The sun peeked from behind big, puffy white clouds and red camellias filled most of the planter boxes along Main Street. Signs for the upcoming Fourth of July festivities decorated windows. The slight morning chill in the air didn’t diminish the smell of coffee and baked goods as they approached Crem’s.
“Uh, Sela,” Erin said, not looking up from her phone.
“Well. If it isn’t the Three Musketeers,” Candace Brewer said, stopping in front of them and drawing Erin’s attention. Her dark eyes, however, were zeroed in on Sela.
“Hi, Candace,” Sela said.
“I’m surprised you’re out and about this morning,” Candace said. “I mean if it was me I’d be so embarrassed.”
“What are you talking about?” Sela asked at the same time Erin pulled her aside and said, “There’s something new on Cascade’s blog.”
“Oh, it’s not only on the blog,” Candace said, handing her newspaper to Sela. “It’s also in the life section. Have a nice day.” With her nose in the air, she scooted past them.
“Why is she so rude?” Vanessa asked.
Sela’s stomach did a nosedive as she opened the newspaper. Whatever Candace was referring to couldn’t be good.
Erin extended her arm out in front of the paper. “Don’t.”
“It’s something about Luke and me, isn’t it?” Sela glanced at Vanessa. “I’m sorry, Ness.”
Vanessa gave a tight-lipped smile and shrugged.
Sela flipped to the correct page. The headline read,
Luke Watters’s Risky World of Sports Photography
. She read the first few paragraphs. Luke’s recent injuries were no longer secret. The sportswriter wrote about Tibet, the aftermath, the fact that every time a sports photographer packed his gear, he could be a casualty of his occupation.
How had this gotten out? Did Luke know?
Yes
.
“‘The potential for injury on assignment is an uncompromising fact,’ Luke Watters, twenty-seven, said about his profession. ‘But I approach my work with a healthy combination of consideration and awe. There’s no place else I’d rather be than traveling the world and capturing professional athletes in extreme conditions that most people will only ever see in photographs.’”
No place else he’d rather be
. Sela stumbled to a bench and sat. She’d known that all along, hadn’t she? But seeing it in print made it real. She was vaguely aware of Vanessa and Erin flanking her on either side and reading over her shoulders.
“‘Staying focused on the action helps keep me out of harm’s way,’ Watters said. ‘Most of the time.’”
The article switched gears to the Watters family and how they’ve been influential in Cascade’s growth, Vanessa’s wedding and his best man duties, and…
When asked about his love life, Watters said, “There are beautiful women all over the globe, including here in Cascade. They can definitely help with the sting of incidents on the sidelines.”
“‘And hometown girl Sela Sullivan?’ the reporter asked. ‘Rumor has it you may be the next Watters to settle down.’”
Sela worried her bottom lip and raced to read the next paragraph.
There’s no settling down with Sela Sullivan.
Her heart clobbered the inside of her chest. Tension near unbearable flooded her limbs. The back of her throat chafed and burned. She squeezed her eyes shut. God, this felt familiar.
Ten years ago he’d embarrassed her at the Kissing Booth, humiliating her with “Corpse Lips.” Today he’d done it again. He’s made sure the whole town knew she’d been nothing but another notch on his belt.
“Do either of you have an ax?” she asked.
Erin jumped up. “What?”
Somehow, Sela found the strength to stand. Vanessa latched onto her arm. “I’ve got this, sis. Would you mind going to town hall and picking up the marriage license for me?”
“Uh, sure,” Erin said, her face scrunching like she’d just eaten a lemon. Then she hugged Sela. “I know we’ve said we’d help each other hide a body, but it doesn’t apply to family members, you know.” A small smile curled her lips.
“Your brother is safe,” Sela said. “Trust me. I don’t plan on coming within a hundred feet of him.” She glanced at Vanessa. “Except at the wedding, where I will be the best maid of honor ever.”
“Okay, then. But don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
“What on earth do you need an ax for?” Vanessa asked, whirling them around and walking away from the group of babbling ladies strolling out of Crem’s.
“I’m going up Wildwood Trail and destroying the wishing well.”
Vanessa chuckled. “That’s your solution, huh?”
“You have a better one?”
They turned the corner and Vanessa steered them toward another bench, this one off the beaten path and hidden from Main Street by a tree trunk.
“I do. But first I want to say I’m sorry.”
“For what?” Sela shifted so her head could lay on Vanessa’s shoulder. She needed a shoulder.
“For not being all that supportive where my brother’s concerned.”
“Don’t be silly. I’m sorry I dragged you into my wish in the first place. And I’m really sorry about the attention we’ve been getting.”
“You love him, don’t you?”
Sela twisted the tiny bands around her middle finger. She wouldn’t keep anything from Vanessa ever again and wanted her best friend to know how she really felt. “Yes.”
“Then you should tell him.”
Sela sat up. “Did you not read the article? Why would I embarrass myself even more? He’s got women lined up all over the world.”
Vanessa turned and took her hands. “The reason I haven’t been super supportive is because I’ve been afraid Luke will take you away.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You’ve never gotten over your crush for him, and when I saw the way he started to look at you… Well, I worried that if the two of you got together, he’d sweep you off your feet and take you away from here. Away from me. Total bad move on my part. Because I want you to be happy, See. I know you love Cascade, but you’ve always said you wanted to see the world.
“Selfishly, I don’t want to lose you to my brother. But worse, I’d be a crappy best friend and little sister if I stood in the way of what could be true love. Honestly, nothing would make me happier than the two of you together.”
The chirp of her cell phone startled Sela. Since she had to replay Vanessa’s admission over again in her head before she could formulate any words, she pulled the phone from her purse.
Luke
.
She ignored it.
“Well, I think it’s safe to say I’m not going anywhere. At least not with your brother. A part of me always knew I wouldn’t be enough, but it was fun while it lasted.”
Vanessa put a hand on her arm. “Things aren’t over. Tell him how you feel.”
“No.” The word fell from her lips simple and quiet. “A girl can only suffer so much at the hands of one boy and Luke’s made it pretty clear where I stand. Twice.
“I promise not to let this affect the wedding, though, okay? You are not to give a second thought to Luke and me.” Sela wrapped Vanessa in a hug. “I am so honored and excited to be your maid of honor and these next few days are going to be spectacular.”
“Thank you.” She pulled Sela up and tugged her along the sidewalk. “Now let’s go shopping.”
“For what?”
“A new dress that will blow my brother’s mind at the rehearsal dinner.”
Sela came to a halt. “I already have a dress and have you not been a part of this conversation?”
“It’s called revenge, See.” She threaded her arm with Sela’s. “Just this once, I’m taking sides. My brother’s comment deserves no less.”
By the time Sela walked through her apartment door a few hours later, Luke had called or texted six times. He wanted to talk.
A part of her wanted to talk, too. So badly. She couldn’t have completely misread all of his emotions. The tender way he touched her, the insatiable way he’d made love to her. But that didn’t change the words printed in black and white.
She collapsed onto the couch and picked up the remote to watch TV. Becks cuddled in her lap. After scrolling through several channels, she found one of her favorite romantic comedies,
The Proposal
.
A knock sounded at her door. She pressed mute on the television and stayed still and quiet. Becks did, too. She seriously had the best dog ever.
Another knock. “Sela? It’s Luke.”
How had he gotten into her building? She’d thought the pounding was one of her nosy neighbors. She still stayed put.
“Sela. Please. I really need to see you. If you’re in there, please open up.”
Her heart pounded. Two
pleases
combined with his deep, caring voice was a hard combination to fight off.
She struggled to stay strong and not let his persistence change her mind. If she let him in, she’d lean into his every word and forget about the hurt his interview had caused her.
“Sela?”
Tears pooled in the backs of her eyes. She bent forward, then forced herself back. His amazing words from yesterday played against those she’d read this morning. How could they be from the same man?
She’d never know. Because the reality was he’d be gone after the wedding, and he’d never promised her more than fun while he was in town.
She heard his footsteps retreat. Pieces of her thumping heart broke and splintered right along with them.
Chapter Thirteen
Luke stood outside Luigi’s to catch his breath. The crisp night air cleared his lungs much better than the stuffy restaurants they’d been progressively visiting during the rehearsal dinner.
Tonight, Cascade’s restaurant row had been taken over by the Watters and Foster families, out-of-town wedding guests, and special friends. Luke leaned against a planter box and checked the battery on his camera. This “unofficial” job might be his most challenge yet, as, according to Vanessa, he had to photograph “anyone and everyone who matters.”
The only person who mattered to Luke wanted nothing to do with him anymore.
God, how he’d missed her. The past four days had been hell with Sela avoiding him and finding any excuse to keep her distance. This evening, she’d stayed just out of reach.
Shane slipped from the restaurant and sidled up beside him. “Dude, I need your help.”
“What’s the problem?”
“Kagan is in there and she looks so hot.”
“Bring her a glass of water.”
“Shut up.” He pushed him in the shoulder. “I’m going out of my mind.”
“You telling me your charm isn’t working on her?”
“Crazy, right?” He ran a hand through his hair. “She only wants to be friends. I said, perfect—friends with benefits. She said when pigs fly.”
Normally, Luke would laugh his ass off, but his best friend looked genuinely upset. “So set your sights on someone else. It’s not like there aren’t other women in this town willing and eager to be at your disposal.”
“Speaking of that.” He eyed Luke up and down. “You know, I really
should
shut you up, given what you’ve done to my sister.” He made a fist and rubbed his other hand over it. “
My baby sister
, you ass. I thought we were clear on this.”
Luke stared at Shane and didn’t know what to say. What had he done besides fall in love with her?
“Ever since that article came out, she’s been moping around. Even winning the Hunger Wars or Chocolate Games or whatever it’s called with Erin hasn’t helped. What went on with you two? I mean, I know you agreed to some kind of truce with her because of all the wedding stuff, but it was more than that, wasn’t it?”
That damned article. When Luke had consented to meet with the editorial director to answer a few more questions, he hadn’t been prepared for his accident to be made public. It took him by surprise and pissed him off. The ED had been on the job for five months, a transport from Atlanta who had done his homework.
On the defensive at first, Luke may have alienated the guy. But then he realized that the people who mattered already knew—and they still had faith in him. They didn’t think him any less capable and it didn’t matter what anyone else thought. Thanks to Sela and the way she made him feel, he didn’t have anything to be ashamed of. He’d relaxed and told the ED that, but the guy obviously didn’t want a nice story about a local boy coming home and falling in love. The guy wanted to stir up some controversy.
He’d taken Luke’s words out of context and didn’t let Luke finish his responses. Luke knew the second Sela read
There’s no settling down with Sela Sullivan
, she and others would interpret it the wrong way. He’d gone on to explain to the reporter how there was no settling down because he wanted to explore the world with her. Have adventures with her. Make a life with her that was far from ordinary, whether they stayed in Cascade or lived somewhere else.
“I’ve tried to talk to her,” Luke said. “But she’s ignoring me. I was misquoted in that article. The truth is…” He looked at his friend for a long moment. “The truth is I’m in love with your sister.”
Shane scratched the stubble on his jaw. “Like for now? Or for forever?”
“I’m thinking forever.” Luke lifted the camera strap back over his head in case he needed his hands to defend himself.
“Shit, dude.” Shane gripped the edge of the planter box. “This is bad. Really bad.”
Luke gulped. He’d known Shane didn’t approve and hell, he couldn’t blame him. Little sisters came with a
stay the hell back
warning label, didn’t they?
“Not really.” Luke loosened his shirt collar. “Your sister’s made it clear where I stand. I just felt I owed you the truth. Rest assured she’ll settle down with some accountant or doctor and have the white picket fence right here in Cascade.”
It stung that she refused to talk to him after everything they’d shared. But if she wanted to believe the worst, let her believe the worst. It would make his leaving easier. For her.
“That’s just it. Sure, she wants that, but—”
Vanessa stepped out of the restaurant. She held a bouquet made out of bows and ribbons that she’d used during the wedding rehearsal. Her smile lit up the street. On her left arm was Teague, her grin infectious. On her right arm was Sela. Her beautiful smile knocked him completely off balance.
He’d never get over her smile.
“Luke! Take a picture of us, would you please?” Vanessa asked, her voice a melody he imagined all brides-to-be possessed the night before their wedding.
“Sure.” He pushed off the planter.
The girls pressed together. Luke focused on a close-up and snapped the picture.
“Let me get one more with you over here.” He motioned for them to stand in front of the planter box of red flowers.
Sela’s bare arm brushed his as she stepped around him. He drew in a breath. So did she. They both froze, but a split second later Vanessa had tugged Sela beside her.
The girls hugged as Luke took a couple of shots. More partygoers exited the restaurant behind him, animated conversation intruding on his thoughts.
The tight, sleeveless black dress Sela wore looked amazing and he wanted to take her some place private to tell her so.
Vanessa kissed his cheek. “Thanks.”
Teague kissed his other cheek. “You’re the best.” He looked at Sela. Her gaze flew to somewhere over his shoulder, a tiny nod the only acknowledgment.
He watched her walk away.
“You have to tell her.”
Luke had forgotten Shane was still standing there. He turned his attention to his friend. “How? She wants nothing to do with me.”
“Hell, I don’t know. You know I avoid sentimental stuff. But I want my sister to be happy and you make her happy.”
“How do you know that?” Luke nodded to some cousins from Michigan. Looked like the entire party was moving on to the next restaurant.
“She just gave you the
come get me
look.” Shane patted him on the shoulder. “Jesus, for a guy who’s got women falling at his feet all over the world, you are clueless.”
Because he’d never paid close enough attention to a woman before. He’d never gotten farther than the
let’s have fun
look and that had always been how he liked it.
“Not sure I should put a lot of stock into what you’re saying, considering the source.”
“Up to you. But remember who beat you for prom king. All because I know how to read women.” He took a sobering breath. “Here’s the deal. You’re the best guy I know. Yeah, it freaks me out a little thinking about you and my sister, but I couldn’t ask for anyone better for her. Until a few days ago she’d been bouncing around town like a different person and I’m guessing that’s because of you. I’ll forgive your transgression if you make me a promise.”
It took Luke a minute to answer because some stupid emotion got stuck in his throat. “Okay.”
“Think about making your home here, at least part of the time.”
Luke had already thought about that. “Done.”
Shane slung his arm around Luke’s neck. “Great. Now let’s go eat some quesadillas and find me a woman.”
They walked into the restaurant and split up. Luke had pictures to take and behind his camera lens he could think better. His plane left for Chile in two days, but his heart would be staying in Cascade. He had to figure a way to ensure its safekeeping.
With the hired photographer doing a proper job, Luke enjoyed gathering people together for fun and candid shots. Vanessa and Hayden dazzled guests with their energy and constant focus on each other. Luke’s parents laughed and touched each other like young people in love. Sela’s parents, too. He captured those moments numerous times.
When he finally found the one subject that convinced him there was more to life than traveling the globe taking pictures, his fingers tingled with nervous energy.
Sela threw her head back and laughed. He focused on her profile and snapped a picture. She covered her mouth with her hand and whispered something to Erin, then lifted one bare shoulder and rubbed her chin against it, her gaze almost reaching him. He clicked. And clicked. And clicked. Every move she made enthralled him.
Luke roamed around the room, his eye behind the camera, until he got close enough to hear her conversation. The sound of her voice did crazy good things to him.
“Ladies? A picture?” he asked, unable to keep his distance any longer.
They gathered around Sela, and Luke had to concentrate on getting everyone in the picture with her. The moment after the camera flashed, the traveling mariachi band separated him from the group of women. Boisterous “
saluds
” sounded from the bar, and Vanessa linked her arm with his to steer him toward another part of the restaurant.
Dammit. He’d been a second away from talking to Sela. He looked over his shoulder. She watched him through the crowd, her lips slightly parted like she was about to mouth something. He raised his eyebrows right as a large man blocked his view.
A thousand obstacles could stand in his way. Before he left Cascade he’d tell Sela he loved her. He just needed to make sure she believed it.
…
Sela looked around Crem’s at all the happy faces and swallowed the thickness in her throat. She bumped Vanessa’s hip and squeezed her hand. “I can’t believe you’re getting married tomorrow.”
Vanessa squeezed back. “I can’t either. Thank you so much for everything you’ve done for me. Wish me luck.” She let go of Sela’s hand and she and Hayden walked to the front of the bakery where Meredith had set up a table with champagne and toasting glasses.
Mr. and Mrs. Foster greeted them with hugs and kisses. The foursome turned to their standing room only guests.
“Thank you all for coming tonight,” Mr. Foster said. “I admit when my wife decided to make this a progressive dinner, I had my doubts. But the restaurants have been amazingly supportive and the food top notch. So I’d like to thank them first and foremost for making this a night we won’t soon forget.”
Cheers and applause sounded. A few whistles and woots.
A camera flashed. Sela willed herself to keep her eyes on Mr. Foster.
If she even glanced in Luke’s direction, she’d lose what little willpower she had left. She’d missed him so much these past four days.
“I’d like to thank Paula and Reed for welcoming us into their family and hosting the wedding on their property tomorrow. I stopped by earlier today and let me tell you, it’s going to be spectacular.”
Sela clapped along with everyone else.
Out of the corner of her eye, she caught movement.
Luke
. He appeared to be inching closer with side steps meant to be nonchalant. A few more zigs and zags among the crowd and he’d be at her side.
Crap. She had nowhere to go. A proper maid of honor wouldn’t miss a second of the speeches.
And if she were honest with herself, she didn’t want to miss being close to him. She’d avoided him all night, caught between her desire to be with him before he left for Chile and her pride.
As usual, her heart and head were at odds with each other.
Crem’s employees wove through the room passing out small glasses of champagne. She accepted one and then focused back on Mr. Foster.
“Hayden. Vanessa.” Mr. Foster put a hand on his son’s shoulder and looked adoringly at both of them. “There’s a quote I like to recite. It goes ‘there is no more lovely, friendly, and charming relationship, communion, or company than a good marriage.’” He paused, looked down at the floor, and pursed his lips before resuming. “For almost thirty years I’ve been blessed with a good marriage. A happy marriage. Love isn’t always easy, but it is simple. Respect each other. Be kind to each other. Listen. Know you can speak freely and the other person won’t judge. And most importantly, Hayden, remember these two words: you’re right.”
Everyone laughed.
“Vanessa,” Mr. Foster continued. “We couldn’t have picked a more wonderful girl for our son to fall in love with. Thank you for making him happy.” He kissed Vanessa’s cheek, then raised his champagne glass. “To Hayden and Vanessa. May their life together be full of romance, laughter, and…” He looked at Mrs. Foster and they both said, “Children.”
“Here! Here!” echoed around the bakery.
Sela took a sip of her champagne. She wiped a hand underneath her eye.
“Hey,” Luke whispered in her ear, his breath tickling her neck. “You okay?”
“Fine.”
“Nice speech.” He stood close enough that they touched.
She ran blood pressure numbers through her head to distract her from his body heat and beach and bar soap scent.
One twenty over eighty. One forty over ninety. Eighty over sixty.
“Very nice.”
“You look beautiful tonight.”
“Luke. Please.” She couldn’t do this. Words like that after a speech like
that
. She wanted things. Big things. Forever things. And Luke wasn’t the forever kind of guy. He wasn’t the shout-it-from-the-rooftops guy either and wasn’t that what she really wanted? A man as gutsy with his words as he was with his actions.
“Please what? I—”
“Shh,” she said. “Your sister’s about to talk.”
Hurry up, Vanessa.
Vanessa and Hayden linked arms and surveyed the bakery, love and excitement plain to see on their elated faces. Vanessa beamed at her future in-laws as she thanked them and the guests. “Next we want to thank our bridal party. If you all will come up here, we have something special for each of you.”