Page 44 of Rock the Chardonnay

Don’t I know that?

I thought we fell in love that weekend two years ago at the Rock and Wine Festival, but I was wrong. I fall in love with Declan every single day.

The plane lands on the airstrip with a few light bumps, overall a smooth landing, and I check my watch.

I’m right on time.

It starts to rain halfway through the drive from the airport to St. Olaf. It’s fine. I planned on that contingency, too.

I park my rental car on one of the side streets, since the parking lot at St. Olaf Elementary is overflowing. Butterflies flit around my stomach, but I don’t need to be nervous.

The rain isn’t overwhelming, more of a warm June drizzle than a full-out storm. With my umbrella open and earning me several nods of appreciation, I follow the crowds toward the auditorium.

The room is packed with parents, grandparents, siblings, and friends, all dressed in their best rain gear. Several people hold flowers or other gifts, and there’s a general party-like atmosphere. Over the stage there is an enormous banner that reads Congratulations Class of 2024.

My skin buzzes with anticipation. I made it, and with time to spare.

“Daughtry?”

I whirl around, only to see Zoey and Charlie Foster standing before me. Before I can greet them, Zoey wraps me in her arms.

“Oh, hon, I’m so glad you’re here. We didn’t think you could make it.” Her tears wet the collar of my white and blue raincoat.

“I wanted to surprise them,” I say. I kiss Zoey’s cheek.

She pulls away and squeezes my hand. “This is wonderful. Alex and Declan are going to be thrilled.” With a grin, she tugs at the purple streaks in my dyed-black hair. “This looks good on you.”

“Hi, Daughtry.” From behind Charlie, Alex’s mom Josie waves shyly. I wave back. We’ve met several times, and have become friends over the last couple years. When we’re both in the same place, we make an effort to hang out. She’s fun and smart and dedicated, and loves that I make Declan and Alex happy.

“How’s the documentary going?” I ask.

“It’s going pretty well.” Josie is taller than I am, and wearing bright green rain boots and a short-sleeved heather gray knit dress. She has the same blond hair as Alex. How I ever mistook Alex for Ciaran’s son, I will never know. His personality is a perfect mix of Josie and Declan. “I’m in Chicago now, editing. I’ll send you some scenes, if you want.”

“That would be awesome.”As much as I like Josie and Zoey, my feet itch to see someone else. I flew literally around the world to see them.

I glance around the assembly. “Where is—”

“Daughtry.” Strong arms lift me from behind, and the heady, perfect scent of Declan fills me, from the top of my scalp, all the way to my toes. Declan is an excellent hugger. He spins me toward him, cradling my lower back, and kisses me gently. “I didn’t think you’d come.”

“I couldn’t miss this. It’s Alex’s fifth grade graduation.” I kiss him again, because there is never enough Declan in my life. I love the scratch of the five o’clock shadow he never fully shaves. I love cataloging his moods by the color of his eyes. I love…well, everything about this man.

“Then come on, we don’t want to lose our seats.” Declan tucks me under his arm and leads me to a row of folding chairs, saved with a mismatched assortment of umbrellas and raincoats. When we sit down, Declan on one side of me, Zoey on the other, then Charlie, Ciaran, and Josie next to her, Declan wraps his around my shoulders and kissed me again. “Thank you. Really. I didn’t expect you.”

Declan and Ciaran have also slowly repaired their relationship over the past few years.

“The last time I talked to Alex, he looked so disappointed, even though he didn’t say anything. So I moved some things around.” I unlatch the buttons on my raincoat, revealing my custom T-shirt. Declan takes one look at it and snorts.

“What is that?” He says, pointing toward my breasts.

“My shirt?” I gesture down my chest, at the T-shirt that I had screenprinted with Alex’s fifth grade portrait and the words Alex Rocks printed across it in neon teal. “It’s called a grand gesture.”

Declan leans back in his chair, chuckling. “You don’t need to woo my kid, Daughtry. He already adores you.”

“Then you probably don’t want to see the matching umbrella.”

Declan laughs louder this time, earning us some bemused stares from our neighbors.

Zoey leans across me to tap Declan on the knee. “Are you going to ask her to marry you after this? Because seriously, what are you waiting for?”

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