Page 61 of California Love Songs
And then they began to talk about Crystal’s birthday party.
It all felt a bit surreal. He’d spent the morning immersed in Opal’s music, which was all about heartache and tough times. And now suddenly he was planning a birthday party with glitter and balloons. Thinking that Opal probably needed to eat as well, he texted her and asked her to join them when she finished her walk.
“We really want to make this a good party,” Erin said. “Crystal works so hard and when she puts on an event, it’s always amazing. We want to give her the same kind of thoughtfulness.”
He nodded, agreeing. “She should have the best party ever. You’re only thirty once.”
“Exactly,” Erin said. “The caterer is coming tomorrow morning at nine. So you need to make sure Crystal’s out of the house.”
He swallowed hard and then glanced at Mila, putting on a shocked expression. “Why would you think Crystal would be in my house so early in the morning?”
Erin shot him the kind of superior look that only a little sister could give. “Because I can see one of her earrings on the kitchen counter. And she’s left an extra pair of running shoes and a sweater hanging by the back door.”
He started to protest, but she raised a hand. “Don’t even bother. If I go into your bathroom, I know I’ll find her toothbrush. And probably some makeup and her perfume.”
Busted.
And he didn’t even care. He wanted his sisters to know he was with Crystal. He wanted everyone to know. So, composing himself, he took a deep breath and said, “Crystal is the woman in my life.”
Mila’s sea-green eyes lit up and she clapped her hands, clearly thrilled at the prospect. “I knew it. I saw this coming.”
Erin, on the other hand, looked nervous. “You can’t hurt her. Damien, promise me you won’t hurt her.”
Her words were almost like a punch to the solar plexus. “Why would I hurt her? I love her.”
The words came out of his mouth before he even knew what he was saying. And then, once they were out in the world, he realized how right they were. And that maybe Erin and Mila shouldn’t have been the first ones to hear them.
It was Crystal he needed to tell. Crystal to whom he wanted to confess his love. But at least the words had stripped the nervous look from Erin’s face. She jumped up and threw her arms around him. “Damien, that’s so fantastic. I can’t tell you how excited I am.”
He laughed into her embrace. She was so happy for them both.
Mila looked smug. “I told you so. I could see there was something going on with you two, even at Arch’s wedding. Crystal and you looked right together. Like you fit. Thank goodness you’ve finally worked it out.”
He was relieved and pleased to get his sisters’ approval. But he had to tell them not to breathe a word to anyone. “I need to talk to Crystal first. I’m not sure if she’s okay with anyone knowing. At least not yet.” But he was. And he could only hope that he’d be able to convince Crystal that he was the man for her.
That he was the one who would stay by her side.
Chapter Thirty
Thirty years old.
She’d known it was coming, of course, but somehow it had crept up on her. To some it was a milestone, but she couldn’t figure out why it was such a big deal. One day she’d be twenty-nine, the next she’d be thirty. But life would go on as usual. Nothing would really change.
And yet, thirty felt like a mile marker she hadn’t quite expected to reach so soon. It felt big somehow, as though she was officially a proper adult now and on her way. It made her reflective, and memories she’d long thought forgotten rose once more to the surface. Early childhood laughter echoing through summers, translating English for her grandparents, now gone. Then, as she became a teenager, studying way too much when she should have been out in the world more, having fun. The sting of heartbreak survived. And then the terrible pain of her father abandoning his whole family. The terrible loss of his love, the agony of never really understanding why he needed to cut all ties. The sacrifices she had made for her family, how hard it was to let go of her scholarship and find a job instead of going to college and pursuing her dream of becoming a doctor.
And yet it had all come together in the end. She’d been mentored by an incredible event planner, worked her way up through the company, using the same study skills she’d honed at school to become the best employee she could be. That job had opened her eyes to new possibilities. She had discovered the pleasure of making her own money, of the deep satisfaction of providing for her family. It had allowed her to travel, and she recalled now the thrill of cities seen for the first time. But she had always loved coming home the most. Nothing compared to the beauty and community of Carmel-by-the-Sea.
She considered the last decade and all that she’d achieved. She owned her home, ran a successful business, and now, finally, after half a life spent crushing on him, she was also involved with the man she loved.
However, she had to brace herself for the possibility—no, the probability—that her heart, which she’d given away too easily, would probably be broken before she turned thirty-one.
She thought of all the things she once believed she’d have by now: the perfect career, the right kind of love, the feeling of certainty. She had achieved some, but not all of those things. There was still such a question mark in her future, about what direction her career might take and where she and Damien would end up. But instead of regret, she felt a strange kind of pride. Life had taught her to be patient, to be resilient, to find beauty in small moments—kindness from a stranger, the way her favorite song still made her close her eyes and smile.
She sighed, examining her face in the mirror and pulling back her hair. She had her mom’s good genes; her olive skin was bright and clear with no sign yet of any real wrinkles. The late nights in bed with Damien had left a hint of blue under her eyes, but even she could see the glow of a new kind of happiness. The short time she’d spent with Damien so far had been life-changing. She’d never been so content, never known she could be so in love.
It wasn’t just the time they spent together, which was incredible—always sexy and fun—but also the way he encouraged her to stretch herself, to dream again her old dreams. With Damien, everything seemed possible. And she knew it was mutual. She was encouraging him on his new path as he learned how to produce records and venture into the world of jazz.
Why shouldn’t people change? Wasn’t Damien showing her it was possible?
