33. Chapter 33
Chapter 33
Chelsea
Today is the day. I take a deep breath and blow it out slowly, ready for the grand opening of my studio.
This week has flown by. I haven’t had enough time to sit and reflect. I’ve been in and out of meetings. The walk into the office is hard now that I know Bobby has been here. But it’s not just that. The anticipation of bumping into Evan is the main reason for the turmoil running my nerves ragged.
I haven’t seen him despite being at the studio on Friday and Saturday. Friday, I had a staff meeting/get-to know-each-other day. And yesterday, I organized and prepared for today. Not once did I see him. And I have to admit it burns a hole in my heart.
Summer insisted she would pick up my family, arguing with me about how I should be here in case anyone turns up early.
I pace back and forth, ensuring that every spring, weight, band, and box is in order. Glad that the deliveries all made it in time, including the one Bobby tried to sabotage. I shudder at the lengths he went to just to hurt me. But I won’t let him take this moment away from me.
When the first buzz sounds, I see the food is here. I can’t help the stupid grin that transforms on my face.
I open the door and let them in, showing them the table I want it set up at.
Once they leave, the balloons arrive, and I arrange them around the signs. Then the DJ comes in and sets up in the corner of the room.
The sounds of my favorite 90s pop songs play through the speakers at a soft volume.
Next, my family and Summer enter. Their lit-up faces and proud expressions make my eyes misty, and the hugs from my parents and sister fill my heart. For some reason, I shake, but it’s not from nerves anymore, it’s with relief.
The studio begins to fill with instructors, my old colleagues and boss come to celebrate too. It’s nice to have their support.
I look over as Nova enters holding a piece of paper, and I think I’m hallucinating.
But I’m not.
Following her are Jeremy, Harvey, Eliza (Evan’s mom), Sebastian (Evan’s dad), and Iris (Gram).
But that’s not the person who causes my heart to beat outside of my chest. No, it's the tall, broody man wearing a delicious beige suit with piercing blue eyes who captures my attention. He’s holding a massive bunch of white gardenias. His presence drowns out all the noise in the studio.
When Summer speaks to me, I shake my head, trying to pay attention. “Sorry.”
Nova’s next, shoving her doctor's clearance into my hands before hugging me and whispering in my ear. “Surprise.”
“I’m going to kill you later,” I mumble back into her long, wavy brown hair.
I can feel the heat of everyone watching us, and I pull back with a smile.
Nova steps aside to allow others to say hello. First up is Harvey as he steps forward. “Congratulations, Chelsea.”
He steps away rather fast, and I don’t get long to think about it because Oliver is next. He gives me a charming smile and a quick hug. Next in line to say hi to me are Evan’s parents.
“Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln, thanks for coming,” I say and kiss both of their cheeks.
“Congratulations, love,” Eliza says, her eyes sparkling as they look from me and then around the studio.
“This is great,” Sebastian says, before pulling away to stand with Eliza.
“Hi, dear,” Iris says.
Today, her pale cheeks are hidden behind some powder. The effort she’s put in for me makes it hard to breathe. My own grandparents aren’t able to be here because they have both passed, my gramps being the most recent loss, just three years ago.
I will not cry.
“Hi, thanks for coming.”
Her soft smile reaches her eyes. “Thanks for inviting me.”
I can’t say I didn’t, so I just smile and dip my chin.
All his family is here. For me. I take a second to let that sink in.
A supportive family is what I’ve always wanted in a partner.
What I’ve craved.
Then why can’t we want the same thing in the future?
My eyes shift to his, and my heart thumps in my ears. The way my body responds is nothing like I’ve experienced before.
“Hi,” I say, keeping my voice even to hide the way his presence affects me.
His lips lift into a tender smile. “Hi.”
We stare at each other, but knowing I have an audience makes me think on my feet.
“Come, everyone, I want you to meet my family.”
I turn and walk to my parents and sister. “Mom, Dad, and Anna, I'd like you to meet Sebastian, Eliza, Oliver, Harvey, Nova, Jeremy, who is Nova's boyfriend, Evan, and Iris.”
They exchange pleasantries.
I watch the dads shake hands and then start up easy conversation. My mom takes Eliza and Gram around on a tour. Then the brothers slip away, leaving Evan and me alone.
I don’t know if it’s on purpose, but he doesn’t waste time. “Congratulations. I’m so proud and happy for you.”
His soft gaze and the flowers have my knees buckling. I take the gardenias and smell them, their sweet fragrance filling my senses. Peering at him from under my lashes, I murmur, “Thanks. You didn’t have to.”
“I did,” he replies firmly, his eyes locked on mine.
I lower the bouquet, clutching them in my hands in front of me. “I still can’t believe it’s finally happening.”
“I can. You worked hard.”
His compliments fluster me, and I look away, biting my lip. “You did help.”
“I didn’t do much. This is all you.”
My fingers tighten around the bouquet as my stomach flutters. “Your designer. And you helped me with the booking system.”
“I’m glad I could help,” he says, stepping closer. His closeness sends a shudder through me, and I feel a lump forming in my throat.
My heart bleeds. I want to say, I don’t care about marriage and kids. I want you back .
But the other part of me says, you’ve come so far, don’t let yourself down now .
“I?” he starts, his voice hesitant, as if he’s about to say something important.
“Sorry to interrupt,” Iris says, coming to join us.
I twist to face her. “You're never interrupting.”
“I’ll come back later,” Evan says. My eyes flick to him and watch him walk away to join his brothers.
Returning my attention to Iris, I take in her white mid-length dress with a collar. It’s the perfect style for her. It looks comfortable and yet trendy. Her slip-on shoes add the touch of casual needed for the event. No one is overdressed except for the Lincoln men. All of them are in suits of some kind.
“I love your dress,” I say, needing to tear my attention away from one Lincoln in particular.
“This silly old thing. I’ve had it for years.”
“I know the feeling.”
“It’s nice to see a woman in a blazer. Very classy.”
I shift the bouquet up a little, hiding the small cleavage that's visible from the top.
“I’ve had it for years too.”
In fact, I’ve had these blue jeans and this black blazer since I was twenty.
“What's happening with Evan?”
Uneasiness swarms my body. I’ve not been asked this directly before. How much can I say to his gram?
“Um...”
I sense a pair of eyes on me. Looking over her shoulder, I see him watching us, a deep wrinkle between his eyebrows.
“You can tell me. Is he grumpy?”
My lips part, and I bite back a laugh. “With me, no.”
“What is it, then? He was happy before.”
“I was too.”
Her gaze drops to the gardenias. “He’s never brought a woman flowers.”
His family is well aware he’s not been with another woman since his ex.
“We want different things for our future,” I admit.
“He’s fallen for you, dear.”
Hearing those words makes my heart crack. It’s supposed to make me feel better, but it doesn’t. “I’ve fallen for him too. But I want what my parents have. Since I was little, I dreamed of that fairy tale love.”
“You know his past.”
“I do.”
“Then things will work out the way they’re meant to.”
I give her a small smile as hope flares in my chest. “I hope you’re right.”
I miss him.
“I can see why he likes you.”
I wait for her to explain because I don’t.
“We're so different.”
“Exactly. You’re fun. Yet caring. He needs your energy to bring him back to life.”
“What was he like growing up?” I ask curiously.
“My boy was caring and cautious.” Eliza stands beside Iris, joining our conversation.
“He’s still the same,” I say with a smile.
“With you, he’s the old Evan, but the last few years, he’s been withdrawn.” His mom’s eyes wash over with sadness.
Iris’s mouth flattens. “His ex wasn’t very kind.”
Iris is so polite. I’m sure those aren’t the words everyone else would use for her, but I love and respect Iris’s opinion.
“Excuse me,” Summer interrupts. “Chelse. Do you want to do the speech now?”
Checking the time on my watch, I see Summer came right on time.
“Oh yes, thanks. Sorry, ladies.”
“Go.” Eliza waves her hand, encouraging me.
I head off toward the DJ and explain I’ll do a quick speech. I put the flowers down and stand at the front of the room.
With the mic in my hand, I suddenly take a mental picture of the full room. All the support for me to succeed. It gives me the push to tap the mic.
Everyone’s chatter silences.
“Hi. Thanks, everyone, for coming today. I was just looking at you all and thinking how lucky I am to have all your support. I hope you're all having a good time. There’s plenty of food and drinks. And now is the time to let your hair down and dance.”
“You’re first,” Oliver's loud voice calls.
The room applauds.
I shake my head.
The DJ starts the music, and the moment “Photograph” by Ed Sheeran plays through the speakers, I turn to Evan, wondering how he knew. I scan the crowd until I find those bright blue eyes.
It’s the song he and I danced to the night of his work function.
My parents take the dance floor, then so do Jeremy and Nova.
But my feet are frozen on the spot. Evan moves between people, weaving through them until he's in front of me. He slips the microphone out of my hand and hands it to the DJ.
“I believe this is our song.”
My heart is in my throat. To touch him again. Have his hands on me. God, just the thought sends a shiver down my spine.
“We shouldn’t,” I whisper.
He frowns. “Why?”
“We’re not together anymore.”
“It’s just one dance.”
“Go on,” my mom encourages from her spot on the dance floor.
“If I was your age, you wouldn’t be able to get me off there. Me and Gramps loved a good dance floor,” Iris says.
My eyes flick from my mom to her.
Where did she come from?
Iris and Sebastian move slowly around the dance floor.
When she says it like that, I have no reason not to. The encouragement from our families makes it hard to say no.
Evan stretches his hand out, palm up in a clear invitation. I slip my hand in his, and I shake my head at the applause around us.
Do they not understand we can’t be together?
As much as his hand feels so good in mine, it’s just a tease. There can never be an us.
His hand closes over mine and he tugs me gently to the floor.
Eyes flaring with fire, he glances over me, starting at my body and sliding up to my lips.
Don’t, my heart whispers. Eyes up and away.
Our bodies sway closely, following the beat of the music. My head is close to his shoulder, but I resist resting it there. “I haven’t seen you.”
“I know.” His breath tickles my hair.
My eyes close momentarily. “Is it too hard?”
Time passes before he breathes out, “Yes.”
That one word echoes my own crushed heart.
“You found Bobby,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper.
His grip on my waist tightens ever so slightly. “I did. Shyla actually helped.”
“She did?” I tilt my head to look up at him, trying to read his eyes.
“Yeah. But I had to let her go.”
I nod, enjoying being here in his arms again, even if it’s only for a short time.
The song ends, so I step out of his embrace, needing to clear my head. I see my group of instructors talking and join them. Looking over my shoulder, I spot Evan on the opposite side of the room with his dad, his eyes firmly on me.
I twist around with my heart in my throat and pay attention to the group.
The afternoon comes to an end. People slowly say goodbye. I thank them for coming, and I only have my family and the Lincolns left.
“We need to get to the airport,” my sister says.
I look at the room and then my watch.
“Summer will drop us off,” Mom adds, seeing the wheels turning in my head.
There are still trainers and Evan’s family here. I’m backed into a corner.
“I feel awful, Mom,” I admit.
“Why? It’s a short ride to the airport.” She kisses my cheek and hugs me.
I wrap my arms around her, thanking her and Dad silently for the support to open my dream studio.
“Thank you for everything.”
“Of course. We’re so proud of you,” Mom says, eyes shining with pride.
“I’ll be back home soon.”
“We look forward to it,” Dad says as he squeezes my shoulder.
I hug them all and thank Summer, telling her I’ll see her later at home.
The Lincolns come over and I smile at them naturally. They’ve been like a second family.
“Thanks again for coming.”
“Of course. It was a great afternoon,” Eliza says.
I say goodbye, hugging Iris last. Of course, she whispers in my ear, “Don’t give up on him just yet.”
I pull back and stare into her eyes, seeing her truth.
With no idea how to respond, I simply smile and nod.
“Where did you get the painting?” Oliver asks with a deep wrinkle between his eyebrows.
“The designer found it. Why?”
He shakes his head. “No reason. Thanks for having me, and congratulations again.”
I smile and thank him.
Evan is the last to say goodbye. Luckily for me, we have an audience. So we have to keep it short and sweet.
“I’m so incredibly grateful to have met you. I may not do another class, but I’m sure I’ll pass you in the elevator sometime.”
“Unless you avoid me.” I wink, but I feel pained by this exchange. I don’t want to be just passing acquaintances.
His lips turn up into a small grin. “No more hiding.”
“Okay, I’ll hold you to that.”
We grin at each other. Staring into his eyes, I wonder why he makes it so hard to let go.
He steps forward, and I quiver the moment his arms wrap around me. I hold back my emotions. This is the end of us. Only fleeting elevator rides now.
I step back, and a shaky sigh leaves my lips. Waving, I watch them leave. Evan is the last. He looks over his shoulder one last time. I clutch my hands together, and when they are out of sight, I spin and look around my now-empty studio. Yes, it’s messy. In fact, I should have been more panicked that I have to clean up by tomorrow, but thankfully I decided to splurge and hire a cleaner.
I begin to tidy some of the pieces the cleaners aren’t expected to do, like folding up the trestle table the food was on. I have a few minutes before they are due.
There’s a noise at the door, as expected; the cleaners must be here. But when I look, I do a double take. My heart plummets and my body temperature rises.
Bobby.