Page 68 of Falling for You
EPILOGUE
Three weeks later
The bride looked lovelyin her ivory tulle gown—which zipped up without issue, all her worries and snacking be damned. Rumor had it the dress was flown in from New York, but she wasn’t giving away details. The groom cried while she walked down the aisle, but he wasn’t the only one. The wedding march barely drowned out the sounds of Buckeye Falls’ happy tears.
“Ginny looks gorgeous,” Natalie mused from her place in line with the other attendants. Ginny’s father, Harold, served as best man, with Evan standing behind him as a groomsman. Natalie had wanted to be matron of honor, but Harold’s girlfriend, Mona, had taken that honor. Natalie was making the most of it, despite teasing Ginny for weeks that they’d been friends since high school. She smoothed the skirt of her pink silk dress and dabbed at the corner of her eye. Mascara wasn’t allowed to run today.
“Ginny always looks gorgeous,” CeCe replied, who didn’t wear her formal wear with the same grace as Natalie. She tugged at the halter top of her dress, snagging Evan’s eye as she adjusted the fabric. For all of CeCe’s rumblings over dressing up, Evan looked like he was made for that tuxedo; a grin big enough to rival Max’s smattered across his face. There was a time in the not-so-distant past that CeCe didn’t see herself standing up here on Max’s big day. She’d protected herself from so many of her favorite people because of one bad relationship. But those days were thankfully over.
The truth was, CeCe hadn’t been this happy in, well—ever. Since the competition, she and Evan were practically inseparable. Their time outside the diner was spent in pillow forts, cooking in each other’s kitchens, and laughing with their friends. It was effortless; it felt right; it felt real.
The best part of their reconciliation was their communication. CeCe made it a point to share her thoughts with Evan about everything, and he did the same. Sure, they still were human and something would inevitably come up, but they were both playing on a level field this time around. No more secrets. No more games.
CeCe found another way to spend her time outside the diner. She started seeing a therapist who was helping her work through her unresolved issues with Eric. Even after she and Evan talked it out, she realized there were more demons that needed to be addressed. It was the best decision she’d made all year.
Evan had found his own ways to improve, although CeCe didn’t think he needed too much work. He found two more clients after the boutique’s website was a success. Steadily, he was making his way on his own terms, and it was exactly what he needed. He’d also made headway with his parents, standing firm with his father on his career plans. If he wanted to cook at the diner and work freelance, that was good enough for him. Evan no longer needed their approval.
Interrupted from her musings, CeCe jumped when applause erupted as the happy couple kissed. Natalie sniffed a little and CeCe had to elbow her in the side. “Your mascara will run if you keep this up.”
Natalie rolled her wet eyes. “Please, that stuff costs more than most people’s daily salaries. I should be able to run through Niagara Falls without it running.” Dabbing one more time at her eyes, Natalie sighed contentedly. “I’m not usually so emotional at weddings. I thought I’d be able to keep it together, but they’re just so happy.”
Glancing out into the crowd, CeCe saw Anthony staring at his wife with a surprisingly sweet expression. He was clad in a tailored suit and seemed reasonably happy to be in attendance. While he didn’t share his wife’s watery attitude, he did clap when the bride and groom walked past. CeCe thought that was a start.
As Max and Ginny made their exit, Evan tugged on CeCe’s hand. “Shouldn’t we get to the reception and make sure the caterers are set up?”
CeCe smiled and shook her head. “Already taken care of. I called them when I was helping Ginny with her dress. Nat swears they’re the best, but I felt better checking.”
Evan chuckled and pulled her hand to his lips, kissing the inside of her palm. “You always think of everything. It’s one of the things I love about you.”
CeCe stood on tiptoe and whispered in Evan’s ear, “What else do you love about me?”
Before Evan could answer, Madeline joined them. The little girl was clad in her puffy flower girl dress, her chubby hands clutching the basket with the focus of a woman on a mission. “Why are you kissing?” she demanded, her big eyes roaming between them.
Evan laughed, leaning closer to the little girl. “Because we’re in love and that’s what people in love do.”
Madeline frowned, looking over to her parents, who were ushering Otis back into his tiny suit jacket. “But Mommy and Daddy don’t kiss.”
“Of course they do. They just don’t want you to see.”
“Why?” the girl asked, clearly intrigued by the potential for mystery in her parents’ lives.
“Because kissing is for grown-ups.” Evan offered, and CeCe could tell he was biting back a smile of his own.
Madeline pondered this another moment before reaching into her basket and handing Evan and CeCe each a flower petal. “Mommy said I needed to put these on the floor, but I wanted to share them.” She lowered her voice and stage-whispered, “Don’t tell.” Scurrying away, she disappeared into the crowd where Mona scooped her up.
