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After photos, I find my niece and Hunter to tell them that I’m leaving.
“Uncle Lucian, are you okay? You’re pale.”
“I’m fine, Rory. Don’t worry about me. I wouldn’t miss your wedding for anything. I just need to go home and get some sleep.”
I kiss her and shake Hunter’s hand, then wave to everyone as I exit the restaurant. I catch Olivia’s expression as I walk out, her face looking as sad as I feel. It’s still pouring when I head down the street, but I let the rain soak me to the skin before I hail a cab.
Back at the loft, I’m half asleep when I hear Noah and Vivian enter. Noah knocks on my bedroom door, and I call out to him. He enters and sits on the corner of the bed.
“Want to talk about it?”
“No, I really don’t.”
“Please try to rise above your gloom and doom tomorrow,” he says with a straight face. “Remember that this is Rory and Hunter’s day. Smile, be cordial and just deal with it. After dessert, you can leave and do whatever you want.”
“I plan on it.”
“See that you do. This wedding is Rory’s dream come true, and I don’t want her looking back and remembering how her uncle was unhappy.”
He closes my door when he leaves, and I put my head back down on my pillow. Tonight, when I once again dream about Cassie, it’s not from memory. We’re at Rory’s wedding, and I’m dancing with her.
“I forgot how good a dancer you were,” she compliments. “Where did you learn to dance like this?”
“Don’t you remember? We took dance lessons before our wedding.”
“I don’t. It’s been such a long time since we danced together. I forget your scent.” Cassie presses her face against my shirt and inhales. It feels so good to have her in my arms again. “How are you doing without me?”
“I miss you,” I reply. “I miss what we had.”
“You met someone; I saw her. I hope she takes care of you.”
“We’re not together anymore. I fucked it up.”
Cassie pushes back from my chest. “Why? What happened?”
“I feel guilty. I still love you.”
“Lucian, you’ll always love me, but you have to make room for other people, or you’ll end up alone.”
“You won’t be upset?”
She smiles up at me. “I want you to be happy. I can’t do that for you any longer, but there is someone out there that can.”
“I’ll never forget you.”
“I hope not. Our love will always be timeless, but you have to move on. I’m in a good place. I’ve healed no more pain.”
I kiss her softly on the lips, and she disappears from my arms. I’m left standing on the dance floor surrounded by couples, and around me, I hear her voice telling me to be happy.
When I wake up, I know what I have to do. I have to get Olivia back. She’s the right person for me. It’s still early, and I want to avoid the wrath of my sister in law, so I forgo working out. I feel at peace while I prepare myself a cup of coffee, taking it out to the terrace. It’s warm already, and the sun is rising over the horizon—a perfect day for my niece’s wedding.
I can’t help whistling as the dawn turns into day. When I go inside, Vivian is standing at the stove making eggs.
“Are you hungry?” she asks after spotting me.
“Yes, I’d like a cheese omelet if you don’t mind.”
Noah is sitting at the granite island and raises his eyebrows. “I guess my talk did you good. You seem chipper this morning.”
