Chapter 19
STONE
“It’s complicated,” I say to my brother as the group of his friends stands to leave us alone outside. It’s Vaughn’s wedding, rain clouds left us and the night is descending with a clear sky overhead. We’ve been sitting on the terrace of the Dizzy Duck smoking cigars and enjoying whiskey.
And what an ass I am for dredging it all up.
My brother gets comfortable in his lounge seat, because apparently, he is okay with leaving his bride inside while he gives me a moment to hash out my current woes. Except, it won’t take a moment; I could go on forever.
“You were hoping Harlow would be here as your plus-one?”
I sigh, and my head lolls to the side. “We’re kind of in a confusing place, but I still sent her an invite.”
It went something like Harlow, Can we call a pause on making decisions for a second? Vaughn’s wedding is coming up and a plus-one only feels right if it’s you.
To which she replied, Maybe.
He smirks. “I’m aware that you were planning on having a plus-one since I gave you the green light to bring someone on your arm and the extra seat for your guest was all planned.
There was a group of women in my living room discussing the dinner table seating map for the wedding, and it was beyond exhausting.
Wow, some real truths about people were shared.
I wasn’t even involved, just grabbing a beer from the fridge, and it felt like a freaking reality show episode. ” I can tell that he’s not even joking.
“Maybe I shouldn’t have asked. Space is probably what I should give her, especially since I only got a one-word answer, and I didn’t want to press.” I take a decent swig from my whiskey glass, leaving the bottom dry.
My brother evaluates me for a good few seconds. “I think that... you’re both trying to navigate what to do. At this moment, it still feels promising. Nobody has walked away yet. You’re in a confused state, probably because you both want to put in the effort to have a future.”
“One could hope. Anyhow, she isn’t here, and it’s your big day. It was a beautiful and short wedding, and your kid might have stolen the show.” I throw him a grin.
Vaughn has a hint of fondness over his face, and it only grows as he sips from his whiskey then sets the glass down.
“You’ll have all of that one day. I’m sure of it.
Give it a little more time, and if it’s too unbearable, then what’s the saying?
If you let it go, maybe it will return… or some shit like that.
” He stands and loosens the top button on his shirt.
“I probably shouldn’t be asking you. You are in a loved-up and optimistic mood today, with a wedding night about to go down.” I wink at him and stand.
Vaughn squeezes my shoulder in passing. “Shouldn’t that all be hopeful for you?” His eyes seem to be searching for Isla through the window, and he spots her as his lips curl. “By the way, you should check out the cake. Chocolate with white cream cheese icing. The cake of dreams.”
I watch him walk away, and I look out at the lake that is lit up with hanging lights and lanterns along the dock. Damn, they did good with their magical nuptial setting.
My feet pivot, and when I’m inside, I beeline for the bar to order another whiskey. While I wait, I turn to lean against the counter and take in everyone having a good time.
But then I notice someone, and I do a double take while my jaw lowers from surprise.
Next to the cake table is a woman standing in a light green dress with short off-the-shoulder sleeves, her hair down in waves.
Harlow.
She’s here.
And she’s standing patiently by the table and surveying the room, hopefully searching for me. No wonder Vaughn told me to check out the cake.
My feet don’t move, instead I stay put to take in the view of Harlow, and when our eyes meet, a smile sweeps across her face. Her cute little wave appears, as if she’s nervous, and hell, maybe I am too. We haven’t exactly been in a clear frame of mind lately.
I give up on the scotch and stride straight to her. “You’re here.”
“Yeah.” Her voice sounds delicate. “Thought I would be a wedding crasher.”
“I don’t think it counts as being a wedding crasher if you’re invited.”
“I guess not. Anyhow, I wanted to be here earlier and surprise you, but my flight was delayed. When I got here, Stuart seemed to have a soft spot for me, so I smiled sweetly, and he let me into your room, ignoring protocol. You mentioned in your email that you’re staying here so you can drink and avoid duck crossings at night.
” She’s almost rambling, yet her face stays straight.
I step closer to her, inhaling her flowery scent, still in doubt if she’s here in reality. “I’m not hallucinating, right? The expensive whiskey might be good but not so phenomenal that it has me imagining you’re here.”
Harlow blushes, and her shoulder pops forward while she glances down to hide her happiness, only to drive her eyes back up to meet mine. “This might count as crazy, considering we’ve been on a… pause. Then suddenly I’m here as though all is well. I’m not sure—”
I interrupt her. “It’s a wedding, rules can be bent.”
Her eyes sparkle, hopeful. “In that case, will you kiss me already?”
I chuckle before I run my hand through her hair to pull her mouth to mine and kiss her warmly and longingly.
Logic and our blurred status can go out on the lake in a canoe, because tonight we can just be in a moment.
My tongue slips into her mouth, and I kiss her deeper, pulling her snug against my body. She begins to smile against my lips as she drags her mouth away with a struggle.
“Wow, the best man has some skills,” she rasps against the corner of my mouth.
“You have no idea,” I growl with a low tone.
Keeping her in my hold, I soak in the fact that she’s here. “I hadn’t heard from you and just assumed you weren’t coming.”
Harlow plays with the buttons on my shirt. “Yeah, well, wedding dates are neutral territory, and I didn’t want to leave you hanging despite where things are between us. Sorry I missed the vows or speech if you gave any or the critical flower toss.”
I lick my lips. “They didn’t do the bouquet throwing yet, so you’re still in the running,” I tease.
“What a shame I haven’t been practicing my catching skills.” Our eyes lock with an underlying hope of something we haven’t talked about but would probably want one day. “So, what does a wedding date have to do to get a dance around here?”
My fingers sweep across the bare curve of her shoulder.
“Well, probably not wear this dress which is a fucking distraction.” She laughs, looking proud that she got that reaction from me.
Glancing over my shoulder at people making fools of themselves to some ridiculous club tune, I decide that isn’t for us.
“I have a better idea.” I offer her my hand that she easily takes with an intriguing glint in her eyes.
“Uh-oh, Stone has another mystery in store for me. Last time I ended up fully clothed in a swimming pool.”
We head in the direction of the terrace. “A damn shame it wasn’t swimming naked, but ah, another time.”
Harlow giggles as she follows me outside, and I notice her confused facial expression when we walk past the terrace and straight to the dock.
“But seriously now, what are we doing?”
My brother and Isla thought of every detail for their wedding, including rowboats for guests to have some time on the lake. Grabbing a lantern hanging on one of the poles, I hold it up. “A cruise on the lake.”
Harlow stares blankly at the boat, unsure if I’m for real. “As in…”
“Come on.” I don’t wait for her reply, and I’m already stepping into the boat, with my hand held out, waiting to help her into the boat.
“You’re crazy.” Nothing about her tone informs me that it’s a bad thing. She likes me a little spontaneous.
When she’s sitting across from me, I hand her the lantern to hold because I’m busy grabbing the oars so I’m able to row us to the middle of the lake. It’s a clear sky with a bright moon.
“You didn’t have too many scotches, right? This isn’t like drunk rowing or anything, is it?”
I rumble amusement and continue to row with even strokes. “Not at all. Even if I had, I think you made me sober as soon as I noticed you next to the tower of icing.”
“I do have magical abilities,” she responds proudly.
We both admire the scene, even when we reach a point where I stop far away from the Dizzy Duck Inn, but the twinkly lights are still in the backdrop.
Locking the oars, I move to sit next to Harlow and take a moment to find a position that will be comfortable enough for both of us to lie down and keep the lantern secure on the bottom of the boat.
The moment we settle into our spot, we cling to one another, and that amazing feeling of her head on my arm while I kiss the top of her head hits me like a drug.
Staring up at the night sky, we both seem to relax and breathe out.
“I wasn’t expecting this. Kudos for your romance A-game.” Her nose nestles into my neck.
“I’m kind of weddinged out. We just need to watch for mosquitos, but the lightning bugs are an extra nice touch to our warm Illinois summer.”
Harlow playfully pats my chest. “Point proven. We don’t have as many lightning bugs down in Florida. They seem magical. People also call them fireflies.” She admires the sky without giving me a glance.
I pull her tighter, if that was humanly possible. “We blew bubbles. To celebrate the bride and groom walking down the aisle. They popped in the air, just like your last chapter closes and vanishes into history.”
“They have a new chapter.”
“That and the Dizzy Duck prohibits throwing bird seed or rice,” I quip.