Listen to Your Heart(52)

A flash of white catches my eye, and that’s when I notice the bride, sobbing uncontrollably into a tissue. Behind her is a wide-eyed Lynsey, who shoots a pointed look at Skye.

Canon in D starts to play, and Skye tells everyone to start walking. She then straightens her shoulders and takes a deep breath before making her way over to the bawling bride.

“What’s wrong, Melissa?”

“I . . . can’t . . . do this. My parents divorced when I was eight. Rick’s parents split when he was in high school. We’re doomed, Skye.”

Thankfully, no one else seems to notice the bride’s nervous breakdown.

“Melissa,” Skye says calmly, “you are not your parents.”

“I know, but—”

“There are no guarantees in this life. You are in love with a man who is standing at the altar, waiting just for you. I know for a fact he can’t wait to see you because he sent me a text, begging me to send him a picture.”

The bride gasps. “You didn’t, did you?”

“Of course not. But that’s how excited he is. The two of you love each other so much. You’re going to have many wonderful years together.”

Her tears turn to sniffles. “I do love him.”

“And he loves you.” Skye offers her a fresh tissue. Lynsey suddenly reappears and quickly reapplies the bride’s makeup. Once she’s finished, Skye takes the veil and places it over the woman’s face.

“Are you ready?” Skye asks gently.

“I’m ready. Thank you, Skye.”

A tall, dark-haired man appears, and I can only assume it’s the bride’s father. With a bright smile on her face, she links her arm through his just as the music changes to Here Comes the Bride. Skye and Lynsey exchange relieved looks before heading to the back of the sanctuary. I follow behind and watch from the shadows as the ceremony begins. I don’t really pay attention to the actual wedding. I’m too fixated on Skye’s every move. She watches intently as the bride and groom promise to love each other forever, and when the minister pronounces them husband and wife, I see Skye wipe a tear from her eye.

“Stalker.”

I jump and glance over my shoulder. Lynsey’s smiling at me.

“Shouldn’t you be working?”

“The ceremony is Skye’s area of expertise. I’m only needed if the bride needs some hairspray or a bridesmaid chips a fingernail.”

“Or if the bride has a crying fit.”

“Saw that, did ya? It never fails. They always get nervous. It’s overwhelming . . . that big poufy dress and all these eyes on you. Plus, you’re promising this guy that you’re going to love him until the day you die. It’s a lot of pressure.”

We watch as the wedding party heads out of the sanctuary.

“Lynsey, I have to tell you something. You were right about Luisa. She was faking the memory loss.”

“I knew it!”

A few heads turn our way.

“A little louder. I don’t think the pastor heard you.”

“I told Skye she was faking! I knew it.”

“She wasn’t faking the whole time. Her condition has actually worsened over the past few days, but yeah . . . she remembers us telling her that the wedding was a sham. It’s over, Lynsey. For good.”

“I’ve heard that before.”

“Yeah, well, trust me. The only ceremony you’re going to be planning is my wedding to Skye.”

Lynsey searches my face. Then her blue eyes widen with excitement.

“Seriously?”

“I’m very serious. I was reminded today that life is too short. I love Skye. She loves me. She’s already picked out everything, anyway. I want to marry her, and I want that dress.”

“That dress? The one she was wearing—”

“That day in the bridal shop. Yes. I want it. Can you get it?”

Lynsey narrows her eyes. Clearly, I’ve offended her, doubting her abilities. She’s glaring at me like I just spit on the flag.

“Get the dress. Plan the wedding. Don’t breathe a word of this to Skye. Let me know when it’s ready.”

“I can do that, but . . . Caleb?”

“Yeah?”

“Don’t you need to, I don’t know, propose first?”

Propose. Right.

“Not that I’m complaining, but what’s the rush?”

“Luisa Martinez is days away from leaving this world behind, but she is surrounded by love, just as she should be. Life is fleeting, but love is forever. I’m in love with the woman of my dreams, and by some miracle she loves me, too. I’ve made her wait long enough. I shouldn’t have made her wait at all. Who knows how many breaths we have left to take? We should cherish every single one of them. And when someone takes your breath away, you shouldn’t spend one second without them if you don’t have to. And I don’t have to anymore.”

Lynsey bursts into tears just as Skye rounds the corner.

“What the—” She glances between me and her best friend. “What’s happened? What’s wrong?”

I reach for her hand and pull her close. Lynsey babbles something about loving weddings before making a hasty exit.

“She never cries at weddings,” Skye says with a smile as she melts against me. “This is a nice surprise.”