Listen to Your Heart(62)

“I have no idea what that means.”

“It means I’ve found the dress.”

My fingers freeze on the piano. “You have it?”

“I’ll have it next week.”

I stand up from the piano and tell her to keep practicing while I rush out to the hallway. The music room’s beyond loud, and I need to make sure my ears aren’t deceiving me.

“Next week? You’ll have it by next week?”

“With specific instructions to send it directly to me. And let me tell you, it was a pain in the ass. Of course she’d pick a dress that’s one of a kind. Out of desperation, I called Antonio. At first, he was offended that we wanted a dress that couldn’t be found in his store, but when he heard it was for Skye, he became a man obsessed. He was ready to contact the designer, but then he got a call from a bridal shop in London just this morning. They have it. It’ll need a little hemming, but Antonio’s seamstress will take care of that.”

“That’s fantastic! I owe him so big.”

“Antonio mentioned that. He’s really looking forward to sending you his bill.” Suddenly, her voice drops an octave, and her tone is serious. “Everything’s ready, Caleb. The dress was the last thing on the list.”

I lean against the wall. I’m actually feeling a little lightheaded.

“I guess all I have to do now is get her to the church without totally blowing the surprise.”

“About the church . . . I wanted to talk to you about that. I think I might have a better idea.”





The emotional rollercoaster continues for the next few weeks, but at least these emotions are happy ones. Nick and Jill returned home with renewed hope in rebuilding their relationship. All of us, including Eli, realize that their problems are far from resolved, but they both seem committed to working on their issues with a counselor so they can repair what’s broken and be the best parents they can be.

It really gives me hope about the entire institution of marriage, which is good considering I’m now engaged.

Engaged.

Many times throughout the day, I have to stare at my gorgeous ring, just to remind myself that I’m not dreaming. We’ve even set a date.

In three months, I’ll be Mrs. Caleb Lynch.

We had immediately called his parents, and then mine. My dad and mom, while stunned by the news, seemed happy for us and promised to be here for the ceremony. Next, we’d told Lynsey, and her scream still echoes in my ears. Interestingly, she hasn’t mentioned a word about it since, which I find odd. To be honest, my feelings are a little hurt that she hasn’t offered to help me with the planning. I mean, I’m her best friend, and this is what we do. Is it crazy for me to expect her to be at least a little excited about all this?

“You did ask her to be your matron of honor,” Caleb reminds me over lunch the next day. We’re sharing a sandwich at an outdoor café just down the street from his school. “Maybe she’s afraid she can’t handle both jobs.”

“No way. Lynsey lives for chaos, especially when weddings are involved. Trust me. It’s very strange.”

“Hmm.” He muses quietly before tossing his empty sandwich wrapper on his tray and quickly changing the subject. “I know we called your parents, but are you sure I don’t need to meet your dad? Get his blessing? I don’t want to jinx anything.”

If we jinx anything, it won’t be because we didn’t get my father’s blessing.

“Skye?”

Looking up, I find Caleb gazing at me with a worried expression on his face.

“Do you ever get scared, Caleb?”

“Scared of what?”

“Of this. It scares me how much I need you. How much I love you.”

“Why is that scary?”

“Because I don’t want to screw it up.”

Caleb takes my hand in his. “We won’t screw it up.”

“We could. Your parents are awesome, but my family doesn’t have the best track record when it comes to marriage. Look at my brother. He and Jill have been together for more than a decade and they’re still trying to figure it out.”

Caleb squeezes my hand reassuringly. “Why are you still worried about this?”

As thrilled as I am to be wearing his ring, I can’t deny nerves catch up with me from time to time, and my imagination starts to run wild.

“My mom cheated on my dad. I’ve never told anyone that—not even Lynsey. That’s why we don’t talk much, and that’s really why I chose to live with him when I was given the choice. And that’s why I’ve never really believed in soulmates because I know how much my father loved my mother. He still loves her, and that love should’ve been enough, but it wasn’t. Every boyfriend I’ve ever had ended up breaking my heart in some way, and my brother’s marriage fell apart. It’s like the Douglas family is destined to live unhappily ever after, and I don’t think I’d survive it if I screwed this up.”

Caleb tugs my hand until I’m on my feet, guiding me around our little round table and pulling me into his lap. I bury my face against his neck as he holds me close, gently tracing little patterns up and down my spine until my anxiety finally starts to subside.

“Better?” he asks softly.

I nod. How embarrassing. Thank God we’re outside and nobody’s paying attention.