Page 232 of Second Sets Omnibus
“You look beautiful,” I breathe, marveling at her in awe as she rolls her eyes.
“So, this is your idea?” she asks, pointing to the fairy lights sparkling along the pergola extending over the concrete patio.
My cheeks heat. “I…yeah. I wanted to have some time with you,” I murmur with uncertainty. “Alone time, away from the other guys.”
“And the dress and tux?” I shiver when her eyes trail up and down my body, taking in the dark suit with a red bowtie to match.
“All Jordy’s idea,” I mumble, blushing more under her scrutiny. “Um, I’ve got a table set up over here,” I say, stumbling over my words. “Oh, and I got this for you.” Without stumbling, I hand her the single red rose with my heart in my throat. That beautiful smile crosses her lips when she brings it to her nose and inhales.
“It’s beautiful,” she murmurs with a twinkle in her eyes, looking me over again. Taking her hand, I lead her toward the table and stop before it. “Kieran,” she whispers, running a finger over the white tablecloth, only stopping at the dozen roses acting as the centerpiece. “Your doing?” she asks, leaning in to smell the rest of the flowers from the two-dozen-piece bouquet.
When Jordy said he’d lend a hand and get me everything I needed, he didn’t skimp a dime.
“Yes. That I take credit for,” I say confidently this time, erasing every ounce of nerves shaking my body. “They’re for you,” I murmur, taking another rose and placing it in her hands, careful so the thorns don’t puncture her skin. “You’re so strong, River Blue. You always have been. With everything life has handed you, you’ve always come out on the other side stronger. So, here’s a flower as beautiful and as fierce as you. You’re a damn rock.” My eyes mist over when she shudders, staring down at the flower with an unreadable expression. I’d like to think she’s taking my words to heart. Because every ounce of what I’ve said is true. She’s the only person I’ve ever known who walks through life with her head held high, even when shit hits the fan.
“Well, it’s beautiful,” she murmurs, staring intently at the flowers. “Thank you, Knight.” My heart catches in my throat at the name she used to call me under the stars at our old apartment building.
“Here,” I say, stumbling around her chair and pulling it out. “Please sit. I have dinner ready for us. And some bubbly wine.” I grin when she arches her brow but sits in the chair.
We’re not the only people who have changed since we left this place. Before, River was the skinny girl in short shorts, tight shirts, and beat-up sneakers. Now, she’s an elegant lady wrapped in satin, creating her brand in the music business world.
I’m honestly surprised I never knew what she had been up to. Perhaps I was so blinded by the need to collapse into music and forget about what happened that I didn’t even try.
River has been in front of me the entire time, and I’m only now seeing her.
I swallow hard when I pour her a tall glass of wine, not stopping until it’s at the brim.
“Trying to get me drunk?” she asks, leaning in to take a sip. Her eyes follow me as I bring over a deep aluminum tray filled with the best foods in town.
“Will it work?” I quip, setting the tray between our two plates, grinning when she snorts.
“Maybe.” A crooked grin greets me when she takes a large swig, humming under her breath. Once she sets the half-empty glass down, she stares at the covered food tray with big eyes. “What’s that?”
A deep chuckle vibrates through my chest as I sit opposite her and pour my glass of bubbly pink wine. “Do you remember that barbecue you came to?”
“You mean that awful one you kidnapped me to?”
“We did not kidnap you,” I laugh, shaking my head. “We said there’d be food, and you practically climbed me!” I chuckle when her face falls.
“You literally met me at school, put me over your shoulder, and manhandled me into the back of your vehicle. Say it with me, Knight. Kidnapping. You assfaces wouldn’t take no for an answer. I had no choice in the matter.”
I grin at her. “I like that,” I whisper, reaching over and brushing my fingers against hers.
“Like what?” she murmurs, staring at my fingers rubbing over hers.
“How you still call me Knight…” I trail off, clutching her hand. “Thanks for giving me a chance again, River Blue. I know I have a lot to make up for, and one dinner isn’t going to cut it. I just—” I suck in a breath when she squeezes my fingers in understanding.
“But you’re trying,” she says, nodding. “It won’t be easy. You know? You were the world’s biggest brat a few weeks ago.”
I cringe. “Sorry. God. That was the fucking anger talking. I’ve bottled it up for so damn long and put it into my music that I…I went off the rails. I’m sorry I ruined our first meeting. But I’m more sorry that I walked away in the first place. I should have known Asher was full of shit.” I shake my head, running my free hand down my face. “I was the biggest, most gullible dumbass ever, River Blue. Will you ever find it in your heart to forgive me?” My eyes fall to the table when she squeezes my hand again.
“Maybe. But first, you have to show me what’s under the lid. It smells familiar…and delicious,” she murmurs, pulling me from the morbid thoughts of no forgiveness overtaking me.
I was wracking my brain for days on how I could show my River Blue how much I cherished her, especially within the confines of this house. I couldn’t take her out without risking her safety. And I’d never fucking do that.
Then it hit me as I laid in bed, staring up at the ceiling. The moment I fell in love with her the second time. Our neighborhood barbecue. The time we forced her to come with us and endure our families, all in the name of unity.
It was the way she didn’t give a fuck half the people there were looking at her like she had grown a second head. She ate, laughed, and was fucking merry, surrounded by us. That moment in our history will forever live in the back of my mind as the moment River Blue became the one. With everything that’s happened in the past few days, I wanted to give her the comfort of something she loved. I wanted to relive that moment with her. Just the two of us.
