by Brooks, Abby
“It was inevitable, you know,” James said after a long silence.
“Was it?” Ian didn’t move, gave James the space he needed.
“Yup.” James nodded, staring off into the distance. The cicadas sang in the hot summer sun and a bead of sweat worked its way down Ian’s back. Another eternity of silence passed between the brothers before James continued. “She was cheating on me,” he finally whispered, as if the admission proved some fault of his own.
“How’d you find out?”
“Things weren’t good between us. They hadn’t been for a long time. We fought more than we did anything else.” James turned and met Ian’s eye, indicated he could sit next to him with a nod of his head. “I suspected for a while and finally confronted her last night.”
Ian took a seat next to James, and stared off into the distance with him. “What’d she say?”
“She was honest. Finally. Told me it wasn’t the first time.” James’s voice cracked a little and Ian ignored it. Gave him the time he needed to compose himself. “Said she wasn’t in love with me anymore. Said she hadn’t been for a long time.”
Anger surged through Ian. If Erin hadn’t been in love with James, if she’d been unhappy enough to cheat, then why in hell had she agreed to get married? Why did she let things get so far? If she’d been cheating on him all this time, why in the world would she let him think everything was okay? Ian didn’t say any of those things, though. James didn’t need to hear them. Was probably thinking them himself. What James needed was time and space. So Ian would sit here quietly. He’d give James his time. As much as his little brother needed.
“I was foolish to think we’d make it. Foolish to think I could marry my childhood girlfriend.” James turned a sad face to Ian and rolled his eyes. “We were thirteen when we got together. What kind of fool would believe we’d actually make it? That through all the changes of our teenage years we’d just keep changing together?”
“You’re not a fool. You fell in love and wanted to stay there. There’s nothing wrong in that.”
“There’s plenty wrong in that since I was busy ignoring all the signs that we weren’t actually in love anymore. That we hadn’t been in a long time.” James sighed. “I avoided her. I didn’t want to be with her. Got excited when she said she had a girl’s night planned. We didn’t like to do the same things. We didn’t like to watch the same shows. We didn’t even laugh at the same jokes. And, really, looking back, we never did. At least not after we hit puberty. We stayed together out of habit. Not because we wanted to be together.” James shrugged. “Hey, look man. I’m ruining this whole day, being a selfish asshole.”
“You’re not ruining anything. I’m here for you. We all are.”
“Yah, well, that’s the first girl you’ve ever brought home to meet Mom and Dad. Don’t pretend like I didn’t notice. And don’t pretend like they didn’t notice. I’m an asshole for bringing this up today.” James stood and crammed his hands into his back pockets. “I’m gonna go. Give everyone my love.”
Ian watched James walk to his car, shoulders slumped, chin nearly on his chest. He raised a hand as his brother pulled out of the driveway and let it drop when James was out of sight. Ian’s mind was going a million miles per hour. The way James had described his relationship with Erin, that also described most of Ian’s relationships up until now. Okay, all of Ian’s relationships. The luster of each new woman had worn off quickly. They’d make fun of his boots, or roll their eyes when he got bossy. They’d be too strong or not strong enough. And before Ian knew it, he’d be just as happy to have a night alone then to have a night with whatever girl he was with.
And here it was, what? Ian did a quick calculation in his head. It was almost July, so he’d spent almost every hour of every day with Juliet for just over the last two months and all he wanted was more. More of her time, more of her energy, more of her body. More laughter, more secrets. More … of her.
His heart pounded in his chest and an idea started to form that had his stomach flip-flopping around in his belly. What the hell was that? Was he actually getting butterflies? Aren’t they supposed to be a good thing? How could anyone call feeling like this a good thing?
He heard Juliet’s laughter, wrapped up with the rest of his family’s and his heart swelled until he thought it would burst.
So this is the one? his dad had asked when they arrived just a few hours ago.
Yes, Ian thought as he headed back into the house, yelling out for an explanation as to what was so funny. Yes, I really think she is.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Juliet
Days passed with Juliet sweating next to Ian while they worked on her house. Painting and laying floor and tearing down wallpaper. Turns out that yes, Ian did know enough about plumbing to replace the tub and sink in the bathroom. Nights passed with Juliet sweating next to Ian some more, but for entirely different reasons.
The man knew just how to make her feel so good, better than anyone ever had. Ever. Period. The end. And not just physically, but mentally and emotionally, too. The brief moments she wasn’t with him, she yearned for him. Aware of his absence as if she’d lost a piece of herself.
Like right now, she was getting ready for some big Fourth of July bash in downtown Bliss and she was all alone, save for Lulu who kept running in circles around her feet and tripping her as she went back and forth from her closet to the mirror. Ian was involved in today’s festivities somehow and was already down there, doing whatever it was he had to do. He hadn’t exactly been very forthcoming about what he was doing. But he’d had that devilish smile on his face, the one that meant he was working on something he thought she would like, so she just played along and kissed him long and hard before he left this morning.
After about her millionth trip to her closet, she decided on wearing a pair of cutoff jean shorts because Ian was so fond of her legs. She paired them with a little halter top and finally pulled her hair back into a ponytail because it was going to be a hot one and she didn’t want to spend the whole day with her hair stuck to her neck by sweat. One final look in the mirror proved that she looked cute and casual, perfectly acceptable for a Fourth of July picnic and parade, and Juliet dashed downstairs.
“Come on, Lulu, let’s get your leash.” She just needed to take the dog out to go potty before she left and decided to check the mail while she was out there. Hot air hit her in the face when she opened the front door. The cicadas sang in time with the ocean waves and her sandals crunched on the gravel in her driveway. It wasn’t too long ago that she would step outside to find honking and yelling, noise and commotion just a normal part of leaving her house. She would choke on smog and the scent of urine in the subway. Have to fight through a crowd just for a decent square of grass to stretch a blanket out on when she visited Central Park.
Now, her world was clean and open, with vast expanses of sea and sky, just for her. The air salty and briny and fresh. It made her feel alive. Real. She wasn’t a cog in the wheel anymore. She moved at her own pace, doing the things that felt best to her.
Her mailbox was full and she juggled Lulu’s leash while she sorted through the envelopes and bits of junk mail in her hand until she saw an envelope with a familiar logo in the corner. Her name and address were etched Michael Phillip’s clean and formal script and it set her teeth on edge. Holding the rest of the mail by pressing it to her side with an elbow and sliding the loop of Lulu’s leash over her wrist, Juliet tore into the letter. Her heart thundered in her ears, drowning out the cicadas and the sea.
Inside the envelope were two pieces of paper. One, a check with way too many zeros to make any sense. The other, a typed letter with Michael Phillips’ scrawling signature angling across the bottom of the page. She read with shaky hands.
Ms. Lane-
Enclosed, you’ll find a check that includes your last paycheck. If you have any questions, please contact your lawyers rather than myself or any other Tech Lord representative.
&nb
sp; Thank you-
Michael Phillips
CEO, Tech Lord
Juliet flipped the paper over, looking for any other piece of information to explain the huge number she’d seen on the check and found nothing. Surely she’d misread the number. Hands still shaking, she slid the check out from behind the letter and read everything another four or five times before her knees went weak. How many zeros was that?
She wanted to scream. To jump up and down and dance and sing. But she wasn’t going to get her hopes up until she’d contacted Ian’s lawyers and found out what this was all about. Surely, she told herself over and over as she put the mail and the dog inside and locked the door. Surely there’s been some kind of mistake.
But what had Michael meant when he’d said that the check includes her last paycheck? That little sentence made it sound like the check wasn’t a mistake. Except, it had to be. That many zeros were life-changing. There’s no way something like that was just going to fall into her lap.
Cars crowded the streets of downtown Bliss and red, white, and blue decorations hung from street lamps and doorways. Families trudged down the sidewalk, parents trailing beach bags and children, lawn chairs and coolers. Juliet found a spot near Good Beginnings and parked the car. A few people smiled and nodded as she joined in the procession of people heading in towards Town Center, where the city had erected a small stage for the brass band to play before and after the parade. Juliet eyed the crowd. She was supposed to meet the Moores here before they found a spot to watch the parade together. It was Harry who spotted her first. She saw him standing tall, waving his arms up over his head to catch her attention.
Turning sideways from time to time to avoid errant lawn chairs or overly stuffed diaper bags, Juliet made her way through the crowd to where the Moores had gathered near the stage. “Hey,” she said as she arrived in front of them.
Diane gave her a funny look and then wrapped Juliet up in a tight hug. “Hello, my dear.”
Juliet didn’t quite know what to do, but she unfroze after only a second and returned Diane’s hug. “I don’t have a chair,” she said, when Diane loosened her grip. “But I brought a towel, if it won’t embarrass you to be seen with me, sitting on the ground.”
Diane was on the verge of answering when a swell of music from the musicians cut her off. The people who had gathered today—and that was just about all of Bliss from what Juliet could tell—quieted and stood, facing the stage. Diane gave Juliet one of those Moore family winks and the same devilish smile Ian had given her this morning. What in the world was going on here?
An elderly man in military dress blues took the stage and stood in front of a microphone. “Welcome to Bliss’s annual Fourth of July Festival!” The old man spread his arms in greeting and the crowd cheered. Harry touched Juliet’s arm and beamed at her, a goofy grin, way too excited to be just because of the parade. Unless the guy just really liked parades.
“Before our illustrious band plays our National Anthem, I’d like to call the heroes and veterans of Bliss onto the stage, so that we might all give them our thanks.” The crowd roared and applauded while a small line of men and women of various ages, in various dress uniforms, all crammed onto the stage with the band and the old man at the microphone.
Juliet’s heart flip-flopped at the sight of Ian up there in his dress whites. So handsome. So strong. Chin lifted, chest out, eyes proud. God, he was gorgeous. He was everything she’d ever wanted. Ever needed. She’d fallen in love with him weeks ago. Hell, she’d been in love with him before she’d even known who he was. He was just that perfect for her. The band started into the national anthem and the men and women onstage snapped to attention, saluting the crowd. The cheers and applause died down as the audience put their hands over their heart and sang along with the band.
Tears pricked Juliet’s eyes and pride swelled her heart. That man up there, the one who’d rescued her dog at the rest stop, the one who’d given her directions when she needed them and a home when she didn’t have one. The one who’d thawed her heart and helped her remember what it meant to trust someone with her entire being, to know what it was to love unconditionally, he wasn’t just her hero. He was the town’s hero, too. She’d never felt so full. So overjoyed. So proud.
The song ended and people broke into discussion, gave their attention back to their families and sat down. Juliet watched as Ian found her in the crowd and a smile broke across his face that echoed in her heart. He winked at her one more time. Then took a deep breath and stepped towards the microphone.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” he said, his powerful voice booming out over the loudspeakers. “If I could have your attention for just one more moment.” Ian smiled out at the crowd and then his eyes settled on hers. The Moores all sat down, leaving Juliet as the one person left standing in their little group. Her eyes filled with tears and her hands shook and she swallowed all of it down when he smiled at her. “Juliet,” he said and she gasped. “I love you. I love you like I’ve never loved another. I need you like I need the sky. And if you know me at all, then you know that’s a whole hell of a lot.”
Juliet was aware of light laughter around those gathered, heard a few surprised gasps, and somewhere, someone sniffled. She still hadn’t taken a breath yet. Waiting for him to continue.
“Each moment I’m with you only leaves me wanting more. So, I’m here today, in front of this whole town, asking you to give me more. Give me all the time I’ll ever need. I’m asking you to be my wife. Juliet Lane, will you marry me?”
Juliet finally breathed. One stuttering choking sob of a breath and Ian hopped off the stage, ambled over to her while digging in his pocket and got down on one knee in front of her, opening a small velvet box.
It’s too fast, said her head to her heart.
Oh, shut up, said her heart to her head.
Juliet knew without a doubt that this man was designed for her and she was designed for him. She put her hands to her mouth and nodded frantically, unable to find her voice.
“I need to hear you say it,” he said, eyes gleaming.
“Yes,” she whispered and then laughed as he took the ring from the box and slid it onto her fingers.
“She said yes!” he called out to the people gathered in the square. There was another round of cheers and applause and the band started playing. Juliet pulled Ian to his feet and wrapped herself up in his arms. All around her, people came by to congratulate them, and Juliet just smiled and nodded, numb and still kind of in shock. She’d known it from the moment she’d seen him, that she’d always need more and more of the amazing Ian Moore and now, she was going to get just that. A whole lifetime of more.
***
They sat through the parade, unable to let go of each other’s hand and finally begged off to go home as dusk fell. Ian sent her to her house to get Lulu before meeting her at his house because there was no way he was spending another night without her in his bed.
And now, here she stood on his front porch, cracking open the door with Lulu held under one arm. She put the dog down and looked around. There was a trail of rose petals that began at the front door and meandered through the candlelit house. She followed them out onto the back porch where she found Ian waiting, still dressed in his uniform, leaning on the deck rail, watching the sun kiss the sea.
“You took too long,” he said without turning around.
“It only took fifteen minutes.”
“That’s fifteen minutes I had to spend without you. Don’t ever leave my side again.”
Juliet stood beside him and pressed her shoulder to his. “I can’t imagine ever being without you.”
“Good. Don’t.” Ian took her face in both hands and kissed her long and deep, before lifting his face and pulling her in close.
“Ian? I got a letter from Michael today. A letter with a very large check…”
His eyes lit up. “Already? That was fast! And it couldn’t have come on a better day.” Ian kissed the top of her head. “Oh my a
ngel, we have so much to celebrate.”
“But, the check … it’s for a lot of money…”
“It better be. My lawyers felt you needed some compensation for all your pain and suffering. It didn’t take too long before his lawyers agreed, too. So now, not only do you have a shitload of your own money, but you’re about to have a shitload of my money, so baby, I’m gonna put my foot down on that waitressing job. Why don’t you help me flip houses? Come work with me?”
Juliet buried her face in Ian’s chest and held onto him for dear life. “I’ve never been so happy,” she said, lifting her face to his, tears sparkling in her eyes. “And I’ve said that each and every day since I’ve met you, only to find myself saying it and meaning it the very next day. And the next. Every moment I spend with you is a gift. You’ve shown me who I really am … I am so, head over heels, crazy in love with you.”
Ian gazed into her eyes and ran his thumb over her cheekbone. “Ditto.” He kissed her forehead, then her eyelids, then the tip of her nose. He kissed one side of her mouth, then her jawline, then that spot just below her ear. “The fireworks are gonna start here in a minute,” he said, nuzzling her neck, and it took her a moment to understand that he really meant fireworks. The ones for the Fourth of July celebration. “Now tell me, Ms. Lane, have you ever made love on a private beach while fireworks color the sky and the sea?
Juliet giggled and shook her head.
Ian swept her up in his arms and carried her down to the beach. “Well, now. We’re just gonna have to fix that.”
***
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