What Makes Us Stronger (A Well Paired Novel Book 3)

by Marianne Rice

  “Not really. We did the divide and conquer thing. Besides. You deserve it. You’ve been a single mom for twelve years and have finally found your true love. Cam is sexy as sin and is awesome to Delaney and you. You’re like the perfect little family.” Mia clicked her tongue and pointed at Alexis. “Pour the drinks, bartender. Spa girl, get the footbath going. Our bride needs a pedicure.”

  Two hours and five bottles of wine later, they all had pretty toes and were working on round two of the food. Lily brought Hope up into one of the massage rooms while Mia painted Jenna’s fingernails and Grace painted Alexis’.

  “This was really sweet of you, to close the spa and host my party. I appreciate it, Lily.”

  “I’m having so much fun and am glad I could do this for you. You’ve been... very kind to me since I moved here.”

  “With the exception of not having any blackmailing stories from your high school years and not knowing your family, it’s like you’ve been part of Crystal Cove your entire life. And without you, we wouldn’t have book club. Great idea, by the way.”

  Lily had only been in town for a month and hadn’t opened up the Sea Salt Spa yet for business when she’d met Celeste Parker at Books by the Ocean. With no friends, no family, and no one to talk to, she spent any free time that she wasn’t working on the spa at the bookstore. Celeste had suggested a new women’s fiction novel, and they were talking about it a few weeks later when Hope had come in. Next thing she knew, an hour had gone by and the three of them had dissected the plot, the characters, and the theme of the novel.

  Hope recommended another read and introduced her to Mia. Then came Jenna and finally Alexis. Grace stopped by for the socializing but had yet to actually read anything.

  “You and Celeste were very gracious in your friendship. I’ve never really had girlfriends. These past two years have been... nice.”

  She shut the door behind them and turned on the music, just loud enough to fill the room with background noise. Crashing waves and soft violins and flutes.

  “Lavender, eucalyptus, or orange oil?”

  “Let’s go with eucalyptus. It sounds so Zen.”

  “I’ll step outside while you slip under the sheet. You can keep your underwear on.”

  “I’m not shy. And even if I was, I’ve had enough wine to make me not care.” Hope giggled and stripped, sliding under the sheet. “I haven’t had a massage in years. This is going to be awesome.”

  Lily gently moved Hope’s hair to the side and worked the tension out of her shoulders. “Let me know if it’s too much pressure or if you want more.”

  “Mm.”

  She pressed the heels of her hands into Hope’s tight muscles, working out the kinks, and dripped more oil on to her skin.

  Hope’s voice was low and throaty with her face looking down at the floor through the open hole of the rest. “So you and Ty.” Lily’s heel slipped across Hope’s oiled skin, and she nearly fell on her back. “That’s what I thought.”

  “There’s nothing to think.”

  “Cameron said he came to your rescue a couple days ago.”

  Lily worked her thumb under Hope’s shoulder blade. “I didn’t need rescuing.” She bore down harder, annoyed that anyone in town thought she needed to be rescued. Lily Novak was not some weak, simple-minded, distressed female. She could handle a simple appliance malfunction.

  “Ouch.”

  “Sorry.” She eased up the pressure and used all of her fingers on Hope’s lower back.

  “Maybe rescuing wasn’t the right word. Cameron said you had things under control by the time he and Ty got to your apartment.”

  “I did.” She may have burnt her eggs as well, but she wouldn’t have if Ty hadn’t come up and distracted her.

  “Ty didn’t need to stay then. You could have figured out your dryer issue on your own.”

  “Yes. I could have.”

  “But he worked on it anyway.”

  Because he didn’t think she could take care of herself. She wasn’t some pampered princess. Not anymore.

  “He didn’t give me much choice.” She used her elbow on Hope’s lower back.

  “That feels good,” Hope moaned and was quiet for a few minutes. Unfortunately, the silence didn’t last long. “He likes you.”

  “I’m a nice person.” She moved to Hope’s thighs and poured more oil on her hands, working them up and down her hamstrings.

  “That you are. Which is why he likes you.”

  She ignored the compliment, concentrating on the muscles in Hope’s legs.

  “I’m very protective of Ty. He’s been my best friend for nearly fifteen years.”

  “I remember how jealous he was of Cameron and vice versa.”

  “Yeah. Now they’re best friends. Sometimes I feel like the third wheel around the two of them. Which is fine. They’re good for each other.”

  “You’re good for both of them.”

  “Listen to us with all the compliments. When we get back from our honeymoon we should double date.”

  “I don’t think so.” Lily moved to her other leg.

  “Why not?”

  “You’re getting married tomorrow. I wanted to give you a relaxing massage, but with all your chatter it’s hard for me to concentrate, and your muscles are tense. Why don’t you lay still and try to drift off to sleep?”

  Hope propped herself up on her elbows and looked over her shoulder with a grin. “That’s the same response Ty gave me when I mentioned the double date.”

  “He was giving you a body massage? I didn’t think you were that close.”

  Hope shook her head with a laugh and rested her head again. “I won’t push it, but don’t be surprised when I say I told you so.”

  Yeah. That wasn’t going to happen. While Ty had everything she was looking for in a man—family orientated, honest, hard-working, genuine, caring—he would be too demanding. He’d want to know more than she was willing to share. He was the kind of guy who wanted it all, and she only had so much to give.

  And by the sound of it anyway, Ty wasn’t interested in her. He’d come to her rescue because he was a nice guy. He’d do the same for anyone else.

  The smoldering look she’d caught in his eyes was from the overheated dryer, not his interest in her.

  It couldn’t be.

  THE FOLLOWING MORNING Hope and her daughter, Delaney, came to the spa so Lily could do her hair for the wedding.

  “I have complete hair envy, Delaney.” Lily picked up the twelve-year-old’s waist-long hair and let it slip through her fingers. It was thick and wavy. Every woman’s dream.

  “I’m thinking of cutting it. I have to wear it in a bun for many of my dance recitals, and it’s getting out of control. The thing is massive. Mom said I can donate to one of those charities that makes wigs for cancer patients.”

  “Your hair is in such healthy condition it would be perfect to donate.”

  “Can we do it today? That way you can do something really cool with my hair for Mom and Cameron’s wedding.”

  “How do you feel about that, Hope?”

  “My girl makes me prouder and prouder every day.” Hope sniffed back tears and leaned over to hug her daughter.

  A lump formed in Lily’s throat, and she stepped away to give them their moment. A moment she’d never experienced. There were no motherly hugs, not even before her mother got sick and died. And no fatherly hugs to make up for them. No wonder she was so easily swept off her feet.

  “Lily? Can you do it?”

  Thankful for the interruption to her unpleasant trip down memory lane, Lily picked up the black cape and draped it across Delaney’s body.

  “If the Windward girls say—”

  “We’re going to be the Smithfield girls after today. Cameron’s adopting me, and I’m going to change my name to his.”

  “You are the luckiest girl in the world. Both of you are.”

  “I know,” Hope sighed, and she wasn’t the sighing type of woman. Strong, independe
nt, feisty, yet over the moon in love.

  It wasn’t jealousy or envy in a negative way, Lily was truly happy for Hope. She wished it would happen for her one day as well. To find a man who would accept her as she was and not ask for anything more; not expect her to relive her past. That man would be hard to find.

  The time went by fast with Delaney’s chatter and with just enough time to spare to do her own hair in a quick up-do before the rest of the girls came clattering into the spa. Lily made fast work of their hair, and Mia assisted.

  Mia cracked Lily up and frightened her a bit too. She was still looking for her niche. She’d made it through eight weeks of cosmetology school but dropped out when she realized it wasn’t what she wanted to do for the rest of her life.

  She waited tables and acted as an assistant manager at Hope’s restaurant, The Happy Clam, when she wasn’t at the spa. And when she wasn’t working, Mia was out on dates or doing something. Always busy, she was.

  Lily peered over at the fancy twist Mia was working on with Grace’s hair. “I didn’t know you were so good at this. I’ve got a wedding party in a few weeks. Want to work it with me? The bride’s been great, but her maid-of-honor is high maintenance.”

  “I’ll take the m-ho then. High maintenance is my specialty.” Mia tugged hard, and Grace yelped.

  “Mia,” Hope reprimanded.

  “Don’t correct her. She’s right. I’m a diva and proud of it. But I’m not a bitch. Shut it,” she quickly added when Mia snorted. “I know what I want and am not afraid to speak my mind.”

  “You two are more alike than you’re willing to admit,” Alexis said from her chair where she waited for her turn. Not that she wanted one. She preferred her hair in a braid or ponytail.

  “Am not,” they both said in unison.

  The front door opened, and Celeste Parker and Hope’s mom, Diane, came through, arm in arm.

  “Oh, sweetie.” She cupped Hope’s face in her palms and sniffed. “You’re gorgeous.” Diane looked over at Delaney and gasped. “And what happened to my twelve-year-old granddaughter? You look like you’re ready to walk the runway.”

  Delaney giggled and hugged her grandmother tight. Again, something Lily had never done. Forcing the negatives away, she focused on the beautiful memories being created in her spa. If she couldn’t have her own, at least she could create them for others.

  Placing the last bobby pin in Jenna’s French twist, she sprayed her hair and called it good. “You’re stunning as well. The men in Crystal Cove are going to flip when they see you.”

  Jenna’s dark hair only intensified the glow of her green eyes. She had a simple beauty inside and out. So sweet, so reserved. She seemed more comfortable painting or working on her pottery than socializing, but who was Lily to judge?

  Socializing had been her thing. Had being the operative word.

  “We need to get the bride in her dress.” Alexis took charge and brought Hope’s dress from out back. “You ladies need to get dressed as well.”

  “As do you,” Hope pointed out.

  “It’ll take me ten seconds to zip up.”

  “I still need to do your hair.” Mia picked up the curling iron and pointed at the empty seat.

  “Nu, uh. I’m not a frou-frou kind of girl. You’re lucky I agreed to even wear a dress. My ponytail is fine. Ben’s not going to recognize me as it is out of jeans and my flannel.”

  “Oh, I’m sure he’s seen you out of them plenty of times,” Grace snickered, and Alexis’ cheeks bloomed red.

  With so many helping hands, they managed to get Hope into her simple off-the-shoulder dress and gave her a few minutes alone with her mother in the nail room.

  Celeste came over and placed a hand on her arm. “It was so kind of you to open your spa to Hope and the girls.”

  “I’m happy to help her out. She’s done so much for me since I came to town.”

  “You’re a dear friend to all these girls. And to... well, the whole town loves you.” She gave Lily a motherly pat and sidled away with a knowing smirk on her face.

  TY APPRECIATED BEING asked to be the best man in Cam’s wedding. He was marrying Ty’s best friend after all, and it only made sense for him to be in the wedding party. And having Lily in the bridal party wasn’t too shabby either.

  Since the wedding was informal, there wouldn’t be too many moments when they’d be paired up. They’d stand up front with Hope and Cam under the gazebo then pose for pictures in the vineyard. The bride and groom, five bridesmaids, Alexis’ husband, Ben, and Ty would sit at the same table for dinner. Chances were he’d hang out with Ben and let the ladies gaggle around together.

  He kept his hands in his pockets and roamed the grounds while he waited for the groom to finish dressing inside the function hall. The man should be a ball of nerves, but he was as calm as Emerald Pond on a warm June night. Not a ripple of unease in the man.

  If he’d been nervous, Ty would have questioned his promises to Hope. Would have drilled him about second-guessing, taking off, leaving his commitments behind. Hope and Delaney deserved stability and love in their life, and Ty believed they had found it with Cameron.

  Much like Ty, Cam didn’t have many friends, but for different reasons. He was new to the area and didn’t have family, where Ty preferred to keep to himself. Less likely to get screwed over by those he trusted. Besides his family, Hope, and now Cameron, were the only people he truly trusted.

  The only other guy he saw much of was Ben. He and Alexis had married last year, and they’d all hung out a few times in a big group, but Ty wasn’t a going out and having a beer type. Ben seemed to be, so did Cam. Maybe over time, once Ty could get past his demons, he’d open up a little. For now, this was good.

  Small groups. No commitment. Distance. Less chance of getting hurt. Again.

  Ty turned when he heard the door open and close and let out a low whistle. “You clean up nice, pretty boy.”

  Cam tugged at his tie. “I’m glad Hope didn’t want the monkey suit thing. I would have worn one for her, but damn. This tie. I’m not used to wearing one.”

  Hope had picked out light brown suits for the men to wear. White shirts and purple ties. Lavender, she called them. They looked purple to him. Girl colors weren’t his thing. Like Cam, though, he’d wear anything for Hope.

  “She here yet?”

  “Easy, man. Enjoy your last few minutes of bachelorhood. You’ll be tied down soon enough.”

  “I’m looking forward to being tied down.”

  “I don’t want to hear this.” Ty covered his ears with his hands. Hope was too much like a sister to him. Sometimes more of a sister than Mia. Sure, he was close with his sister, but he didn’t understand her. Mouthy and full of sass, the girl had no boundaries. She’d finally stopped pestering for war stories a few years ago when she realized he didn’t want to talk about his time overseas.

  It could’ve been the roughness of his words or the fact that he wouldn’t let her in his house for months. Whatever it was, Mia finally stopped pushing. Hope, however, never asked, only offered her ear, her shoulder, her arms for a hug if and when he needed them. She understood him better than Mia.

  He loved both women with all his heart though, and would do anything and everything to protect them. Hearing about their sex life, however, was crossing the line.

  Cars started filling the parking lot, and people made their way up the slope by the gazebo. There were no chairs as the ceremony would be quick. Ty recognized some of the business owners and a few other townsfolk gathered around.

  His parents pulled in, and he watched as his father hugged his mother close as they walked up the hill.

  Then the tires of a long white limo crunched across the dirt driveway and stopped in front of Ty and Cameron.

  Delaney got out first and ran into Cam’s arms.

  “You’re going to be my dad as soon as you and Mom say I do, right?”

  “Even before that, princess.” Cameron spun her around, and she giggled. />
  “Uncle Ty!” Delaney wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him tight, and his chest swelled with pride. He loved this girl like she was his own.

  “Don’t tell your mom, but I have a feeling you’re going to be the prettiest girl here. I like your fancy hair.”

  “Thanks. Lily cut a ton off, and we’re donating it to charity.”

  Before Ty could respond, Delaney ran over to join her grandparents who had just pulled in.

  “You gonna give her a little brother or sister? She has so much energy. I think she needs one.”

  “Been working on it,” Cam said with a gleam in his eye. Again, TMI.

  “Hope’ll kick my ass if I don’t get you up to the gazebo before she gets out of the limo. Let’s go.”

  For some reason Ty felt like a proud father. Or brother. Maybe uncle. He didn’t know, but he was proud to be part of this day, to stand with Cam and Hope. Just because he didn’t believe forever would be a thing in his life, didn’t mean he didn’t want it to happen for his friends.

  He and Cam took their spots in the gazebo and watched as the women started piling out of the limo. First Grace got out. Then Jenna, Alexis, and Mia. And finally Lily. The pale purple, hell, the lavender dress cupped her curves, and even though it stopped modestly at her knees, it showed off the longest legs he’d ever set eyes on. Damn, they were long.

  The tank style dress had thick straps, thicker than the spaghetti looking ones that held up her silky top the other morning. And while it didn’t dip too low, he could see a hint of her cleavage, even from so far away. Granted, he was looking. Looking hard. Totally zeroing in.

  Ty couldn’t help his gaze from following her up the three steps to the gazebo. When soft blue eyes met his she faltered a little, and he leaped over to make sure she didn’t fall.

  “I got it,” she muttered under her breath and took her spot next to Mia.

  “Nice save, hotshot.”

  Yeah, he may have over-reacted. Just a little. Ty smoothed his tie and glared at Mia who smiled back at him. He took a moment to make eye contact with each bridesmaid. They were all beautiful women, but Lily was mesmerizing.