I’d whisper back, “Like that.” Then we’d smile at each other throughout the ceremony, unable to look away in fear that it was all a dream. A fantasy. The most perfect vision of our future.
My eyes fall closed as emotions batter away at me, piercing my heart, and when I open them, Grant’s blue eyes watch me carefully.
Knowingly.
Tears gather in my eyes, and he dips his head in the faintest nod. His hands give mine a gentle squeeze.
I turn to my grandfather. “Excuse me.”
Grandpa Joe’s eyes meet mine and he doesn’t say a word for a moment. His focus briefly darts past me before settling on Grant and something passes between the two men. My grandfather lowers his Bible, setting it on the small podium, while one hand drops to his side. He holds out an upturned palm to me.
I place my hand in his, and he raises it to press a soft kiss on the back. His eyes never leave mine as he brings his other hand up to tuck his car keys in my palm. “Go get ’em, Shortcake.”
Grandpa Joe’s voice is loud and clear as he announces, “Thank y’all for attendin’, but there’s been a slight change in plans.”
I offer a bright smile as I face everyone, feeling lighter than I have in a while. “If y’all stick around, I plan to bring back a special guest. Then the celebration’ll truly begin.”
Please, let Hollis be where I think he is. Please, I plead internally.
I wrap my arms around Grant and give him a quick hug. “Thank you,” I whisper before backing away.
I barely make it two steps before my mother darts up from her seat, blocking me.
“Young lady, you get back there and—”
“No, ma’am.” My tone is firm.
Roy darts up from his seat, glancing around anxiously, likely concerned for how this all might look to others.
I clench my hands tight while straightening my shoulders in an attempt to fortify my courage. “With all due respect, I’ve let you manage my life for far too long. It’s time for me to start livin’ it and findin’ my happiness.”
Mother leans in, her upper lip curling in a sneer. “You will—”
“If y’all don’t plan to bear witness to a true love match when my granddaughter returns, then you’d best be on your merry way,” Grandpa Joe’s voice booms loudly. His stern expression is fixed on my mother, and her mouth parts in shock. It’s probably due to the fact that no one normally challenges her.
I take advantage of her speechless state and sidestep her. Down the aisle I go, avoiding most everyone’s gazes until I lock eyes with Stephanie. Her wide grin and thumbs-up bolster my confidence.
I rush through the yard as fast as my heels can carry me and practically dive into Grandpa Joe’s car.
Starting the engine, I drive like a bat out of hell, praying my instincts are right. A lungful of breath expels from my lips when I see the truck parked in the diner’s lot.
I pull into a space, park, and hike up my dress to retrieve what I’d folded and tucked beneath the snug blue garter belt.
My something old.
Hollis’ letter.
Hollis
God knows how long I sit, how many refills the waitress pours me, until I finally register the sensation of someone staring at me.
I tense because the last thing I want or need is to chat with someone about Magnolia’s wedding. But when I turn my head, no one inside the diner is paying me any mind. Yet that eerie feeling lingers. Finally, I turn toward the window.
The sight I’m faced with robs me of all ability to breathe, let alone form words. Shock reverberates through me to the marrow of my bones. I force myself to blink, sure that it’s a figment of my imagination.
Magnolia stands on the other side of the window in her wedding dress. Her features are etched with nervousness, and I skim the length of her, worried that she’s hurt or something has happened to her grandpa.
Then I notice what she’s holding.
“Fuck.” The hushed expletive spills from my lips at the sight of the letter I wrote her.
She steps closer to the window, her eyes never leaving mine. Then, with what seems like aching slowness, she raises her left hand, fingers splayed wide.
No rings in sight.
As if in a daze, I rise from the booth and quickly toss down cash to cover my coffee and tip before striding outside to where she stands.
I stop about a foot away while my unease and fear of giving in to hope war within me. The slight breeze picks up the hem of her dress, causing it to billow in a ripple at her ankles.
“What’re you doin’ here?”
“I wanted to talk to my best friend.” She holds up the letter. “The one who wrote this.”
I swallow painfully. “You got him, right here.”
She steps closer. “Why didn’t you tell me?” Unshed tears glisten in her eyes. “I’ve loved you my whole life.” A tear escapes, tracking down her cheek.
“Because I need to—”
“No.” She cuts me off fiercely. “I’ve only ever needed you. I’ve only been happiest with you. I’ve never”—her voice cracks, more tears trickle down her beautiful face, and it fucking guts me—“cared about the money or your job.” She takes another step toward me. “It’s always been you, Hollis. Alw—”
I grip her nape and tug her mouth to mine, capturing her lips in a kiss I’ve been dying for. She wraps her arms around me, pulling me closer, and I pour everything into the kiss—every single ounce of my love for her.
We finally draw apart, and I rest my forehead against hers. Eyes closed, I take a moment to breathe her in, to bask in the feel of her in my arms.
“Feel like gettin’ married, Barnes?”
I let out a surprised laugh and lean back to peer down at her. “I reckon we need a marriage license first.”
“True.” Blue eyes gaze up at me with so much love it makes it hard to breathe. “But maybe we can practice. There’s a perfectly good cake and everythin’.” Her lips twist mischievously. “I may have told the guests to hang out for a bit. That I was plannin’ to bring someone special back with me.”
“Pretty sure of yourself, huh?”
Her expression sobers, and she shakes her head. “No.” With affection and love etched on her features, she whispers, “I was just really hopin’ you’d choose me.”
Magnolia
LATER THAT NIGHT
“Hollis Barnes,” I tease playfully. “Is this where you bring all the ladies?”
He helps me up the ladder and tugs me inside the treehouse. “No, ma’am. Only one lucky lady’s ever been up here.”
“That so?” I grin up at him before his mouth finds mine once again, and I get lost in his kiss. I tug at his clothing and his fingers encircle my wrists, stopping me, before he backs away.
“I didn’t plan on this, so I need to get things situated.” He tips his head in the direction of the sleeping bag he’d tossed inside seconds ago along with the air mattress stowed on the shelf.
Within a few minutes, we have everything set up. He’s shucked his suit jacket and unbuttoned his cuffs to roll them up, baring his muscled forearms to offer me a view of the inked skin beneath. Those slacks of his accentuate his strong, firm thighs and backside.