13. Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Thirteen
Saturday, June 29th
“I wasn’t looking for a new partner.” The bride in blue sniffed hard before continuing. “I sure as hell didn’t expect to fall in love.”
The bride in green stamped her bare foot in the sand and muttered, “Well, shit. So much for getting through this without crying.”
Laughing along with the other wedding guests, Danielle dabbed her tears and glanced at Matteo, whose eyes shone extra-bright.
“Good job on the arch, bella,” he whispered.
“You built it,” she whispered back.
“I built a pile of sticks. You made it beautiful.”
Grinning, she rested her cheek on his shoulder.
Of course, the wedding arch was a group effort—his carpentry skills, her decorations, and the florist’s finishing touches—fat white peonies and deep blue cornflowers that nodded in the coastal breeze. Though she’d only met the bridal couple an hour ago, she loved knowing she contributed to their celebration.
Composed now, the brides resumed their vows, armed with tissues from the officiant, AKA Zora from the crystal shop, pulled from the pocket of her saffron Dashiki.
“Serendipity.” Green Bride’s clear voice carried over the murmuring waves. “That’s what Zora foretold. A happy accident. I came here to repair a computer and met the love of my life.” She beamed at Blue Bride. “So I promise you, my love, to keep my eyes wide open to all the serendipity before us. I promise not to get so caught up in life’s little worries, or big ones, that I miss even one minute of us. Because, baby, you are the happiest accident that ever happened to me.”
Beneath Danielle’s cheek, Matteo’s shoulder rose and fell on a shaky sigh. He squeezed her hand.
She squeezed back and exhaled a trembling breath of her own. Here she was, swimming in a big warm pool of love with a bunch of strangers and a man she barely knew. Despite everything her book club friends told her last night, despite the fortuneteller’s woo-woo wisdom, despite sun and sand and surf, she knew in her heart of hearts she was being a fool. Letting herself care this much when the end was so near was hot fudge crazy sauce with stupidity sprinkles. And the longer she bathed in his loving attention, the more that ending was going to hurt. But she couldn’t cut their connection now, not with Matteo’s fingers laced through hers, his gentle presence holding her safe.
Seven more days.
Beneath the arch, Zora spread her arms wide. “By the powers invested in me by the State of Washington, I now pronounce you married. Smooch it up, my darlings!”
With a whoop, Green Bride lifted her new wife and spun her, sand flying. The guests cheered. Nearby beachgoers joined in, including a damp Labrador who barked joyfully and dropped his sodden tennis ball at the newlyweds’ feet.
A tear spilled down Danielle’s cheek—then another, and another. The combination of doggie cuteness, new love, and impending loss squeezed her ribs so tightly she could barely breathe. And of course Matteo noticed. Sweet and attentive, he noticed every detail about her, even the ones she tried to hide.
“Hey now.” While the other guests drifted toward the canopy tent against the rock wall, Matteo gathered her into his arms. “What’s wrong, bella?”
“It’s all a bit too much.” She clenched her fists, hating the wobble in her voice.
He stroked her hair. “The wedding? God, I should have thought—how long has it been?”
“Six months.” Jason left the day after Christmas. She’d never forget his smug expression when he declared, “I didn’t want to ruin the holiday for the kids.”
Strong fingers kneaded the back of her neck. “And how long were you married?”
“Sixteen years.”
“That must be so hard. And I’m an insensitive idiot.” His soft lips caressed her temple.
She fisted his linen shirt. “You’re not. You’re wonderful.”
He rocked her until the sting of memory faded, soothed by the soft swoosh of surf and the steady beat of his heart beneath her cheek. A perfect, poignant moment, all the more precious because it couldn’t last.
Finally, he tipped her chin up and smoothed her damp cheeks with his thumbs. “Want me to take you home?”
Behind them, a cheer arose. She glanced over his shoulder and saw sunlight glinting off raised glasses.
“No, I want to stay.” She dried her tears with her floral scarf, then took his hands. “Let’s go congratulate the brides.”