“Olivia Young, we have the kind of love found only in country songs. You are my world and my always. Will you marry me?” I put the microphone down and hold out a ring. I watch as tears run down her face and she covers her mouth, nodding her head yes.
“I think we need to hear her answer. What do y’all think?” I laugh at Ryder’s comment. The crowd agrees with him, and I hear Olivia say yes above the noise. I stand and pick her up, holding her to me as I kiss her more passionately than the first time. I slide the ring on her finger and hold her to me.
“I love you,” I murmur against her lips.
“I love you, too. I can’t believe you just did that.” She runs a hand through her hair.
Peyton, Ryder, Cole and Jason all knew what I was planning. I wrote this song for this occasion. After all we have been through and the obstacles we have overcome, I have no doubt that Olivia is the person I want to spend the rest of my life with. I never doubted it, but we have experienced it all together. We are ready for this, and I can’t wait to officially call her Mrs. Knight.
I don’t know why I’m so nervous. I dry my clammy palms on my ivory dress and glare at Ryder when he chuckles. “Relax, Liv, you got this.”
“Thanks.” I peek out at our guests and see Cash. He looks so handsome in his suit. I can’t believe he’s my husband. I chuckle at the memory of meeting him and Ryder in my pajamas. Who would have guessed back then that I’d be standing here today?
Our wedding has been perfect. Well, besides the fact that I stuttered throughout my entire vows and almost fell backwards when Cash dipped me for our kiss. Our family and friends thought it was sweet. Thank goodness. I blushed all shades of crimson while Cash tried to hold in his laughter.
We invited our closest family and friends, not making it a public event. It’s so much harder to keep things intimate nowadays, but we managed it and people respected it. Everyday with Cash has been amazing. I wouldn’t trade a challenge for anything in the world.
We’ve solidified our relationship and grown closer together. Touring is crazy sometimes. Now that Rebel Desire is one of the most popular bands in the industry, their schedule is hectic, but Cash and I always find time for us.
Now is the moment of truth. I’ve been keeping this surprise in for months. Ryder is the only one who knows what I’m about to do, and it’s because I needed his help. I just hope to God I don’t ruin this. That, or that Cash loves my attempt more than he finds it funny–if I do screw it up. I hear the disc jokey introduce us and I freak.
“Deep breaths.” Ryder places his hand on my shoulder. “You learned from the best. No way you could screw this up.” I nod and breathe deeply. “I still think you should have worn your PJs.”
“Funny.” Ryder laughs at my reaction and takes a step back.
Ryder has been teaching me to play the guitar for a few months and helped me write a song for Cash. I had the lyrics, or my attempt at lyrics, and he helped fine-tune them. Thankfully, he agreed to sing them while I played the guitar. No way I was going to sing in front of a crowd.
Cash looks between Ryder and I in confusion when we walk towards the dance floor. I take a seat and Ryder stands in front of the microphone.
“This one’s for you, babe.” Everyone laughs when Ryder talks into the microphone. It eases my nerves and I close my eyes, remembering what he taught me.
“In all seriousness, when Olivia asked me to help her do this for you, I was all in. I’m happy for you two.” He looks at me and winks. I begin to strum the chords, the familiar beat I’ve memorized sounding throughout the porch. I see the amazing Tennessee hills as a backdrop as the sun sets behind them.
Never in my life
Did I think I’d find
A love like ours.
You stormed into my life
And swept me away
Into our own love story
Always by your side
Always you and I
You’ll always be my why
Thinking back now
I don’t know how
I ever thought there could be
Anyone but you
Always by your side
Always you and I
You’ll always be my why
We got a special kind of always
A special kind of love
You and I got always
You and I, always
I keep my hands moving across the guitar as I hear Ryder sing my words. It seems surreal. All the while, I can’t take my eyes off Cash. He stands at our table, staring intently, carefully listening to the words. I try to hold it together until Ryder finishes and I play the last chords.
Cash is by me before I can place the guitar down. Everyone is clapping and cheering, but all I see are hazel eyes looking down at me with a mixture of emotions. His lips crash down on me and our guests cheer louder. My heart is still racing from the nerves, but I got through the entire song flawlessly.
“I’m getting jealous here. Where’s my loving?” Ryder says as Cash’s tongue enters my mouth. I see him flip him off from the corner of my eye and hear Ryder laugh.
“You learned to play the guitar,” Cash says breathlessly.
I nod. “Well, that’s the only thing I know how to play, but yes.”
“Ryder taught you?” I nod again. “I should be jealous, but that was the best thing anyone has ever done for me. Thank you. And the song?”
“I wrote it. Well, Ryder helped tweak some parts. It’s cheesy,” I state, embarrassed.
“No way. Besides, I love cheesy. Thank you.” He looks at me in awe.
“I love you.”
“I love you, too. Now I can teach you a few more songs to play. Maybe even strip guitar lessons.” He winks.
“You just made that up.”
“Yes, and I intend to make it a real thing.” I laugh and kiss him again. Thankfully, everyone has started up conversation again and we don’t have all the attention on us.
“I can’t believe I did that,” I say. “I was freaking out. If it weren’t for Ryder, I wouldn’t have done it.” Cash looks over at Ryder and thanks him.
“No problem, buddy. I’ve always wanted to sing you a love song.”
“You’re a jackass.”
“That’s no secret. Now, where’s my girl?” He goes in search of Jen, who squeals when he picks her up and kisses her.
“Now, Mrs. Knight, will you honor me with this first dance?” Cash signals the disc jokey and he speaks to the guests, introducing Mr. and Mrs. Cash Knight.
“How can I say no to that?”
He pulls me in and the familiar song begins to play. All the memories from when we met that led us to this moment play in my mind as I get lost in the first song Cash wrote for me. A song I will always love almost as much as the man who wrote it.
I hold on to Cash and smile up at him. These past couple of years have been nothing like I expected, but I wouldn’t trade them for anything in the world. I’m holding on to everything I want, and I can’t wait to see where the next adventure takes us.
Sneak Peek
It’s been eight months, two weeks and three days since I made a deal with my best friend. If I were still single by this day, I would sign up for online dating. The thought alone makes me cringe. When did we lose the personal touch of meeting someone face to face? When you’ve been single for far too long and can’t meet someone in person. Desperate times call for desperate measures. Not that I’m desperate to be with someone. I’m very content on my own, doing what I want when I want it. Sure I miss the intimacy of being with a man, but B.O.B. and I are doing just fine these days. I’m independent and don’t need to have a man around to take care of my needs. But sometimes, I want to feel the touch of one. His hands caressing me and his lips on mine.
Okay, Savannah, stop before you need to pull out B.O.B. for a less than satisfying orgasm. Lately, he just hasn’t been cutting it.
My friend and I were supposed to embark on this journey together, but she met someon
e, leaving me to battle the online world alone. Humph. Online world? What the hell am I supposed to do to meet someone online? Isn’t it just the same as social media? Another way for creepers to send you messages and “poke” you. I don’t want to be poked, physically or electronically.
Here goes nothing.
Name: Savannah Gardner
No. Scratch Gardner, no need to give so many details out at once.
Age: 28
Occupation:
Does this really matter? I wonder what people would think if I put Space Monkey. Maybe my humor doesn’t translate the same through online dating. Okay…
Occupation: Pastry Chef
Describe yourself:
Hmmm… Okay. I can do this. I can sell myself. Now I sound like a hooker.
I have brown hair, gray/blue eyes, 5’4”, slim body. I love going to concerts...
Ugh! I sound like some boring girl next door that’s not sexy. But then again, I don’t really consider myself sexy. I don’t think guys look at me and think, Wow, I want to run my tongue all over her body. An unwelcomed chill runs down my spine. Do I really want a guy who thinks that? That may be kinda creepy.
Okay. Let’s try this again.
I’m a fun-loving girl who enjoys the outdoors and trying new things.
That’s a little better. I keep going.
I have a quirky personality.
Maybe I should not use quirky. That just makes it sound like a nicer way of saying weird. I’m startled when I hear the sound of Miranda Lambert’s voice coming from my phone. Grateful for the distraction, I answer the call.
“Hey!” I’m sure Emily is wondering if I’ve filled out my registration. This plan sounded fun when we first made the deal. Now, I’m wondering why I ever agreed. She found herself a hottie who adores her, but I still need to keep up my end of the deal and try this out for a few months.
“Hey Sav, how’s it going?” I hear the real question in her voice. She doesn’t care how my day’s been. She cares if I’ve signed up already or not.
“Good. I’m just starting to fill out the form. God, I hate having to describe myself. I don’t know how to word it where I don’t sound like a nerd or I’m trying too hard. Why did you have to go find yourself a boyfriend and leave me to live through this alone?” She chuckles, knowing I’m joking. I know Wes is good for her.
“You’re an amazing person. Just portray that through your words. Describe yourself as you’d describe one of your pastry creations.”
“So scrumptious and delectable are acceptable words? I’m sure I’ll get a few hits using those words.” I laugh at my own joke.
“Oh yeah, most definitely! Just be true to yourself. Don’t over think it.”
“Easy for you to say, you met a guy in the flesh. How do I know I won’t end up with a robot?”
“Really, Sav? You know you won’t. These are real people. Plus, it will be fun to experience the hype of online dating. Wondering throughout the day if you have a message waiting in your inbox. Chatting back and forth without any real commitment holding you down. Enjoy it.” She has always been the wiser of the two of us.
“Yeah, yeah. If I can make myself sound as scrumptious as one of my cupcakes, but not in a creepily edible way. No need for a cannibal to come after me, I just need to be appealing.”
“Exactly. Sell yourself without selling yourself. Make sense? Oh, hey, I gotta go actually. Wes just got here.”
“Yeah that totally makes sense,” I add with sarcasm. “Have fun lovebirds.”
“Bye. I’ll call you tomorrow and see how it went if you’re not out on a date already.” I roll my eyes noting she can’t see me and say goodbye.
Back to it.
Okay…I continue to describe myself.
I enjoy the outdoors. I’m a down to earth girl…woman.
Yes, I’m a woman, not a girl. I have just the right curves to prove that. Wouldn’t want someone approaching me thinking I am a little girl. I think I’m more stressed about how I will know if the person I meet is a weirdo with an agenda or not. I just want a nice, southern man. Is that too much to ask for? Apparently it is. Apparently almost all of the nice men in my Alabama city are taken. I keep thinking I’ll come across one I haven’t met yet, but that’s not happened yet. There’s the occasional ‘out of towner’ that catches my attention, but mostly because of the newness to him than anything else. I seem to keep running around with the same circle of people.
I need to focus and just let it be. Enjoy this, like Em said. I add a few more things to my description and move forward to my hobbies. I enjoy sports, hiking, camping, reading, and having drinks with friends. That should be okay to start with.
Here comes the hard part. What do you look for in a partner? You’d think I have this mapped out on some kind of board. The perfect mate, but I don’t. I’m not sure what I’m looking for because I’ve never found it. The men I’ve come across all end up being disappointments in the big picture, so if I use what I’ve always looked for I may just end up with another disappointment. I should probably think about what I don’t want and look for the opposite trait.
Here goes nothing.
Compassionate, funny, outdoorsy, tall.
How do I describe all I envision in a man into words? It’s more of a feeling than actual words. I want to feel protected and loved. I want a man who gives me his all but stays true to himself. We both have our own beliefs, yet we come together perfectly. How do I word that on an online dating registration without scaring them away? I’m not looking for serious right now, but something with the possibility of leading to it.
Wanted, down to earth guy with a fun personality, who enjoys the outdoors and exploring. Needs a good sense of humor and knows what he wants in life.
There. That is simple and to the point. I am one step closer to admitting the truth of this pact. Even though I don’t need to face anyone, I’m nervous about the newness of all this. I’m used to going out, meeting a guy, and deciding half way through the conversation if it’s going somewhere or not. Now, I’m leaving it up to a computer system to decide who the right match for me is.
Finishing the rest of the registration form, I hit enter and wait for my potential matches to appear. I made sure to keep it open to a few surrounding towns and cities. Here goes nothing. Match me if you can.
I’m officially an online dater. Does that term even exist? Well, it does now. So now I wait. Tomorrow I’ll look through my matches. Tonight I need to go to sleep in order to open my shop tomorrow and prepare pastries for the morning rush.
“Hey, Savannah! How’s it going? Are you prepping the breakfast pastries already?”
“Hey, Beth! Yup. Already got the croissants baking in the oven and making muffins now.” I check the time and am pleased to see I’m on schedule. I’m always at the bakery early preparing pastries for the day. I’m picky, so I won’t serve something that has been out for more than twenty-four hours. It’s more work for me, but that is why I’ve been so successful. Fresh food, fresh ingredients. It sounds like a corny commercial, but I am huge on serving the best quality. I also couldn’t sleep so I arrived at the bakery earlier than usual.
I always dreamt of having my own shop where people would come by and feel at home. Sweet Delights is just that. We have our usual customers who come in daily for their coffee fix and breakfast pastry. We have the younger crowd, who stops in mid-morning on their way to their college classes, and families that come in during the afternoon with their kids on their way home from school. Some stay for a while and enjoy the ambiance; others grab something quick for the road. I serve everything from croissants and bagels to cupcakes, éclairs, and donuts. On occasion I’ll take custom orders for cakes when I have some extra time.
I have a team of employees I adore, but Beth has been with me from the beginning. She helped me start Sweet Delights when it was just a random idea in my mind and I was baking cupcakes and cakes for special orders out of my house. I trust her wholly. I’m always the
first one here baking the goodies. Beth comes in about an hour after me to help and the rest of the staff comes in at eight a.m. for the morning rush. We’re a small group, but we’ve created a family within these walls.
I leave Beth to scoop the muffin mixture into the pans to bake while I begin mixing another muffin recipe. I love the freedom that comes with baking. I tend to serve the same pastries, but I also like to experiment, so at times I’ll have new flavors. Today is one of those days. I needed to clear my mind from last night’s venture into the online dating world.
I didn’t even check the site this morning before heading to work. I figured it’d be too soon to have anything, and I needed some time to absorb what I did. When I get home this afternoon I’ll log in and check. I cross my fingers and hope there are no creepers out there sending me messages. I’m not sure I’ll be able to hold back my sarcastic responses if I do. There’s a reason I had to fill out such an extensive application with my likes and dislikes. You’d think I was applying to grad school with the amount of information I needed to put down.
I begin to mix the dry ingredients for the new white chocolate and cranberry muffins I’m creating. Lost in my own world of flour and sugar, I begin to wonder if I’ll even have anything on the site. Is it possible no one is interested? That could be a low blow to my self-esteem. I think I’m a good catch. Then again, I am twenty-eight and single. If I were a good catch, someone would’ve hooked me by now. I giggle at my own choice of words. I hadn’t realized I was a fish. I notice Beth giving me a quizzical stare and I just shrug my shoulders and keep on mixing. Yawning, I tell her I’m going to make coffee.
I turn on the coffee maker behind the counter of the main room and wait patiently for it to brew. I take the time to look around my bakery. Even in the dim light, I can appreciate the homey feel of it. Different styles of sofas take up the space with coffee tables placed strategically throughout. Against one wall is a bar top with stools, and a few small wooden tables with mixed matched chairs. It’s a combination of vintage and industrial chic. I also made sure to have enough outlets all around for the people that come in with their laptops and work here.
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