“I think all brides are a bit emotional.”
“Happy tears, Maren.” He brushes away my tears and then cups my cheek. “I want only happy tears.”
How can I be happy when I know what’s to come? “I am happy, Daddy. Thank you so much for being here and dancing with me,” I tell him.
“Even if it was more like swaying?”
I laugh a little through my tears. “You were never a good dancer.”
“No,” he agrees. “I didn’t have moves.” My father’s hand settles on top of mine, and he closes his eyes for a moment. “I will never forget this day. The way you looked or the smile on your face, and even though my time is limited, this will carry me through.”
I look at our entwined hands, tears falling again as I struggle to control my emotions. “I’m glad that we had this.”
He lifts my chin with his free hand. “I’m glad you have him.”
Oh, Daddy. I don’t. I don’t have him.
I want to tell him, but I keep my lips clamped. This is what’s giving him the strength to let go. I have to remember that.
“I’m glad that you are my father. You taught me to be strong and fight for what matters.”
He smiles a little. “Well, you’re an incredible woman, and if I had any part in that, I am clearly a great father.”
“You most definitely are.”
My father looks over to where Linda and Eveline are chatting. “Walk me to Linda?”
“Sure.”
Arm in arm, my father and I make our way to the lobby. He’ll leave very early in the morning, and I pray I have the chance to visit him in Georgia at least one more time.
When we reach them, Linda is laughing at something. “You have a wonderful son. He’s just the sweetest man,” Linda says with her fake smile and deep accent.
“He is pretty wonderful. All my kids are.”
Oliver’s back is straight and I can sense the tension in him. Inviting his mother was a source of contention among the Parkerson siblings, but he relented. I got to meet her for just a few minutes at the rehearsal before Oliver whisked me away from her.
I place my hand on his back and he relaxes just slightly.
Linda sees us approach and returns her attention to Eveline. “Trust me, you will love going on that cruise. It’s the best trip we ever took. Even if we had to spend a week in the hospital—with no help—when we got back.”
“Thank you so much for the suggestion,” she says. Eveline rests her hand on my forearm. “You look absolutely breathtaking. I’m going to say goodbye to Stella and the boys. I’ll see you in a few days, Oliver?”
He smiles at his mother. “I’ll call when I get back.”
“Good. Travel safe.”
“Are you ready, darling?”
He nods. “I’m ready.”
Linda walks over and kisses my cheek. “Be good, Maren. It would be nice if you both stop by when you’re close to Georgia. I know it might be out of your way, but if you want to see your father before he dies, then—”
“We will do our best to get to you soon,” Oliver says quickly, surprising us all.
Linda looks stunned. “Oh. That’s a nice change. Good. It’ll be great to see you both.”
“Yeah, it really will,” I say, falling a little more for this man who seems to truly care for me.
My father sighs heavily, exhaustion clear on his face. “Go rest, Daddy. I’ll see you in the morning before you leave.”
He kisses my cheek. “I will see you then.”
And with that, Oliver wraps both arms around my waist, allowing me to lean against him as I watch my father walk away, praying I actually get the chance to visit him in Georgia.
Seventeen
OLIVER
Maren and I make our way up to the honeymoon suite, which is the only room in the resort where my brothers and I let Stella have free rein and no budget. It’s the first time I’m going to see it completed.
I swipe the key through the reader, open the door, and let Maren in first. I follow her, slowly taking in the room.
There are floor-to-ceiling windows, which offer the most stunning views of the lake and mountains, the floors are a light-colored oak that makes the entire space feel larger and brighter, and my and Maren’s bags are already tucked off to the side for us.
“Holy shit,” Maren says behind me, her eyes moving around. “This room is . . .”
“Amazing,” I finish.
“More than that.”
It really is.
Maren’s aunt got to come up here late last night to take photos for her blog, and I really hope that article does this space justice. Otherwise, this is a very expensive room that no one will ever see.
“So, it’s our wedding night,” Maren says, turning and walking backward.
She’s absolutely stunning. A few errant pieces of her blonde hair have fallen free of her updo. The bottom of her dress is looped around her wrist, and the one shoulder strap is falling down just slightly. Her smile is relaxed, and her eyes are bright.
I want so badly to pull her into my arms and kiss her again. Being able to do just that and not have to think twice about it has been the biggest benefit of today. Sure, we had to pretend to love each other, but half the time, it was just natural to be with her. To reach my hand out and touch her soft skin was a reflex instead of a calculated action.
I don’t know when this became more real than pretend, but it has, and in a week, it will be over. She’ll go back to her life, and I’ll be here, alone again.
“It appears that way.”
She laughs while shaking her head. “I don’t have words for how today made me feel.”
“Oh?”
I follow behind her as she makes her way deeper into the room. “It’s like . . . a mix of weirdness and comfort. Does that make sense?”
“Not at all.”
She giggles. “I didn’t think it would. All night, I was just so conflicted. We are married, well, depends if Mark can figure that part out, but we never planned to be. But either way, there is no one else in the world I would rather be fake married to.”
I raise my brow, moving even closer. “Why is that?”
A part of me doesn’t want to know because I wasn’t her first choice, but I can’t resist asking.
She watches me, long lashes framing those gorgeous green eyes. “Because . . .”
I step again, watching her breath hitch because we are just a few inches apart. “Because?”
“Because you make me feel safe. I don’t remember ever feeling that way before. I trusted you, and you didn’t let me down. You stood beside me, even in all my craziness.” She looks down, a faint blush painting her cheeks. “I liked it. I needed it.”
I needed it too. I needed to be near her and to make her feel that way. All night, I sought her out, wanted to be sure she was all right. Even now, I want to protect her, keep her safe, hold her close.