Chapter 46 Ripley
Ripley
The screen cuts off just as Garrick is about to make his pick, and I’m pretty sure the universe is just screwing with me now.
Can’t it let this torturous moment be over?
I guess it did spare me from seeing Garrick in person.
I knew they had a ton of people RSVP to attend, but I wasn’t expecting the few hundred excited Beeloved fans and press.
After a couple of days in a post-surgery haze, the number of attendees is slightly overwhelming, but I’m ecstatic with the response.
Mom got what she wanted – at least that makes one of us.
I shift in the fold-out chair, my pain pills only minimally keeping me upright.
‘Is someone going to fix it?’ I say when Mom doesn’t move to correct the blank screen after a few seconds pass.
This hiccup is just the kind of thing she’d freak over.
She should be out of her seat, instructing every person in this room to get the show back on track.
This is the grand finale of her masterpiece.
Yet – crickets.
Mom just shakes her head. ‘It’s not a problem.’
My eyes narrow. ‘Who are you? And what have you done with my real mom?’
She smiles, mischief in her eyes, and now I’m worried because when I look over at Nathan, Anna and Melika for assistance, they’re doing the same.
Clearly, I missed something. I lick my lips, eyes searching for someone to make sense of this fiasco.
The majority of the audience looks just as confused as I do.
Movement up front catches the crowd’s attention and I look toward the stage just as Garrick walks on. He’s dressed in a dashing navy suit, and I curse the flips my heart does at seeing him again.
No, Ripley, stop.
He taps the top of a microphone, a feedback loop shrieking in response, making us all cringe. ‘OK, so I guess this thing is on.’ The flash of his smile does not help the heart fluttering I’m experiencing. ‘So, you’re probably all dying to see who I pick, and rightfully so.’
I glance at the door and wonder if I can sneak past the row of people and leave unnoticed.
I might have attempted it if I didn’t have a crinkling bandage under my dress and questionable stability.
But my stealth mode is not in peak condition at the moment.
I should’ve insisted on an aisle seat. Mom, noticing my fidgeting, squeezes my hand quickly before letting it go.
‘The Beeloved team and the whole crew did a fantastic job putting this show and the app together.’ Garrick scratches the back of his neck. ‘But even with two great girls at the end, I didn’t pick either of them.’
Garrick Walton does not get nervous in front of a crowd. That’s his preferred spotlight. But he is. And my stomach twists in response. He’s also known for going off script, so my nerves are on edge, wondering where this is headed.
‘I think the Beeloved app is great. Dating is hard. Love is even harder. And having a safe space to explore is important. So, I have no doubt Beeloved can do exactly all it says. But see, the thing is, I realized I didn’t pick Desiree or Ellie because I’d already found my perfect match before this thing started.
’ Garrick scans the crowd, eyes finding mine, and I’m having trouble breathing.
‘Or, more like, my perfect match found me and duped me into starting this whole thing.’
I frown, and the sly, charming smile he offers in response makes butterflies zoom down my limbs, causing a buzz in my ears. Warmth coats my skin and, rationally, I know all eyes are on me, which should freak me out – but right now I can’t think of any of them as I look at Garrick.
Perfect match? Is that what he’s calling us? I thought we weren’t anything.
All I can picture is Anna and Mike. How many times has he apologized for some indiscretion or for never being the supportive partner she deserves?
And every time Anna just accepts it and they return to the same pattern over and over.
Is that what this is? Garrick apologizes, my stupid heart forgets, and then it starts the vicious circle once more.
‘OK, fine,’ Garrick continues and I try to pay attention.
I need all the information before I can process what’s happening.
‘I wanted to do this because I didn’t think it would work.
I was so far off the love train rails I’d never even seen the station.
But then Santa went and gave me the greatest gift: someone who thought the same way. ’
I can no longer ignore the eyes of the crowd.
My cheeks are tinging pink at the gawking.
I will scold Garrick for this unwanted attention later.
The audience came for a show, and he’s giving them a front-row seat to a live performance.
Only Garrick isn’t performing; he’s as real as I’ve ever seen him, and that’s what’s keeping me from getting up and walking out of this room.
Garrick isn’t like Mike or any of the husbands Mom’s divorced. He’d never just say these things to smooth me over. When he speaks like this, I know he means it. Garrick is all heart, and when he finally gives it to someone, it will be for keeps.
Garrick licks his lips, chin dipping as he formulates his thoughts before seeking me out again. ‘Juliet, we both thought love was for chumps, and hey, maybe it is. But I can say with certainty, I’d rather be a chump with you than the smartest guy in the room.’
I laugh despite myself. A logical person might say I’m out of my mind and need to let my brain do the thinking here, not the heart pounding in my chest. But I’ve let my brain lead me for so long.
Thinking, logic and lists were the only way to survive life.
However, it seems like I might have been wrong.
Love is for chumps, and I stand by it, but we all fall for something along the way.
I would very much like it if mine was Garrick Walton.
‘So, Juliet, I know I’m no Romeo, but I am a knight, and frankly I think that’s a whole lot better. Please say you’ll forgive me?’ He stumbles on the last sentence, and I see in his eyes that he doesn’t know if this display will be enough to win me back.
I make my face blank. ‘Garrick, I think we should talk outside.’ He did break up with me in a hospital, so it’s only fitting that I make him squirm a little in return.
His face drops, and I feel sort of bad. But it’s payback for this grand gesture I’m sure he knew I would hate. Which I do, but also, I’m kind of living for this real-life fairytale he’s got me starring in.
Still, I want our moment at the end of the story to be only for us.