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Charly looks at Nana. “Is it all right with you if I move into the inn with Bryce? You know I’ll help with whatever I can, and—”
“Are you kidding me?” Nana cups Charly’s face. “You didn’t even have to ask, my dear. Sunnyside is your home. Always.”
Always.
I lock eyes with Charly, and something warm blooms in my chest, spreading out to the rest of my body.
I know I can’t see what the future holds, so there’s no point in worrying about it.
I can’t undo the mistakes I’ve made in my past, so I need to learn from them and move forward.
The only thing I have control over is what I do in the present. And I plan to spend every moment living my life to the fullest with Charly.
For her.
For her mother.
And for myself.
We all deserve love.
We just need to believe in it.
Charly
My heart flutters in my chest when I hear the music change.
“That’s our cue.” Santiago holds out his elbow. “You ready, mija?”
My hands tremble.
My pulse races.
My stomach clenches.
My chest rises and falls with rapid breaths.
But I’m not nervous.
This feeling? It’s excitement. Anticipation. It’s every cell in my body knowing with complete certainty that I’m about to walk down the aisle toward the love of my life, and promise my life to him.
I nod. “I’m so ready.”
“I’m honored to be giving you away.” Tears glisten in his eyes. “I know you wish your mother could be here, and I do too. But she is here in spirit. She’s in your blood. She’s the sun shining down on you today.”
I tip my face up toward the sky, the sun warming my skin like a gentle caress from my mother’s hand. She is here. It might not be in the way I want, but she’s not missing this.
Santiago and I turn the corner of the inn, and step into the backyard. I know Freddie, Gianna, and my friends from the diner are standing on the left. I know Bryce’s friends from his spinal cord injury group are on the right. I know Jenny is standing just outside the gazebo, looking radiant in the pale-yellow chiffon dress she picked out. I know Anthony, Bentley, and Watson are standing on the opposite side. And I know Edward is wiggling like a worm because he’s spotted me.
I know everyone we love is here, but I don’t see them. My eyes are drawn to one person. And when he sets those sable eyes on me, my welling tears fall.
Bryce wanted to tie his hair back, but I made him promise he’d leave it down. I want him to look exactly like the man I fell in love with five years ago, the sexy reclusive lumberjack I was forced to spend the summer with—the summer that turned into forever.
When we reach the gazebo, Santiago leads me up the ramp so I can stand beside Bryce in his wheelchair. He puts my hand in Bryce’s, and clutches them together. “Take care of each other.” Then he takes his seat with the rest of the guests.
“You look ...” Bryce’s throat bobs as he swallows. “So beautiful.”
I swipe a tear from his cheek with my thumb. “My mom had good taste.”
