29. Sophie
CHAPTER 29
SOPHIE
I t’s wedding day.
And it’s a gorgeous one at that. The air is crisp, and the sky is clear. No worries about rain so far. When I first arrived and saw the cabana over the walkway and the sage green sashes on the chairs, I teared up myself. But my emotions have been running very close to the surface since yesterday.
The sound of ocean waves hums in the background. The owner of the inn, Madison, set aside a room for us to use as the bridal suite. Mia’s mother continues to fuss over Mia’s hair, using her skills as a stylist to give her daughter an elegant updo.
As we help her with her dress, I think we’re all trying not to bawl. Even Madam Tulard had tears in her eyes at the last fitting, saying it was her best creation yet. And that says a lot for a woman who supposedly designed a dress for someone in the royal family. I’ve yet to dig out the truth of that one, but I’m determined to find out—another great detail for that column I’m fighting for.
Marty said the paper’s board of directors decided to take a serious look at my column proposal when they found out I had an offer on the table from US Hockey Magazine. So I’m hoping that means my dream is about to come true .
So what if I’m a failure at romance? I can still write about this quaint beach town that embodies it in so many ways. In a way, I could say I’m having a love affair with Sarabella, and that’s enough for me. Really and truly, it is.
“Forget a thousand words. That’s a face worth ten thousand.”
Mia’s voice snaps my attention back to the present. I glance at her reflection in the mirror before refocusing on attaching her veil in her hair like Madam Tulard showed me. “It’s an emotional day.”
She starts to turn around to look at me.
“Stay still, or you’ll mess it up.”
She lets out a harrumph . “Fine. Don’t tell me what happened. I’ll just imagine the worst and plot Luke Jameson’s demise in the meantime.”
For the first time today I smile. I may not have romantic love in my life, but I have a plethora of people I adore and consider my family. “Make sure they can’t trace it back to you. I can survive another romance failure, but I cannot lose my best friend who’s like a sister to me.”
Uh oh…I started the waterworks.
Mia waves her hand in front of her face. “Oh no…I love you, Soph, but your timing really sucks sometimes.”
I grab a tissue from the vanity and help her dab her eyes. “I’m sorry. Just know that I love you and…and I will always make sure I have backup mascara.”
She giggles as she hugs me.
Madison pokes her head in the door. “All the guests are seated. Ready when you are.”
I lock eyes with Mia, and we nod at the same time. Her mother and I finish arranging her veil, then touch up our lipstick before leaving the room and heading toward the breezeway. In a few minutes, I’ll take my place under the wedding arch, followed by Mia, who will take her place next to Ethan, her soon-to-be husband .
And everyone will live happily ever after. The end.
But it’s not the end. And, as wonderful as all that sounds, I’m trying not to freak out about seeing Luke sitting among the guests. That is if he’s still coming. I have no idea since we’re not talking anymore—he made that clear on the beach last night.
I squash the surge of tears trying to push their way out again. I’ve cried enough over that man, and today is about celebrating love and marriage.
The music shifts to a soft melody—my cue to start down the aisle. Ethan and his brother look so handsome at the other end of the breezeway. A subtle floral scent fills the enclosure, emanating from gorgeous arrangements of lavender orchids mixed with white peonies.
I take my place up front, proud of myself for not searching the guests for one hockey player in particular, and keep my eyes focused on Mia’s entrance. The music changes to a modern rendition of the wedding march as she makes her appearance.
At Ethan’s soft gasp, I smile. All the frustrations, hiccups, and delays fall away in this moment when everyone stands and watches the beautiful bride walk toward her groom.
Toward her future.
The thought sends a pang through me, which grows when I notice Luke in my peripheral vision. He’s standing behind the seats, dressed in a light gray suit that contrasts with his burgundy shirt and dark brown hair.
He’s gorgeous. My heart jumps to high speed so fast I almost gasp. Because he’s not looking at Mia, he’s staring at me, devouring me from afar. I close my eyes long enough to compose myself, then lift my chin and focus on Mia and Ethan.
Today is all about them and their new life together. And that I can be happy about.
The reception is a smash hit. Ironically, I think moving the entire event to the Sandpiper Inn and the Turtle Tide worked out better than our original plan. I suspected it might.
I scan the room filled with smiling faces, laughter, and couples dancing—I think Mia and Ethan have danced to every song. The taste of champagne lingers on my tongue as I revel at the sight of them glowing with their happiness.
I’m also daydreaming of the article I could write about a beautiful event like this if I get my column. Dominic and Madison could definitely expand their joint businesses into a venue for destination weddings. I can picture a two-page spread with pictures and everything.
A tap on my shoulder interrupts my thoughts. I turn around to find Payton smiling at me. His blue eyes sparkle at me, enhanced by the navy color of his fitted suit—an expensive-looking one, at that.
“Fancy a dance with a meager soul like me?”
I set my glass down on a nearby table. “I’d love to.”
He spins me out onto the floor, quite adept in his moves.
“Payton, you’re quite the dancer. Who taught you?”
He glances away for a moment. “My parents are the traditional sort. My siblings and I were required to learn.”
“How many siblings?”
“Two brothers and a sister.”
“That’s right. You shared that during your interview. But you never answered where you grew up.”
He scoffs. “Oh, it’s just a small blip on the map in England. Nothing to really talk about.”
Payton gave me the same brush-off when I did his interview. I haven’t had a chance to dig a little, but I suspect there is definitely more to this man than meets the eye.
His eyes shift to something over my shoulder.
“May I cut in?”
I stiffen at the sound of Luke’s voice. This would be so much easier if we never spoke or had contact again. Considering his last words on the beach, I assumed that’s what he wanted. So why is he here, and why does he want to dance with me now?
Payton releases me, leaving me, once again, unpaired. “Of course.”
Luke nods, then takes his place, pulling me closer so that our bodies touch. The ache in my heart quadruples to be so close to him yet feel so far away. I drop my gaze, unable to look at him. I can’t face what I imagine I’ll find there.
Or won’t find.
“Sophie, are you going to look at me?” His voice rumbles out and wreaks more havoc with my heart.
“Why should I?” I glance to the side where Mia’s sitting on Ethan’s lap.
“Because I need you to see my face when I tell you how sorry I am.”
After he walked away, I imagined every scenario of him returning and saying those very words. In one of them, he fell to his knees, begging me to take him back, which made me feel very vindicated. But none of it was real.
Swallowing my nerves, my emotions, and the ache threatening to choke me, I draw my gaze upward. His thumb caresses my cheek as he brushes away a lock of hair from my face, and it’s all I can do not to close my eyes and lean into the warmth of his hand and relinquish my heart to him again.
As he searches my face, his eyes dart back and forth, appearing glassy as they do. Or could that be the reflection from the fairy lights draped around the room?
“You were right, Soph. I can’t move forward while focusing on the past.”
I work saliva into my parched mouth. “I’m glad you see that now.”
“My father and I are talking things out. ”
My smile is tremulous but present, nonetheless. How can I not be ecstatic for him? “That’s great. I’m so happy for you and Kinsley.”
His expression shifts and turns more serious. “She’s the one who looked for him. He never even saw the article.”
“So your assumption?—”
“Was wrong.” He folds our clasped hands between us. “So very wrong… I’m so so sorry, Sophie. Will you forgive me?”
A tear slips down my cheek as I nod. “Yes, of course. I forgive you, Luke.”
His brows draw together, forming a crease between them. “Does that mean you’ll give us a chance?”
The longing in his eyes matches what I’d imagined in all those scenarios, but instead of throwing myself into his arms, I want to pull away. Like I said before, love has failed me three times already. In my mind, taking a fourth chance on Luke was my last try. And we’ve had three situations arise that have pushed us apart—the third one completely. I don’t think I can risk my heart a fourth time.
I run the tip of my tongue over my lips as I search for words. “I don’t know, Luke. I think I need time.”
His mouth opens as if he’s somewhat stunned, but then he swallows and bobs his head. “Will you do me one favor?”
Curious about what he would want, I give him a subtle nod.
“You’re covering the next home game, right?”
I nod again.
“Wait for me at the door afterward.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea?—”
“Please? After that, if you never want to see me again, I’ll understand.”
The intensity of his eyes wins over my indecision. “Okay. I’ll be there.”
He kisses my cheek, where the tear fell. “Thank you. ”
Still staring at me, he steps back and then turns and leaves the wedding.
I hold my hand to my stomach and inhale, then release a shuddering breath as I touch the place his lips just touched, knowing I’ll never fully get over the hockey player who turned my world upside down.