Save the Date, page 27
“Do you love this woman?” he finally asks me.
“I believe I could,” I say honestly. “I care about her.” A lot.
“Then go to her. Grovel. Tell her you made a mistake. Women love it when you admit that you’re wrong. We don’t do it that often.” He smiles, and so do I.
“Thanks for the advice,” I say, hesitating before I add, “And I’m sorry for what I said yesterday too.”
“No, you were right. I am controlling.” He sighs. “I can admit it. It’s something I need to work on.”
“I need to work on convincing Caroline that we belong together,” I say, rising to my feet. “I should go. Let you get back to work.”
“Thank you, Alex.”
I’m grabbing the door handle when my father calls my name one more time. When I turn to look at him, he’s smiling at me. “I love you, son.”
I smile back. “I love you, too.”
Thirty-Eight
Caroline
It’s been five days since my…argument with Alex. Can I even call it an argument? It was more like a calm discussion. With me quietly losing my shit and leaving him with my Chanel bag and earrings.
Is it wrong that I miss my Chanel bag? Yeah, it probably is.
But is it also wrong that I miss Alex? I do. I miss him so much. How can you miss someone who was a part of your life for such a short time? I didn’t realize he made such an impact on me.
He did, though. If we would’ve lasted, I bet we could’ve fallen in love. Maybe even get engaged for real. Got married. Honeymooned in Hawaii like I said. Made a lot of babies—
Ugh, ugh, no. I need to get those thoughts out of my head. They lead me down a sad path I don’t want to venture on.
It’s Saturday and I’m at Noteworthy. It’s busy. The spring tourist season is going full force and there have been lots of families on spring break coming into the store. The majority of our business may be in save the date cards and wedding invitations for the locals, but the tourists buy all the cutesy knickknacks Iris always keeps in stock.
Speaking of Iris… “Caroline? May I have a word?”
“Sure.” I follow my boss back to her office and she sits behind her desk, studying her planner. “What’s up?”
“I have a conflicting appointment this afternoon, and I need your help.” She taps her pen on the edge of her planner, pressing her lips together. “I’m not sure how this happened, but I’ll need you to leave Noteworthy and head to the Wilder Hotel in Pebble Beach to meet with a couple.”
Dread slithers down my spine like icy cold fingers. “The Wilder Hotel?” I ask weakly. I do not want to go there.
At. All.
Iris glances up at me. “I know I don’t usually ask you to handle the appointments out of the store.”
“We usually don’t allow appointments out of the store,” I remind her. If we opened up to that, we’d be meeting couples all over the place. We’d have to hire more employees, and it would turn into a logistical nightmare.
“You’re right.” She rests her forearms on the edge of her desk and clasping her hands together. “For this couple, I made an exception. I know them. Personally.”
“Oh?” I sit in the chair on the other side of her desk. “Who are they?”
“Sandie and Fred Velasquez. They’re friends of mine who recently reconnected after knowing each other years ago, and they’re getting married.” Iris smiles. “They’re from the area originally, but they live in Sacramento now. They came for the day to meet with their wedding planner and check out some locations to have their ceremony and reception. Their last meeting is at Wilder, and I promised I would send someone over with our online catalog to look at some options.”
Old friends who recently reconnected and fell in love. Sounds familiar. “What time do I need to meet with them?” I don’t want to do this, but they’re Iris’s friends. And I already love their love story, so how can I say no?
“Five-thirty. You should probably leave around five. So say in…ninety minutes?” Iris suggests after checking her desktop for the time.
“Will do.” I nod as I stand. Pausing, I contemplate her. “Since when did we get an online catalog?”
“I didn’t tell you about it?” When I shake my head as my answer, she makes a face. “I’ve been so forgetful lately. Probably because I’ve had so much on my plate. Cassie’s boyfriend is a coding genius. He’s been working on our website, and one of the options he suggested was having an online catalog. It’s not quite live yet for the public, but I can send you the link and you can use to show Fred and Sandie.”
“Can you send the link to me now? So I can familiarize myself with it?” I ask.
“Absolutely. Good idea.” The look Iris gives me is warm. “Thank you for helping with this last-minute meeting. You don’t have to come back to the store when you’re finished.”
“Wasn’t planning on it,” I say with a little bit of sass as I get up from my chair and leave her office.
“You act like your boss loves you or something,” she calls after me as I walk away.
“Love you too!”
I go to the front of the store, my phone buzzing. I pull it out of my dress pocket—don’t you love a dress that comes with pockets?—to find it’s the catalog link from Iris. Opening it up, I see that it’s set up in magazine form, and you can flip the pages with the swipe of a finger.
All of our most popular products are there, including some new ones I haven’t seen before. Excitement bubbles up inside me, and by the time I’m finished looking at the catalog, I’m glad I get to show this off to our new clients. And fine, if I have to go to the Wilder Hotel on Pebble Beach, at least the drive is nice. The view is excellent. And the hotel is gorgeous.
It’s a Saturday, so I doubt I’d run into Alex…
My phone buzzes again, and it’s a text from Stella. You holding up okay?
Smiling, I type out my response. Better than okay. Iris is doing new things with the business that are so exciting! I’ll share them with you later.
She replies quickly. That’s awesome! I’m glad you have your job to distract you
Work has definitely been the distraction I needed since my last conversation with Alex. My friends have been there for me too. Stella and I have had Netflix movie marathons and lots of ice cream every night. That she’s willing to consume so many calories for me while I’m down and out says a lot.
We all went out Thursday night to a bar that hosts Thirsty Thursday and got drinks for half price until nine. Kelsey came too, which was fun. Her being there helped me not talk about Alex the entire time. But her being there also reminded me of Alex, and I got a little tipsy because of it.
Half price drinks will do it too, especially when your friends keep buying you drinks so you can drown your sorrows.
I didn’t get stumbling drunk because that just reminded me of Manon. I saw on that same website that broke the story about me and Alex that she’s in rehab. Good. I guess she needs the help. Does that make me feel sympathetic, though, after what she did to us?
Nope, not at all.
I take care of an appointment at three, which took a little longer than normal. The bride-to-be was extremely indecisive and she went back and forth between three options. I could tell her fiancé was exasperated, but he was so patient with her, it reaffirmed my feelings of true love.
It’s real. And just because I didn’t get a chance to experience it this time around, my true love is waiting for me. Somewhere.
By the time it’s almost five, I’m gathering up my stuff, including my work iPad, where I already have the online catalog open in a browser window. I shove all my things into my tote bag and head outside to find Stella’s car parked out front. I texted her when I realized I needed a car to get to the hotel, and she said she’d leave it parked outside for me. She left the keys with Cassie when she saw I was in a meeting, and told Cassie the car had a full tank.
I really, really love my friends.
I drive out to Pebble Beach, stressed because traffic is exceptionally heavy. I should’ve known better and left a little earlier. It’s a Saturday, the weather is glorious and everyone wants to go to the ocean.
Hopefully I’m not late.
By the time I pull into the front of the Wilder Hotel, I don’t even bother trying to find a parking spot. I’m going to get valet parking instead. It’ll save me time, and it’s literally four-fifty-nine, so I’m basically late.
The valet guy gives me a ticket and I give him my keys, then dash into the hotel. I’ve been here before, of course. Even before I realized my Alex was the Alex Wilder. Wedding receptions are held here pretty much every weekend, and I’ve attended a few. My senior prom was here. I know my way around the convention area and where the ballrooms are. Iris texted me with the details and we’re meeting in Ballroom Two, so I make my way there, practically tripping over my heels as I walk and run, walk and run. I must look like an idiot.
I sort of don’t care.
By the time I’m standing in front of the double doors of Ballroom Two, I pause, trying to control my accelerated breathing. I wish I brought my water bottle, but I left it in the car. My face feels sweaty, but hopefully it gives me that dewy look everyone’s trying to achieve. I run a hand over my hair, straighten the skirt of my pale pink dress, rest my hand on the handle for a brief moment before I turn it and open the door.
I stop short, my mouth hanging open when I see what’s inside.
Pink and gold balloons. Everywhere. They’re covering the floor, they’re hanging from the ceiling, tied with long, curled shimmery gold ribbon. A huff of laughter escapes and I cover my mouth, wondering if I’m in the wrong place.
I see a card hanging from one of the balloons in the center of the room. Slowly I approach it, kicking balloons out of my way as I walk across the floor. The heavy white card stock has my name written on it in block letters.
Turning the card over, I read the back. Look to your right.
Glancing over, I see a giant poster, each top corner attached to ribbon from the balloons. I make my way over to it, wading through all the balloons covering the floor, and a gasp escapes me when I see it up close. I recognize that poster—it’s one of my favorite save the date card options we offer.
It has a heart in the center, and our initials inside.
CA
+
AW
A sigh escapes as a wave of emotion spills over me. Caroline Abbott + Alexander Wilder.
Above the heart in rose gold script it says, Save the date, and just below the heart is…today’s date?
Um, I don’t get it.
A noise sounds from behind me, like someone kicked a bunch of balloons, and I glance over my shoulder to see Alex approaching me. Cautiously. His expression full of hope.
He stops where he’s at when our gazes meet, the balloons clinging to his legs. He’s wearing jeans and a black T-shirt, the most casual I’ve ever seen Alex look in the daytime, and my heart aches with the need to run to him.
But I don’t move. It’s like I can’t.
More than anything, I need to hear what he has to say.
“Caroline.” He clears his throat and I close my eyes for a second, savoring the sound of my name in his deep voice. “I was wrong.”
When he says nothing else, like he’s stuck, I ask, “About what?”
“About everything. Manon figured out Tiffany and I were engaged on her own, and she leaked the information to the tabloids because she was afraid you’d tell the world that she’s a drunk,” he explains.
I frown. “That’s ridiculous. Who would I tell?”
“I don’t know.” He shrugs. “She’s not making much sense right now. She’s also in rehab.”
“I saw.”
“But she doesn’t matter.” He waves a hand, dismissing her. “You’re the one who matters to me. More than anyone else. I know we haven’t been together very long, and I messed it all up by not believing you. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, Caroline. If I could take back what I said to you that day, I would. But I can’t. It’s out there, I hurt you and I—I’ve fucked everything up.”
Tears spring to my eyes at the agony in his voice, the pain on his face. It’s good to see that he’s so torn up over it. Yes, that might sound petty, but he hurt me so badly by not believing in me. By not taking my side.
I’m going to forgive him for it, though. I’m just going to make him grovel a little bit more first.
“I don’t want to lose you, but if I already have, I understand why. I was a complete ass, and there’s no excuse for my behavior—”
I interrupt him. “You were worried about your deal with the Descheauxs. I understand why you were so upset.”
“Doesn’t excuse the fact that I didn’t believe you,” he says.
Realization hits me. “Alex, you don’t really know me that well. I can…see why you didn’t believe me. And you didn’t call me a liar.”
I called myself a liar. I took offense to what he was saying, when he was just trying to figure out what happened. He may have showed his distrust in me, but I also might’ve overreacted. Maybe we’re both wrong in this situation.
“I never thought you were lying to me. More like I wasn’t sure if you said something and didn’t even realize it, you know? I didn’t get how she figured out what we did so quickly.” He shakes his head. “Maybe we shouldn’t have started out our relationship with lies.”
I crack a smile. “It probably wasn’t the smartest idea.”
He’s smiling too. “That’s why I did this. I wanted to celebrate today.”
My smile fades, replaced by confusion. “Why exactly are we celebrating today? And how did you manage this? I thought I was meeting up with a couple to go over their save the date cards.”
“I called your boss and explained everything. Iris came up with the plan to get you here. And she helped me order this save the date poster, plus all the balloons. The poster cost a fortune, by the way,” he teases as he heads toward me.
“I’m not surprised,” I murmur, sucking in a breath when he stops directly in front of me. He’s so tall. And good. He’s a good man. “But why today?”
“We’re starting over. I’m going to do this right this time.” He grabs both of my hands in his and gives them a squeeze. “Hi. I’m Alex.”
A giggle escapes me. “Hey. I’m Caroline.”
“I recognize you.” He squints at me. Tilts his head to the side. “You’re the girl who gave me my first kiss.”
Heat spreads across my cheeks. We’re being silly, but it’s also really sweet. “You were my first kiss too.”
“I think about you all the time,” he admits, his voice soft. “You’re all that I want, Caroline. And I desperately want another chance with you.”
I press my lips together so I don’t burst into tears, and all I can manage is a nod as my answer.
He pulls me into his arms and holds me close, his hands sprawled across my back, his mouth at my forehead. He feels so good, so right. “This is going to be the start of something good, Caroline,” he murmurs against my temple. “I can feel it.”
When he pulls away slightly to lift my face up to his and brushes his lips against mine, I know…
I can feel it too.
Epilogue
One Year Later
* * *
“It feels so weird, sitting on the other side of the table,” I tell Cassie as she’s tapping away on her iPad.
“This is good training for me,” she says, all of her attention on the iPad’s screen. “So let’s try and be serious.”
Dang it, and all I wanted to do was give Cassie a hard time during the entire order process. Act like one of those horrific bridezillas I’ve dealt with in the past.
Actually, I still deal with them, but not as much as I used to. I have Cassie to thank for that. She wanted to work more hours, and Iris and I have been training her to be my assistant in the wedding department for the past month. Iris plans on semi-retiring in two years, and will reduce the amount of time she’ll come into Noteworthy. Which means I’ve taken on the position of store manager, and a year before she retires, I’ll start buying into the store.
Meaning it will become mine one day.
Yes, yes I know I complained about it before—the mere idea of possibly owning Noteworthy overwhelmed me to the point that I didn’t want to think about it. My friends changed my mind, though. They tell me all the time that I can do whatever I set my mind to, and finally, I started to believe them.
“So we’re just ordering the save the date cards today?” Cassie asks as she pulls out the paper order form. We can’t get rid of it. I mean, we do mostly sell paper at Noteworthy.
“Yes,” I say with a nod, glancing over at Alex, who’s sitting in the chair next to me.
He smiles and leans over, giving me a quick kiss, like he can’t stand to not touch me. Which is sort of the truth. We’re actually pretty annoying, if that sort of thing bothers you.
“You two are so obnoxious,” Cassie mutters with a shake of her head, but all I can do is grin. She broke up with her code genius boyfriend a few months ago and she’s all down on love and relationships. And I’m not smiling because of her feeling like that, more like I know what it’s like to feel that way.
Been there, done that. Found the right man and the rest is history.
“Which ones do you want?” Alex asks me.
Cassie taps a few times on the iPad before she turns it so it’s facing us. “She wants that one, I think.”
The save the date card is the same one that Alex used as our poster. My all-time favorite card. “That’s it,” I tell her.
“You would pick that one,” Alex says, a teasing glint in his eyes.
“Of course I would.” I run my left hand over his thigh, admiring my engagement ring yet again. He gave it to me a few weeks ago, out on the back deck at his house, right when the sun was setting. He got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife, and I cried and cried like a baby, overwhelmed with love.
