Page 71 of Recklessly in Love

Bryce clasps my shoulder. “Life is short, Greg. Never let your woman forget how much you love her.”

He’s right. I’ve been an idiot. I’ve been aching to get back to Joanie; I just wasn’t expecting things to wrap up so quickly here. But I’m more than ready to go back. I resolve to head back to Alpine Ridge first thing in the morning. I’ll miss the St. Patrick’s Day event, but Joanie will be busy anyway. Better to show up after and grovel for forgiveness.

As I settle into bed that night, my heart feels lighter than in weeks. The obstacles ahead don’t seem so daunting anymore. I have a plan, allies, and, most importantly, Joanie.

I just hope she can forgive me for pushing her away, even if it was to protect her. I drift off to sleep, dreaming of her smile, her sass, and the feel of her in my arms.

Tomorrow, I’ll make things right. Tomorrow, I’ll remind her that she’s my everything. My partner, my love, my future.

And come what may, I’ll never let her doubt that again.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

JOANIE

As Mia and I get ready to head to the town square for the St. Patrick’s Day event, she’s practically vibrating with excitement. At first, I assume it’s just because of the event, but then she turns to me with a huge grin.

“Nate and I finally set a date for the wedding,” she announces. “We’re getting married on September twenty-third!”

I squeal and pull her into a tight hug. “Oh my God, Mia, that’s amazing! I’m so happy for you both.”

And I am. Truly. But as we pull apart and I see the pure joy on her face, I can’t help the pang in my chest. It makes me miss Greg even more, seeing Mia and Nate blissfully in love and planning their future.

I push down the feeling and focus on the day ahead. We’ve got a lot to do, and I need to be on my A-game.

When we arrive at the town square, there is a flurry of activity. Mia heads to the pastry booth, where she sets out a mouth-watering array of shamrock cookies, Irish apple cakes, and soda bread. I’m running the costume contest with a gift basket for the best-dressed leprechaun. It’s silly, but people seem to be getting into the spirit of things.

Ever the peacemaker, Nate has convinced Jerry to set up a booth serving green beer and limeade. I’m not sure how he managed that feat, but I’m impressed. Nate oversees the shamrock scavenger hunt in the field behind the community center, with kids and adults alike racing around, laughing and shouting.

And then there’s Rae manning the all-important petition-signing booth. Beyond festivity, the whole point of this event is to gather those crucial signatures for the incorporation.

As the day goes on, I get swept up in the fun. There’s something about the camaraderie, the laughter, the sense of community that warms me from the inside out. For a few hours, I almost forget the ache of missing Greg.

Toward the end of the event, Rae comes running over to us with a huge smile. “We did it!” she exclaims. “We have more than enough signatures!”

Mia, Nate, and I erupt in cheers and hi-fives. With the event winding down, it was just in time. It’s a major victory, and everything feels right in the world for a moment.

But the joy is short-lived. As we’re cleaning up, Rae comes rushing back, her face stricken. “The signatures,” she pants. “Someone stole them when my back was turned.”

My stomach drops. “What? How?”

She shakes her head, looking distraught. “I don’t know. I just turned around for a second to put the clipboards in a bin, and when I looked back ... they were gone. I’m so sorry, you guys. This is all my fault. I should’ve been keeping a closer eye on them.”

Mia immediately pulls Rae into a comforting hug. “Hey, it’s okay. It’s not your fault. That could’ve happened to any of us. We’ll figure this out. If we can’t find out who did it, we’ll get the signatures again. It’s not the end of the world.”

Mia’s right. It’s not the end of the world. But after weeks of missing Greg, of waiting to know if my career is out of my hands, if Greg’s father is going to ruin both of our lives, Mia and Nate’s wedding plans reminding me of what I don’t have, and now this... I’m at my limit. My chest tightens as all the stress I’ve been suppressing rushes to the surface. And even though we’re outside, I feel like I just can’t breathe.

I pull Mia aside while Nate continues to reassure Rae.

“Mia, I’m sorry, but I need to leave,” I tell her.

She puts a hand on my shoulder and smiles reassuringly. “Of course. I’ll catch up with you later?”

I huff out a breath and shake my head. “No, I mean, I need to go home,” I say, my voice cracking. “I’ve been trying to stay strong and act normally, but I just … can’t. I feel like I don’t know which end up is anymore. All this waiting and worrying … I think I just need to get out of Alpine Ridge for a little while.”

A look of understanding dawns on Mia’s face. “I was wondering when this would all hit you. But you seemed to be doing so well. God, I should’ve known you were faking it,” she says, frustration evident in her voice.

“Hey, this is on me. I should’ve spoken up sooner. Before I started having a mental breakdown,” I joke.

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