Page 44

Twenty-Four

A s she marched away from Carson, Julia fought hyperventilation. That was the most honest she’d been with any human being. She’d meant every word, but the shock that she’d let it all out without stopping vibrated in her veins.

The victory, however, was hollow, because a win for herself meant losing Carson.

Before she made it back to her table, the band kicked off Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies” with a bouncing reggae beat. Oh, balls. There was only one reason to play this at a wedding reception.

“All the single ladies, put your hands up…for the bouquet toss!”

The guests laughed. All the single ladies equaled exactly two people—her and Aunt Mary. Maybe she could run away?

Nope. Her beaming mother snaked her arm through Julia’s to drag her to the floor.

“Are you excited?” Mom asked.

“Please throw it to Aunt Mary,” Julia whispered.

“It’ll go where it goes.” Mom faced the wall. “Ready?”

“Count with me,” the lead singer urged. “One!”

“Two, three!” The crowd chanted.

The bouquet soared in a beautiful arc. Aunt Mary shoved her into its path. The bundle thumped her in the chest, and she instinctively caught…not her mother’s rose bouquet. The sweetly scented cluster of plumeria felt right into her hands.

Cameras snapped around her, but for once, she didn’t care.

As she drifted back to the table, she cradled the small bouquet. It took everything Julia had not to bury her nose in them. When she arrived, Carson rose and helped her into her chair.

“I told you not to get a bouquet to toss,” she said.

The plumeria smelled delicious.

“Your mother insisted, and she’s the bride. The least I could do was get your favorite flowers. Oh, and this is for you. Instead of cake.”

Carson slid a small confectionary box toward her. Even if it didn’t have the embossed Azul Caye Chocolate Company logo swirling across the top, she’d recognize the pale blue box from across a room. She tentatively unfolded the box, and…dark chocolate, caramel, and pecans.

A bit of her heart thawed.

Sixty seconds ago, she’d unequivocally told him they were over. Now this and the flowers and dinner… Her breath shallowed. For years, she’d avoided attention. Without invitation, Carson paid attention to her in ways big and small.

What was she supposed to do with that information?

“When did you…” She scrunched her forehead.

“Yesterday between airport runs.”

Julia nibbled the chocolate. “I didn’t give you enough to do.”

“I did plenty, but I prioritized important stuff. Like making sure you felt cared for.”

“Are those Mo’s turtles?” Alex asked. “Can I have one?”

“No. You’re having cake.” Julia snapped the lid shut. These were sentimental chocolates.

“Sheesh, okay, stingy.”

She’d been called worse.

At the cake table, Mom and Jim held the knife together to cut their first slice, then gently fed each other a bite, with a sweet kiss at the end. After the applause, the waitstaff doled out slices along with glasses of champagne.

Which meant the toasts were next.

It was her turn since Alex spoke at Mom’s last wedding. Two nights ago, she’d cobbled together something personal and true-ish that didn’t embarrass her. She’d written it when she was still heart-eyed about Carson, but now…

It would hurt too much.

Maybe she’d duck out and leave Alex holding the bag. How amazing would it be to do exactly what she wanted for once, even if it disappointed other people?

“Juuulia,” her mother cooed. “It’s time for your toast.”

Before she ran away, a waiter set a glass of white wine next to her.

“Pinot grigio for the toast, miss. We understand you do not care for champagne.” He nodded at Carson. “Himself made the arrangements.”

Her heart thumped against her chest. “How? When?”

“Back in LA. You said you don’t like champagne.”

“You remember that?” She clutched her phone.

With an unblinking warm gaze, he said, “I remember everything.”

She didn’t doubt it. Since the moment they’d reconnected, Carson paid attention to what she liked, didn’t like, things that got under her skin, made her smile, made her life easier.

This was her idea of a grand gesture, and it pissed her off.

“Why couldn’t you have been honest ?” She hissed as she rose. “We had potential.”

Shadows filled his eyes. No, she wouldn’t stare into the abyss of what might have been. She had work to do. Expectations to fulfill. Like always.

She shoved back from the table and stalked to the microphone.

“Hi,” she snipped. “Since this is my second time serving as Mom’s maid of honor, I have a unique perspective on her weddings.”

The crowd tittered. Their phones came out to record the moment. Panic about being seen, caught, rose, but subsided, like high tide fading into low. This was a friendly crowd. She set her glass on the happy couple’s table, then scrolled until—aha, there.

“Today,” she read, “we celebrate the beautiful journey love takes, no matter how many times it knocks at your door. My mother’s shown me that love is not just about finding the right person—it’s also about being the right person.

I’ve watched her learn, grow, and find happiness within herself before seeking it with others.

In this new chapter, we see the beauty of fresh chances. ”

The hypocrisy of what she’d said stung her lips.

She’d clung to the old saying, Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me. Was that truly the limit? Two chances?

Even baseball allowed three strikes.

The truth was there were no rules. She should do what she wanted.

Let people talk, whisper, gossip, judge.

If she wasn’t hurting anyone, she could do whatever the hell she wanted with her life.

The smiling couple before her were a lesson—she owed it to herself to push through temporary discomfort in pursuit of what made her happy.

The only force that can stop me is me.

“Jim, we’re thrilled you’re a part of our lives. You’re brave to marry our mother.” The crowd giggled, and she took the opportunity to raise her glass. “Let’s toast this lovely couple. May your journey ahead be filled with laughter, joy, love, and absolutely no sargassum. Cheers!”

She gulped, then locked gazes with Carson.

They’d settle this. Tonight, here, and she didn’t care who saw.

“You’re up, Carson.”

* * *

As Carson approached the table, Julia shoved the microphone into his chest. He deserved that. The crowd winced at the loud thump and feedback squeal.

“I’m a terrible public speaker, but I’ll do my best.” The waiter handed him a glass of champagne.

“It’s an honor to stand here as my dad’s best man.

His bread and butter is home contracting, and it taught him—and he taught me—the importance of building strong foundations and, when needed, renovations.

Together, you and Michelle have shown us that love is exciting at every stage, and I’m so happy for you both.

Raise your glasses to Jim and Michelle!”

The small crowd cheered and sipped their beverages.

Carson took a deep breath. This might be his last chance to compliment Julia in public. Awkward? Yes, but the whole point of weddings was making honest, public promises.

“If I can say one more thing—some of you know this, but Julia and I went to the same high school. I had a monster crush on her, and I’d always wondered what happened to the smartest, kindest, most generous person I’ve ever met.

So, I’m thrilled our parents found each other, and I’m glad we were able to team up to do this for them.

I’ll miss working with you, but I’m glad we’re family now. ”

A smattering of applause met his words.

Julia was not clapping. Nope, she was pissed.

Before he could switch the microphone off, Julia charged toward him. The A/V equipment thumped as she snatched the microphone from him.

“No.” She pointed at him.

The crowd buzzed with uncertainty, and most kept their phones on video. Roberto, the fucker, was snapping photos left and right.

“No?” he asked.

“No, you don’t get to say nice things in public and la la la, Carson’s such a sweetheart.”

“Julia, this isn’t the right place for—”

“This is exactly the right place.” To the crowd, she said, “He was mean to me in high school. Then our parents fell in love, so for their sakes we agreed to work together. He apologized for his past behavior, and I accepted it. Then he lied to me again, and that was too much. I told him we’d be cordial, but I wanted nothing to do with him. ”

Prickly, unpleasant heat washed over him.

Julia turned to their parents.

“Looking at you two, though, I—” she scrubbed her face “—I realized the path to your person isn’t always smooth. You might not like them the first time you meet them.”

This might’ve been his optimism talking, but her speech sounded like good news for him.

“People can change. I have, and the least I can do is allow others that grace. It’s not fair for me to be angry about a lie when I’m not willing to be honest with everyone here. And in that spirit…get your cameras ready.”

Nervous anticipation swirled through him.

She curled her finger toward him, inviting him to come closer. So she could punch him more easily? He didn’t care. He’d obey her wishes until the end of time.

“What are we doing?” Carson asked.

“This.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and covered his mouth with hers. He caught her against him, wondering how much was too much in public but then deciding if Julia Stone didn’t care, he sure as hell didn’t, either.

Someone nearby—her mom?—began to clap. Soon, the whole room cheered them on.

When Julia eased away from him, her eyes sparkled.

“Does this mean I’m forgiven?” he whispered.

“Not yet.” She led him from the room. “We’ll get there, as long as you promise not to lie to me, no matter how much you think the lie will protect me or my peace of mind.”

“I promise,” he said and kissed the back of her hand.

The resort’s veranda hung a swing big enough for three. He held it while she seated herself, then joined her in the gently swaying bench.

With their fingers interlaced, she said, “I noticed things, too, Carson.”

He ran his thumb along her hand’s soft skin. “Like what?”

“That you’re Mr. Brightside. You never allow yourself to have a bad mood.”

He whipped his head toward her. “What do you mean?”

“Life’s a bummer sometimes. Rah-rah positivity has its time and place, but last night, you could’ve used a helper or a sympathetic ear. I should have been a safe choice. When your dad was freaking out, I could have handled it with you.”

He tipped his head back. “I guess we both have trust issues.”

“We’ll work on it. Together. Because the thing is, Carson, I’ve never been in love, but I feel like this could be it, and I don’t want to mess it up any more than I already have.”

His heart skipped a beat. “You haven’t messed anything up. And, um… You told me never to lie to you, right?”

“Oh God, what now?” She covered her eyes. “Do you have a pact with the devil? Three wives scattered across the country? Wait, no, you have terrible tattoos. Is that it?”

“You have firsthand experience with my lack of terrible tattoos. And hold on—how is that equivalent to those other two things?”

“I’ve seen tattoos I wouldn’t have doodled on a binder.” She squeezed his hand. “Tell me the non-lie.”

“I love you, and I’m pretty sure I always have. From the minute you didn’t raise your hand to tutor me, then did when there was money involved.”

She stilled. “Oh.”

“It made me laugh, because every other girl at Bronson would’ve killed for the chance to be locked at a library table with me.

The guy I was ten years ago couldn’t have handled loving you.

The person I am today…” He brought her knuckles to his lips and kissed them.

“He’s ready. And you should move to LA.”

“Oh,” she repeated.

Yeah, he thought that might be a lot. He reached for his phone.

“Are you seriously taking a call right now?” she asked.

“I seriously am not.” He shared the project he’d created last night when she wouldn’t take his calls. “My gift to you.”

She answered her buzzing phone, and a giggle bubbled from her.

“Is this a project plan for moving to LA?” She scrolled through, and gasped. “And your hotel contacts?” Julia glanced up at him. “This stopped being about a job approximately ten minutes after we landed. You know that, right?”

“Yes. Doesn’t change me wanting you with me in LA.”

She furrowed her brow. “I still plan to permanently relocate here.”

“You should, but it’ll be awhile before the piers and cabanas are built. Go to LA, gain an impressive amount of experience, fall completely in love with me, and then return to Belize.”

“You say that like it’s easy.” She fiddled with her dress’s hem.

“It is.” He kissed her temple. “The planner in me sees how things could unfold.”

“What about you? Say all that happens—the oodles of experience, the completely falling in love. What happens to us when I move here?”

“I follow.” He brought her knuckles to his lips and kissed them. “By then I’ll be ready to hand the keys to someone at HQ and start a Caribbean franchise. You can see it, too, can’t you?”

She closed her eyes, and the smile he’d like to see every day for the rest of his life spread across her face.

“I can.” She twisted toward him on the swing. “Here’s the thing.”

“Another thing?”

“Yes. There will always be another thing, so get used to it.” Her sapphire earring winked in the light. “Will you be my plus-one at Alex’s wedding?”

“Yes.” He tucked a tendril of her hair behind her ear. “I’ll always be your plus-one. Even if she’s getting married in those caves.”

“Good.” She kissed him. “Now let’s go to your room.”

“Our room,” he corrected.

“Our room,” she agreed.