Page 75 of The Magic of Sea Glass
He stood up and took her hands. “Making you less nervous.” He guided her to a spot in the middle of the suite and wrapped his arms around her. Then he began swaying to the music.
Stunned by the move and unsure of what to do, she had no other option but to put her arms around his neck. “Would you like to tell me why we’re dancing in the middle of my suite?” This wasnothelping her to achieve a calmer state.
He leaned down and put his mouth next to her ear, making all the hairs on her arms stand up. “Because if we just get this tension out of the way, we’ll be able to finish all those names and tables.”
“What tension?” she asked.
“The tension that you have sitting next to me tonight.” He pulled back and looked her in the eyes. “And the tension that I’m feeling from wanting to kiss you again.”
“I don’t know if that’s a good idea,” she said, but her words withered as he leaned toward her.
His lips hovered over hers, a gesture she was already used to. She loved how he silently asked for permission, allowing her to make the first real move. “What do you think? Good idea?” he asked, his breath intoxicating.
She closed her eyes and pressed her lips to his, the act instantly calming every buzzing nerve in her body. It was as if she’d been born to kiss him, which made no sense at all, given who the two of them were. She’d been building an entirely different life until last year, and he was leaving for months. But she kissed him anyway. His hands moved affectionately along her back, the feel of his lips on hers like fireworks.
She knew that, in time, the remorse would swarm her, but there was no way she could deny how he made her feel in this moment.
TWENTY
Today was the day. The inn looked incredible. Cass and her team had outdone themselves. She’d cleared the furniture in the main room. Rows of white chairs filled the space, leading to the large wall of windows where the French doors were open. The florist had dressed the doorway where Stephanie and Mitchell would say their vows below cascading white roses and magnolias with trailing ribbons to the floor. The wedding party had all gathered, dressed immaculately in their attire, and Dave was busy getting the final release forms signed with his team all in place.
Stephanie had taken the news of Brody’s tuxedo in stride, to Lauren’s relief, and everything else had gone off without a hitch.
Lauren wore the new turquoise dress she’d bought online, hoping when she’d ordered it that wearing something different would help her forget the fears she’d had during all the weddings she’d planned over the last year. She’d curled her hair, put on her best makeup, and continued to focus on the events that would occurafterthe wedding, to get her through. She would grab a glass of champagne and maybe even get a dance or two in with Brody. But even with her positive mantra going through her head, she could feel the cracks forming in her well-orchestrated façade. Her heart racing, she squeezed her eyes shut to keep from getting lightheaded, the familiar feelings of loss and doubt surfacing.
Lauren leaned against the wall, trying to pull herself together. She had a job to do. She just had to get through this one day and then it would all be over. She knew Brody would calm her, but he was at the front of the main room and the crowd had begun to file into their chairs.
Given what Joe had told her about his “Penny,” she decided today was a good day to try tobelieve. It went against everything she’d done before, but she silently called out to Mason. The act of it felt odd, and she forced herself to trust that he could hear her.Mason, if you’re with me, I need you to let me off the hook. I’m about to go into this wedding and I want to be strong. Please send me some sign to show me that I’m doing the right thing.
“Lauren?” Stephanie called from the doorway of the suite they’d set up for the bridal party, down the hall.
She blinked and focused on her breathing—her coping strategy—still trying to manage her emotions. She stepped into the hallway. “Yes?”
The musicians began the processional music.
“Could you come here for a minute?”
“Yep.” She paced toward the bridal suite, her head feeling as if she were submerged in the Atlantic. When she got there, the bridesmaids were primping in their powder-blue satin gowns behind Stephanie, who was holding a small gift bag.
“It isn’t much, but I wanted to give this to you to say thank you for everything. I know how hard this is for you, and I’m more thankful than this little gift expresses, but something told me you’d like it anyway.” She held it out to Lauren with her manicured fingers.
“You’re so sweet,” Lauren said, her skin prickling at the sight of Stephanie in her dress. Her mouth dried out and her vision blurred—all the signs that she wasn’t going to make it. She worried she was having a full-blown panic attack.Keep it together. She needed Stephanie to get down the aisle so she could stand at the back of the room and work on keeping herself from making a scene. Then, hopefully, Brody could swoop in and take her mind off it. “The music’s started. I’ll open it as soon as the wedding’s over. I promise I won’t peek.”
“It’s okay,” Stephanie said, shaking her head. “You can open it now. We can steal a few seconds.”
The music continued to play, and Lauren knew that they needed to get out there. If they didn’t, she might fall apart.Mason, I’m going to falter.She pushed back tears, her silent words floating up to the sky with no answer. She looked around frantically for something, some sign from Mason, but all she got was silence.
“Go on. Open it.”
Deciding it would be faster to accept the gift now than to try to convince Stephanie to wait, she fought through her growing anxiety, opened the small bag, and pulled out a box. Was Mason even around to see what she was going through? She wondered as she held the box. Angry that he couldn’t answer her, she sent up the thought,Do you even think of me?
Her heart still drumming in her chest, her eyes aching with grief, she lifted the lid and her breath caught. The music in the main room suddenly faded to a distant murmur and everything stopped.
She pulled out the gift. Hanging from her finger was a keychain made of varying shades of sea glass in the colors of the ocean. In gold script over the shiny surface read the words, “Wish You Were Here.”
Every nerve in her body fired as Mason’s words came back to her:You’ll love the beach so much… We’ll send everyone postcards that say, “Wish You Were Here,” drink piña coladas, and lie in the sununtil we’re as red as lobsters.
It was as if Mason had answered her.
