by J. Daniels
Jamie had an open-door policy, and even if he didn’t, we used to live here with Brian when we first moved to Dogwood Beach, and in the eyes of my children, this was still their second home. Good luck keeping them out.
Tori greeted me as I stepped through the front door.
“Hey, girl!” She wrapped me up in a hug that smelled like sweet, floral perfume.
“Hey! How are you?”
“Good.” She wore a yellow sundress and had a flower behind her ear. Her makeup was pretty, sun-kissed with a red lip. “This is for you,” she said, holding up a near-identical flower to the one she wore. She stuck it behind my ear, explaining, “Theme of the party. All the girls are wearing them.”
“Oh.” I smiled and touched the soft petals. “That’s cute. It’s really dressing up my outfit.”
I glanced down at my black tank and washed-out cutoffs. My toes wiggled in my gladiator sandals. I suddenly felt way underdressed for this.
“You look perfect. Let’s go.” Tori grabbed my hand and pulled me farther into the house.
There was soft music playing and chatter all around me. I recognized some of the crowd hanging in the foyer and waved at Shay and Stitch. They were seated on the staircase. J.R., the other cook at Whitecaps, greeted me with a chin-lift. He was against the wall talking to Jamie’s sister, Quinn. I heard she had moved here recently and took up as a waitress at Whitecaps. Tori had hired her. I waved to her as well. I hadn’t seen her in years.
“Hey, Jenna!” She squeezed my arm as I passed.
Once we stepped inside the great room, I spotted Kali and Cole sitting together on the large sectional sofa. Oliver and Olivia were seated there as well and already fighting over the remote to the TV.
The crowd was heavier in here. There were a lot of faces I didn’t recognize, and I considered Sydney’s job at the hospital. Maybe she had invited a lot of her colleagues. Jamie stood near the slider, talking with Travis. I waved when they noticed me.
“Wow. Everyone’s here, huh?” I said to Tori, following her farther into the room toward the kitchen.
Tori shrugged. “Usual crowd.”
Usual crowd? Travis?
I weaved around tall, round tables covered in white cloth and decorated with tiny tea-light candles. “What kind of party is this? This seems…elaborate.”
“I wouldn’t say that,” she replied.
I stopped at the long granite island and stared at the arrangement of finger foods. There were trays of mini cucumber and chicken salad sandwiches, bruschetta, pecan and chocolate tartlets, and a three-tiered tower of pastel macarons.
Huh.
“I know Jamie has thrown a lot of parties here in the past, but I seriously doubt he ever put out hors d’oeuvres, Tori. And the tables? This is definitely fancy.”
She smiled, carrying over a tray of mini hot dogs wrapped in crescent rolls and stacked them together on a plate. “He’d probably just stick out boxes of Pop-Tarts for people. Or tell them to fuck off if they were hungry.”
“Where are my brother and Syd?”
“They’re coming.” She stuck the tray on the stovetop and removed the oven mitt.
“They aren’t here yet?” I frowned at her back. “It’s their party, isn’t it?”
“They’ll be here. Don’t worry.” Tori waved a dismissive hand, her attention gliding around the room as if she were searching for something but couldn’t remember what it was she was searching for.
Oliver came running over. “Are those pigs in blankets? I love those!” He stood on his toes and reached across the island.
“Oh, let’s wait, buddy. Okay?” Tori asked him. She slid the plate farther down the counter. “Give it a couple more minutes. They’re really hot.”
“Oh, man,” he grumbled.
“They just came out of the oven, Oliver,” I added. “You’ll burn your tongue.”
“Fine. I’ll starve, then.” He sulked back over to the couch.
I laughed, expecting Tori to do the same. I was sure she had heard him. But when I looked at her again, she was messing with her phone.
She picked it up, set it on the counter, hit the home button when the screen went dark. Then hit it again.
“Is everything okay?” I asked. “You seem anxious.”
Tori lifted her head and slid her eyes over my shoulder, holding there for a breath. Then she looked at me and smiled. “So what’s going on with Nate? Any progress? Have you told him you’re crazy in love with him yet?”
I scoffed. “I doubt I need to. I’m sure that’s been obvious for weeks.”
“I’m sure it hasn’t.”
Nathan’s deep voice at my back nearly made me jump out of my sandals. I scowled at Tori, the fucking sneak, who looked to the ceiling and tapped her chin.
“I feel like I left my straightener on…” she mused before skirting away.
Nathan chuckled under his breath.
I slowly swiveled to face him and tipped my head back. Lord, he was tall when I wore flats. And his smile right now, sheesh. Nathan was more than pleased to have overheard that conversation.
“Hey,” I said shyly.
I was slightly mortified. Even though I did think my feelings for Nathan were obvious and had been for a while, despite everything that had happened between us, saying those words out loud evoked all kinds of emotions from me. Fear. Excitement. Apprehension.
Outside of my family, I’d never said them to anyone before.
“Hi,” Nathan returned. He was still in his work clothes. Dark slacks and a striped button-up. He hadn’t even loosened his tie yet.
I was very okay with that. Nathan looked incredible right now. This was one of the things I’d missed since I’d stopped watching Marley for him, besides watching Marley, which was the greatest thing I’d missed. I hardly ever got to see Nathan dressed up anymore.
The fact that he hadn’t loosened his tie yet made me reconsider my outfit for a second time tonight. I tugged on the hem of my shorts and adjusted, then readjusted my top, as if there were a way to make a simple tank elegant.
Nathan followed my movements. “What’s this you’re doing? I feel like at any second you’re about to strip.” His brow playfully arched. “I’d like a heads-up, if that’s the case. There’s no way I wouldn’t react to that and there are children present. Yours specifically.”
I laughed against my lips. “Where’s yours? I was hoping I would see her.”
“With my parents. I wasn’t sure how late this would go.”
That made sense. It was already close to Marley’s bedtime.
“Oh, well…I miss her.” I tucked the front of my top into my shorts, then second-guessed that decision and pulled it free.
Again Nathan watched me. “She misses you. What are you doing?”
“I’m feeling like I should’ve worn something a little nicer. This party is way more than I thought it was going to be.”
“Stop. You look amazing.”
“Says the man in the tie.”
He stared at me. Then he reached up and loosened the knot, pulling the tie over his head. I bit back a smile when he draped it around my neck.
“Is that better for you?” he asked, but before I could respond, Nathan raised a finger, saying, “Wait a second,” and unbuttoned his collar, flicking it open so I could see his throat. “That’s your sweet spot, right? Now you’ll be too distracted to worry about what you’re wearing.”
“Oh, man,” I mumbled, looking away. I was fighting that smile hard now.
Nathan laughed. “So, ‘crazy in love,’ huh?”
I side-eyed him and nodded. My heartbeat quickened and skipped.
“Was I getting us close to you sharing that with me?” There was no longer any trace of humor in his voice.
“You got us there,” I said.
I turned fully to gaze at him and that sweet, suddenly surprised look on his face, but I had only a second to notice it before my eyes were being drawn over Nathan’s shoulder, lured by the commo
tion coming from the front of the house.
People cheered and clapped. A sharp whistle cut through the air.
Everyone grew quiet when Tori stepped inside the room. She had tears in her eyes. “It is my absolute pleasure to present after way too damn long, Mr. and Mrs. Brian Savage!”
I gasped, hand to my mouth. “Oh my God. What?”
Holy shit.
Holy shit!
The room erupted as Brian and Sydney walked in together holding hands, dressed for their wedding day.
Brian wore a dark gray suit and had a clean-shaven face. He looked handsome and happier than I’d ever seen him. Syd’s dress was white lace, long and bohemian-style, with a halter neckline and a short train in the back. Her red hair fell in elegant waves. She looked stunning and smiled directly at me before throwing her hand in the air.
“Welcome to our reception!” she bellowed.
Everyone was on their feet, applauding and shouting their praise. Even Oliver and Olivia. They had pushed their way to the front of the crowd. A crowd that included all of our closest friends. Everyone was here. We were never able to be together like this. Work wouldn’t allow it.
I peered over at Nathan and slid nearer so he could hear me above the noise. Our arms touched.
“You knew they were getting married today, didn’t you? That’s why you closed Whitecaps early. So everyone could be here for this…”
He smiled down at me. Now it made sense.
Brian and Sydney made their way around the room, greeting their guests. Everyone flooded in from other parts of the house. The floor was packed now.
“I’m kind of mad at you for not saying anything,” I said to Nathan.
He limply shrugged. “Wasn’t my surprise to share.”
“I’m at my brother’s wedding reception and I’m wearing shorts. With rips in them.” I fake glared at him and he chuckled. “You’re lucky I’m so crazy in love with you.”
He blinked, and his lips parted. His chest swelled with the breath he inhaled.
“Come here,” he said. Nathan drew his arm over my shoulder and pulled me against his side. He pressed his mouth to the top of my head.
I hugged him back with my arms around his waist, then beckoned him lower with my finger and cupped his cheek when his face got closer to mine. I stood on my toes and spoke against his ear.
“I am so, so sure of this.” Of him. Of us. He knew what I meant.
Nathan pulled back to look at me. “Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
He smiled, ducking his head to kiss me.
When the newlyweds made their way over to where Nathan and I stood, I couldn’t decide who I wanted to hug first and settled on throwing an arm around each of them.
“I’m so happy for you guys! This is amazing.” We squeezed and let go. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me though.”
“We just wanted it to be a surprise,” Syd explained while Nathan and Brian shook hands and conversed.
“I am surprised. I can’t believe you went to a courthouse for this.”
“I’ve done the whole big wedding thing and look how that marriage ended,” Syd said. “I didn’t need anything more than what we did. I didn’t need anything other than him.” She looked up at Brian when he slid his arm around her.
“Was anyone there besides you two?” I asked.
“Just my mom. Your parents couldn’t make it out since we basically gave them zero notice, so we Face-Timed so they could watch. It was cute.” She looked at Nate. “Hey, best boss ever. Thank you so much for letting everyone be here.” They hugged, Nathan offering his congratulations. He was quick to brush off his role in this.
“It’s still appreciated,” Brian told him.
He nodded then, accepting the thank-you. Tori hurried over to our group just as Brian and Sydney were moving away to greet more of their guests.
“First-dance time!” she announced. “You can say hi to everyone later. Come on. I have the song cued up.” She ushered them into the center of the room and directed everyone else to give them some space. “Work with me, people. This is the dance floor. Spread out! Move!”
Some guests roamed about, floating in and out of the great room, but mostly everyone hung around and formed a large circle around Brian and Syd. The song began playing overhead.
They’d chosen “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley.
Nathan and I moved closer to watch.
Brian dipped Sydney, making her shriek in surprise, and I smiled and laughed with my fingers to my lips. They swayed back and forth. Sydney sang along to the lyrics, directing every word at Brian. He couldn’t stop watching her, and I couldn’t stop watching them.
Their love. Their joy.
I no longer needed to wish for something similar.
“Hey, Nate,” I heard Oliver say.
“What’s up, bud? Pretty great surprise, huh?”
“Yeah, it’s cool. Mom, can I get some of those little hot dog things now?” Oliver tugged on my arm when I didn’t respond. “Mom.”
I watched my brother and Sydney kiss, and answered, “Sure, baby, go ahead.”
Oliver squeezed around me. The song began playing again when Sydney loudly requested, “One more time! I’ve been waiting too long for this!”
Brian laughed and spun her around. They kissed. The crowd swooned and sighed.
“Oliver! OLIVER!”
I jolted at Nathan’s voice. It pierced through the air as he tore through the crowd.
“Move!” he shouted.
For a moment my vision blurred. I blinked. I gasped in air and held it. Someone bumped into my shoulder as the crowd pushed around me in panic.
The music cut off.
“Oh my God!” someone yelled.
I frantically shoved my way to a clear spot, and that was when I saw Nathan standing behind Oliver near a table with his arms around his waist. He was thrusting his fist against Oliver’s stomach.
I stopped breathing.
My son was choking. His eyes were open, but he wasn’t looking at anything. He clawed at his throat with rigid fingers. His lips were turning blue.
“Oliver!” I screamed, lunging forward. “Oh my God,” I rasped. “Oh my God.” I elbowed people out of my way and pushed to the front. I reached out. Strong arms caught me around the waist and jerked me back.
“Jen, wait,” my brother said in my ear. “Nate’s got him. He knows what he’s doing.”
I didn’t fight Brian’s hold. He was right, after all. Nathan appeared to know the steps, the method.
Unlike me. What would I have done?
“I’m calling 911!” I heard Tori yell.
Nathan switched to back blows and began alternating between the two. He kept talking to Oliver, telling him to cough it up and spit it out. Travis was beside him giving instruction.
When Olivia ran over to me, wailing, I gathered her into my arms. Brian held on to us both.
“Mama! What’s the matter with Ollie?” Olivia cried.
“It’s okay. He’s okay,” I said. I didn’t know what else to tell her. I didn’t know what to do. I couldn’t do anything besides stare at Oliver’s face and wait.
I felt helpless.
Everyone was gathered around, inching closer. Jamie, Stitch, and Cole hovered around Nathan. Their girls flanked my side.
The crowd stirred in distress when Nathan laid Oliver on his back.
“Oh my God.” My heart crawled up into my throat. I reached around and grabbed at Brian. “Oliver!”
His eyes were closed now. He looked lifeless.
I collapsed onto my knees and screamed so loud, it terrified Olivia. She clung to me and wept. Sydney collapsed at my side and held on to us.
Travis bent down and said something to Nathan, but Nathan pushed him off and roared, “I got him! I know!” He began chest compressions, thirty of them. He breathed twice into Oliver’s mouth.
Nothing. Oliver didn’t respond.
“Ollie!” Olivia c
ried.
“Oh no,” someone said behind me. They were already at the end. They had given up.
Nathan wouldn’t. I knew he wouldn’t.
“Come on, baby. Come on,” he begged. “COME ON!” He hit thirty. He breathed. He positioned his hands again on Oliver’s chest.
Oliver coughed harshly and wheezed, his eyes shooting open. His limbs kicking out with life.
The room breathed in relief.
“Oh my God, thank God!” I shifted Olivia off my lap and crawled across the floor as Oliver coughed and gasped for air.
Nathan rolled him onto his side and scooped a finger into his mouth, fishing out the obstruction—a barely chewed crescent-wrapped hot dog. He wiped off Oliver’s face, and when he began to cry, Nathan picked him up and hugged him. They clung to each other.
“Baby, come here. Come here.” I reached them on my knees and pulled Oliver into my arms and against my chest. I was shaking. We both were.
“Mom!” he wailed against my neck.
I kissed him and cried. “You’re okay. Shh, you’re okay now.” I rubbed his back.
We were swarmed then by our friends and family. Olivia pushed her way through the group and latched on to her brother. I hugged them both, and then I passed Oliver off to Brian when my brother urgently requested it. I’d never seen Brian look so worried before.
I wiped my face as I got to my feet and fielded hugs from Tori, Syd, Shay, and Kali. I smiled at the kind words given by Cole and Stitch and from the strangers who filled the room. Everyone was happy Oliver was okay. They were grateful.
“Travis needs to check him out, Jen,” Brian said.
Jamie stood beside my brother with shock and worry in his eyes. He wasn’t relieved yet. “He’s just gettin’ his stuff out of the car. The ambulance just got here too.”
“Okay.” Of course he would need a doctor to look at him. He’d just had CPR performed. Oliver seemed okay now, but was he?
“I want Nate,” Oliver said. He wasn’t crying nearly as hard anymore.
I looked around and then behind me. Nathan was still seated on the floor several feet away beside the table, hunched forward with his arms draped over his bent knees and his head bowed. His glasses in his hand.
“God,” Syd whispered at my back. “I’ll never forget how he screamed for Oliver. How he sounded…”
