Love Unrehearsed

by Tina Reber

  My next vow stated, “I promise to find a way every day to make you happy.”

  He sorted through the sheets and held up the one with the BJ on it. “Can we edit the BJ vow to daily/hourly? That would make me really happy and tend to my needs all in one shot.”

  He looked so damn hopeful. How could I ever deny him anything? I sifted through the vows, finding the one that said he’d love me forever. “Since you promised, I’ll see what I can do.”

  He reached across the table, took my hand in his, and pulled it to his mouth, placing a tender kiss next to my engagement ring.

  Chapter 26

  Marry Me

  Ryan’s escape from celebrity life only lasted so long. He’d stopped looking at scripts and considering multimillion-dollar roles, which worried me more than he could have ever realized. I knew his career, his A-list status, could only take so much before it would be too late to revive. Fortunately, the premiere for the second Seaside film, Day of Dawn, sucked him right back into the spotlight.

  It was almost as if he’d never left. I didn’t realize how much I’d come to miss his hectic lifestyle until we didn’t have it anymore. I missed Mike and Marie even more, and I was grateful that Ryan had another junket to get through so we could all be together again.

  I was so glad that the premiere was in L.A. It made making secrets deals that much easier. While Ryan was occupied with the press, I met with two influential producers and negotiated a two-hundred-thousand-dollar purchase. I had to sell all of my family’s vested interests in the wineries to do it, but investing in Ryan’s future was worth it.

  Everything had gone off without a hitch.

  Things continued to look up two weeks later when we were in Berlin. Mike had stormed into our room, Marie tight on his heels, a grin the size of Texas plastered on his face.

  “You will never believe this shit,” he announced, holding out his phone. “I just got a message from my buddy, Nix, who does security out in L.A. If this doesn’t brighten your day, I don’t know what will.”

  I’ll never forget the smile on Ryan’s face when he heard Nix say in his message that David Ardazzio, forty-five, was arrested today and charged with possession of 3.5 grams of cocaine.

  Justice had been served. We were all able to put that horrible incident behind us.

  But that was four weeks ago. I was now looking out at the breathtakingly beautiful blue water from the lanai of our gorgeous beachside villa in the Maldives, getting prepared to make my final walk as a single woman. My groom was off in his parents’ villa, probably feeling just as nervous as I was.

  “Your hair looks awesome,” Marie said, spraying to hold it in place. She had twisted my hair into a loose ponytail, fluffing it out to make it look even thicker.

  I lightly swatted at her. “Not too much spray. I want Ryan to be able to touch it without it breaking off or getting his fingers stuck.”

  Tammy had my sandals in her hands, smiling as if she had a secret. “Shoes or no shoes?”

  “You’ve got to go barefoot, Taryn,” Janelle answered. “It’s the only way.”

  Tammy smirked. “Well, you may choose not to wear them, but you have to at least read them.”

  Read them? “What are you talking about?” She was really excited when she handed over my brand new Stuart Weitzman strappy bridal sandals. I turned them over, seeing a handwritten note penned on the bottom of one of the shoes.

  You’re my best friend,

  You’re my love,

  You’re my life.

  I can’t wait to

  make you

  my wife!

  Love, Ryan

  My breath hitched as his message sank in. I covered my mouth, holding back from sputtering. I had envisioned the man I would marry one day, and Ryan had transformed that image into an unbelievable dream. I wasn’t nervous anymore. I knew with absolute certainty that my Ryan wanted me just as much as I wanted him. Tears dripped down my cheeks as I handed the shoe over to Ellen so she could see her son’s sentiment. Tammy was already reduced to a pool of tears, spurring me to cry harder while I was reprimanded for ruining my makeup.

  A few minutes later, Ryan’s mom uncovered my dress. It was white silk and had a thin ribbon crisscrossed over the open back. I received four nods of approval when I first tried it on but my teeth chattered now as I shimmied into my dress.

  Janelle unwrapped my three solitaire diamond necklace—my “something new” wedding gift from Ryan. I had my mother’s beaded hair comb that she wore when she’d married my dad, tucked into the top of my loose braid—my something old. As much as I wished my parents could have been alive to see me on this special day, I knew that they were looking down on me. They were be in the sunrays that cracked through the clouds and the warm breeze that tickled my skin.

  Jill had a small box in her hand. “This is from Joe and me. Thank you for letting us be a part of your day, Taryn. It means the world to your father and to me that you’ve included us.”

  I hugged Jill, giving her a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you for being here.”

  She touched my face and smiled. “Go on. Open it.”

  My fingers fumbled opening the lid. I gasped when I saw the exquisite sapphire bracelet. “Oh my God!

  This is beautiful!”

  “It’s your something blue,” she said happily.

  “Thank you so much! Would you help me put it on?”

  Leave it to Janelle to yank me back into reality with her humor. “We have to go soon This is the easy part. Not killing him when he ticks you off is the hard part.”

  I gaped at Ellen as she was nodding her head. “You’re telling me there are times you want to kill Ryan’s father?”

  “Oh yes,” she admitted. “It’s not often—maybe three or four times a year—but it definitely happens.”

  I looked over at Tammy.

  She agreed. “I threatened to kill Pete on the flight over here.”

  Marie was finishing trussing up my dress when I caught a sparkle on her hand. Her fingers were bare when she was putting on my makeup.

  I spun so fast I almost fell over. I grabbed her hand. “Oh my God! What is this?”

  Marie smiled coyly. “Mike proposed to me last night!”

  I was so elated; it was hard to contain myself. Could this day get any better? I hugged her fiercely.

  “How? When?”

  Marie giggled. “Last night. He took me for a walk on the beach and told me that he’s never felt this way about anyone and he can’t imagine living life without me.”

  I think I screamed. I definitely know I was tugging hard on her left hand, taking in the huge rock on her finger.

  “He then said he didn’t want to wait to ask; he didn’t want me to think that he was motivated by your wedding or anything.”

  I hugged her again, whispering my words of congratulations. This was a big step, but I knew no matter

  what happened, I’d always have her in my life. After all, her three-bedroom house was physically attached to mine—separated only by a breezeway.

  Marie gave me a smile. “What say we go get you married? Ryan Christensen is waiting.”

  There was a gentle knock on my door before I saw my birth father, Joe, peek around the corner.

  “Everyone dressed and ready?” he asked.

  I smiled at his awkwardly innocent expression. Ryan had flown Joe and his family here for me as a surprise. They may not have been my parents growing up, but without Joe, I wouldn’t have this moment, and that meant a lot to me.

  The sun was just starting to set when I walked on shaky knees down the beach. I held Joe’s arm as he steadied me.

  I felt instant relief when I saw that Ryan was in fact standing next to the man who would be officiating our union.

  As soon as I saw him there with his hands clasped in front of him, his hair gently tussled by the ocean breeze, that breathtaking smile he wore just for me—nothing else mattered. This man was my everything.

  He’d been there
for me through thick and thin, through the good, the bad, and the ugly. Our vows on silly napkins were framed and mounted above our bed for us to always remember and never take for granted.

  As soon as Ryan took my hands in his, all of my nervous worry drifted off into the breeze.

  I woke with a smile to tiny kisses peppering my shoulder. I think I actually fell asleep with this same smile on my face. I rubbed my hand over his arm so he’d know I was awake.

  “Good morning, Mrs. Christensen,” Ryan said while kissing my neck. It tickled.

  “Good morning, husband.” I glanced at the clock. “More like, good afternoon, husband.” I rolled over and nuzzled into his chest. “Do you think they’ll miss us if we skip out on dinner, too?”

  Ryan laughed softly. “I have no desire to get out of bed. That’s why they invented room service.”

  I drifted my fingertip around his new platinum wedding band; my vow of “Yours Forever” engraved inside. I was hoping that this all wasn’t just a dream. “I never gave you your wedding present.”

  Ryan smiled and kissed my forehead. “I think that thing you did last night when you were on top and riding me was a wonderful gift.”

  I nudged him. “Smart-ass. Hang on.” I crawled out of bed.

  “Gift number two—my wife completely naked.”

  I wrinkled my nose at him, retrieving the thin box I had wrapped in gold foil.

  He flipped the box over, inspecting both sides. “What’s this?”

  I crawled back under the blankets. “A dream.”

  His eyes narrowed. “A dream?”

  “Yep. Dreams only come true if you point yourself in their direction.”

  He fingers combed his hair back. God, that was so damn sexy. I hoped I’d never lose my appreciation for it.

  He slid his leg over, tapping me in the foot. “Is that so?”

  I fluffed the pillows under my head and nuzzled back into his side. “Yep.”

  “Well then, I guess we’re tossing your birth control pills in the garbage.”

  He caught me off guard. “You ready for all of that?”

  He shrugged. “I’m ready for whatever life throws our way.”

  “Good. Now open your gift already!”

  Ryan slid his thumb under the edge of the paper, tearing it off. “Gold paper, eh?”

  “Yep. That’s what it is. Inside is your golden ticket, too.”

  He shook the box, separating the lid. A tinge of panic seeped through me when he frowned at my gift.

  “A script? You bought this?”

  “Yep. TLC Productions owns it.”

  He examined it again. “This is that script you were so adamant about me pushing. Tar, no one wanted to back it.”

  I shrugged. “That was then. We have a meeting with Jeff Westfield at Universal whenever you’re ready to put on pants again.”

  Ryan was astonished. “You got producers on board?”

  I grinned proudly. “Yep. Anna Garrett’s in on it, too. Word on the street is that several big-name directors are interested.”

  He grinned at me. “You were a busy girl.”

  “Yes, I was. Sneaky.”

  He pursed his lips. “You really want me to act again? After all we’ve been through?”

  I rubbed my hand over his heart, noting the subtle change of pitch in his voice. “Yes, I do. It’s who you are. It’s what feeds your soul. The rest . . . the rest is just details.”

  Epilogue

  Just Rewards

  Breathe—just breathe . . . Nope, holding my breath works better.

  Okay, okay . . . I can do this. It’s not so bad now. Breathe again, slowly. In and out, in and out. I hope this doesn’t take too long. I don’t know how much longer I have until it’s officially too late.

  My, those curtains are ornate. That sure is a lot of fabric hanging down from the ceiling. I wonder if all those lights make it hot up there?

  I can’t believe Johnny Depp is sitting right behind me. This place is packed with everyone who is anyone in this business. I wonder where Bill and Ellen are sitting? I’m glad they’re here in the building somewhere. Save them another trip.

  Oh damn, here comes another one. Hold on. Oh wow that freakin’ hurts! Breathe through it, just breathe. One one thousand, two one thousand, three one thousand.

  Why now? You couldn’t wait one more day . . . even a few more hours? Impatient little bugger—just like your father.

  Breathe through your mouth, Taryn. No one will notice if you don’t make it look obvious.

  Should I tell him?

  I probably should.

  If I say something now, he’s going to freak. He’s already freaking out. No, don’t say anything—not yet.

  I can make it. But will I be able to make it to the car?

  Count. Need to count. Why didn’t I wear a watch? Oh yeah, I have on this one-hundred-thousand-dollar diamond cuff bracelet on loan from Harry Winston. Count the value of diamonds I’m wearing . . .

  bracelet—one hundred thousand, necklace with drop pendant two one hundred thousand, heavy earrings pulling on my earlobes three one hundred thousand . . . just breathe.

  Okay, they are getting closer together. Those last two were less than three minutes apart. Tell him.

  “Ryan?” I squeaked. “Honey, um, how much longer, do you think?” I adjusted my sitting position.

  He looked at his watch that I got him for Christmas. “Maybe ten more minutes. Why? Are you nervous?”

  “No,” I breathed out, feigning a smile. “Not nervous.”

  “Tar, you’re sweating. Are you okay?” He turned his body to face me.

  I breathed out through my clenched teeth. “Bad timing.”

  His eyes opened wide. “Timing?”

  “Yep—a few days ahead of schedule.”

  “Are you saying it’s time? Like now is right now?”

  “I can make it. But after they make the announcement . . . Mmm.” Take quick shallow breaths. Oh shit, that hurts. I hope I don’t stain this four-thousand-dollar custom gown.

  “When did they start?” he asked, trying to remain calm but not succeeding.

  “Earlier,” I replied.

  “While we were out on the red carpet?”

  “Before that,” I whispered, trying not to moan from the pain. “When she was doing my hair and makeup.”

  “Taryn! That was almost five hours ago! We need to go now. Do you need to go now? Tell me if it’s time to go now.” Ryan started to panic. He was already lurching out of his seat.

  “Calm down,” I breathed between waves, grabbing a hold of his tuxedo jacket sleeve to pull him back into his seat. “We’re okay. But I suggest we don’t linger.”

  As soon as I spoke, another blast of excruciating pain shot through my abdomen. I held my breath and scrunched my eyes together. They were coming on faster and harder.

  “Taryn, if we need to go, we go. I’m not going to get this anyway. It’s not worth putting you two at risk.”

  “You don’t know that.” I hated that he was being so pessimistic. He was brilliant.

  “We can go if you need to go,” he said, already sounding defeated. “It’s all right.”

  “No,” I stated adamantly, gritting my teeth. “We’re not going anywhere until we hear your name called and they open that envelope. This is your moment. A once-in-a-lifetime moment. I can stick it out.”

  I breathed through my pursed lips. “But I think it’s safe to say that the little tiger and I are not going to make it to any after-parties tonight,” I said, trying to add some levity to the situation.

  “Honey,” he started to argue.

  “Stop. There is no way in hell we are going to miss this,” I whispered. “We have time.” I had to lie—he was freaking out enough for the both of us.

  I grabbed his hand. We would go through this together, just like we’d done everything else . . . united as a team.

  The enormous curtain dropped over the stage after the lifetime achievement award p
resentation ended.

  “The camera is going to pan to us when they announce the names,” he leaned over and whispered in my ear, inconspicuously wiping the bead of sweat trickling down my neck. “Just so you know.”

  “I know. The camera has panned to us before. I can see when the red light goes on. I’ll be wearing this same smile, I promise.” My smile was permanently glued in place. “But it will be bigger.”

  “Are you sure you want to wait?”

  “Yes, just shut up already.” I grinned at him. “I wouldn’t miss this moment for anything in the world.

  Well, you know what I mean.”

  His shiny leather shoe slid across the floor and tapped gently into my low heels.

  The music started.

  “Please welcome two-time Best Lead Actor Academy Award winners Daniel Day-Lewis, Tom Hanks, Sean Penn, Jack Nicholson, and Dustin Hoffman.”

  Ryan squeezed my hand and I could see he was holding his breath, too. He took my elbow in his hand and helped me stand up to applaud the actors walking out onto the stage. The five amazing and talented men each announced one of the five actors who were nominated for this year’s Best Lead Actor award.

  I smiled so proudly as Ryan’s name was announced. Jack then joked that he was willing to share the sex symbol status if he had to. We all laughed when he said that if you didn’t know who Ryan Christensen was, just ask any female between the ages of six and ninety-six and they would surely tell you all about him.

  Ryan, of course, rubbed his forehead while smiling.

  I was so proud of him—it made enduring the pain worth it.

  No matter what happened with his career from this moment forward, Ryan was now—officially—an Academy Award nominee.

  He squeezed my hand tightly, holding our hands to his lips. We both stared off at the floor while each second seemed to last minutes.

  “And the Oscar goes to . . .”

  I held my breath while the excitement and contractions rippled through me.

  Ryan was holding my hand so tightly my fingers were starting to tingle from lack of circulation.

  “Ryan Christensen—Isletin.”

  I think I screamed.

  Everyone stood up to applaud—everyone. Famous directors, famous celebrities, famous musicians—the entire audience rose to applaud for him.