Chapter 10
[Cadence]
After helping Ford in the bathroom, he excused himself. Needing a minute to collect my thoughts and calm my racing heart, I exited a few moments later.
For half a second, I thought he might kiss me.
Please collided with not again.
The Evan situation my sister did not want repeated was something I’d promised myself would never, ever happen again. Fool me once and all that.
Eventually, I whisk my sister away from the Sylvers’ home, sans Sebastian, like she’s a blushing bride about to embark on her first night of debauchery.
He wasn’t happy to let her leave and kissed her once more like they were in the front seat of a car minutes before curfew. Or maybe that was just my experience.
I, on the other hand, wasn’t kissing anyone when I left the Sylver homestead.
Instead, small waves and soft smiles were given to Ford’s adorable girls who followed their self-appointed babysitter Violet like they were little ducks in a row.
The only thing missing were yellow dresses and big bows in their hair.
Once Enya and I returned to her house, with baby Adara, the silence was overwhelming after the rousing Sylver siblings reunited in one place.
The cacophony of sounds among a collection of adult family members had been music to my ears.
I’d learned the local family members get together every Sunday for a mandatory dinner.
I wanted what they had.
The quiet of Enya’s space was a reminder of all that Enya and I had endured as children. Our household involved non-speaking dinners in the years our brother caused trouble, and more silent meals once he ran away from home.
Standing outside Enya’s bedroom door, I softly rap on the wood.
“Come in.”
With relief, I enter. As much as I crave alone time, I find I don’t know how to be alone with myself, especially after Evan’s betrayal.
Enya sits upright in her bed with the blankets pulled up over her lap. She holds her phone, smiling at something that lights up the screen.
“Sebastian?” I climb onto her bed and lay down on my side, facing her.
“Yeah.” Her wistful voice pierces my heart, not in jealousy but envy. I’m beyond thrilled for Enya and Adara because no one deserves a happily-ever-after more than them. However, I want what my sister has. The love of one good man, who is dedicated and true to his word.
“He loves you so much,” I whisper, afraid to break the silence that’s haunting me. Tucking my hands beneath the pillow, I clasp my fingers like I intend to pray.
“I know.” Her smile widens. “And I love him.”
“Remember when you questioned everything last summer,” I ask, reminding her of a conversation we had when Adara was newly born, and my confident sister was panicking that she’d made the wrong choice.
Not wrong in having her daughter, just mistaken in how she went about her pregnancy.
A momentary lapse in her judgement about raising her daughter on her own.
Enya needed our mother then, more than any other time in her life.
Instead, she had me, and I wasn’t able to offer any encouragement other than I believed in her.
Enya glances at me, her brows pinching in question.
“And look how everything turned out. Happily-ever-after.” I smile up at her from my pillow. This is technically Sebastian’s pillow and his side of the bed, but I’m claiming it for a little while. I’m a little like him, in that I don’t want to be without my sister tonight.
“Happily-ever-after,” Enya whispers, a thoughtful grin curling her lips. “Who knew it would come to this?”
“Who knew?” Strangers become friends, become lovers, become partners.
Right there is the basis of every romantic song.
In my thirty-five years, I’ve lived bits and pieces of that music.
However, I don’t think I’ll ever find my equal.
My other half to complete the equation of love.
As the owner of a lonely heart and the queen of broken heart harmonies, my image has sold millions of albums, garnered millions of fans, and made me millions of dollars.
And still, I’m stuck in the one place I’d rather not be. Alone.
“It can happen,” Enya says, as if reading my thoughts. She softly sings, “One day my prince will come, right?”
She really does have a pretty voice, but I scoff. “Who needs a fucking prince when I already own the queendom?”
Enya eyes me. “It’s lonely in a glass turret, though.”
She’s right, so I don’t argue.
“Ready for tomorrow?” I ask, wishing to change the subject.
“It’s going to be like any other day, except for a big party.”
“What do you mean?” I ask, shifting my head on the pillow.
“Sebastian will be home tomorrow night. We’ll laugh and sleep together and raise Adara.”
“And have all the good sex,” I add.
Her cheeks pinken. “We’ll love each other and our little family. No different than any other day.”
“But you’ll get to wear a beautiful white dress and awesome shoes and be center stage.”
Enya gives me a soft smile, one that’s sympathetic, not chastising. “That’s your dream, Cait. Not mine.”
The use of my given name startles me, reminding me I’m more than Cadence, the musician. I’m just a woman, living a grand life, looking to take care of myself . . . and fall in love with someone who understands me.
I could tell my sister I don’t know what my dreams are anymore, but I don’t want to turn this night into my sob story. Tonight isn’t about me. Tonight is about her.
“Tell me more about your future plans,” I beg, like a child eager for a story.
Thankfully, Enya grants my request, telling me a grandiose tale of what it means to be a family.
+ + +
Wedding day.
My sister looks more beautiful than ever, but it isn’t her light makeup or the complicated updo of her hair.
The love radiating around her makes her practically glow.
She’s been welcomed into this big, loving, loyal family of the Sylvers, but most importantly, she has the heart of one hunky brother, Sebastian.
If only it would stop raining, the day would be perfect.
“Seems apropos,” Enya sighs, staring out the window of her bedroom, overlooking her backyard.
A giant white tent covers a portion of her two acres, protecting both the ceremony and the reception from the elements.
Enya had hoped to stand beneath the autumn-changing leaves on the edge of her property, but the weather is not cooperating.
“I met Sebastian during a rainstorm.” The smile lighting up my sister’s face suggests the weather is forgiven, maybe even appreciated.
“It’s a good sign,” I offer, standing behind her as we watch the final guests being ushered under umbrellas to the tent. Sebastian has already called Enya four times with concern. She isn’t worried in the least.
By the end of this day, I’ll be your wife, she told him each time, followed by I love you.
After Sebastian’s display of aggression last night, I could be worried for my sister but I’m not. He loves her and Adara fiercely and he’d never hurt either of them. He’ll protect them both, forever. Their love is swoon-worthy, and I can only hope to have a spoonful of something similar one day.
When the ceremony is finally set to begin, the entrance march shifts. Instead of each groomsmen meeting a bridesmaid at the start of the aisle to walk her down the carpet, he greets each of us at the backdoor of the house to escort us beneath an umbrella to the tent.
Sebastian’s brother Clay escorts Vale.
His brother Stone is best man and walks beside me.
Knox is in charge of six-month-old Adara, carrying her down the aisle and responsible for holding her during the service.
My sister was to proceed on her own, giving herself away, however Judd met her with an umbrella and walked her to the tent.
When the flaps finally open, exposing my sister and blowing Judd’s umbrella backward, Sebastian’s impatience catches up to him, and he charges down the aisle.
When Sebastian sweeps up my sister, she squeals as she loses a shoe. He doesn’t bother picking it up.
Instead, he carries Enya down the aisle, stands her on her own feet, where she steps out of her other shoe and faces her Sebastian to the sounds of clapping, whoops, and hollers from the amused guests.
As the ceremony starts, my gaze wanders to Ford. He looks immaculate again in another suit, this one dark but no less expensive, and obviously custom fit. The large bruise coloring his jaw is covered by the new growth of hair on his face but does nothing to detract from how good looking he is.
However, I could not be attracted to him. I would not. Ford has a difficult path ahead of him and three little girls to take care of. The last thing he needs is the hurricane of America’s country singing darlin’ and her lifestyle. The tour schedules, the legions of fans, the multitude of paparazzi.
The thought would make me melancholy if it weren’t for the joy emanating from my sister. I’m struck with wedding fever.
After the ceremony, the bride and groom pose for photographs and then disappear for a while. I don’t want to think about what they might be doing. Eventually, they return to the tent to mingle with guests before dinner is served.
Ford keeps his distance from Sebastian while I keep my distance from Ford.
His little girls have been running wild throughout the tent, followed good-naturedly by Violet.
The teenager has developed an aspiring fan club.
There is something most endearing about June, who seeks me out in the crowd while bashfully hiding whenever I wiggle my fingers in a wave at her.
Then she’ll peek her little head upright to make certain I am still looking in her direction and we play the game again.
“She likes you.” The strong masculine voice behind me sends shivers up my spine. “And you’re avoiding me today.”