend. Let’s get away for a few days.”
“A getaway?” I pulled away and looked back up at him. “How is that a date?”
“Well, we can go on dates during our getaway. We need some time to ourselves.” He nuzzled into my neck and I softened around him.
“How long of a getaway are we talking?”
“Maybe a week,” he said nonchalantly.
“A week?” I shrieked. “I can’t be gone a week.”
“Yes, you can. I already looked in your planner and the only thing you have scheduled that week and it’s at my restaurant. We can reschedule.”
That damn smirk. It made me want to smack him and rip off my clothes at the same time.
“Where do you plan on going?” I crossed my arms over my chest.
“That’s a surprise.”
“No. I don’t like surprises.”
“Too bad.”
“I’m not going unless you tell me.” I did a smirk of my own.
“Yeah, you are. I already spent a lot of money to book it, and you’ll feel too guilty to let me do that.”
“Seriously, Tucker?” I asked, exasperated.
“Seriously.”
“You’re an asshole.”
“I know.”
“But I love you anyway.”
“I know that too.”
I pushed him in his chest, which didn’t even cause him to budge.
“But I love you more.” He pressed his lips against mine in a gentle kiss and I shook my head. There was no way that he could love me more than I loved him.
32
The Surprise
Nothing in this world made me want to kill my best friend more than when I found out she was conspiring against me. I came home from an engagement shoot that I did right outside Tucker’s newly purchased bar, Firecracker, to find my suitcases packed and waiting by the door.
Tucker and I were set to head to the airport at nine in the evening, and I was refusing to pack until he told me where we were going.
“What is this?” I pointed down at the offensive pieces of luggage.
“Your bags.” Brooke poked her head out of the kitchen and smiled at me.
“And who may I ask packed my bags? Did you let Tucker in there when I specifically told you to guard my shit from him?”
“Nope.” She popped the p.
“Then how?” I thought about it for a second before realization finally hit me.
“You broke friend code,” I screeched and pointed my finger at her.
“I did not break friend code. I helped my stubborn friend in her time of need.”
“This is not my time of need.” My hands were now on my hips.
“Yes. It is. You needed to pack your bags but you have no idea where you are going and what to take. I do, so I helped you out.”
I narrowed my eyes at her. “You know where we’re going?”
“Oh did I say that. Oops.” She didn’t look like she was one bit sorry.
“You have to tell me.” I grabbed her arm and pulled her toward me.
“Not happening.”
“I will let you do my makeup any time you want for the next month.”
“Really?”
I had her. I knew I had her, but I needed to sweeten the deal.
“Yeah. I’ll even let you put slut dust on me if you want to.” I wagged my eyebrows.
“Seriously?” She was getting excited.
“Of course. We’re best friends.”
“Oh, wow. Okay. Tucker is taking you…” She looked around the room like she was making sure he was nowhere in sight.
“Yeah?”
“On a secret trip.” She wiped her brow dramati
cally. “Wow. I’m glad I finally got that out.”
“I hate you.” I stomped toward my bedroom to see what all she had packed.
“No, you don’t.”
She was right. I didn’t. I never would.
…
I looked up at the sign in front of me.
There was no fucking way.
It wasn’t happening.
It couldn’t be true.
Departure: Fiumicino- Rome, Italy
I stopped dead in my tracks and stared at the words in front of me.
Rome.
Italy.
One of the most architecturally rich places in the world.
A place I had always dreamed of going.
He was taking me to Rome.
“Firecracker, are you coming?” Tucker called from in front of me, both of our carry-ons hanging off his arms.
“What?” I squeaked the word out. I wasn’t even sure if he could hear me.
“Are you coming?” He adjusted one of the straps on his shoulder.
“Tucker?” I was still staring at the sign.
“Yeah?”
“Are we going to Rome?” My voice cracked and I knew I was close to losing it.
“Yeah.”
I finally dropped my gaze to him, and he looked so damn adorable standing there holding our bags with a hopeful look on his face. His normal confidence was gone, and in its place was his vulnerability.
I finally broke out of my stupor and I ran to where he stood. He wasn’t expecting it when I launched myself into his arms, but he managed to recover before we both hit the ground.
I kissed him deeply. Our tongues tangling in a dance that was far too inappropriate for the middle of the airport. Dozens of people were walking around us in a rush trying to get to their destination. They didn’t care that we were having a moment. They only cared that we were in their way.
“What was that for?” Tucker asked when we finally came up for air.
“For this.” I held my arms out in the air, and he gripped his arms behind me before I fell. “For you being you.”
“So you are happy with your surprise?”
“Happy doesn’t cut it.”
…
My hands shook around my camera as I continued to take shot after shot of the Colosseum. We had been in the Colosseum for what felt like hours now and I was sure Tucker was ready to leave, but he stood next to me without saying a word while I tried to capture the best angles and lighting.
“This is amazing.” I finally pulled the camera away from my face.
“It really is.” He nodded his head.
“Where to next?” I was already tired after waiting in the hour-long line to get in, but I wouldn’t waste my time in Rome.
We passed out once we finally made it our hotel. Our bodies tired from being cramped in tiny seats on the plane for such a long flight. Tucker was probably much sorer than I was since he allowed me to use him as a pillow during our flight, but we both needed the sleep.
When we woke up this morning, we walked the streets of Rome dipping into small shops and tasting amazing food. Then we came to the Colosseum because I couldn’t take not seeing it any longer.
“I figured we’d go get lunch then some gelato then head home to get ready for our date.” He pulled me in close to him, our hips touching.
“Our date?”
“Yes. I told you I would take you on a proper date once we got here.”
“We’re in Rome. I think that’s the ultimate date.”
“I still want to take you out for a nice dinner.” He placed a kiss on my jaw and butterflies took off in my stomach. “Okay?”
“Okay.”
…
By the time I was ready for our date, I felt like a ball of nerves. I had on a simple lace black dress that was packed in my bag that I had never seen before with a pair of black heels. I shook out my hands as I stared at myself in the mirror.
Tucker was waiting for me right outside that door. Probably sitting on the bed wondering why I was taking so long. Hell, I didn’t know why I was taking so long, but there I stood, staring at my large eyes that were filled with anxiety.
Taking a deep breath, I finally pulled the door handle open and stepped out of the bathroom I had been holed up in for the last hour or so.
Tucker was sitting in a chair by the window and stood up as I walked into the room. He was dressed in a black suit with a black dress shirt. He wore no tie and the top couple buttons were undone, and he looked devilishly handsome.
“Wow, Kennedy. You look gorgeous.”
“Thank you. So do you. Well, I mean…” What the hell was I saying? “You do look gorgeous, but men don’t like being called gorgeous. So you look very handsome.”
He smiled his deep dimpled smile. “Are you nervous, Firecracker?”
“No. Why would I be nervous?” I fidgeted with the hem of my dress.
“You seem nervous.” He edged toward me and twirled a piece of my hair between his fingers.
“Nope. I’m good.”
“You sure?” He pressed his lips gently to mine. “Because you have no reason to be. It’s just you and me.”
“I know.” I let out a deep breath and some of my anxiety went out with it.
“Okay. So let’s do this.”
We walked hand in hand out of the swank boutique hotel we were staying in and onto the streets of Rome. There was a black car waiting for us along the street, and Tucker opened the door for me before sliding in himself.
“Where are we going on this date?”
“Surprise.” He shrugged his shoulders.
“Another surprise? When are these surprises going to end?” I wasn’t really against his surprises. Yes. I had a need to be in control, but if I was willing to give my control up to anyone, it would be him.
“Hopefully never,” he whispered against my ear before he pressed his lips to my jaw.
My arms broke out in chill bumps, and I swear I practically swooned in the backseat of the car.
After driving for about ten minutes, Tucker pulled a thin black blindfold from his suit pocket and dangled it in front of my face.
“What the heck is that?” I pointed to it like he was holding a snake.
“It’s a blindfold.” He smirked.
“Well I know that, but what is it for?”
“It’s for you. I can’t have you peeking at my surprise.”
“Fine.” I pouted.
His smirk got bigger.
He gently placed the blindfold over my eyes and secured it at the back of my head. Then he held my hand in his and peppered kisses along my jaw and neck. My stomach tightened when his tongue ran along my collarbone.
“What are you doing?” I whispered, hyper aware of the driver who could clearly see us.
“Distracting you.” He trailed his hand along my knee as he whispered in my ear. “Is it working?” He nipped my earlobe, and it took everything inside me not to cry out.
“Yes,” I said in a breathy moan.
“Good, because we’re here.” He pressed one last kiss to my lips then pulled away from me as the car pulled to a stop.
I groaned in frustration and Tucker’s deep chuckle echoed through the car.
I heard a door open then Tucker helped me out of the car. The night was cool, and a slight breeze whipped my hair around. We began walking forward. One of Tucker’s hands was in mine and the other was guiding my back.
“There are several steps ahead of us. Just let me guide you.”
I nodded my head. I trusted him completely.
As we climbed the steps one by one, I wracked my brain for where he could be taking me. I tried to think about what I knew of Rome and what places had stairs, but the options were endless and I had no idea where we were.
There was a loud creak of a door opening. A heavy door. An old door. Then Tucker’s hand on my back pushed me forward and I could feel the air change around me.
I could smell candles. That I was certai
n of, but there was something else. One of my favorite smells in the world. The smell of an old building.
I took a deep breath and let it fill my lungs. I could taste the history on my tongue without ever laying my eyes on the building.
A chair scraped against the floor and Tucker helped me take a seat. Finally, he removed my blindfold.
I couldn’t breathe.
I looked around me at the architecture, the art, and the history that surrounded me, and I couldn’t breathe.
I was sitting at a table that was set for two, candles littering the surface, plates filled with beautiful food, and I didn’t know what to do.
“Are you okay?” Tucker was sitting across from me, and I didn’t see another person around.
“How did you do this?” I squeaked out. “This isn’t possible.”
“Everything is possible.” He shrugged.
“We are on our first date,” I did air quotes with my fingers as I said the word date, “and you bring me to the Sistine Chapel?” I was starting to sound hysterical.
I looked up at the ceiling, at the amazing detail of the art that surrounded us. I took in the curves of the wall. The details in the wood. I had never been in a more beautiful place. I had never been so in love with a single moment of my life.
“You don’t like it?” He looked really concerned now.
“Like it? Are you kidding me? I can’t believe it. No other guy will ever be able to compare to this, Tucker. You’ve ruined me.”
“That was the plan.” His dimples popped out and I fell so deeply in love with him in that moment.
“I love you,” I breathed out.
“I love you too, Firecracker.” And I knew he meant every word.
“So what now?” My hands shook in my lap.
I, Kennedy Hayes, the girl who had never been good enough, the girl who had lived her life riddled with fear of failing, sat in a room filled with greatness. I was surrounded by grandeur and magic, and I had never felt more enchanted.
It was my own fairy tale. One made specifically for me.