Page 65 of Finding Her Leading Man

As he began the first couple chords of the song, Cameron walked to his place at the front, Dewey standing beside him as his best man. A moment after that, Lexi started down the aisle, escorted by Nash. Then Becky with Hudson. Finally, Juliana with Grayson.

Eliza held her daughter’s hand and helped her toss rose petals on the ground.

The prickles of anticipation rolled over Samantha. She welcomed the familiar edge of energy.

And then she sang. It was peaceful and full of love, and every ounce aimed at Trevor.

* * *

Her voice.Her scent. The touch of her hands on his shoulders distracted Trevor out of his fear of messing up. The song timed perfectly with Addie taking the first step down the porch stairs as he started to sing.

His sister’s smile was massive. The risk of sounding like an idiot was worth it.

Samantha moved entirely behind him, both hands on his shoulders, projecting her incredible voice across the yard. The audience didn’t know who to look at, Addie or Samantha. But he knew his sister. She was just as captivated by Sam’s voice as the rest of them.

They finished the song, and everyone clapped, including Addie. Addie left her place at the front of the crowd and walked over. He rose and set his guitar to the side and hugged her.

“You look beautiful, four-eyes.”

“It was perfect, Trevor.” She released him and wiped away a tear. She turned to Samantha and repeated her hug. “And you were amazing as always.” She pulled back and laughed. “Okay. I guess I need to go get married now.”

Trevor gave her a soft push in the direction of Cameron. That man would take care of his sister. Not a shred of doubt existed in Trevor’s mind.

Samantha laid her hand on his lower back. “Let’s go sit down.”

He nodded, took her by the hand, and led her to their seats on the front row. For the entire ceremony, he held onto Sam and watched Addie. He didn’t need to hear the words to know that his sister would love Cameron forever. It could’ve been a black and white silent film, and the audience would have understood just based on Addie’s expression how much she adored Cameron.

Watching the wedding, having Samantha beside him, holding his hand, made the world different.

What he wanted.

He caught a glimpse of Samantha’s profile.

Who he wanted.

But he needed time. He’d leave early tomorrow, fly back to L.A., get his life in order. Take a few days to figure it out. He couldn’t give Samantha an answer now. So, he’d just tell her he’d call her later and leave.

It was the best he could do until the reality of falling in love finally sank its teeth into him hard enough to override every fear.

24

Samantha opened the door to a small Italian restaurant near Central Park. Gino’s was a staple for opening night. Although it wasn’t the show’s opening, it was hers. She’d stepped into a role three days after walking back into New York. Word traveled fast after she was formally released. The producer called her and offered her the part immediately. After two weeks of eighteen-hour rehearsals, she’d pulled off her first night flawlessly.

The smell of cheese and olive oil, basil and oregano, brought back all the memories of the dozens of times she’d eaten there before.

She smiled at the owner, now Gino’s son, Rocky, and went to the small table near the faux fireplace.

Her phone chimed.

How did it go?

Trevor. He hadn’t dropped off all communication as she’d expected. They’d spoken twice and texted daily over the past two weeks. But it was over. He’d said goodbye, given her a long kiss, and left Statem. She had left the following day, not wanting to spend any more time in a place where she saw his ghost everywhere.

God, she missed him. Everything about him. But he’d end up miserable in the end. She understood that. Maybe, if they were both single, someday…

Nope. She would not go down that road of hope and find a dead end.

Great! Standing O. Two curtain calls. The buzz is that I’ve helped revive the show. The performers are fantastic so I’m excited I could do something. It’s Off-Broadway, which makes the seating more intimate. I enjoyed it. How are you?

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