“I would be delighted to escort you, Ms…”
“Alta. But you can call me Alexis, because Ms. Alta is my mother.”
“She’s feisty. I like that,” Brooks concludes to Dylan as the rest of the crowd chortles.
Dylan turns to leave, then adds, “Alex, you have your work cut out for you. I’ll see you all in the morning.”
NIKKI ADJUSTS THE CHAMPAGNE colored gown that Cassidy has painstakingly worked on since she had been home.
"I knew when I saw the design that it would look gorgeous on you. Even if you hadn't been pregnant, the design looks perfect on your body."
And Cassidy was right - Nikki felt beautiful. The silk material cascades down her skin in a Grecian design, the material bunching along one of her shoulders and gathering at the opposite side of her waist.
"So you know what tonight is?" Nikki asks, gauging her friend.
"I do. Do you?" Cassidy retorts, smoothing down the royal blue, column dress she adorned her body with for the evening.
"I am so happy for them. I think Avery has been waiting for the other shoe to drop; you know, like, she was waiting for her luck to run out. Logan was the one pushing for this wedding so soon, he wanted her to feel assured that her bad luck had finally run out. Plus, I think he knows Avery would want the babies to come into a married household. That’s something she never had growing up."
"I can completely understand that. After hearing everything she had been through, I am surprised they didn't elope and visit the Justice of the Peace."
"Me too," she agrees, watching Cassidy make one more adjustment to the golden gown Nikki is wearing before finally declaring the garment a success.
Nikki steps to the mirror to adjust her hair into a tight French Twist, a style that she and Everleigh decided would flatter them both. In the mirror’s reflection, she can’t help but see Cassidy pull out her phone, furiously type a message, then slam the phone back in her bag.
Returning her attention to the mirror, she tries not to notice how Cassidy tilts her head to the sky in defeat and wraps her arms around her waist protectively.
Turning around, she inquires, "It's none of my business, but is everything alright, Cassidy?"
Choking back a sob, there is silence for half a beat before Cassidy replies, "It wasn't supposed to happen. Not with him. I wanted nothing to do with him or anyone like him. But it happened, and now he wants nothing to do with me."
"Who? What happened?" Nikki asks in alarm as she moves closer and tucks Cassidy's taller frame against her body.
Cassidy wilts under the exchange, giving in to Nikki's comfort.
"I fell in love with someone that I can never have."
Before she can elaborate, a knock on the door startles them both and Cassidy stands straight, brushing away her tears. She turns her emotions off with a snap to answer her bedroom door at her parent's house.
"Well, don't you clean up nicely, big brother."
"You look beautiful, Cass."
"I know,” she beams, “but wait until you see Nikki. She looks like an angel," Cassidy says in her characteristic, intriguing manner.
Taking a breath, self-conscious about how the fabric clings to her ever-present bump, Nikki steps out from around Cassidy.
She hears Austin's breath catch and he slowly remarks, "Holy shit."
"I know, right?" Cassidy adds as his gaze travels up and down Nikki's body. "I didn't have to do much: she is naturally a stunner. I'll let you two get reacquainted, just no hanky panky. One, this is my room when I'm home and two, we need to leave in five minutes."
Austin stands, his jaw slack with awe, as Cassidy brushes past him in all her glory.
"So... do you like it?" Nikki asks, giving a little twirl.
"Like it? Sweetheart, I fucking love it. You look breathtaking."
"Thank you. You look very handsome yourself."
And it’s true. Austin looks especially handsome in a full three-piece suit, designed by his sister just for the occasion.
Austin leans forward and steals a kiss from Nikki as she fiddles with his tie.
Placing her hands on his lapels, she musters up the strength to push him back while still savoring his taste.
"Mmm... if you don't stop now, then we'll never leave."
"I know," he claims as he presses another kiss against her lips and trails his hand down her body, feeling the smooth material beneath his hand.
"Austin," she murmurs against his lips.
Pulling back, he huffs. "Fine," He says, taking her hand and escorting her downstairs where the rest of the family waits.
"Are you ready?" Dylan asks the family as they all proceed to their vehicles: some going towards Logan and Avery's party, the rest joining Austin and Nikki as they head towards the festival.
"I'm nervous, Austin," Nikki whispers as they follow the road towards the town center.
"Me too, sweetheart. Me too."
AS HE DRIVES TO the area where Dylan had told him to park, Austin watches Nikki from the corner of his eye as she stares, mesmerized by the large white lights strung across Main Street.
As Austin pulls into a space, he watches hesitantly as Everleigh pulls up beside them. She climbs out of her car, looking for the entire world as if she were Nikki’s twin.
Leaning over his seat, he whispers to Nikki, “Is it weird that I think you look absolutely fuckable tonight, but then my sister is dressed up to look just like you? I’m starting to freak out.”
Nikki laughs loudly in the truck, her giggle reverberating off the doors and windows.
“No, you’re not attracted to your sister, Austin. Stop freaking out.”
“It’s just weird, that’s all,” he replies, shaking his head to remove the disturbing thought.
Reaching into the left pocket of his pants, he feels for the cool metal and stone that he retrieved from his jeans earlier. The ring was something he always carried around.
He hadn’t taken much thought to the size: he was obviously able to purchase something large that demanded attention, but he hadn’t thought Nikki would want something like that.
He had remembered how Ashley had all but bucked at the thought of a small ring when they had gone window shopping, explaining that the stone was directly proportional to his love for her, on the other hand, the two-carat diamond sat alone, glistening atop the white gold band. Its solitary setting drew enough attention that he hadn’t felt the need to add a halo of smaller stones, like the jeweler had suggested.
Is this enough for her? Am I enough for her?
“Are you ok?” Nikki asks, resting her hand gently on his arm.
“Yea, I’m fine. Just thinking about work,” he lies.
“I think Dylan says we can get started. I might need your help walking around though; the ground may be a bit slippery.”
Cassidy had brought Nikki and Everleigh fur-trimmed boots to wear outside, instead of the heels they needed for the party. Long black dress coats that practically reached the ground kept them warm, the tips of their gowns barely peeking out from the edge.
“I’m afraid I’m going to ruin the dress,” Nikki worries as Austin opens her door and moves to help her get out of the truck’s cab.
“It’ll be fine,” he promises her, squeezing her hand.
They had waited to exit until Everleigh had been safely moved to the back room of Wake and Bake, which is serving hot chocolate and miniature cupcakes for the festival.
Dylan signals them from the back corner of the brick building and Austin and Nikki proceed as directed.
Austin helps Nikki maneuver her way towards the sidewalk, then the two stroll around the town’s Main Street, enjoying the assortment of goodies that each of the businesses has set up for the night.
The New Year’s Festival in Carson is legendary in their town and in surrounding counties. People had been coming here to watch the star Light up on the top of the Courthouse since the 1950’s. More recently, suburbanites in Asheville had been making the trek to C
arson to enjoy the small town, old-school throwback festival, versus the big celebrations hosted in the larger cities.
As the couple draws closer to the epicenter of town, he notices the gathering of people is substantially larger than in past years.
“I’ve never seen so many people on Main Street before,” Nikki discloses in astonishment.
“This is the most people I’ve ever seen at the festival when it starts. It’s going to get very crowded tonight.”
“Do you think it’s going to hinder our plan?”
“No, I don’t think so. Come on; let’s go get some hot chocolate to warm you up and we’ll walk around. We’ve got about an hour before we need to steal the show,” Austin reminds her with a laugh.
They make their way to the stand that Wake and Bake has set up close to the town center, about two blocks from the actual shop.
Sandra, the nurse at the physician’s clinic, is working the booth for Everleigh and she greets them warmly.
“What can I get you both?” she asks behind the scarf she has wrapped around her neck.
“Two hot chocolates and a cake pop please,” Austin orders.
“Sure thing. That will be seven dollars.”
As Austin pays for the drinks and snack, he notices Nikki glancing around the square with a scowl on her face.
Taking the drinks from Sandra, he passes the cake pop to Nikki and asks her what’s wrong.
“I’m just waiting for someone to jump out at us. It’s nerve wracking not knowing all the people here.”
Nikki wraps her mouth around the delectable morsel of cake, balanced perfectly on the tip of a bamboo skewer, and Austin watches as her eyes turn in an instant. One second they are narrowed with suspicion; the next, they are glittering with joy.
“Wow, this is like a white chocolate and peppermint mix,” she exclaims. “It’s delightful. You should get one.”
“I’m fine. I’ll take your word for it.”
After she finishes the treat, he takes the wooden skewer from her and tosses it in the trash before handing her the hot chocolate.
“Mmm… your sister should sell this all year round.”
Austin chuckles in response because it’s Sydney’s favorite drink as well - which is exactly why she doesn’t serve it all year.
They walk towards the benches that are wrapped around the light post, which stands alone and divides the lanes of the street.
“Are you too cold?” Austin asks, trying to fill the nervous void with conversation.
“I’m fine,” she replies, still dissecting the crowd with her eyes. “So have you seen any exes yet?”
Running his hand across the back of his neck, Austin feels uncomfortable as he answers her question.
“Yes, I’ve seen six since we’ve been here.”
He doesn’t add that one of them is Ashley, whom he quickly ignored as she waved at him under her hooded jacket.
“I see Sara over by the flower shop talking with Victor. Should we go say hello?” she asks, choosing not to comment on the number of exes he’s seen.
“No, let’s just stay here and relax before the show.”
Nikki nods her head and rests it against Austin’s shoulder.
They watch the crowd passing by, both absorbed in their thoughts as they look for any signs that might give away Austin’s attacker.
It suddenly seems as though no time has passed at all before Brooks walks by with Alexis perched on his arm, the two appearing for all the world to be a cute couple from out of town, enjoying the festival.
“That’s our cue,” Austin announces, sitting up straight from his previously relaxed pose on the bench.
“I guess,” Nikki replies with hesitation. “Nothing is going to happen, right?” she inquires nervously, searching Austin’s eyes for the truth.
Reaching forward, Austin tucks a small strand of hair that has fallen loose from her up-do behind her ear.
“I promise that I won’t let anything happen to you.”
Nodding, the two of them work their way down the street in the direction that they came, noting that Brooks and Alexis are following, but at a distance.
At the end of the block, Austin stops suddenly, causing Nikki to spin on her heel as Austin yanks her hand. She looks at him expectantly, but he gestures for her to look up. As she steers her gaze towards the twinkling lights set atop bushel of mistletoe, Austin drops to his knee.
Her hand still tightly grasped within his, he declares, “Nikki Deveraux, you and I have a history of ups and downs, but through all of it, even though sometimes I was too cowardly to admit it, my love for you has always been constant.”
Out of the corner of his eyes, Austin can see the crowd growing around them and Alexis, Dylan, and Heath glance around the grouping closely.
“You are the light of my life that I never knew I needed, and you are giving me a gift more precious than anything I could ask for.”
He watches as a tear streaks down her cheek, and she moves to wipe it with her free hand. Little does she know what he has in store.
“I will love you until the end of time. Would you do me a great honor and be my wife? Will you marry me?”
As Nikki nods her head in agreement, her facial expressions exactly resembling the blissful surprise of a newly engaged woman, the crowd goes wild around them. To his relief, no one approaches as he tugs Nikki into his arms.
Taking a deep breath, more nervous than he was even before, he whispers into her ear, “I hope that you realize I meant every word of what I just said.” Her arms tighten around his waist, a crazed hope fluttering in her chest as he continues, “Please marry me, Nikki. I want you forever and always.”
Pushing back slightly, tears shimmering in her eyes and her smile brighter than he had ever seen, she nods her head and whispers back a simple word: “Yes.”
Keeping her close, he pulls the ring from his pocket, the delicate band finally finding its place of purpose on her finger: the place it was always meant to be.
As she slips it onto her hand, he adds, “I’ve been carrying this around for almost half a year. I had always intended on making you mine, sweetheart.”
With the ring finally in place, she throws her arms around his neck and he reciprocates around her waist. Their embrace only lasts a few short seconds as he watches Dylan signal in his direction that the time for the switch has come.
Taking a hold of Nikki’s hand, he drags her behind him in a rush and they enter Wake and Bake, looking like nothing more than a couple happily celebrating their engagement.
Despite the circumstances, the two practically float into the back area of the bakery and Austin presses Nikki against the wall, capturing her mouth with his own.
“Thank you, baby,” Austin says between kisses.
She takes his face between her hands and breaks away from the kiss whispering, “Is this real? You really want to marry me?”
“With everything I am, darlin’.”
She pulls his face forward and kisses him again, at least until they hear the tell-tale signs of uncomfortable coughing in the background.
“Alright, alright, break it up. Now let’s get this show on the road. I have a party to attend,” Everleigh states.
Dylan casually walks towards them, snacking on a cupcake with bright pink icing.
“You and Everleigh wait about ten minutes to leave. That gives me enough time to get Nikki away.”
Austin and his sister nod in agreement, then make their way over to Sydney’s office. Turning to leave, he pauses and kisses Nikki once more, promising, “I’ll be there before you know it.”
“She ok?” Everleigh asks in her typical hushed voice.
“Yea, I think she just wants all of this to be over.”
“We all do. What a stressful thing to go through.”
“I know. I probably should have mentioned it to everyone sooner, but with the FBI on the case, I thought it was being handled. I never expected it to escalate to this.”
&nb
sp; “How much money has been stolen from your company?”
“Around three million in assets.”
“Holy cow!” Everleigh shouts.
“I know. The FBI assures me that it will be recovered. But it doesn’t really matter at this point. I just want it all over.”
Everleigh nods her head and picks at the pocket of her coat before they both realize their ten minutes have finally passed.
“Brooks and Alexis are waiting for us, and I believe Heath should have moved to the roofline at this point.”
Everleigh nods her head again.
“I never said anything, but thank you for doing this. You’ll never know how much it meant to me.”
“Don’t make me cry, big brother. You’ll ruin this make up.”
“Sorry. You look beautiful by the way. I mean, you are always beautiful, but I’ve never seen you wear makeup before.”
“Thanks. Sydney helped me. I had no idea what I was doing. She worked a miracle,” Everleigh forces a giggle.
“You don’t need the make-up, sis. You’re just as pretty without it,” Austin assures her as they go to stand by the door.
“Remember, keep your head down like you can’t stop gazing at the ring on your finger.”
“Right,” she replies, twirling the fake diamond around her ring finger.
Austin moves to open the door and he places a gentle hand at the small of Everleigh’s back to guide her. Head down, he keeps his gaze forward as though he is admiring his new fiancée, but in reality, he is scoping out his pathway. He can see Alexis and Brooks about three yards behind him, moving at a similar pace. He assumes Heath is in place on the rooftop of Wake and Bake, but he is unable to confirm this.
Finally, they approach the secluded parking lot, and both Austin and Everleigh sigh a deep breath of relief.
Somehow, nothing catastrophic has happened, and Austin can’t help but feel both respite and anger at the fact the attacker still hasn’t been captured.
“Come on, let’s get you in the car,” he says, tugging his sister along behind him.
They have nearly reached the vehicle when she suddenly lets out a yelp of shock.
Austin turns around in alarm, coming face-to-face with his ex-girlfriend, Ashley, who is holding a gun to his sister’s back. Her once dark brown hair is now a fiery shade of red, but the cut and style similar to his coworker Sara’s. Austin instantly realizes her goal had been to frame Sara with the crime.
Coming Together: Welcome to Carson, Book Two Page 15
