Page 100 of Promised Love

“Really? I thought you were with me, standing against this whole promise thing.”

“I don’t care about the promise.” She huffs. “But seeing Lukas with you, all this time, there couldn’t have been a better man for you, honey.”

“And you don’t care that he’s…much older than me?”

“Does his age matter to you? Do you think you struggle connecting with him?”

“Not at all. Even when I used to write him letters and emails, it never felt like we were twelve years apart in age. Is it weird?”

“Not coming from you. You were always an old soul,” Mom says sincerely and I grab the phone tightly in my hand.

“That doesn’t sound like a compliment at all.”

“But it is.” A whisper of humor and happiness touches her voice. “Dad and I are very happy, kiddo, for you and for Lukas.” Her voice gets a serious lilt. “And we are so proud of the woman you’ve turned into.” Her voice is heavy as she finishes the sentence, and my chest warms.

“Why are you crying?”

“I’m a mother. I get emotional sometimes. You’ll know when you have your own kids.”

“Mom! You’re acting like Grandma now. Lukas and I have so much more to discuss before…kids.” Even as I say that, my heart swells at the image my brain weaves of Lukas with a little boy or girl.

“Okay. Okay. You guys talk and visit us again sometime. We’ll make sure not to bring up his childhood.”

Once the call ends, I grip the phone close to my chest. It’s the first time I’ve confessed out loud that I love Lukas. But there’s not an ounce of doubt in my mind. It’s like I alway knew this.

I wait for a few more minutes hoping Lukas will walk into the suite. He usually spends his early mornings at the gym, but when that doesn’t happen, an unfamiliar itch prickles my insides. I silence the burgeoning thought before it can even become clear.

“He must be with Mr. Big, planning for the security at the wedding,” I whisper, getting out of bed. “I should be doing the same.”

I get ready fast and put my hair up in a loose top bun as Lukas likes it and put on a white turtleneck pullover so that his mother’s necklace is clearly visible around my neck.

I stand in front of the mirror for a second and clutch the pendant between my fingers. My eyes close and I whisper, “Thank you so much, Martha, for raising a son like Lukas. If you were here, you would be so proud. I know he misses you…a lot, and I hope someday I can fill in the gaps of his heart with my love.” My chest squeezes remembering all the times when Lukas mentioned his mother, the sheer anguish in his face. “I hope you’ll give me your blessing.”

I leave the room a bit confused, unsure why I felt the need to speak to Martha. But as soon as I step into the lobby, everything becomes clear. The decorators are already hanging the white fabric over the curtain rails, adding silky bows on top.

“There you are.” Chiara waves as I walk up to her and Mr. Big at the reception desk.

“So it starts. Possibly one of our most ambitious weddings of all time, past and future included.” I’m filled with two contradictory emotions of nervousness and glee.

“I wouldn’t say that so soon.” Mr. Big raises an eyebrow. “Maybe this is just a start, and after this, The Butterfly Inn becomes the most sought-after place for celebrity weddings.”

“So now we not only have to impress Maddy and the Bruno clan but other celebrities who are eyeing the place for the future?” I joke, though inside I’m wondering if Mr. Big’s words can be true.

“We heard big things happened yesterday.” Chiara waggles her eyebrows, and the iPad almost slips from my hand.

My face heats up, remembering last night. Me giving Lukas a blow job in his car in the lake’s parking lot.

Crap. Could someone have seen us? Does the whole town know about it now?

“I thought I’d be the first to know when your mom made you the official owner of the inn, but Mr. Big beat me to it.”

Oh! The inn. Of course.

“What’s happening? Why aren’t we squealing in delight?”

“Um, I’m happy. Of course I am.” My smile returns as I look between Chiara and Mr. Big, the two people who have seen every moment of this journey as I took tiny steps toward my big dream. “But I’m also…nervous. It’s something I’ve always wanted, and now that I have it, I’m scared that I’m not ready.” I tighten my grip on the iPad to stop the shaking. “Isn’t it silly?”

“Not at all. You’re right to be scared, kid. Your mother and her mother and your great-grandmother, they’ve all left big shoes for you to fill. But we fully believe in you.” Mr. Big pats my face like he used to do when I was a kid.

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