When Jordan pulled away, I was breathless as usual and floating on cloud nine. “Let’s go show our parents,” he said.
I laughed, loving his enthusiasm. He placed me down and grabbed hold of my hand as we walked toward our parents, who were all smiling in the doorway.
A light shining in a nearby bush caught my attention. “What’s that?”
Jordan glanced to where I peered into the darkness. “Oh, that’s just Flip.”
My voice squeaked incredulously. “Flip?”
“Yeah. I needed someone to record the moment. Figured Flip was the best one for the job.”
Leave it to Jordan to make his point clear. I threw back my head and laughed then stopped completely, holding Jordan back with me. I reached up and pulled his mouth down to mine and kissed him. He wasn’t the only one happy to drive the point home to Flip. I was Jordan’s girl. Always had been. Always would be.
FINALLY
Three Years Later
Emery
I pulled in a deep breath, feeling calmer than I’d ever felt in my life. Why wouldn’t I? My dream was about to come true in front of the people I cared most for in this world.
“You ready?” my mom asked.
I glanced over my shoulder. She stood there in a beautiful purple dress. You’d never know she’d once endured such trauma. Her wounds had healed. The sparkle in her eyes had returned. So had her smile.
I had my mom back.
“Yes. I’m ready.” I stood from the stool in front of Mrs. Grady’s dresser. My strapless, fitted, white dress hung to the floor and covered my bare feet. My veil, with its edges steeped with sparkles, hung down my back covering my hair, which was curled in flowing waves.
“You look breathtaking,” my mom said as I stepped beside her and kissed her cheek.
“Thanks, Mama.” I walked through the Grady’s empty house until I stood in the door, gazing out at the yard aglow with sunshine—the way I always remembered my childhood. Only a few chairs filled the lawn area beneath the tree. We both wanted to keep the ceremony small. The Gradys sat beside Uncle Cal. Sabrina, Crosby, and Abbott sat behind them. Raquel and Vanessa, my friend from Arizona, sat across the aisle beside an empty chair for my mom.
My eyes moved from them to the one person I really sought.
Jordan, wearing a black suit, was speaking to Father Hall, who had been our priest when we were kids. Jordan’s back faced everyone. Professional football looked good on him. His arms were rock hard, and he’d kept off the weight. I was so proud of the way he’d taken over as a leader so quickly on his team. He had the respect of his teammates and the coaching staff. And people were beginning to take notice of him as a real threat on the field. And, though I’d just finished my senior year, I’d made it to every one of his games. Because when I promised Jordan Grady I’d do something, I always made good on that promise.
“It’s time,” my mom said as she pushed open the door and stepped outside.
I followed her, slipping my arm through hers as we moved across the yard toward the tree.
Soft music began to play.
Everyone stood.
Jordan finally turned. He pulled in a sharp breath as a huge smile spread across his face.
And in that moment, it was as if everyone else just disappeared. And all I saw was Jordan. Always Jordan.
My mom and I stopped once we reached him. She released my arm and hugged him. “Be good to her,” she whispered.
“You know I will,” he assured her.
She stepped away and sat beside Raquel and Vanessa.
Jordan took my hands in his big bear claws. “Hi.”
“Hi,” I said, trying to suppress the grin that fought to take over every part of my face.