Chapter 7 #2
Growing up in a small family, Kelsey never experienced large gatherings like this.
Both her parents were only children, as were her grandparents.
She was literally the only one left on either side of her family, so this was all overwhelming.
Jayce was an only child, but Lori had four sisters and three brothers.
Back when she and Jayce were kids, she remembered meeting some of his cousins, but it didn’t really register just how extended his family was.
Now she knew and she hoped she could remember everyone’s names.
“Knock, knock!” Jayce called out as he walked into her cabin. “I’m not too early, am I?”
Smiling, she walked out of the bedroom and posed. “Is this dressy enough for the party? I feel like this is such an important night and I don’t want to stick out for not being dressed up enough.”
He was wearing a dark suit with a snowy white shirt—no tie, but so elegant.
He was devastatingly handsome. Walking over, he wrapped his arms around her waist and studied her.
“You look beautiful. The dress is perfect.” He paused briefly.
“You’re perfect.” His voice was low and a little gruff, and it felt like an important moment.
In a move she was coming to love, one of Jayce’s strong hands came up and gently caressed her cheek. She leaned into it and sighed happily.
“Is it wrong that I’d rather spend time alone with you than have to share you with everyone at the party tonight?”
Kelsey felt her cheeks heat.
“I leave in a couple of days and as much as I love my family and I’m happy for my grandparents reaching this milestone, I don’t want to miss out on even a minute of the time we have left.”
“You’re not,” she consoled. “I’m going to be by your side the entire time. I promise. Besides, I don’t know anyone there except for your parents, grandparents, and you. You’ve introduced me to everyone, but…I don’t know them, so I’m going to be stuck to your side like glue.”
That seemed to please him because he visibly relaxed. “I like the sound of that, Kelse. And not just at the party.”
Smiling, she was about to comment, but he had more to say.
“I know this probably isn’t the right time; we need to be up at the lodge in a few minutes, but…
I want you to know that…I don’t want what we have to end when I have to go back to Raleigh,” he blurted out.
“And the thought of leaving you here? It’s killing me.
I know it’s fast and I know that you probably think this is too soon, but…
I want more with you. With us.” His shoulders sagged as he let out a slow breath.
“You’ve been through so much, and the last thing I want to do is add any pressure on you.
” Another pause. “Say something. Say something, please, because I need to know if I’m freaking you out or if I’m misreading things between us. ”
Panic kept her paralyzed for several long moments before she could speak.
“You’re not freaking me out,” she quietly assured him.
“But…I’m afraid to think too far ahead. I mean…
the last time you left Lakeview Harbor Resort at the end of your vacation, I didn’t see you again for more than a decade.
” The nervous laugh was out before she could stop it.
“I know that’s not going to happen again, but…
it’s there, and a small part of me can’t help but think about it. ”
“I was a kid then, Kelsey. I didn’t know any better. I didn’t know this was love.”
Gasping quietly, she looked up at him. “Love?”
“Yeah,” he whispered, caressing her cheek again.
“Love. I’m in love with you, Kelsey. Back when we were kids, I didn’t understand that everything I felt for you was so…
real. And this time, when I have to leave Lakeview Harbor Resort, this isn’t going to end.
I don’t know how everything’s going to fall into place, but I know that it will because I don’t want to live without you.
I know you need time to figure out where you want to live, and if you want to stay in Rochester, then…
then I’m moving to Rochester. And if you want to move to Raleigh, then I’ll clear out half of the primary closet and make room for you.
Hell, I’ll put half my house into storage to make room for all your things. ”
Tears stung her eyes. “Jayce, I…I don’t even know what to say. This is so much more than I let myself even dream!”
“I know, beautiful girl. I was trying to take things slow, but…we’ve already missed out on so many years that I don’t want to miss out on more.
” Leaning forward, he rested his forehead against hers.
“We’re not going to have all the answers right now or even tonight.
There are a lot of things to work out—a lot of logistical things—but I want us to work them out together, okay? ”
Wordlessly, she nodded and sagged with relief when he claimed her lips with his. It wasn’t wildly passionate or even seductive, but it was a kiss full of promise and confidence that they had all the time in the world to be like this.
Just…not right now.
Slowly, Kelsey pulled back and ran her hand along his jaw. “I seriously could kiss you all night just like that and be the happiest girl in the world, but we need to head up to the lodge. I don’t want your grandmother to think we’re not coming.”
“As much as I’d like to argue that point, you’re right. It won’t matter that there are fifty other people there; she’s going to be looking specifically for us.” Glancing around her cabin, he asked, “Do you have everything?”
“Um…let me just grab my purse.” Laughing softly, she went back into the bedroom to grab it before walking back out to the living room.
“Like…in theory, I know I don’t need to bring a purse.
I could give you my cabin key and be totally fine.
But then there’s my phone and my lipstick and it suddenly becomes a whole thing.
” Holding up the small clutch, she smiled. “At least it’s tiny, right?”
Opening the door for her, he commented, “As long as it has everything you want or need, it doesn’t matter.” They stepped out onto the porch and locked the door behind them.
It was another beautiful night, and it felt lovely to just stroll along the path up toward the lodge. No one else was around and that seemed a little odd, but she figured they timed it so they were going to maybe be a little late, which is what she mentioned to Jayce.
“My folks took my grandparents up to the lodge about an hour ago so they could oversee the room being set up and then be there to greet people. I’m honestly happy to not be going up as a group.”
“How come?”
“I’m all for a leisurely stroll once in a while, but every time we walk anywhere with them, it’s almost painful how slow we have to walk!”
They both laughed at that.
“That’s fair. Still, it’s hard to be annoyed about it,” she reasoned. “Some of the conversations we’ve had or overheard have been kind of hysterical. Your grandmother is a riot!”
“That she is.” Jayce paused and when Kelsey looked up at him, she could tell he had more to say on the subject.
“Jayce?”
“Yesterday, when you went into town with my mother, Gram and I went for a walk down to the lake. She’s very fond of you, you know.”
“Aww…that’s sweet. I’m fond of her too.”
Another pause.
“Why do I feel like you’re trying not to tell me something?”
“Well…maybe because I am?” he replied, laughing softly. “Okay, here’s the thing—she loves that we’re together, but it…um…distresses her a bit that we’re not…or that we’re like…”
“Wow, you are really bad at this,” she teased. “Why are we upsetting her?”
“Because we’re sleeping together and she’s old-fashioned and she thinks it’s a disgrace that—and these are her words, not mine—that I’m not making an honest woman out of you.”
The bark of laughter was out before she could stop it. “Oh my God! Are you serious?” More laughter. “I mean…wow! I didn’t think anyone even said things like that anymore!”
“Yeah, well…she said it to me so…if I had to be traumatized, it seemed only fair that you were too.”
“Aww…aren’t you sweet?” she joked. “I’m a little embarrassed knowing she thinks all those things.
My grandparents passed away a long time ago, so I had no idea what it would be like dealing with the older generation in situations like this.
” She paused. “Or that there would even be a reason to be discussing our sex lives.”
“To be fair, if we weren’t all staying within twenty feet of each other, there would be no discussion. Unfortunately, logistics aren’t on our side.”
Kelsey knew it was unreasonable to think that no one was noticing the fact that she and Jayce were spending their nights together; she just didn’t expect anyone to say anything about it out loud.
“I’m not sure there’s any way to make her unthink all of this, huh?”
“I’m afraid not, love.”
“Drats.”
“I never should have said anything,” Jayce said with a groan. “And certainly not as we’re getting ready to walk into their party.” Another groan. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize. I asked.” She shrugged. They reached the entrance to the lodge and Jayce held the door open for her. They were greeted by several members of the staff, who pointed them toward the party room. They could already hear the soft music and the sound of laughter.
When they were only a few steps away from the party, Jayce stopped her.
“If you don’t want to go in, you don’t have to.
I never should have said anything about my conversation with my grandmother.
But, for the record, she didn’t mean anything malicious by it.
She genuinely loves you and it’s more me she has an issue with.
But if you’re embarrassed, then you don’t have to stay. I’ll explain what I did and…”
“Jayce?”
“Hmm?”
“I’m fine. I’m a big girl and I believe we had a similar discussion about this a week ago. I can handle myself. I’m not ashamed of our relationship, so…” She held out her hand to him. “Come on. We’ve got an emerald wedding anniversary to celebrate.”
“Emerald? What…?”
“Emeralds are the symbol for a fifty-fifth wedding anniversary,” she explained. “Lucky for you I know these things, huh?”
Luckily, he didn’t argue and they walked through the doorway and joined his parents, who were directing everyone on where to sit and where the guests of honor were at.
So, they spent the evening mingling with family, dancing, eating, and laughing.
It was one of the best nights she’d had in a really long time.
Being with Jayce’s family was like…well…
it was like coming home, oddly. It didn’t take long for it to feel like she’d known these people all her life.
By the end of the night, it was as if she’d just made dozens of new friends and it made her heart ridiculously happy.
They stayed until the party ended and then did the leisurely group stroll back to their cabins while trying not to laugh at all of Jayce’s eye rolls.
When they said goodnight to everyone and wished his grandparents a happy anniversary again, Eleanor pulled her aside.
For a moment, Kelsey panicked because for all her big talk about being able to handle herself, she really didn’t want to have a conversation about sex.
“I just want you to know,” Eleanor began, “that it meant the world to me that you came to our party tonight. Seeing you and my grandson together has been the best gift anyone could have given us.” She cupped Kelsey’s face.
“Don’t be afraid, Kelsey,” she whispered fiercely.
“Don’t be afraid to take that leap of faith.
You could be embarking on the adventure of a lifetime.
” And with that, she gave her a kiss on the cheek and returned to her husband’s side.
“Goodnight, everyone! Thank you for a wonderful evening!”
It wasn’t until they were in Jayce’s cabin that he spoke. “Are you okay? Did she say something to upset you? If she did, I’ll go over right now and…”
Kelsey held up a hand to stop him. “She didn’t upset me. If anything, she gave me some wonderful advice.”
“Oh?” One dark brow arched.
Moving in close, she smoothed a hand up over his chest, coming to rest over his heart. “I want to move to Raleigh. I want to start a new life with you. I’m ready. If you truly want me there with you, then I’m going to pack up all my things in Rochester, sell the house, and be with you.”
His smile was so tender, and his eyes shone with unshed tears. “Kelsey Brooks, I definitely want you there with me. Hell, I want you everywhere I go. Forever.”
Then he was kissing her and they were done talking for now and that was just fine with her.
They had the rest of their lives.