by Ali Parker
Through the snow at the end of my property, a pair of car headlights swung up the drive. My mother had been calling me nonstop over the last two days, trying to come see me after she found out I’d been rejected. She was worried, naturally, and no matter how much I tried to reassure her over the phone that I was just fine, she insisted on coming over to see me with her own two eyes.
A mother’s love, I supposed.
Dinner was ready and only needed some quick last-minute tending to. I would have preferred to spend the night painting and drinking, but I could do that when they left. Everyone grieved in their own way and this was mine. I did not want to be shamed for it. I’d lost the girl I thought was going to be my wife. I had a right to wallow however I saw fit.
When the car pulled to a stop outside, I abandoned my studio and moved through the house to the foyer, where I opened the door and waited for my parents to hurry up the steps to meet me.
“Careful,” I warned. “It might be slippery.”
My mother smiled up at me as I held out my hand to her. She took it, and I gave her leather-gloved fingers a squeeze as I pulled her in for a hug. When she stood back, she held my face in her hands. The leather was soft and warm from the heat inside the car but her smile was sad.
“I’m so sorry, Joshua,” she said. “Your father and I have been thinking about you. We know this is not the ending you were hoping for.”
I closed my hands briefly over hers before pushing them down and stepping aside to let her past me into the foyer. My father came up the steps behind her and clasped my hand. He didn’t say a word as he came in and shrugged out of his coat. As he hung it up, I helped my mother out of hers and then took her gloves, which I tucked into the pockets of her knee-length plush coat. Then I hung it on the hook beside my father’s.
“How’ve you been, son?” my father asked.
I didn’t meet his eye. My parents had a way of reading me that never worked out in my favor. “I’ve been all right. Digesting. You know. But it’s fine. I’m fine.”
I felt them exchange a look behind my back when I turned and made my way down the hall to the kitchen. If they said anything to each other to express their doubts about my words, I couldn’t hear it. They had an uncanny knack for silent communication and it had driven me crazy since I was a teenager.
They followed me into the kitchen, where I offered them drinks. I proceeded to pour my mother a glass of merlot and my father and me a glass of whiskey as he fished his tobacco pipe out of his vest pocket and pinched it between his lips.
“How was New York?” he asked.
This was a roundabout way of working their way back to Piper. I saw right through it but I indulged him anyway. “Busy. Loud.”
“And Piper?” my mother asked. “How did she seem?”
I frowned as I thought back to the very brief moment I’d spent with her. We hadn’t been alone. All the others had been there, too. Well, except for Wyatt. “She seemed overwhelmed. And sad. Terribly sad.”
My mother frowned. “Poor thing.”
My father lit the end of his pipe and took a long draw. When he exhaled, a plume of smoke rose up to the rafters above my kitchen. “Poor thing is right. She made the wrong decision.”
“Don’t do that,” I said.
“Do what?” he asked, his eyebrows lifting toward his hair, which over the last year had gone from gray to white.
“Villainize her.”
“That’s not what I was doing.”
I sighed. “She chose the right man for her. And Wyatt is a good man. You can’t force someone to love you. Besides, all I want is for her to be happy.”
“She would have been happy with you, Joshua,” my mother said.
I turned toward the stove. The timer for the roast was about to go off, and I began pulling off lids on the pots and pans of the stove for the potatoes and vegetables. It gave me something to do while I balanced the conversation with my parents. They were only trying to be supportive, but I didn’t find this train of thought helpful.
If anything, I thought it could be damaging. The last thing I wanted was to resent Piper for following her heart.
“She might have been happy with me, yes,” I admitted. “But she’s a smart woman. You’ve both said so yourselves. She didn’t owe me anything. The only voice she had to listen to was her own and I doubt she would lead herself astray. I’m glad it’s Wyatt over anyone else. He’ll take care of her. He’ll give her what she deserves.”
My father took another puff of his pipe. “I was so sure things would come of the two of you. The way she looked at you… I can’t wrap my head around this.”
I braced myself against the counter. “Can we please not talk about this?”
“Joshua, we’re only—”
“I know, Mom. You’re trying to help. But this? This isn’t helping. You think I haven’t agonized over this from every angle over the last few days? Because I have. It’s out of my control. I need to move on. And passing blame and discrediting her choice simply because it wasn’t me isn’t serving anyone. It’s over. She and I are done. We’ve been done for eleven months. I was just too foolish to believe it.”
My mother came to stand behind me at the stove. She put her hand on my shoulder. “We’re sorry, Joshua. You’re right.”
I sighed and hung my head.
She gave my shoulder a squeeze. “Are you going to go to the wedding?”
It hurt to speak. My throat ached. “Yes.”
“Are you sure it’s a good idea?” she asked. Her hand fell from my shoulder to move down my back. “It will be painful.”
I nodded. “I know. But it will also give me closure. And I think I need that more than anything else.”
Chapter 8
Piper
I drummed my fingers on the table as I watched the beads of water roll down the side of my iced water to pool on the dark surface.
“Relax.” Wyatt’s hand rested on my lower back. He was sitting beside me at the table. He was as cool as a cucumber with perfect posture and a warm smile on his lips. “Everything is going to be fine. They’re your family. They’ll be happy for you.”
“You’re probably right,” I muttered.
But the nerves were still there, vibrant and wild and sharp, like a dozen wasps were buzzing around my gut pressing their stingers into my stomach lining.
“I am right,” he said confidently. “Besides, the only margin for error here would be if they don’t like me, right? And I mean let’s be honest here. What’s not to like about all this?” He gestured down at himself.
Giggling, I shook my head at him.
“That’s it.” He nodded eagerly. “Laughter is good. This will be a good evening, Piper. A special one, too. If we make it one. Don’t overthink this.”
The restaurant we were meeting my parents at was a popular and trendy steakhouse not far from the Casanova Club. A limo had driven Wyatt and me to the spot and another car had been sent for my family. We had our own private room and our table sat right beneath a massive chandelier. There were still some New Year’s decorations in sight, like the crystals hanging from the middle of the chandelier and the glittery strands of lights draped from corner to corner of the ceiling. Sheer black curtains covered the brick walls and gave the place a cozy yet sophisticated feel.
Wyatt draped his arm over the back of my chair. “So this wedding dress of yours,” he said conspiratorially. “Are you sure there’s nothing you can tell me about it?”
Not knowing what my dress looked like was killing him.
“I’m not giving anything away,” I said, lifting my chin. “It’s a surprise. That’s the whole point.”
“Really? You can’t tell me anything?”
I pursed my lips thoughtfully. “It’s long.”
He blinked lazily at me. “Come on now. Don’t tease me like that.”
“Well, that’s all you’re going to get out of me. It’s not like you have to wait long. You’ll see it in two weeks.”
“I’ve spent nine months waiting,” he groaned. “Two more weeks feels like cruel punishment.”
I giggled and took the front of his shirt in one hand. He was back to wearing his flannel plaids and I loved seeing him in his normal attire. It reminded me of the ranch. Of the warm spring evenings where we’d sit out on his porch and sip iced tea and he’d roll up his sleeves and I’d drool over his forearms.
“You’ve run into a burning barn, Mr. Brewer. I think you can handle two more weeks of waiting.”
Wyatt chuckled. “All right. All right. I can be patient. Mrs. Almost Brewer.”
I blinked. I hadn’t heard my name in those terms before. “Piper Brewer.”
“It’s got a nice ring to it,” Wyatt said. I released his shirt and he straightened it out.
“It does.” I grinned. I was about to lean in for a kiss when the sliding doors to our private room rolled open and a server walked in with my family in tow.
Phillip came first. He was dressed in a black pea coat and his hair was slicked back. His cheeks and nose were red from the cold winter air, and he flashed me a smile as he came around to our side of the table to give me a hug before I’d even made it to my feet.
When he released me, Wyatt was already on his feet.
“Wyatt,” Phillip said. “Nice to meet you, man. I’m Phillip. Piper’s smarter and better-looking brother.”
Wyatt clasped Phillip’s hand. “Funny. That’s exactly how she described you.”
Phillip shrugged out of his jacket.
“Where’s Mom and Dad?” I asked.
Phillip took the chair on my other side and draped his jacket over it. “Well, that’s a good question.”
My heart sank. I looked at Wyatt, who was already looking at me. His brows were drawn together with concern. I stepped toward my brother. “Is something wrong? Are they upset with me?”
“What?” Phillip frowned. “No. No, nothing like that. They’re still in the limo.”
“Why?” I asked.
Phillip blinked stupidly at me. “They’ve never been in a limo, Piper. Dad is fidgeting with all the buttons and Mom got a little carried away with the complimentary champagne.”
Wyatt burst out laughing.
I groaned and buried my face in my hands. “Of course.”
Phillip snickered like a little kid before dropping into his chair and plucking the drink menu off the table. “Come on, Pipes. Let them have their fun. They’ve had a hard year, and all of a sudden, they’re getting a little taste of luxury. And I’m not complaining either. You’re sure we can order anything we want?”
Wyatt answered for me. “Anything at all.”
“What’s a High Society cocktail and why does it cost a hundred and twenty bucks?” Phillip asked, making wide eyes at the drink menu.
Wyatt shrugged. “Order one and find out.”
Phillip craned around to look up at me. “What do you think, Pipes? Should I go for it? Seems a bit indulgent, don’t you think?”
Wyatt clapped Phillip on the back. “I’m going to order a round for the table.”
After he was gone, I was left alone with Phillip, who closed the menu and patted the seat of my chair, inviting me to sit.
“Are Mom and Dad really just playing around in the limo?” I asked worriedly. “Or are they mad at me again?”
“Mad at you? Why on earth would they be mad at you?”
“For choosing Wyatt instead of the money.”
Phillip smiled at me. “Piper, honestly. Sometimes, you can be as dumb as a post.”
“Excuse me?”
“They’re not mad at you. They’re thrilled. You’re getting married, sis! Mom has been poring over bridal magazines and Dad has told everyone who will listen that his only daughter is engaged. They’re happy for you, Piper. Happier than they would have been if you had handed them a check at the end of this. They want you to be happy. And so do I. And this Wyatt, he does make you happy, right?”
I nodded fiercely. “Yes. He’s…” I searched for the right words. “I don’t know how to explain how perfect he is for me or how he makes me feel.”
“Better figure it out before you have to write your vows. Don’t want to look like an idiot standing up there in front of all your family and friends.”
“Thanks for that,” I said coolly.
“Piper!” My father’s booming voice filled the private room when he and my mother came around the corner and through the doors. He threw his arms open wide and thundered toward me as I got to my feet, and then he scooped me up, spun in a circle with me, and pressed a warm kiss to my cheek. “My girl. Congratulations.”
My mother grabbed my left hand to peer at the ring. Her eyes nearly doubled in size. “Holy shit.”
“Mom!” I’d never heard her swear before. Phillip got up to get a good look at the rock on my finger, too. All three of them oohed and aahed over it and I couldn’t help but blush under the attention.
Then my mother gave me a hug. “It’s good to see you. Now, where is this fiancé of yours?”
“Right here.” Wyatt stood framed in the doorway.
I smiled as my family turned toward him. I hoped they saw what I saw, a genuine smile beneath rich, warm brown eyes. A kind heart and a good conscience. Vulnerability. Goodness.
Wyatt stepped into the room and introduced himself to my father first. “Mr. James. It’s so good to finally meet you. Piper has told me a lot about you and it’s good to put a face to the man who raised her.” He turned to my mother. “And you.” A charming grin broke out over his face.
My mother giggled bashfully.
Wyatt chuckled. “Mrs. James. The pleasure is all mine.” He took her hand, lifted it to his lips, and kissed her knuckles. When he straightened up and released her hand, he peered over at me. “How did I do? I haven’t completely and utterly humiliated you, have I?”
Blushing, I shook my head. “Not at all.”
He waggled his eyebrows at my parents. “Lucky for us, there’s still plenty of time for that.”
“Hey,” I growled.
Wyatt held up both hands innocently before skirting between my folks and coming to my side. He wrapped an arm around my waist and looked imploringly down at me. “How am I supposed to bond with your family if I can’t poke fun at the one thing we have in common?”
My father took his seat across from Wyatt and my mother sat down beside him. Wyatt and I took our seats as well, and I found myself slowing down to soak in the moment.
I hadn’t realized how special this whole dinner was to me. That was why I was so nervous. The man who would be my husband in a couple of short weeks was meeting my family for the first time, the most important people in my life. The people who were, in a way, responsible for us meeting in the first place. It warmed my heart to hear Wyatt’s laughter as my dad talked about the limo. Phillip rolled his eyes and told our father to stop acting like a six-year-old, but Wyatt was more than happy to entertain him.
The cocktails he’d ordered for the table arrived on a silver tray. The server handed them out, and once we all had them in hand, Wyatt tapped his knife against the side of his glass. We all quieted and looked at him.
He stared evenly back at me before turning his gaze on my family. “The next couple of weeks are going to get a little crazy, James family. And I just want you to know how grateful I am for this moment. It’s been a long time coming. This year hasn’t followed any traditional patterns. It’s moved quickly. We’ve skipped steps. And I’m really looking forward to slowing things down after the wedding so we can all get to know each other properly. Most of all, I’d like to say thank you.”
“For what, son?” my father asked.
Hearing the endearing word “son” on my father’s lips in Wyatt’s regard filled me up with warmth. I took Wyatt’s free hand under the table.
Wyatt looked at me. He really looked at me. I smiled back at him and watched the way his Adam’s apple hitched in his throat as emotions tugged at him.
Chapter 9
Piper
Janie nudged one of my moving boxes with the toe of her sneaker before she lifted her gaze to me. “So I guess that’s everything, then?”
I nodded and looked around our apartment. It looked a hell of a lot different with all of my stuff packed away. Emptier. Bigger, too. “That’s everything,” I said.
“This feels so weird.
“So weird.”
“And I feel like I need more time,” Janie said.
I knew what she meant. Time had been slipping through my fingers all year, and one person I wished I’d been able to see more of was my best friend. And now that it was over, I was moving to Texas.
There was one thing that was guaranteed. I was going to miss Janie as much as I’d missed Wyatt last year.
“I wish I had a few more days,” I said.
“I’d even settle for a few more hours.”
“Don’t cry,” I warned. “If you start crying, then I’ll start crying, and when I start crying, I can’t stop. Especially lately.”
“You mean all year?”
“No, I mean—” I broke off and shot Janie a gloomy look. “I know I’ve been a mess all year but I’ve been doing a lot of crying this week, okay?”
Janie swept her fingers through her dark hair. She’d just had it cut a couple of days ago and it looked really good. It was cut short to her jaw and framed her face. “I know. I’m just messing with you, Pipes. And there’s no need to be sad today. We’re going to see each other when I fly out for the wedding. We’ll get in our extra time together. I promise.”
“Still.” I looked around at the apartment. “It feels like I’m closing a chapter of my life I wasn’t quite willing to let go of yet.”
“Neither was I,” Janie said. She stepped forward and we stood shoulder to shoulder, looking around at the place that used to be ours. “But sometimes, life throws you curveballs you don’t expect. And this is a curveball you have to run with, Pipes. It’s your future. He’s your future. And you and me? We’ll always be best friends. No matter what.”
