Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty
T he ceremony began promptly at seven o’clock on December 31 in the library of the Freya Grove Historical Society. A string quartet version of a pop song played over large speakers as the bridal party strode down the aisle and gathered at the makeshift altar. Auntie Niesha was the officiant. The gnomes Jinxie, Herbie, and Half-Pint tossed lace rose petals down the aisle. The bride walked down the aisle wearing an off-the-shoulder cream wedding dress that showed off her shapely figure. Lucy clutched the overflowing bouquet of roses, lilies, and hydrangeas in her right hand while holding Dad’s arm with her left. Mama took pictures as they came down the aisle and approached the altar.
Sirena took in a watery breath once she saw Lucy enter the room.
Lucy wore a crown of white roses and baby’s breath and Nana Ruth’s pearl necklace, which glowed against her skin. Her smile was radiant and seemed to reflect all the love in the room. Love was a good look for her. Alex, in a fitted tuxedo that showed off his merman build, only had eyes for Lucy, and his attention never wavered from her. Lucy and Alex faced each other at the altar, their bodies shaking with joy.
She stepped forward and stole a quick peck from Alex.
“Hold on now,” Auntie Niesha chided lovingly. “Don’t skip to the end yet.”
Before a word had been said, people were sniffling and holding back their tears. Everyone managed to hold on until the couple exchanged vows. Mama and Papa Dwyer passed out tissues as everyone quietly cried at the beauty of Alex and Lucy’s words. Even Sirena discreetly wiped away a stray tear with her thumb as Lucy spoke words of love, trust, and magic.
She caught Gus’s eye and noticed he had a faraway look about him. Her heart burned, eager to know what he was thinking right then. Was he remembering their past or imagining a future? Sirena refocused on Lucy and Alex, putting off that thought until later.
The vows were finished, and the couple exchanged rings.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife. Now, you may kiss your merman,” Auntie Niesha said.
“It’s about time,” Lucy shouted.
Alex caught her up in a movie-screen-worthy kiss that had the room cheering and hollering. Callie placed the ceremonial broom before them, and Lucy and Alex jumped over it together as a couple. They bounded down the aisle laughing, with Alex being clapped on the back by Uncle Leo and Lucy holding up her bouquet in victory to the guests. Sirena watched them from the altar. Guests filed out of the library. Sirena stood on the altar, taking in the lingering love and joy of the ceremony. Her sister was starting a new chapter to her story. It was done. She held the bouquet to her heart, bliss filling her from head to toe.
Who would think that this whole adventure had started with a simple wish?
“Hey, chef.” She glanced over to see Gus dressed in his tuxedo.
Her whole being flooded with desire. “Hey.”
“You sparkle like a brand-new penny,” he said.
She reached out and straightened his boutonniere. “Thank you, Gus. You’re looking handsome.”
Gus extended his arm to Sirena. “Shall we?”
She took his arm. “Let’s go.”
They strolled out together to join the others getting ready for the bridal party photos.
Guests moved into the living room for the reception. The cake, ordered from the couple’s favorite place, Little Red Hen Bakery Café, was three tiers of buttercream perfection decked out with candy stars that popped in your mouth when you ate them. Sirena had had the honor of sampling the cake with Lucy. Furniture was safely moved aside for a large dance floor. The dining room was set up buffet style. Once the bridal party finished their pictures, they went to complete the various jobs to help make the wedding run smoothly. Sirena and Gus organized the gift table in the study, making sure that the oddly shaped boxes didn’t get knocked over.
Diane called from the study’s doorway, “Gus. There’s a gnome stuck under the stairs.”
“Excuse me.” Gus left the room. Sirena stared at the ornate glass clock on the table.
Sirena frowned. “Is this a wedding gift? I didn’t know Lucy liked clocks.”
Callie, in her shiny bridesmaid dress and carrying a clipboard, came up to her. “Hey, Si. I know it’s not the best time, but I’m moving back into Caraway house.”
Sirena pivoted. “Wait. What happened with your apartment in Meadowdale?”
Callie groaned, holding the clipboard to her chest like a shield. “My roommate’s moving to Chicago. In between Enchanted Events cutting into my client list and the landlord increasing the rent in January, I can’t afford the place. When did life get so expensive?”
Sirena laughed. “Don’t worry. You can move back in until you get your money right. I didn’t change the locks. Yet.”
Callie hugged Sirena. “I adore you. Even if you did, the gnomes would help me find the hide-a-key. Thanks, sis. I didn’t know how to tell you. I’m supposed to have everything figured out by now, not be moving back home. I want to make moves.”
Sirena hugged her back. “One day soon, you’ll be living the life you’ve dreamed of. When you’re out there running elegant events, you’ll look back on this moment and smile. Besides, you might have the house to yourself if things work out.”
Callie’s brow lifted in interest. She stepped back and scanned her curiously. “Did Gus… No…? Did he propose? If I must plan another family wedding, I’m going to need another binder.”
Sirena laughed to combat the sudden excitement that bubbled up within her at Callie’s innocent question. Ignore the fluttering in your stomach. You still haven’t felt the click.
“Hold on to your binder. I got an email from a literary agent.”
Callie squealed. “Really?!”
Sirena lowered her voice. “Shh. The agent read about me online and contacted me. She asked me if I would be interested in writing a cookbook about my culinary style. We’re talking about meeting for drinks next month. I might have to travel and do research for my book.”
Between last-minute tasks and getting Lucy ready for the wedding, Sirena wanted to take time to construct a clear response.
Callie squealed. “Five years from now, you could be publishing a bestselling cookbook, eating world-class food, and living your best life.”
Um. Whoa. She could be living her best life, but who would she share it with?
Her inner voice whispered gleefully: You know who. Don’t act silly.
“What did Gus say?”
Sirena winced. “Oh, he doesn’t know yet. I’ve been so busy with the wedding and getting the house together; I haven’t talked to him.”
“So, great. You’ll tell him on the plane ride.”
Sirena had told Callie about Gus’s trip to London at Lucy’s bachelorette party.
“Um, I’m not going with him. I’m staying in the Grove.”
Callie glared at Sirena hard, as if she had a little troll twerking on her head.
“I don’t get it. Why aren’t you going with your hot magic boyfriend to London? I mean, if I were you, I’d be on that plane faster than you can say ‘upgrade me to first class.’”
Sirena gave her a tight smile. “I told you already. I’ve been busy with the house and the wedding. I haven’t had time.”
A deep wrinkle appeared on Callie’s face. “But Lucy just got married today and I’m moving back into the house. We’re okay. You can go.”
Sirena blinked at Callie, her words echoing inside her head. She stayed in the Grove believing it was her responsibility to nourish and feed her family. Kitchen witches stayed where they were rooted, but her roots were growing outward. Her dreams were outgrowing the town she loved. She’d been so desperate to get that job at Lighthouse because she needed another reason to stay in the Grove. She hoped that the job would squash her desire to leave, make her happy, and keep her family close.
Callie reached over and gave Sirena’s hand a squeeze. “We’ve got this.”
Sirena nodded. She’d been there for the family, and now they were going to be there for her. Now she had to figure out how to talk to Gus.
Like magic, Gus returned, his bow tie crooked and his smile wide. “The gnomes are safe and sound. Cal, would you mind if I borrow Sirena for a dance?”
Callie waved her hand away. “Eh. Keep her. I have to figure out which one of these gifts smells like lavender and sage.”
Even though Sirena hadn’t felt the click with Gus, she wanted him to know that she was going to wait for him to come back to the Grove. Three months wasn’t a long time to wait for her boyfriend, and they’d call and text every day.
She’d be fine. Her breath hitched. She had to be fine for him. For them.
As Gus twirled Sirena on the dance floor to a remix of a popular love song, he knew without a doubt he was going to ask her to go on a date. August Peter Dearworth was going to ask Sirena to go with him to London. No more pretending. No illusions. No charms. Gus had listened to Lucy and Alex’s vows and had to fight back tears at the sincere expression of their love. If Lucy and Alex could risk their hearts after setbacks and disappointments to find their bliss, then he could find the courage to ask Sirena out on a date.
As the remix of a Janet Jackson song began to wind down and transition into a slow ballad, Sirena eased herself into his arms.
She lifted her chin, her eyelids heavy. “I’m going to sleep until February.”
Gus chuckled. “You should. You and the Caraway crew did a fantastic job. I might have to hire you for my next event.”
She held on to him. “You plan on getting married again?”
“It’s crossed my mind once or twice.”
They danced through the slow ballad, swaying together, then a new song came on. It was Jess’s song, the one she wrote about him after their relationship ended. Blood drained from his face, making everything inside wonky and loose. Sirena watched him carefully. Memories of all his previous mistakes burbled up to the surface, threatening to pull him back to the past.
He breathed deeply, and for the first time ever, Gus listened to the entire song. He swallowed roughly as her sweet voice crooned about letting a good love go to find a greater love and not regretting the feelings they shared.
One line rang inside his head and slid down into his heart.
Your happy ending is on the horizon,
it’s right where you can see.
Her song wasn’t her kiss-off. It was a sincere goodbye. Sirena nestled into his chest, and he tucked her underneath his chin. Gus glanced around and saw Alex and Lucy swaying together on the dance floor in their own bubble. He watched Alex mouth the words I love you, I love you, I love you over and over to his new wife. Lucy kissed her husband and Gus looked away to give them privacy.
A flicker of hot envy went through him. Why couldn’t he be that strong? He wanted the courage to be so free and open with his love for Sirena. Gus craved to stand in the middle of the town and scream out how much he loved her. His heart swelled. He was done hiding his feelings away from the world and away from life. Gus eased Sirena over to the edge of the floor, away from the rest of the crowd. Say it now. No spells. No charms. No illusions. Just love.
“I have something to tell you.”
There was an eagerness in her eyes that excited him. But at the last second he pivoted.
“I’d love to have breakfast with you,” he said instead. Gus clamped down the disappointment that bubbled up in his gut. Fear was one tricky bastard.
Sirena tapped her chin impishly. “I’ll have to check my notebook, but I can probably squeeze you in. A New Year’s Day breakfast sounds perfect.”
“It’s a date.” His mind was spinning in hope. Maybe he’d be ready to tell her he loved her when he got back from England.
Gus licked his lips in thought. “There’s a little bistro called Night Sky I know that serves the best chocolate croissants. You must give me the recipe.”
Something fluttered in her eyes.
She stepped away, out of his arms. “Um… I have something to tell you.”
His gut dropped. Gus forced himself to remain still and wait, to resist the urge to shape things. She’ll talk to you. No spells, no charms, no illusions.
The DJ trilled, “It’s time for the bouquet toss! Get on the floor, all my single peeps.”
People rushed to the dance floor. Sirena was pushed to the side by one of the Dwyer women. Lucy turned her back to the crowd, shimmying her shoulders and holding the bouquet in her right hand. Cheers and shouts lifted from the crowd.
The DJ counted down. “Three. Two. One. Let’s gooo.”
The bouquet sailed through the air and landed right in Gus’s chest, forcing him to catch it before it landed on the ground. His body burned as everyone in the room stared at him. He drew the collective attention of every merfolk, witch, and magical being in the room.
Oh snap. Half the crowd cheered, while the other side groaned in collective disappointment.
“No! He’s not single!” Auntie Niesha cried out in jest. “He’s Sirena’s boyfriend!”
Lucy came over to Gus, her wedding dress swishing around her legs. She gave him a side hug. He could practically feel the sisterly love and encouragement through his tux.
“Let him rock, Auntie! Until Sirena puts a ring on it, he’s single and ready to jingle.”
Alex gave him a fist bump. “Nice catch, Dearworth.”
Ursula clapped his back. Xavier gave him a slow clap. He savored the feeling of belonging as Caraways and Dwyers came over to him and embraced him as one of theirs. I can’t wait to see Sirena’s face. Gus glanced around, searching the room for Sirena, but she was nowhere to be found. His witch had vanished.
Gus listened for her familiar bubbly laughter. She was gone. He walked around the reception space, hoping that she might have slipped behind a table or bookshelf. No. She wasn’t here. A ragged breath left his throat. Sirena was truly gone. Gus gripped the bouquet against his chest, scanning the crowd for her bright smile. Had the bouquet toss, with its implication that he would be the next one to get married, made her feel uncomfortable? He wasn’t sure whether she was upset about the toss, but they could talk about it before he left town. Yes, he was packed, organized, and had everything he needed for this trip to London. A bitter coldness seeped into him, down to his marrow. Well, he had almost everything he needed for the trip. He couldn’t just ask her to drop everything and join him. Sirena had her entire life in the Grove, and he wanted to give her the freedom to choose him. To choose them. To love him on her own terms without the pressure of their kindred past between them. All Gus was taking with him was the memory of Sirena in her champagne-colored bridesmaid dress, her beautiful eyes glowing with hope and love.
Everything around Gus dissolved away as a sudden thought raced through his mind: Her memory is not enough for me to survive on.
Over the years, Gus had handled the remnants of entire lives in his hands. He learned so much about a person from the items, photographs, and journals that they left behind. Life was both lovely and cruel. The people he cared for and loved could be snatched away from him through a twist of fate. Ma. Pop. Diane. Sirena. He believed in their kindred past, but their future gave him pause and kept him standing still. Gus didn’t want to fear the future; he wished to embrace it.
Gus closed his eyes, letting the epiphany wash over him like a cool evening mist. Love had the power to break his soul, but it could give him the strength to rebuild and thrive in his life. Was he seriously going to let fear rob him of the complete life he wanted? Or steal the memories he wanted to make with Sirena? Love didn’t have to be the fire that destroyed him. It could be the fuel that powered him to keep going, to keep getting better each day.
One thing became crystal clear: Gus didn’t want to leave the Grove without telling Sirena out loud that he loved her. Terror momentarily seized his body. Even if she didn’t say it back, he couldn’t live with himself if he didn’t tell her what was in his heart. He’d rather be a lovesick fool than a safe coward who didn’t try to love again, to live fully. Yes, Sirena was his kindred, but she was so much more to him.
She was his enchanting friend. His dazzling kitchen-witch consultant. His perfect storybook love.
The coldness eased away as he pushed the terror back down into the dark. He was going to stand in the light. Gus opened his eyes and focused on the doorway. He had to find Sirena. Midnight was approaching and he wanted to start the new year in her arms. He was still a little scared, but he allowed love to lead him out of the room. Gus left the reception quickly.
His heart reminded him of his personal motto: Everything in its right place.
Gus knew that the right place for him was absolutely, unquestionably with Sirena.