Stupid Cupid
Page 6
Amy sank into the chair Valen had offered her with a loud sigh. “Kevin and I are getting divorced.”
Lincoln thought her legs might collapse, so she dropped into her seat. “How? Why?” She couldn’t stop her accusing gaze from straying to the waiter. “Because of…”
Amy’s eyes widened and she frantically waved her hands in the air. “No! No.” She let out a sigh and dropped her hands to her lap. “Things with Kevin…They just weren’t working out. We tried. We really did, but we were trying because our families are close. We were trying to work things out for their sake. We weren’t trying for the right reasons.” She shrugged. “We came here a couple months ago to talk it out and call an end to things.”
Her expression was sad, but her face was determined as she continued. “He wasn’t happy, Lincoln, and neither was I.” She hesitated then added, “He’s gay. He was struggling with his attraction to a co-worker. He was just so full of guilt…It hurt me to see him like that.” A half smile curved her lips. “The two of them are making a go of it, and I’m happy for them.”
Lincoln was so stunned, she could barely move. “So the two of you have been separated for months?”
Amy nodded.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I wanted to give him time to figure things out. It wasn’t my place to expose the new life he’s struggling to understand. I do care for him, Lincoln. I wouldn’t hurt him like that.”
Lincoln nodded toward the waiter. “And him?”
An affectionate smile touched Amy’s lips. “The night Kevin and I called it quits, Manuel was our waiter. Kevin left and…” She shrugged sheepishly. “I was upset, crying. Even though it was a mutual decision, my marriage was over. It was still a lot to deal with emotionally. Manny sat down with me, kept me company.” Her expression became one of pride. “He’s an amazing man. He’s caring and kindhearted. And he’s so smart. He’s working here to put himself through veterinary school.”
“He sounds nice,” Lincoln said in awe.
“He is.” With a glance at Valen, Amy waved off the topic of her love life. “Enough about me! Can we talk about this hunk you failed to tell me about?” She turned her attention to Valen and gave him an approving perusal. “Where have you been hiding him?”
Valen grinned widely, obviously enjoying the attention. “Tell her I’m a fairy tale come true,” he teased.
As sad as she was to hear her best friend’s marriage was over, Lincoln could admit Valen had been right to push her toward Manny. He’d only had good intentions where her friend was concerned. He was a good man, and she’d misjudged him from the very start. “It’s been such an amazing four months. I guess I haven’t come up for air. I wasn’t intentionally hiding him.” She smiled up at Valen. “And he is a dream come true. I can’t wait to marry this man.”
Epilogue
6 Months Later
Valentine’s Day
Lincoln stood across from her soul mate, her hands linked tightly with his. The surroundings of the Chapel of Choir were breathtaking, but she paid them no mind. The large blooming violets were no match for Valen’s eyes. The beautiful, satin runway stretched down the aisle had only served the purpose of bringing her to his side. He was the only thing that mattered to her on this day.
When she heard the priest speak the age old question to her, she smiled. “I do.”
Valen’s fingers tightened on hers and his thumb ran along the back of her hand. When prompted for his own response, he took a deep breath. “I do. For all eternity, I do.”
Lincoln held her breath in anticipation of the priest’s next sentence. She let her gaze flick over her groom’s attire. The blackest black suit set off the color of his shoulder length, blond hair, and the deep purple of his tie matched the vibrant color of his eyes. He was a breathtaking man, but it was the love reflecting in his eyes she prized the most.
“You may now kiss the bride.”
While she was still distracted with his overwhelming presence, Valen automatically moved forward. He wrapped his arms around her waist, drew her in against his chest, and kissed her.
Her arms went around his neck and she smiled at the passion of his kiss. Less than a year ago, she’d been depressed and alone. She never could have imagined finding her soul mate and joining with him in matrimonial bliss in less than a year. She felt like the luckiest woman in the world.
As she her thoughts were diverted with her good fortune, Valen dipped her backwards dramatically. When he deepened the kiss, a few whoops went up from the patrons.
Lincoln laughed, recognizing the voices of both Amy and Kevin from the crowd. The two of them had really come to have a solid friendship. And both were happy in their new relationships, happier than she’d ever seen them. Everything seemed to be falling together. Clinging to Valen’s neck, she smiled against his lips, unable to imagine life being any more perfect. “You’re insane,” she accused when he pulled back to look at her.
“Only because you make me that way.” Straightening her to stand, he pressed his lips tenderly to hers. “So, my only question is…was I worth waiting for?”
She smiled, reliving the past year in her mind. Before meeting him, she’d been bitter and lonely. She’d felt jaded. Now, she realized she’d only been holding out for the perfect man. Standing on her tiptoes, she kissed him again. “Yes. I didn’t start living until you came into my life.”
Pulling her close and tucking her in against his side, he whispered in her ear. “Then let’s start living.”
The End
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