Dear Life(117)

Looking down at me from under his bill, he asks, “And are you, are you all in?”

Matching his bright smile, I nod. “I’m all in, Jace.” My hands reach up to his face, while his wrap around my waist and pull me into his body. “I love you, Jace, with everything in me. I love you.”

“Music to my fucking ears.” Pressing his lips against mine, we kiss. Naturally, the crowd around us cheers, and a few groupies boo, but I’ll take that as a compliment. When he pulls away, he asks, “You know what you just did, right? You just made us the news for the next few weeks.”

Shrugging, I say, “Let them talk.

I go in for another kiss, but Jace stops me, forcing my eyes to his. “I have to know, Hollyn, are you going to stay for the whole game?”

“I’m staying for everything, Jace.” And I mean that . . .everything.

His smile touches me deep in my soul, awakening things I thought I’d lost forever: passion, love, yearning. They are all for this man who has renewed my spirit and helped me find love once again.

“Good.” Searching my eyes, he says, “I love you, Hollyn, so damn much. Looks like our timelines were only a little off.”

“Sometimes we all need a little more time to prove our existence.”

“I guess so, but damn, was it worth it.”

Sweeping me in closer to him again, he takes my lips with his, ignoring the catcalls from his teammates, his coach yelling from the dugout, and the fans around us chanting Jace’s name.

In this moment, it’s just him and me, and the new life we’re about to embark on.

DAISY

“Just the sisters, please,” the photographer says, motioning with her camera.

“That’s us.” Amanda links her arm through mine and moves our bodies in front of the beautiful mountain backdrop behind us.

The entire wedding has been something out of a fairy tale. Amanda looks so beautiful, it’s hard not to stare at her. The look on Matt’s face when he saw her walk down the aisle—priceless. His expression was the epitome of the happiest man on the planet, so genuine, so joyful. It is a moment I’ll never forget. Makes my little romantic heart go pitter-patter.

“Careful, I don’t want to step on your dress,” I say to Amanda who is yanking on me.

“Oh, who cares? Matt has stepped on it at least ten times already. Now get close and smile, this is a treasured moment I want to keep forever.”

With our bouquets in front of us, we pose together, our heads connecting, our arms wrapped around each other’s waists.

When Grams initially moved into the senior community center, I wasn’t sure what was going to happen to me, or how I was going to handle being out in the world by myself, but Amanda came along and has been my guardian angel, guiding me in all the right directions, making sure I had a chance to see the world.

Feeling emotional, I say, “Thank you for everything, Amanda. You don’t know how much being your sister has meant to me.”

“Are you trying to make me cry?”

“No.” I laugh. “I just want you to know you mean a lot to me.”

“You mean a lot to me, too, Daisy. I’m so grateful you’re able to celebrate this day with me.” Her eyes cast to something behind me, her expression changing for a second before she focuses back on me. Pulling me into a hug, she says, “I love you, remember that when you turn around.”

“What?” I ask, confused. But before I can get answers, she spins me around so I’m facing Carter.

Carter!

Carter in a black suit, white dress shirt, and black skinny tie. His clothes are practically painted on his skin. His hair is stylishly combed to the side, a light beard now gracing his jaw. And those dark eyes, eating me alive with their intensity. The feelings I thought I’d recovered from a while ago come flying back full force with one sighting.

Leaning over my shoulder, Amanda speaks into my ear, “Just hear him out.”

“What?” I turn to Amanda to ask more, but it’s too late, Carter is now standing directly in front of me.

“Hey, Snowflake.”

Caught off guard, I don’t know what else to say, so I just blurt something out, “Why are you here? You were uninvited.”

“Amanda re-invited me.”

“No, she didn’t, she wouldn’t do that.” Turning back to Amanda, who is trying to listen in, I say, “You wouldn’t do that, would you?”

“I kind of did.” Guilt is written all over her face.

“Why? Why—”

“Daisy, can we go somewhere else to talk?”

Facing Carter, I shake my head. “No, we can’t go somewhere to talk. Why on earth would I want to talk to you?”

“Yes, she can talk,” Amanda cuts in. “She’s all done with pictures.”

“Amanda.”

“Don’t Amanda me. This is my wedding day. If I tell you to go talk with Carter so he can tell you he was an idiot, then go talk to him. Don’t make me tell you twice.”

The bride has spoken. Looks like I have no other choice than to listen to Carter.

“Fine.” Lifting up my dress so it doesn’t drag on the earthy terrain, I start walking toward the venue when Carter gently pulls on my arm.

“This way, actually. I have something to say to you and show you.”