Page 56 of Just Can't Fall for the Enemy

The camera moved close to Tanner’s face again. “In an interview, your mother said they also met here. That’s why they chose this spot for the wedding rather than a church. It was autumn just like now, and she thought the crisp air and colorful trees would make for a beautiful beginning. But the most remarkable part of all this, and probably the reason the newspaper thought the event would be significant enough to cover, was the guest list.” He named off a list of famous actors, most of whom I’d heard of. I couldn’t believe my father had not only interacted with them in his acting career but known them well enough to invite them to his wedding.

Carmen released a long sob and yanked me closer. “This is just so beautiful.”

The screen cut out, and suddenly Tanner was in front of the lake. “Not only did they meet here in the park, but your father proposed right here on the lakeshore. Or rather, he had a friend dress up as the Loch Ness monster and rise out of the water, holding up a sign. I’m told by a witness that it was rather epic.”He grinned. “There should definitely be more giant, fake lizards in cities today.”

I snorted, not missing the joke about Huckleberry Creek’s dinosaur mascot.

The screen changed again, this time to a hotel lobby. “This is the Diamond Atlantic Hotel, just outside the park. It has some of the best views in the entire city. They spent their three-day honeymoon here.” The camera framed his face now. “I want to close with a message to this special person. I know you’re trying to forget me, but the past few days have been agony. I’m asking you to forgive me. I don’t deserve it, but I need it. I need you. I never thought I’d find a place to call home, and I especially didn’t think I’d find it in a person. You made me fall for you in a way I didn’t think would be possible again.”

His lines thus far were obviously practiced and well-spoken, but this time his voice sounded husky, vulnerable.

“Sophie,” he said. “I think I just might love you.”

Carmen paused the episode on the last screen, freezing Tanner’s hopeful, sorrowful, beautiful face. “Okay, maybe the popcorn was a bit much. But it was better than physically tying you to the sofa.”

I stared at the TV, an odd mess of emotions running through me.I think I might just love you.

“Now what?” Carmen asked, watching the emotions play out on my face.

“He loves me,” I repeated in wonder.

“Yeah,” she said, her tone rising in a question. “That was obvious in the first minute of the video. So what are you going to do about it?”

A dozen emotions filled my body to the point that it took a minute to sort through them. Carmen waited, quietly watching me as I tried to listen to what my heart said. It wasn’t until I calmed the fear writhing within that I could finally hear its gentle whisper. Then I agreed with it, completely and absolutely.

I felt my smile widen. “Carmen, I’m going to need your help.”

She straightened. “Absolutely. I’m down. Toilet papering, egging, silent treatment, whatever. Except I might draw the line at murder after an apology like his.”

“You can hold on to those for now. We don’t have much time to pack.”

“Pack?”

“Yes, pack. And call your assistant manager to cash in on those unused vacation days you keep hounding me about. We’re going on a road trip.” I grinned and dumped my popcorn bowl over her head, making her yelp. “You can pick the popcorn out of your hair on the way.”

My best friend leaped to her feet and squealed, pumping her fists in the air and ignoring the kernels hanging from her hair.

Right before dumping her bowl overmyhead.

Twenty-Two

I stayeda couple of extra days in Manhattan, hoping by some miracle I would hear from Sophie. After another sleepless night, I checked my phone again—nothing—and left the hotel early to find breakfast. The big city had its charms. I liked the constant sound of traffic, the tapping of high heels on the wide sidewalks full of pedestrians, and the smell of cigarette smoke mingling with that of fresh-baked goods. But three days in New York City was plenty. Sophie had converted me to small towns in a big way, and I wasn’t sure anything else would ever be enough again.

Ready or not, it was time to move on.

For years to come, I would mourn my stupidity in losing Sophie. I knew that now. But at least I wouldn’t spend the next decade chasing a dream no longer important to me. The moment I finished in Ohio, I planned to take an extended break somewhere. Rethink my career. Decide what I wanted my YouTube channel to be since I knew now what I didn’t want.Thank you, Guy.

I returned to the hotel lobby a few minutes later with a coffee in hand and headed straight

for the stairs—only to catch a glimpse of a woman with a single dark braid standing nearby. She caught my gaze, winked, and walked away. It made me stop in my tracks and stare.

Carmen?

It couldn’t be. The chances of Sophie’s roommate being in New York and in this hotel, no less, were extremely slim. Microscopic.

Yet I found myself turning to follow. I sprinted down the steps and caught sight of her disappearing around the corner toward the hotel’s conference rooms. Odd. There was no conference here today, and she wouldn’t be attending one if there were. Sophie told me her friend worked at some small boutique shop, not the large international companies this hotel catered to.

I turned another corner only to peer down an empty hallway. Not a single soul to be seen.

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