by Sydney Logan
Caleb tugs my hand until I’m on my feet, guiding me around our little round table and pulling me into his lap. I bury my face against his neck as he holds me close, gently tracing little patterns up and down my spine until my anxiety finally starts to subside.
“Better?” he asks softly.
I nod. How embarrassing. Thank God we’re outside and nobody’s paying attention.
“Skye, I want you to listen to what I’m about to say. I’m sorry you’ve had to endure all that, but there’s something you need to know about me. I will never leave you. I can’t. Do you know why?”
I shake my head.
Caleb gently lifts my chin so that I’m forced to gaze into his blue eyes.
“Because you’re my heart’s only option.”
With a sigh, I melt against him and lay my head on his shoulder.
It’s Saturday, and I’m all alone.
Normally, this isn’t an issue. However, I have a wedding to plan, and the key players in the production—namely the groom and matron of honor—are avoiding me like the plague.
Something’s up.
They’ve both been acting shady all week. Phone calls at odd hours. Whispered discussions when they don’t think I’m paying attention. If it wasn’t my best friend and fiancé, I’d totally think they were having an affair . . . except Lynsey’s husband is always right there during the conversations, too.
It’s weird.
But I can’t worry about it. I need to be productive today, so I sit down on my couch and glance at the calendar on my phone. I need to make an appointment with Pierre about the cake, and we need to find a place to have the ceremony. Most importantly, I need to call the bridal shop and ask if the dress I tried on that day is still available. If not, I’ll be heartbroken, but I don’t expect such a gorgeous dress to still be on the rack, and I certainly can’t ask them to order it. Time is of the essence, and if the dress is gone, I’ll just have to settle for something they already have in stock.
It’ll be fine.
That’s what I keep telling myself, anyway.
I’ve just finished scheduling an appointment with Pierre when someone knocks.
“Just a second!”
I quickly save my notes on my calendar before sprinting off the couch. I’m not expecting visitors, but nothing could’ve prepared me for who I find outside my door.
Eli’s standing there, wearing a little tux and holding a single daisy.
“Umm . . . hi?”
He smiles shyly. “Mom and Dad are waiting for you downstairs. You’re supposed to come with me.”
“Where are we going?”
He fidgets with his bowtie. “I’m not allowed to tell you that.”
“You can’t tell me where we’re going?”
He shakes his head and offers me the daisy, which naturally, I can’t resist. Eli grins when I place it behind my ear.
“Do I need to change?”
“You can change when we get there.”
“Get where?”
His mouth pops open, but he catches himself just in time.
“Nice try, Aunt Skye.”
He’s just too smart.
“Fine, what do I need to bring?”
“Nothing. We have everything you need.”
“Can I at least grab my phone and lock my door?”
Eli sighs. “Fine. Hurry.”
It takes me ten seconds to complete those tasks, but when I get back to the door, he’s tapping his foot impatiently.
“Are you ready now?”
I eye him suspiciously. “I don’t know, am I?”
Eli grins. “Definitely.”
He takes me by the hand and leads me downstairs.
Deafening silence fills the car as we head downtown. I’m sitting with my nephew in the backseat, nervously drumming my fingers while my tuxedo-clad brother weaves his way through traffic.
“Why isn’t anyone talking?”
Nick finds my eyes in the rearview mirror. “Because we’re afraid to.”
Jill, who’s sitting in the front seat, punches him in the arm. She’s dressed to kill, and I feel very out of place in my sweatshirt and jeans.
“Why are you guys so dressed up? Why didn’t you let me change?”
“Relax, Aunt Skye. We’re almost there.”
I glance out the window, hoping for a clue. “Almost where? You know I hate surprises.”
“We’re well aware.” Nick laughs.
Moments later, the car stops just outside The Boombox. Immediately, my door opens, and Jesse’s standing there—in a tux. He offers me his hand.
“Hey, you.”
“Hey,” I mumble as I climb out of the car. “Why the hell is everyone dressed up?”
“The Boombox is hosting a special event today. Black tie.”
“Then I’m really underdressed.”
“You won’t be for long,” Nick mutters under his breath.
Jill punches him again before plastering on a smile, and we head into the club. The first thing I notice are the tables and chairs, all draped in white. The next thing I see is my father, standing there in his Sunday suit.
Next to him is my mother.
“Surprise,” they say in unison.
I immediately start to cry.
“What the hell is going on? Why are you guys here?”
Mom hugs me tight. “I’ve missed you so much.”
“I missed you, too.”
I turn to Dad and hug him, too. “What’s—”
“Don’t kill him,” Dad says softly. “The boy is so nervous. He really loves you, Skye.”
“I don’t under—”
Before I can even finish the sentence, Dad steps aside, and that’s when I see him. My handsome, wonderful fiancé, standing on the stage under an arch of ivy. His eyes find mine, and my heart melts.
“Holy crap.”
Lynsey’s suddenly by my side, tugging me by the hand and leading me to the stage. Caleb, dressed in a black tuxedo, immediately wraps me in his arms.
“Will you marry me?”
I swallow nervously. “I already said I would.”
“Today. Will you marry me today?”
Stunned speechless, I finally allow myself to focus on my surroundings.
“You did all of this?”
Caleb squeezes my hand. “No. We did. Remember?”
We did?
I glance around the room. Caleb’s parents and his Aunt Carol are sitting in the front row, beaming proudly. Behind them are Juliana and Deacon, both holding cameras. Juliana’s dad is sitting beside her, smiling wistfully at the two of us. Macy and Robyn are sitting at the bar, where there’s a big buffet of finger foods and my favorite raspberry cake from Pierre’s. Behind the partition, Jesse and his band are there, holding instruments. Then, I catch a glimpse of Antonio standing next to the jukebox, holding a wedding veil, and I know, deep in my heart, the bridal gown of my dreams is waiting for me somewhere in this club.
Suddenly, Eli steps up and takes his place next to the groom, and my eyes fill with tears when I realize Caleb asked my nephew to be his best man.
Simple. Small. Intimate.
The wedding of our dreams.
I remember.
I remember our two best friends forcing us to pick out finger foods and cake samples, and all along, Caleb and I were planning our own wedding. And I remember the past few weeks . . . all the hushed conversations and phone calls and my best friend’s complete lack of enthusiasm for my wedding.
It all makes sense now.
I’d kill them both . . . if I wasn’t so lightheaded.
“I think I need to sit down,” I mutter.
Dad sprints off the stage and grabs a chair. Caleb helps me sit down before dropping to his knees in front of me.
“This was a stupid idea. I’m so sorry, Skye. I just thought it’d be romantic. We don’t have to get married today. We can just have a big-ass party and dance all night.”
“Caleb, I’m just a littl
e dizzy. It’s—”
“Forget dancing. We’ll just eat. You love Pierre’s raspberry cake. I’ll tell Antonio to ship that dress back to London, and we can live in sin for the rest of our lives.”
Dad clears his throat, his subtle signal that he didn’t approve of the living in sin part of the plan.
“Caleb Lynch.”
He sighs heavily. “Yes?”
“I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
“But if you send my dress back, I will make you sleep on the couch for the rest of your life.”
Everyone laughs—everyone, that is, except my future husband. The poor guy looks like he’s ready to puke. Time to put him out of his misery.
“I love you. Of course I’ll marry you. Today. I need one favor, though.”
“Name it.”
“Would you get Lynsey and Antonio? I’m going to need help getting into that dress.”
Caleb’s face beams as he leans in, kissing me softly, and the entire room erupts in cheers.
The ceremony is short and simple, but that doesn’t make it any less filled with love.
As the minister speaks of true love and commitment, and how Caleb and I will inevitably face trials in our marriage, I know with all my heart that we’ve already weathered a lot of our storms. So many obstacles have stood in our way, and we’ve overcome each and every one, giving us the chance to stand here, where it all started, and pledge our lives to each other in front of our family and friends.
When the minister tells Caleb that he can kiss his bride, we wipe away each other’s tears and kiss tenderly as the room explodes with applause.
We do all the traditional things, like cutting the cake and the first dance, and I’m proud of myself for keeping my emotions in check. But when my best friend grabs the microphone to make her toast, it’s all I can do to keep from sobbing.
“Needless to say, this has been a whirlwind courtship. Over the past few months, I’ve been reminded that life is spectacular and spontaneous. I’ve learned you can’t really plan for anything because you can’t predict what will happen tomorrow. I’ve also learned that when you find the one person your heart just can’t live without, you have to do whatever it takes to make it work—even if it includes lots of daisies and a mixtape of sappy love songs. You have to listen to your heart and ignore everything else.”
I smile up at my husband who’s watching me with warm, loving eyes.
Lynsey raises her glass. “To Skye and Caleb.”
Our friends and family echo her toast, and the band starts to play. My ears perk up. Even without the vocal, I’d know that song anywhere.
“Okay, I know you planned this one.”
“I might have planned this one. Would you please come dance with your husband, Mrs. Lynch?”
With a smile that melts my heart, Caleb leads me onto the dance floor. As we dance to the not-so-slow song, I can’t help but think that Lynsey’s right. Life is crazy, chaotic, and wonderful, but as I look around this room, I sigh in contentment, knowing the most important people are right here, smiling at us and sharing in our joy. To feel so much love is overwhelming, and I don’t realize I’m crying until Caleb gently brushes a tear away from my cheek.
“Are you happy?” he asks, pressing his forehead to mine.
“Blissfully. Truly the time of my life.”
Caleb smiles and leans down, kissing me tenderly.
“And I owe it all to you,” he whispers against my lips.
Sydney Logan writes heartfelt romances that feature strong heroines and the heroes who love them. In addition to her novels, she has also penned several short stories and is a contributor to Chicken Soup for the Soul. Sydney holds a Master’s degree in Elementary Education and spends her days surrounded by kids and books. A native of East Tennessee, she enjoys playing piano and relaxing on her porch with her wonderful husband and their very spoiled cat.
Visit her online at www.sydneylogan.com.
Lessons Learned
Mountain Charm
Soldier On
Pros & Cons
Songbird
Once Upon a December
Breathe Again
Force of Nature
Stupid Cupid
If you’re a music lover, you might have noticed that each chapter is titled the name of an 80s song. I also mention various songs and artists throughout the book. Here is a playlist of the music that influenced and inspired the writing of this novel. The playlist is for entertainment purposes only. Please enjoy. ♥
Listen to Your Heart – performed by Roxette
Take My Breath Away – performed by Berlin
Every Rose Has its Thorn – performed by Poison
Escape (The Pina Colada Song) – performed by Rupert Holmes
If Anyone Falls – performed by Stevie Nicks
You Spin Me Round (Like a Record) – performed by Dead or Alive
Jessie’s Girl – performed by Rick Springfield
I Wanna Rock – performed by Twisted Sister
Hold Me Now – performed by Thompson Twins
She’s Like the Wind – performed by Patrick Swayze
Waiting for a Girl Like You – performed by Foreigner
Right Here Waiting – performed by Richard Marx
Anything for You – performed by Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine
Bringing on the Heartbreak – performed by Def Leppard
Red Red Wine – performed by UB40
All Out of Love – performed by Air Supply
Foolish Beat – performed by Debbie Gibson
Hole Hearted – performed by Extreme
Don’t Dream It’s Over – performed by Crowded House
St. Elmo’s Fire (Man in Motion) – performed by John Parr
We Belong – performed by Pat Benatar
Love is a Battlefield – performed by Pat Benatar
When Doves Cry – performed by Prince
The Living Years – performed by Mike + the Mechanics
Canon in D – composed by Johann Pachelbel
Bridal Chorus - composed by Richard Wagner
Heaven – performed by Bryan Adams
End of the Innocence – performed by Don Henley
If Tomorrow Never Comes – performed by Garth Brooks
It Is Well with My Soul – composed by Horatio Spafford and Philip Bliss
Over the Rainbow – composed by E.Y. Harburg & Harold Arlen
Blame It On the Rain – performed by Milli Vanilli
Karma Chameleon – performed by Culture Club
Can’t Fight This Feeling – performed by REO Speedwagon
(I’ve Had) the Time of My Life – performed by Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes
To T.M. Franklin – This whole page should be devoted to you because I know I drove you crazy in trying to find the perfect cover for this book. I’m sorry for the gray hairs. Thank you for your talent, patience, and friendship.
To Kathie Spitz, my editor – Thank you for always making my stories the best they can be.
To my proofreaders – Shaina Hanson, Terri Gislason, Patti Jaeger, and Giselle Blanch. Thank you for your input in the early stages of this novel.
To the wonderful ladies of Enchanted Publications - I’m honored to be part of such a strong and supportive group of writers!
Thank you to the bloggers, reviewers, and to my ARC team who always support my books. Your kindness and support are appreciated more than you know.
To my husband – It’s no surprise to anyone that I married a radio DJ. Thank you for loving me.
And finally, to my readers. Hearing that you shared my book with your friend, your daughter, your mother, or your grandmother never fails to amaze me. Thank you!
Psalm 71:23
Other Titles Offered by Enchanted Publications
Canada Square by Carrie Elks
Fireworks by Lindsey Gray
Breathe Again by Sydney Logan
Chasing Castles by Jiffy Kate
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sp; Compass by Jeanne McDonald
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The Contract by Melanie L. Moreland
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Jackson Stiles, Road to Redemption by Jo Richardson
The Other One by Jiffy Kate
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