Lily is in tears as she steps back from Jake’s embrace and reconnects with him. I walk up to my daughter-in-law and take her in my arms. Jessica is one of the most genuine people I’ve ever met. Some of our family don’t agree that her and Lily marrying at twenty years old is smart, but for me, it doesn’t matter if they marry today or in ten years. They’ll weather this storm of marriage together.
“You did this for her?” I ask, although I know the answer. Jessica’s arms wrap around my waist and she rests her head on my chest. Her laughter mixes with the tears that fall, and it makes me love her more. She will take great care of my daughter. I thank her for what she’s done.
“I thought of what my wife wanted most in the world and made it happen.”
I knew right then why this woman stole my daughter’s heart and I didn’t want her to give it back. She’s now the only person I trust it with more than myself.
With my arm wrapped across Jessica’s shoulders, I watch Lily. Then my gaze slips over her head when a woman snags my attention. My breath catches in my throat. I glance back at Jessica one more time, and she’s looking up at me with a warm, knowing smile.
She invited Kate Alverson. “Go, Dad. Go talk to her.” She shoves me away.
The emotions at seeing Kate again after so many years throws me off, and my heart skyrockets in my chest. I find Kate’s green eyes across the room, and I’m moving before I can stop myself. I’m drawn to her. It’s been seven fucking years since I’ve seen those green eyes and I’ll never forget them, of that, I’m certain.
“Kate?” The moment I say her name, her shoulders relax. She looks different but still the same as I’ve always remembered and radiates that happiness I’ve always felt from her. Her hair is shorter, and blonde, cropped below her jaw. She still has the same heart-shaped face and a few more freckles dot across the bridge of her nose like she’s enjoyed the beach. Only a few wrinkles form in the corners of her eyes as she’s aged. She’s the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen.
I’m standing before her and then I’m lost again like when I first saw her, but it’s even stronger than before. I’ve missed her, and the way her eyes light up as they do now as she takes me in for the first time in years. I missed the way she sounds when she laughs, like she’s doing now. Kate smiles up at me, and I’m at a loss of what to say. She’s always been the one to leave me speechless.
“Hey, Lincoln. I’m so happy for you. Your daughter is stunning today, and her wife is gorgeous too. Their wedding is everything a wedding should be. They look so in love.” She shakes her head with her hand placed on her chest right above her heart. I wonder if it’s beating as fast as mine is. “Thank you for inviting us to come and be part of this with you.”
Kate’s rambling how she used to do, and I can’t help the smirk that comes on my face. She’s everything I remember, and I can’t look away. I’ve thought of her and our time together many times over the years apart because she left a piece of herself with me I could never let go of, even when I wanted to give up hope of seeing her again.
Her hands fly to her face to hide her embarrassment, but I catch those blushed cheeks she tries to mask. “I’m rambling in front of you again.”
“It’s good to see that hasn’t changed,” I tell her. Then I allow my eyes to devour her like a man starving. Kate slides her hand through her short hair, and her pink lips quirk up at the corner.
“You haven’t changed either.” With that comment, she scans over my face, as though to be sure, and it’s such a gentle caress. I can’t stop my hand from trailing a path along her temple and tucking one of her blonde strands behind her ear. I’d held off as long as I could in her presence without touching her.
“You’ve changed your hair, though.”
Her breath catches at my touch, and it makes everything around us fade away—the music and laughter, the wedding around us melts away.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Kate
With his soft touch, I realize how much I’ve missed this man. The connection between us from back then still lingers. I see it as I glance up at his brown eyes and lose myself in them once again. He’s aged some, but forty-two looks good on him. The years apart haven’t dampened the feelings this man brings out in me. Lincoln’s hand slips from my hair, and I remember his earlier statement.
“Yeah, purple hair didn’t fit anymore with the web design job I took in Georgia.” Speaking of change brings us back to the current moment and the connection slips away. A sad expression crosses his face as a thought seems to occur to him.
The mention of our different lives crashes us back to now and how much time we’ve spent apart. Shit, for all I know, Lincoln could have a girlfriend or a wife now. He could have moved on from me. I’d only been a brief moment in his life. I may have spent seven years putting my life on hold but it doesn’t mean Lincoln did the same. He had no reason to. I break away and circle around him to find Lily. I want to tell her how wonderful everything is, and I need a moment to gather my thoughts.
Lily has the biggest smile on her face as she stands with Jake and her wife. He’s grinning as well. It looks like Jake and Lily put the past behind them and aren’t looking back. They need to be in each other’s lives.
“Aunt Kate!” Lily’s sweet voice hits me as I walk up to her. She’s so grown up. Her red hair is pinned elegantly, and a subtle glow touches her cheeks. She’s radiant.
Lily’s the girl I always remembered but filled out into a gorgeous woman. I wrap her in my arms and let her warmth and happiness flood into me. I’ve missed her so much too.
“I can’t believe you two are here. This is amazing.”
I break away, surprised. Someone invited us, so I’m confused why she isn’t expecting us. Lincoln seemed as surprised, but I assumed he hunted me down somehow. “Meet my wife, Jessica. She invited you and Jake. I told her stories, and this was her wedding gift. To bring us together again.”
Lily’s smiling even with the tears that now wet her cheeks. I study Jessica and take in her model looks. She’s an elegant woman who stands next to Lily and is absolutely marvelous because of what she’s done for Lily. It couldn’t have been easy to get information on Jake since his publicist is very hard to contact. Now I know why Lincoln approved of their marriage. She loves Lily with all her heart and is the only person in the world who would be good enough for his daughter.
“Thank you for this. It’s been too long since we’ve been together.”
“I’m happy I could track you two down. It wasn’t easy to get to this rock star right here, but luckily, I have connections. His publicist thought I was a groupie at first.”
Lily laughs—a joyous one and Jake elbows her, still wearing his charming smirk. “You don’t even like his music. That’s awesome.”
Jessica’s cheeks turn pink from Lily’s comment, and she brushes her long brown hair back over her shoulder. “I didn’t say I didn’t like you. You have a great voice,” Jessica reassures Jake.
“Thank you, Jessica. I was a young kid, and I regret a lot from back then, but this right here was one of my biggest. I wouldn’t have wanted to miss her getting married.”
Jake looks my way with a smile as Martha comes up with a handsome man on her arm. I know even without him on Martha’s arm that it’s Lincoln’s father. He has the same brown eyes as his son, and his mouth smiles the same. He’s a very handsome man and gives me a glimpse of an older version of Lincoln.
“Kate! It’s so nice seeing you again, and if it isn’t Jake Stone. Well, you’re all grown up, now, aren’t you?” Martha jumps into the conversation, and everyone spends a moment catching up. That’s when I sense Lincoln walking up behind me. I glance over my shoulder and find him watching me with a look that gives me hope that he misses me as much as I miss him. Hopefully, I’ll find out.
“It’s time for cake. Are you guys ready?” Lincoln asks the group, but his gaze remains on mine. His hands are tucked into his tux pockets, he rocks back on his heels, and it
takes everything in me not to stare longer. He looks good. The years apart haven’t changed that. Lincoln smiles and then waves us all over.
We fall in line behind Lincoln but I can’t help noticing the girls that are following us around as we make the walk to where the wedding cake is. Jake hates this part of the job, and we’ve talked about it as the fame increases. He pulls me aside and away from the others, pausing my progress. I’m disappointed. That cake looks about as delicious as the father of the bride does. “I should go, actually,” Jake whispers in my ear.
The way the worry crosses his features, I know he’s right. It’s time to leave. I want to say goodbye to everyone, but as we make a path toward the bride, a slinky blonde intercepts our progress. I’m sure under normal circumstances these women are great, but the moment they see Jake, they lose all sense of decorum.
“Jake Stone! Oh, my God, it’s really you. Can I get a picture with you?”
“Are you serious right now?” I growl. He’s at his best friend’s wedding, and this girl still came up asking that.
He shakes his head no and turns to escape, so I grab his arm. “I don’t want to ruin Lily’s wedding. I’ve got to go.” There’s a pleading edge to his voice, so I nod, and we make our way toward the door as other women approach us.
I peek over my shoulder one more time, so my eyes connect with Lincoln’s. His brows are scrunched in annoyance. I hope the look I give tells him how sorry I am to leave without a goodbye, but I have to get Jake out of here.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Lincoln
I watch Kate go. She gave me only a moment to have her in my life before she disappears again.
“Why are those women giving that boy a hard time?” my father asks, and Lily’s gaze sweeps across the room, searching for Jake.
“No, are you serious? He’s gone?” Lily lets out a deflated sigh. “Dammit, they recognized him. I haven’t seen my best friend in seven years, and they scared him off in a few minutes.” There’s a tremble that comes into my daughter’s voice, and I wrap her in my arms to comfort her the best I can.
“I’m sorry, L,” I whisper into the top of her hair and hope it helps ease the sadness she feels. She shouldn’t have felt this way on her wedding day, and I can’t believe that Jake and Kate bailed so quickly, but I also get why.
Jessica stands nearby with a scowl on her face as she slips away to talk to the gossiping set of women off to the side. They have their phones out and are speaking adamantly.
“Lincoln, what’s going on? Why would they leave like that?” My mother doesn’t get annoyed often, but there’s an edge to her voice. She wants an explanation, and she wants it now.
It’s the same tone she used on me as a child, and even at forty-two, I find it difficult not to give in. “Mom, he’s a big deal these days. His band—” I glance down at Lily as she breaks away from my hold and wipes her tears away.
“He’s the lead singer of Broken Revenge. They are a huge rock band right now. I’m guessing those women hounded him the moment they figured out who he is.”
“Well, now, that’s ridiculous.” Like many times, my mother is right. I understand why Jake left, though. He wanted to make sure he didn’t take away from Lily and her day.
“I better go get my wife. She doesn’t seem very happy right now.” Lily sighs again and heads to where Jessica is sending the women away from the party. My mother steps up and slips her arm into the crook of mine. My father waits nearby, watching his granddaughter with a smile.
Mom tilts her head and rests it on my shoulder then adds her thoughts to the moment. “Those two are perfect together. You raised an amazing girl, Lincoln.”
I did, and I couldn’t be prouder. I pat my mother’s hand and tell her thanks. My dad takes a sip of his drink and turns my way with a raised brow. “So, son, what’s next?”
That’s a good question. A set of green eyes flash through my mind. Maybe it’s time for me to go after something for myself. Something I’ve wanted for a long time. Now, I have to find her again.
I’M HELPING LILY AND Jessica unpack their new apartment. It’s a good idea they both stayed and settled down in Chicago. Lily’s been going to fashion school here and Jessica agreed to come to Chicago after they met abroad when they were seventeen. Lily had traveled a summer with Benny’s daughter, Tracey, where she found not only her confidence but also her love for fashion and Jessica.
There’s a possibility that Lily will travel the world with Jessica, but nothing will happen for a few years since Lily still needs to finish college. I love her being in the same city as me, but I also want her to see the world and do what her passion is. One day, her fashion designs will be on the runways, and her dreams will happen. I’ve done nothing but support her ideas every step of the way. I know she can do it. There isn’t a doubt in my mind and I’ll stand behind her as she lives her dreams out.
“That box can go over there, Dad.” Lily is sitting on the living room floor, unloading a box of books as she directs me toward the kitchen. I walk the box to the kitchen. The kitchen is modest but up-to-date. The entire home is airy and bright sunlight floods into the space from the large windows taking up the wall. Dark hardwood floors stretch across the entire nine hundred square feet. Little touches of their life together already hang on the walls. They sure picked a wonderful place to start a family.
Jessica wanders into the kitchen zombie-like to find the coffee I brought in earlier. “Morning, Dad.” She lets out a big yawn despite it being ten in the morning. “Hey, babe, I told you to wait for me so I can help you with that,” Jessica yells to Lily then leans against the granite counter next to me and sips her drink.
“You sleep forever. I wanted to get started early,” Lily tells Jessica with a smirk and returns to unboxing her books and placing them on the large shelving system I put up earlier. Jessica gives me a narrowed side-eyed expression, and the chuckle escapes me before I can stop it.
“I blame this on you,” Jessica mumbles, shooting me another grumpy face. Her laughter is there so I know she’s teasing. “At least you know to bring coffee.” Jessica perks up enough to raise her cup in a salute then walks to her wife and unloads the boxes with her.
A knock sounds at the front door, and I glance at the girls. Lily is surprised and I doubt anyone knows where they lived yet. They moved in last night, wanting everything done before they left for the honeymoon next week. “Maybe it’s the neighbors welcoming you?” I supply.
“I don’t think people do that anymore,” Lily says. She looks at Jessica as though she’d see her thoughts, but Jessica’s up and gets to the front door before we can inquire. Masculine laughter comes from the hall, and Lily shoots to her feet. She’s running for the door and makes it in time to catch Jake as he slides inside.
“I thought I would never see you again.” She’s hugging him before he makes it in far enough to close the door behind him.
“Nope. If you don’t mind, I figured I could help you ladies move in.” Jake lifts an arm to wave my direction. I smile and wave hello, but I feel a stab of disappointment. The feeling lingers when he closes the door and confirms he’s alone. Kate isn’t with him this time. He’s an adult now and she won’t always be where he is, taking care of him. Fuck, if I didn’t wish she was. I need to see her again.
“Sorry we ducked out so quickly yesterday. I don’t handle that stuff well, and I didn’t want to ruin anything.”
Lily waves it off, assuring him it was nothing. The three of them work on setting up Lily’s place and catching up. Jessica fits right in with the conversation, and I find I’m more of a lingering side observer. My thoughts have traveled to Kate, and I haven’t found my way back yet. I have to see her again.
“Dad!”
My attention jerks toward the living room. Lily shouts my name like she’s called for me a couple of times already. She gave me a strange look, and I’ll be honest I don’t know what she’s said.
“What did you say? Sorry.” I’m an a
ttentive father, but the older she gets, the less she needs me—and the further I drift away.
“We lost you there for a minute. You okay?” Lily stands up and comes my direction, a worried look on her brow. “We’re planning a dinner tonight before Jake goes back on tour and Kate flies out to Georgia again. Are you free to come by?”
“Yeah, that sounds good.” I hug her. “I’m heading out if you guys have this.” The reminder that Kate’s presence in my life is temporary stabs through me like a knife to the chest. That woman has always slipped through my fingertips.
“Yeah, sure. You certain you’re okay?”
I squeeze Lily tighter and try to reassure that I am. I will be, I just need to figure out what I can do about the gorgeous woman who won’t leave my thoughts.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Kate
Staring at my laptop, I watch the line of HTML code on the black screen. I try to focus so I can finish the website I’m building on schedule, but it’s of no use anymore. I’m way too distracted to work at a productive pace anymore.
Go live your life again. Jake’s assuring and yet demanding words have been tumbling through my mind since I flew into Chicago two days ago. Now, after seeing Lincoln yesterday, the voice has only grown louder and more insistent. What is my life now and where is my place? What should I do? I can go anywhere in the world. Do the things I’ve always wanted to do.
My thoughts bring up an image of chocolate-colored eyes. With thoughts of Lincoln, I shut my laptop with a sigh. I’m not getting any work done today. I push myself away from my computer and walk through my hotel and into the connecting suite. Jake and I planned a weekend in the city so we could catch up, but he took off earlier after a text he received. He didn’t even call out to tell me he was leaving. That’s the thing, he’s twenty years old. I don’t have to know, and I have to accept that’s okay. I’d mothered him long enough. He’s an adult living his own life, and he doesn’t need to check in with me. But that’s been my sole focus for the last seven years, and I find myself lost.
Worth Something More Page 13
