Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 89978 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 450(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89978 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 450(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
Koen built a beautiful arch, and his mom and brother wrapped it in pink garden roses and lavender peonies beneath the boughs of his majestic Encino Oak tree. The front yard has a rented tent with tables for a small reception.
“You have a guest.” Steph pokes her head into the bedroom.
“Koen can’t see me.” I turn toward the door.
Steph adjusts the waist of her light-blue chiffon sleeveless V-neck dress that matches all three of her girls. My three flower girls. “It’s Price.”
My mom smiles. “I’ll give you a few minutes.”
As soon she disappears, my first love steps into the room looking dapper in his heathered, light-gray suit, tailored to perfection.
White shirt. Royal blue tie.
“Nervous?”
I shake my head, and his gaze lands on my hands as I pick at my fingernails, which have been professionally manicured for the first time in my life.
“A little. I don’t like being the center of attention. And I’m worried that I won’t remember my vows. Maybe I should run. What do you think? Will you drive me? I’ll leave Koen. You’ll leave Amelia. And we’ll …” I scrape my teeth along my bottom lip several times. “I don’t know. Maybe we can go to an island. I bet you could buy an island for us, huh?”
A slow smile swells on his handsome face while he casually slides a hand into his front pocket. “I could probably swing a small island.” He glances at his gold watch. “But if we’re going to do it, we should probably go before it’s too late to get a flight out.”
“There’s no way you don’t have a private jet.” I run the pad of my finger below my eye. Why did I let my sister talk me into makeup? It feels weird, even though she says it’s light.
“I might. Do you want to think about it before we make a rash decision?”
He’s so calm. That used to be my role.
“You’re stunning, Scottie.”
“Don’t.” I fan my face. “I’m wearing mascara. If you make me cry—”
“Shh … stop interrupting the universe.” He pulls something from his pocket and saunters toward me.
“Stop stealing my line.” I grin.
“I’m sure Koen would rather I steal your line than steal the bride. Here.” He opens his hand. “Don’t worry. It’s for your ankle, not your wrist. No one has to see it. It’s white gold and—”
“Blue sodalite,” I whisper, picking up the delicate anklet.
“For tranquility and emotional balance.” He takes it from me and hunches at my feet.
I lift the tulle skirt of my vintage boho A-line dress. It has a lace bodice with a low back, and I feel like a princess. Price fastens it around my ankle.
“I thought it would be you,” I say softly.
He lifts his gaze. It’s surprisingly sad. “What if I said okay? What if we could be on the island before sunrise tomorrow? What if everyone else has just been part of a complicated and emotional path back to each other?”
I start to smile because it’s funny. We’re being silly. Right? But my smile dies when I see something in his eyes that I haven’t seen in twelve years.
This isn’t the man who left Austin two months ago. That man had found peace with his body and mind and yearned to be reunited with his wife and daughter.
I can’t speak. The mind keeps emotions alive long after the moment has died. We spent a summer in love, and when everything died, including our baby, my mind kept Price alive. It fed my imagination just enough to keep one tiny ember burning in my heart.
My lips part to speak.
“Time’s up.” Steph and the girls breeze into the bedroom, bringing a fresh floral scent from the bouquets in their hands.
Price stands, straightening his jacket and tie.
My heart flutters out of control, and the words on the tip of my tongue vanish like waking from a dream.
He smiles, sliding my wispy bangs away from my eyes. “In our next life,” he whispers.
“Do you have the rings?” Steph asks Price while she fixes Winnie’s barrette.
He turns. “I do.”
The second he disappears, I silently gasp.
“Are you okay?” Steph snaps her fingers at the girls. “All three of you, on the bed. Hands to yourselves. And stop picking at the flowers.” She turns back toward me. “You look like you saw a ghost.”
I shake my head. “It’s all the powder you put on my face.”
She rolls her eyes. “Don’t be ridiculous. Here, let’s gloss your lips one last time. And stop picking at your nails.”
I fist my hands at my side and give her a guilty smile while she swipes the lip gloss wand over my lips.
“I still can’t believe Koen asked Price to attend your wedding. I don’t know what kind of witchery you use on men to make them fall in love with you and each other, but it’s impressive.” She recaps the lip gloss. “It’s time. Are you ready to say ‘I do’?” Avery jumps off the bed and hands me my bouquet.