As I tried to stay low to the ground, I followed Francois and he opened the fitting room door.
“Stay in here until the coast is clear. I’ll keep watch for you and I’ll bring you dresses to try on.”
“Thank you.”
I sat down in the round comfy chair and pulled out my phone, sending a text message to Wyatt.
“My mother is here in Chanel!”
“What? Did she see you?”
“No. Me and Francois ducked behind a display and now I’m in the fitting room.”
“Who’s Francois?”
“The French salesman who was helping me find a dress. He’s on guard and is going to let me know when she leaves.”
“Good. Keep me posted. I should be done here soon. I can meet you.”
“Okay. I’d love that. Just text me. Who knows, the way she shops, I may be in here for hours.”
Francois brought me a couple of dresses to try on. They weren’t bad, but they weren’t really my style.
“Madame, the coast is clear. She’s gone.”
I opened the door and handed him the dresses.
“Sadly, these didn’t work for me. But I love these pants over here.” I pulled my size from the rack. “They’d be perfect for the office.”
“Excellent taste, Madame.” He smiled.
The truth was I didn’t need another pair of pants, but I felt obligated to buy something from him since he helped me. As he was ringing me up, my phone dinged with a text message from Wyatt.
“Did she leave?”
“Yes. I’m checking out now.”
“I’m on my way. I’ll meet you outside the store in about seven minutes.”
“Okay. Love you.”
“Love you too, baby.”
After I completed my transaction, Francois walked me down the stairs and towards the doors, opening it for me.
“It was a pleasure hanging out with you, Laurel,” he spoke.
“You too, Francois.” I smiled.
“Laurel?” I heard my mother’s voice from behind.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
My heart started racing as I pretended I didn’t hear her and casually walked out the door, stopping dead in my tracks when I saw Wyatt standing a few feet away talking to a man that looked like my father. Wyatt stared at me for a moment with a look that was telling me to run. I turned the opposite way until my mother flew out of the store and loudly called out my name.
“Laurel Marie Holloway.”
I froze in place and slowly turned around, looking beyond my mother at Wyatt and my father who were staring at me.
“Hey,” I casually spoke as I walked over to her, taking in several deep breaths.
Wyatt and my father walked over to where we were standing.
“Laurel,” my father spoke.
“Hey, Dad,” I awkwardly replied.
“What on earth are you doing here in New York?” my mother asked with a slight attitude.
“The question is, what on earth are you two doing here?”
I wasn’t answering her question and I wasn’t backing down, until Wyatt cleared his throat and felt the need to step in.
“They’re going to find out sooner or later,” he spoke.
“Find out what?” My mother looked at him.
“Laurel lives with me here in New York.”
“Since when?” my father asked.
“Oh, about eight months or so,” I replied.
“Actually, we’ve only been living together for the past five months,” Wyatt felt the need to clarify.
“Can you just be quiet?” I looked over at him.
“So, you’re working in New York?” my mother asked.
“Yes.”
“And why didn’t you bother to tell us?” my father spoke with irritation.
“Why would I? You told me to leave your house and I haven’t heard a word from you since.” I started to speak in anger. “Now if you’ll excuse us, Wyatt and I have shopping to do. I don’t have time to stand here and explain myself or my life to two people who couldn’t give a damn. Wyatt, let’s go.”
“Laurel, wait,” my father spoke. “I think it’s time we talked.”
“Good idea, Jefferson. We can talk back at the penthouse,” Wyatt spoke.
I was going to kill him.
“Text me your address and we’ll head over in about thirty minutes. I have something I need to get first,” my father said.
“Laurel, Ryan is this way,” Wyatt spoke as he tightly grabbed my hand, for he knew he was in trouble.
“How could you?” I spewed as we climbed into the limo.
“They want to talk, and this is going to end now. Whether it be good or bad.”
“And who the hell are you to make that decision?” My eyes glared at him.
“The man who loves you more than anything in this world and hates to see you upset. That’s who. So, go ahead and be mad. Hell, hate me. I don’t care, Laurel. This is something the three of you need to put to rest.”
As much as I hated to admit it, he was right.
“I could never be mad at you. Hate you, yes.” I smirked.
He leaned over and kissed my cheek.
“Just don’t hate me for too long.”
Chapter Thirty-Eight
The moment I stepped inside the penthouse, I walked over to the bar and poured myself a shot of whiskey.
“You don’t drink whiskey,” Wyatt spoke.
“I need something strong before they get here.”
“Why don’t you just go meditate?” He took the shot glass from my hand and threw it down his throat.
“Good idea.”
“Feel better?” Wyatt asked as I emerged from upstairs.
“I do.” I walked over and gave him a kiss.
The house phone rang, which only meant one thing: my parents were here.
“Send them right up,” Wyatt spoke before ending the call.
He walked over to me and placed his hands firmly on my hips and leaned his forehead against mine.
“You got this.”
“I got this.” I lightly smiled.
The elevator doors opened, and Wyatt went over to greet them as I stood in a calm state in the living room.
“What a beautiful home,” my mother spoke to Wyatt as she looked around.
“Thank you, Adalynn. Come, have a seat.”
“Laurel.” My mother nodded.
“Mom.” I nodded back, trying to stay in my Zen state.
“Laurel, why don’t you come sit down.” Wyatt patted the spot next to him on the couch.
“I’ll stand. Thank you.” I folded my arms.
The tension in the room was thick. So thick that I didn’t think anything was sharp enough to cut through it.
“You wanted to talk, Dad, so talk. I already said what I needed to that night.”
“Your mother and I have put everything that we’ve done to each other in the past, and we’re seeking therapy and working things out.”
“Good for you!” I spoke in a sarcastic tone. “So, neither one of you are sleeping around anymore?” I pointed to both of them.
“No, we’re not,” my father spoke. “We were hoping you could put the past behind you and move on as well. You’re our daughter, Laurel, and we love you. Regardless of what you said to us.”
“See, Dad, the difference is you only got a few minutes of what I thought. I got a lifetime of it from her. That is something you don’t ever forget.”
“Adalynn,” my father spoke as he glanced over at her.
My mother cleared her throat like she always did when she was uncomfortable.
“You’re right, Laurel. I treated you differently than Alfie and Bella and I apologize.”
“Why?”
“Because from the time you were very little, you were so defiant, independent, and stubborn. I’d tell you to do something and you’d do the total opposite. I felt as if I had no control over you whatsoever and I used the excuse because you weren?
??t my flesh and blood, so I gave up. But I never once stopped loving you. You’re my daughter, and I’m sorry I made you feel anything less. We weren’t perfect parents and I know your deep-rooted issues stemmed from us.”
Wow, I couldn’t believe she admitted that.
“You’re right, they did.”
“If you want the honest to God’s truth why I always pushed you and nagged you about having a boyfriend, it’s because—” She looked down.
“Because why?”
“I thought maybe you were a lesbian and I didn’t think I could handle that. How would I tell our friends?”
“Oh my God, Mom!” I placed my hands on my head.
“She’s definitely not a lesbian.” Wyatt smiled.
“Why would you think that?” I asked.
“Because you never showed any interest in boys, not even in your peak teenage years. Then you met David in college and I was relieved. But it all started back up again after you told me the two of you broke up because you grew apart, and you never brought anyone home after that or even mentioned a guy. I thought maybe David was just an experiment. When I would ask you, you evaded the subject with some sarcastic remark. I figured you were too afraid to tell us that you like girls.”
“I could never get involved with someone because of the two of you. Your relationship alone was enough to scar me for life. All your cheating and lies to each other. Then, I finally let David into my life and he turned around and broke my heart, just like the both of you did. You know what the problem with you is?” I pointed to my mother. “You give too many fucks what other people think. You’ve spent the last thirty years of marriage, hell, maybe your whole entire life trying to create the perfect image of yourself. But you know what, Mom? While you were doing that, you lost you. In fact, the two of you lost each other.”
She sat there with her lips pressed firmly together, for she knew I was right.
“She’s right, Adalynn.” My father reached over and took hold of her hand.
My mother looked up at me as I stood in front of her.
“I’m sorry, Laurel, and you’re right, I did lose me somewhere many years ago. I wanted to be the perfect woman with the perfect family, and in doing so, I lost my oldest daughter.” Her eyes swelled with tears.
“You didn’t lose me, Mom. If you did, you wouldn’t be in my home right now. And nobody’s perfect. Not even Wyatt.”
“Hey,” he chimed in.
“I know it’s not too late and I have many years to undo the wrong I’ve done and make it right. That’s if you’ll let me,” she spoke. “I have three children and I want us all together again. I want my family back.”
“It’s going to take time for that,” I spoke. “It’s not something we can fix overnight.”
“I know that, but I hope you’ll let me try.”
A small smile crossed my lips as I knelt down in front of her and lightly placed my hand on hers.
“Only if you let me try.”
“Of course I will.” She smiled as the tears continued to fall down her face.
The four us went out for a nice dinner, compliments of Wyatt.
“He’s a good catch,” my mother leaned over and whispered in my ear.
“I know.” I grinned. “He makes me incredibly happy.”
“I can tell.” She smiled as she cupped my chin with her hand.
****
One Month Later
“Craig looks nervous up there,” I spoke as we sat in white satin-covered chairs on the beach waiting for the wedding ceremony to start.
“He does, doesn’t he?” Wyatt smiled.
Craig glanced over at me and I gave him a thumbs-up. A smile graced his face and I took pride in the fact that I brought these two people together.
The music began to play, and everyone stood up and watched as Maddy walked down the aisle to her future husband.
“She looks so beautiful.” I placed my hand over my heart. “You know, this is all happening because of me,” I whispered to Wyatt.
“I know. You’re quite the little matchmaker. Cemetery stalking, inviting yourself to other people’s tables, and setting up false meetings. Good job, sweetheart.”
I turned and looked at him with knitted brows as he chuckled.
We took our seats and listened as the minister began to speak. It was time for their wedding vows, and suddenly, I got all choked up and fought back the tears, so I didn’t ruin my makeup. Wyatt glanced over at me and lightly squeezed my hand as he leaned over and whispered in my ear.
“You want to do something like this?” he asked.
“Get married?”
“Yeah.”
“I don’t know.” I shrugged. “Do you?”
“I don’t know. Could be kind of fun.”
“True.” I raised my brows. “Planning a wedding is a huge hassle and very stressful. My mother would try to take over.”
“That’s true. Do we really need that hassle and stress in our lives?” he asked.
“I don’t think we do.”
“Nah. Me either. Forget I mentioned it.”
“Nice thought, though.” I glanced over at him with a smile.
The reception was held in a large white tent on the beach, which was elegantly decorated and with only the best food catered from Craig’s restaurant.
“Excuse me, can I have everyone’s attention, please?” Craig spoke as he tapped his glass with a spoon.
Everyone in the tent went silent. He thanked us for coming and then gave a beautiful speech about his new bride.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank one of my best friends, Laurel Holloway. If it wasn’t for her, we wouldn’t be here today celebrating our wedding. If she hadn’t conned her way into my restaurant, we never would have met. She was relentless and wouldn’t give up. She was sent to interview me, and in the process of doing that, she set me straight and made me realize that life still goes on even in the depths of tragedy. She’s my hero. I’m not only honored to have her in my life, but I’m also honored to call her my best friend.”
Wyatt leaned over and kissed my cheek as the tears steadily fell.
“With that being said.” Craig walked over to where I was sitting. “May I have this dance?” He smiled as he extended his hand to me.
“Look at me,” I sniffled. “You’ve ruined my makeup.”
“You look beautiful, Laurel.” He smiled as we danced. “Look at us. Just a year ago, we were two broken people who wouldn’t even think about loving someone. I think we’ve come a long way.”
“We have, haven’t we?”
“It’s good to see you with Wyatt and to see you so happy. Can I let you in on a little secret? You can’t tell anyone except Wyatt.”
“I promise I won’t. Hell, I may not even tell him.” I grinned.
“Maddy is pregnant. We found out a couple days ago.”
“Oh, Craig.” I hugged him tight. “That’s wonderful.”
“Yeah. It was quite a shock, but a good one. We’re going to wait a while before we announce it. Just in case, you know.”
“I know. But I’m happy you told me.”
“You were the first person I couldn’t wait to tell.”
The music ended, and I pulled my compact out of my purse and fixed my makeup. Looking around, I couldn’t find Wyatt anywhere, so I walked out of the tent and found him standing by the water.
“Hey, what are you doing?” I wrapped my arm around his waist.
“Just staring at the ocean.” He smiled. “The sun is going to set in a few minutes.”
“Ah, I love sunsets on the beach.” I laid my head on his shoulder.
“You know, I got to thinking about something,” he spoke.
“About what?”
“About how you’re the most beautiful and precious flower in my garden.”
“I better be the only beautiful and precious flower in your garden.”
“Oh, you are.” He smiled. “In fact, you’re the rarest
flower I’ve ever encountered. You’re so rare that I can never let you go.”
As heart melting and panty melting as his words were, I couldn’t help but let out a light laugh.
“Good, because you’re stuck with this rare flower whether you like it or not.” I shoulder bumped him.
“Can you do me a favor?” he asked.
“What?”
“Close your eyes for a minute.”
“Why?”
“I want you to listen to the sound of the waves crashing against the shore. There’s something strange about it and I want to know if you can hear what I did.”
“You’re weird, but okay.” I grinned.
I closed my eyes and listened carefully like he asked.
“Keep them closed and just listen. Do you hear it?”
“I don’t think so. They sound pretty normal to me.”
“You can open your eyes.”
I slowly opened my eyes to see Wyatt kneeling down on one knee in the sand holding a small blue velvet ring box in his hand.
“See, Laurel, the thing is, I love you more than life. I thought I was happy until you came along, but it turned out I wasn’t. I never knew what loneliness was until you went back to Seattle and that is something I never want to experience again. You make me laugh all the time. You always have me on my toes because I never know what the hell you’re going to do next. Sometimes, you embarrass me, and I simply smile and say that’s my girl. You make my life exciting because being with you is an adventure, and it’s one I want to stay on for the rest of my life. I want the hassle and stress of planning a wedding because there’s no other person in this world I want to spend eternity with. So, what do you say?” He flipped open the lid. “Will you marry me?”
“Ab-so-fucking-lutely!” I shouted with a smile as the tears fell from my eyes.
He removed the gorgeous platinum square diamond ring from the box and slipped it on my finger. I fell to my knees and wrapped my arms around his neck.
“I love you, Wyatt,” I spoke as I brushed my lips against his.
“I love you too, baby. So very much.”
“You knew I’d say yes?” I grinned.
“I was one hundred percent sure of it.” He leaned his forehead against mine with a smile.
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