Listen to Your Heart(57)

I nod. “How are you? Really?”

He sighs softly. “I don’t know. My parents live so far away that Rafe and Luisa have really become my family. I’ve never lost anyone this close to me. This is . . . hard. Much harder than I anticipated.”

“Do you want to go to the house? I’m sure Juliana could use the support.”

“Deacon’s there. He’s taking good care of her. She promised to call if she needs me. Right now they’re calling family. Making arrangements. Luisa already had her funeral planned, as morbid as that sounds.”

“Not morbid at all. That definitely lifts a burden off her family.” I look up into his sad blue eyes. “What do you need? What can I do?”

“You’re doing it. Just being here. You’re all I need.”

We spend the rest of the morning snuggled on the couch, watching old movies and talking about nothing in particular. Every once in a while, Caleb shares a memory of Luisa, and he’ll laugh and cry and laugh some more. By the time Eli comes out of his room, Caleb’s mood is much more relaxed. Still, Eli can tell something’s wrong. I order takeout for lunch, and while we eat, Caleb tells Eli that someone very close to him passed away.

Death can be a tricky subject with kids, but my nephew walks right over to his guitar teacher and gives him a hug.

“That sucks. I’m really sorry, Caleb.”

“Thanks, buddy.”

My two favorite guys in the world spend the rest of the afternoon playing guitar. At first, I worry that maybe Caleb would prefer some privacy as he deals with his grief, but as I watch them together, it’s obvious the impromptu jam session is exactly what he needs.

After dinner, Eli goes back to his room while I catch up on some work emails. It’s late when Caleb gets a call from Juliana regarding the funeral arrangements. He shares them with me as we climb into bed.

“The service is Wednesday. She asked me to play my guitar.”

“That’ll be so special, Caleb.”

“And hard. What if I can’t do it?”

“You can. And I’ll be right there, if you want me to be.”

“I’d love for you to be there. Thank you.”

I make a mental note to clear my schedule for Wednesday.

Caleb slides his arms around me and holds me close. “I should warn you. My parents will be at the service.”

Holy crap.

“Really?”

“Yeah. I know it’s soon, and I don’t want you to be uncomfortable, so if you aren’t ready, I totally understand. Funerals are hard enough without the added pressure of meeting the parents for the first time.”

Insecurity floods me. Sure, it’s soon, but nothing about our relationship has been normal. Do I want to meet his parents? Does he want me to meet them?

“What are you thinking?” he asks, stifling a yawn.

“I don’t know. I mean, do you want me to meet them?”

“Meet my parents? Of course I do.”

“You sounded a little . . . unsure.”

“I did?”

“Maybe?” Through the fog of my insecure brain, he sounded a little unsure.

“Skye, look at me.”

I lift my eyes to his.

“I would love to introduce you to my parents. The sooner, the better.”

“Will they like me?”

“They’ll love you.”

“I was your wedding planner. Won’t your mom be . . . I don’t know. Pissed?”

He chuckles. “Not a bit. My parents knew it was a farce from the very beginning. Mom tried to talk me out of it so many times. They understood our intentions were good, but they never agreed with it. Trust me. They can’t wait to meet you. They were nothing but relieved when I told them the wedding was off.”

“Lynsey always wondered why the mother of the groom wasn’t more involved.”

Caleb laughs lightly and closes his eyes. I rest my head on his chest and listen to his heartbeat as he starts to doze. Poor guy. It’s been a rollercoaster of a weekend, and this next week will be emotional for all of us.

“The mother of the groom will be very involved next time,” he whispers in the darkness.

I barely hear him, but I do, and his sweet words make my heart beat just a little faster before I finally drift off to sleep.





On Wednesday, I drop Eli off at school before heading back to the apartment to change for the service. It’s been years since I’ve attended a funeral, but I find a modest black dress in the back of my closet.

Caleb’s unusually quiet as he gets ready, but it doesn’t worry me. Someone he loved just died, and he’s honoring her today by playing guitar at her funeral. It’s perfectly natural for him to need some space to collect his emotions, and I’m happy to give it to him.

Caleb helps me with my pearls, and I help him with his tie. We smile softly at each other in my bedroom mirror before heading out.

When we arrive at the church, I’m not surprised to find the place packed with mourners. Juliana’s dad and the minister stand at the closed casket that’s surrounded by family photographs and gorgeous flower arrangements. Caleb places his guitar behind the pulpit, and we offer our condolences to Rafe before heading to the first row of pews reserved for family. For a moment, I wonder if I should offer to sit elsewhere, but as soon as Juliana sees me, she springs from her chair to hug me, and I know I’m right where I belong.