Chapter 14
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
“Soo…” Allie hooked her arm through mine as we walked along the beach.
We were waiting for a few more people to arrive so we could start the rehearsal.
She was wearing a beautiful white dress, more casual than her wedding gown but still very bridal.
“Are you and Frasier still taking things slow after last night?”
I laughed. “Real subtle, Al.”
She laughed, leaning into me. “Well, we both know that subtlety is not always my strong suit.”
It was a gentle nod to our conversation from yesterday—a reference to both the things she’d said and the fact that she’d been obvious about her teenage crush on Frasier. I smiled, feeling at peace for the first time in a long time.
The sun sparkled on the water as it faded into the horizon.
It was a gorgeous evening, and it promised to be a fitting end to a fantastic day.
After snorkeling, our group had been ravenous.
We’d eaten lunch at a local place in town, and it had been phenomenal.
I’d had the fried fish with pigeon peas and rice, and I couldn’t remember enjoying food as much as I had on this trip.
“No, but I still love you.”
“Love you too, sis. Did you have a good time today?”
I nodded. “I had a blast. The snorkeling was so much fun.” But it was the fact that I’d shared the experience with Frasier that I cherished more than anything.
“I didn’t realize you were such a daredevil.” She nudged me.
“I don’t know that I’m a daredevil,” I said, thinking back on what it felt like to jump from the cliff in Little Bay. Terrifying. Exhilarating. Liberating.
“You’re a badass. You jumped off a cliff.”
It wasn’t about jumping off the cliff, not really. It was about what it had represented—pushing myself outside my comfort zone. Taking a leap of faith.
And yet, I hadn’t done it alone. Frasier had been there with me every step of the way. Just as he was always there with me—encouraging me, supporting me, loving me.
His words kept floating through my mind, as did the way he’d looked at me. As if he’d never wanted anything more.
“The next time I kiss you…there will be no doubts about me wanting you.”
And my reply, “I’m looking forward to it.”
I still couldn’t believe he’d said it. Or that I’d been so brazen in response. But I’d meant what I’d said at the edge of the cliff. Life was meant to be lived, and I was done letting my head call all the shots.
I was ready to listen to my heart. And my heart led me to Frasier.
My dress blew about my legs, and I extricated some strands of hair from my lip gloss. “I’m surprised you didn’t jump. You and your friends are definitely more daring than I am.”
“Girl, you have no idea.” She pressed her lips together as if trying to hold in a secret, which only piqued my curiosity.
I arched my brow. “What does that mean?”
Allie opened her mouth to tell me when Mom approached, effectively ending the conversation—at least for now. “Everyone’s here now. Ready to start?”
“Promise to tell me later?” I asked Allie, and she nodded.
Allie headed up the beach to join Dad, while I hung back to walk with Mom. She draped her arm around my shoulder. “How are you holding up, sweetheart?”
“I’m…” I considered it a moment then said, “Good.”
Apart from the fact that I’d been a bundle of excitement and anticipation all day. Ever since Frasier had essentially promised to kiss me again, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Wondering when it would happen.
I’d wondered about it all through lunch, when he’d smiled and flirted with me. All through the ride back to the resort, his arm draped around me, lips pressed to my temple. And I’d still been wondering about it as we’d gotten ready and joined everyone for the rehearsal.
Even now, my mind was on Frasier and the promise of another kiss. Because if it was anything like that first one, I was going to combust.
“You know it would be okay if you weren’t, though, right?” Mom asked. “I’m sure this isn’t easy for you.”
I appreciated her saying that more than she could know. She’d given me space to feel my emotions without judgment. Without making me feel as if I needed to mask my pain for the sake of anyone else.
“Honestly, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But I’m having a lot of fun.”
She smiled, giving me a quick squeeze before releasing me. “I’m glad, Bryn. It’s okay to be sad, but you deserve to be happy too.”
“I know,” I said, and I found that for the first time in a while I actually believed it. More than believing it, I felt it was true. “Thanks, Mom.”
We joined the rest of the party, and Frasier was waiting for me with a smile on his face.
He greeted my mom then escorted her to a chair before sinking down beside her.
The wedding planner herded all the bridesmaids and Allie to the hotel since we’d exit from the resort and onto the beach for the wedding tomorrow.
“Tell me now,” I whispered to Allie once we were alone in the bathroom. She’d wanted to refresh her lipstick, and the other bridesmaids had stayed behind with Brooke, the flower girl.
Allie had barely finished telling me when someone else entered the bathroom. My eyes went wide, and we both tried to bite back our smiles and act normal as we headed back out to join the others.
The rehearsal was pretty straightforward, at least for the adults.
The flower girl wasn’t so sure she wanted any part of it.
Her parents, our cousins, were trying to bribe her, coaxing Brooke down the aisle as everyone else tried not to laugh.
She was adorable, a precocious three-year-old with dark brown curls that bobbed with every step. To her, this was all just a game.
“Hey, Brookie.” Allie scooped her up, propping Brooke on her hip. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“Me too.” Brooke wrapped her arms around Allie’s neck, and I smiled. “I like my big princess dress.”
“I’m glad. You’re going to look so pretty tomorrow,” Allie said. “I even got you a special crown to wear.”
Brooke peered up at my sister as if she were the fairy godmother herself. “Really?”
“Mm-hmm.” Allie nodded.
Brooke ducked her head. “But…can I still have it even if…?” She trailed off.
“Of course,” Allie said. “I’d love for you to walk down the aisle, but if you don’t feel up to it, that’s okay too. Okay?”
Brooke nodded. “I’ll thinking about it.”
“You do that,” Allie said, trying not to laugh. “But just know this. I think you’re very brave.”
Brooke shook her head then whispered, “I’m scared.”
“You know what?” Allie leaned in as if to share a secret. “I’m a little nervous too.”
Brooke peered at Allie, wide-eyed. “You are?”
I could understand being afraid. As much as I told myself I wanted to live life, when it came down to it, I was afraid. But if anyone made me feel safe to be brave enough to try, it was Frasier.
Frasier slid his hand along my waist. “You good?”
“Yeah.” I smiled. “Yeah. My sister’s going to be a good mom someday, if that’s what she wants.”
Frasier nodded, guiding me down the beach as we followed the rest of the party to where the staff had set up several tables for dinner. The sun was setting, and a canopy of lights provided a warm glow. It was beautiful and romantic.
“Have I mentioned how much I like this dress?” he asked, toying with one of the thin straps on my shoulder.
My lips curled into a smile. “Once or twice,” I teased. “I’ll have to tell Georgia. She helped me pick it out.”
“I’ll be sure to send her some flowers as a thank-you when we get back.”
I laughed, rolling my eyes. “Now you’re just being ridiculous.”
“I don’t know.” He leaned in. “Did Georgia pick your swimsuit from earlier? Because if so, I’m going to owe her a helluva lot more than flowers.”
I rolled my lips between my teeth, enjoying this flirtier, more assertive side to Frasier. My cheeks heated, and I wondered how it was possible to feel both calm and excited in someone’s presence.
Before I could answer Frasier’s question about my swimsuit, someone was clinking their fork against their glass. Kit stood, a huge smile on his face.
“Thank you all for coming to celebrate our wedding.” He held out his hand for Allie, and she stood, beaming at his side.
“We know many of you traveled a long way to be here, and we appreciate it. I can remember the moment I knew I loved Allie. It was our first trip together, and honestly, it was a disaster.”
Allie started laughing, and I loved watching them interact.
I loved the way Kit loved my sister. I might have had some reservations when they’d first started dating.
Kit was twelve years older than Allie. He’d been married once before.
But as I’d gotten to know him, I realized what a great fit he was for my sister.
As I listened to him tell the story and saw how happy Allie was, I couldn’t help but be delighted for them. Kit finished up by looking Allie in the eye and telling her how grateful he was to have met her. When they kissed, everyone was cheering, many of us wiping away tears.
And I realized that not only did I miss that, I wanted that—a partner.
I wanted what Allie and Kit had. What Derek and I had shared. And while I knew it wouldn’t be the same as what I’d had with Derek, I was okay with that. I was open to the possibilities.
Frasier placed his hand on my thigh, and when I looked at him, I was struck by the gentle expression on his face.
On the way he was there—always. I smiled at him, grateful for this incredible man in my life.
Even if nothing more came out of this trip than an amazing kiss.
Even if we ultimately went back to just being friends, he’d shown me what was possible.
He’d made me remember what it was like to be cherished.
I leaned over, pressing my lips to his cheek. The scruff tickled, but I didn’t mind. “Thank you.”
“For what?” he asked, his grip on my thigh tightening ever so slightly.
“For…” I could barely speak around the lump lodged in my throat. “Everything.”
He took my chin between his fingers, dragging my gaze up to his. “It’s no less than you deserve.”
He leaned in, and my pulse quickened. This was it. He was going to kiss me. And he did. Only, he pressed a chaste kiss to the corner of my mouth, bypassing my lips.
If the man was trying to torture me, it was working. I was so keyed up, so full of anticipation, I felt like a bottle of champagne that had been shaken up. If he didn’t kiss me soon, I was going to burst.
When he pulled back, he had a wicked glint in his eyes. He knew exactly what he was doing, but two could play at that game.
“You never told me what I owe you for letting me borrow your hat.”
“Borrow?” he spluttered. “I think you mean steal.”
“Meh.” I waved a hand through the air. “Semantics.”
“Mm. I’m not so sure about that.” He nudged me as the staff came out, bearing trays of dessert.
Everyone received one of two desserts. Frasier’s looked like a key lime pie. And mine was a cup of ice cream with fried plantains and caramel sauce. Both looked equally delicious. He took a bite and groaned.
“You’ve gotta try this.” He held up his fork with some of the pie for a taste.
I kept my eyes on his as I closed my lips around it.
The flavors were phenomenal—bursting on my tongue with a zest of citrus and the sweet, creamy filling.
“Oh, that’s good. Here.” I held up my spoon with some of my dessert to give him a taste.
It was equally delicious with more of a salty, sweet mix.
I laughed, and when I glanced up, my mom and sister were watching me with smiles on their faces. My sister looked like the cat that ate the cream. But my mom…she was practically glowing with happiness. Even my dad seemed pleased with the idea.
I bit the inside of my cheek and stared down at the table. While part of me felt bad for lying to them about my relationship with Frasier, I could see how happy they were. How relieved they all were that I was living life again.
For the first time since Derek’s death, I felt like they saw me as Bryn—daughter, sister, friend. And not just a widow. It was both painful and a relief. Because I wasn’t the same. And I could never go back to the person I once was—at least, not completely.
But I was coming to accept that, and I only hoped my family could too. And part of that acceptance included finally admitting to myself just how much Frasier meant to me. Not only as a friend, but as something more.
I made a quick, heartfelt speech, congratulating my sister and Kit. Everyone stayed for a while longer, laughing and drinking. At least until Brooke passed out and was carted off to bed. Soon after that, Frasier and I said our goodbyes.
“Oh,” I groaned as we walked down the beach. “I’m so full. But that meal was so worth it.”
“It was delicious.” He linked our hands, gently rubbing his thumb over my wrist. “Has your family said anything about your tattoo?”
“Mom thought it was a beautiful tribute,” I said, brushing some of my hair away from my face. “Allie’s trying to convince me to get a matching tattoo with her.”
He chuckled. “Of what?”
“Who knows? I’m not entertaining the idea. And I should probably avoid playing truth or dare with her again. It would be just like her to dare me to get a matching tattoo with her.”
“I wouldn’t put it past her. She was definitely enjoying the game last night.”
“She wasn’t the only one,” I muttered, thinking of what my sister had told me earlier. “I’m glad we left when we did.”
He gave my hand a squeeze. “I had a feeling things were only going to get even more out of hand. Everyone seemed cool, but I don’t want to get reamed by Coach or PR for something during the off-season.”
Judging from what my sister had told me, Frasier was right about things getting out of hand. One of the bridesmaids had ended up having a threesome with two of the groomsmen. My face heated, and Frasier narrowed his eyes at me.
“What?” he asked.
“What? What?” I practically yelped.
“Bryn,” he chided. “What aren’t you telling me?”
“I, um—” I rolled my lips between my teeth. “Nothing.”
He crossed his arms over his chest. “Nothing, huh? Why you blushin’ then, Bryn?”
“No reason.”
He stopped walking and peered down at me. “I dare you to tell me.”
“Sounds to me like you’re wanting to play another round of truth or dare.”
“If that’s what it takes to figure out what put that expression on your face. But I don’t need to play a game to prove a point.”
“Really? Isn’t that what hockey is?” I taunted.
A muscle in his jaw twitched, and I tried not to laugh. So competitive. So serious. It was hot.
The tension between us built, pulling taut. When I wasn’t sure I could take much more, he gritted out, “Do it. Ask me.” He leaned in, practically growling, “Truth or dare.”
Oh, he wanted to play? We’d play.