Page 86 of Make it Real
My traitor eyes found Callie before I could think to deny it. She looked my way, and my heart seemed to inflate until it pressed against my ribcage, leaving me aching. I had no argument. Thiswaslove, filling me up to overflowing. Not just fun or friendship or even affection, but real, bone-deep love. My stomach dove like I’d missed a rung climbing down a ladder and wasn’t sure when I’d land.
“I know it’s soon,” Pop went on, “but when you’re ready, I have your mother’s ring. She wanted you to have it.”
The air rushed out of me like I’d finally hit the ground after that fall. “You never told me that.”
“Didn’t think knowing would have helped you any.”
“Then why are you telling me now?”
He tilted his head in Callie’s direction. “Because I have eyes. Callie’s a forever kind of woman.”
Forever. Heaviness crept through me like sand filling up my body. My lungs stung and ached before I realized I was holding my breath. The ambush I’d been waiting for had finally arrived, and found me utterly unprepared.
Pop clapped me on the shoulder. “Go dance with her, son.”
He wandered away, leaving me crumbling down to dust. Somewhere in the last two months, I’d forgotten the key word in our fake relationship. Callie and I could only ever be temporary. Pop was right—she was a forever kind of woman. The kind that makes you think of houses and babies and a whole lifetime together.
Callie loved out loud—she gave and she gave without asking for anything in return. If I let her, she might love me. But I wasn’t a forever man. I’d learned that long ago, proven it too many times to count. One way or another, I’d wind up failing her like I failed Zach. Like I failed Mom.
I couldn’t be the guy to do that to her. I needed to stick to our original agreement. Fake date for the wedding. Get her grandma to Florida. And then…we’d let this fade away.
Sounded like the worst plan ever, but maybe for once, I could actually protect someone I loved.
TWENTY-NINE
callie
I’d never beento a more beautiful wedding.
Okay, thinking back, I had a very limited pool to compare it to. But I couldn’t imagine a more perfect celebration for the bride and groom. From the gorgeous outdoor ceremony to the rustic reception, every little piece spoke of them and their love. They’d both teared up during their vows, but now smiled wide, like their hearts had found their other half. Even Ty couldn’t stop smiling, which felt like some kind of personal record for him.
Me, I’d been smiling like a goof all evening, too. My heart felt weirdly buoyant, like it’d been filled with so much laughter and joy and hope, it might float me away into the clear night. But I had to place at least half the blame for that squarely at Jed’s feet. I’d been sneaking glances at my date across the barn, admiring him in that suit. So handsome, he even made beige look good. I’d lost him, though, and couldn’t spot his dark head in the crowd.
“Fair warning, I’m going to be a total bridezilla.” Eliza squinted at Harper and me. “It’s my day. It needs to be all about me, me, me.”
Dean had recently proposed, but they’d been low-key about it out of consideration for June. Everyone knew, of course, but they hadn’t thrown their own engagement party. I didn’t think she’d have had a problem with them shouting their happiness, but it was sweet how all the girls looked out for each other.
Harper laughed. “I expect you to elope, bridezilla.”
Eliza’s eyes widened. “That’s a genius idea. We’re totally doing that. Where’s Dean, I need to tell him about your eloping plan.”
“Don’t give me the credit, Mom would never forgive me.”
“Sure she will. Only ifyourwedding is over the top.”
Harper didn’t look like she was on board with that, either.
Marilyn broke away from her daughters and joined us. “Girls, you all look so lovely today. Your dresses are too beautiful for words.”
She leaned back a touch to admire us. I’d been pleased to see my dress fit right in with the boho chic theme of the day. Of course, nothing compared to June’s full-length A-line dress. The cap sleeves and lacy tiers made her look like a country princess.
“You girls mean so much to June,” Marilyn went on. “It’s so special how close you’ve stayed through the years.”
Harper and Eliza both gushed about June in return. I envied their closeness and just how much they meant to each other. Probably normal in big families, but I’d never quite known a relationship like that. Well…maybe until now.
Marilyn put an arm around my waist, wrapping me in a warm side-hug. “And we’re so glad Harper introduced us to you, too. You’re a perfect addition to our group.”
I thought I’d used up all my tears during the wedding ceremony, but a couple more popped up, ready to spill. I hugged her back, my heart going haywire for this wonderful family.
