Page 41 of Shocking Sapphires
I couldn’t stop the sigh of relief that whooshed out of my lungs at his wonderful response. I wanted him by my side, but also knew that I needed to be fully transparent about it.
“I should warn you… I’m one of Dani’s bridesmaids, so I won’t be able to be with you during the ceremony and while we’re taking photographs.”
“I think I can handle it,” he assured me.
Since that wasn’t the worst of it, I took a deep breath before forging on. The words came out in a flurry. “Also, my ex-boyfriend, Dean, is Dani’s brother and a good friend of Max’s. He is one of Max’s groomsmen. I guess he and I are going to be in-laws now, so we’ll end up at all of the same family functions.”
“Will it bother you to see him?” Grant seemed truly concerned.
“No, of course not. I’m completely over him,” I answered honestly, before adding, “I just don’t want it to be awkward for you.”
“Why would it be awkward for me? I’m the one that won… I get to be with you, the most wonderful woman on the planet.”
I grinned down at him, delighted by his sweet sentiment. “I can’t recall which of your movies that slick line is from.”
“That’s because it’s not a cheesy line from a movie. That is all me and my sincere feelings for you coming straight from my heart.”
37
Grant
Ihad been lying, sneaking around, and practicing for weeks in preparation for this big moment. I just hoped it turned out even a tenth as amazing as I imagined it.
We told Molly, and anyone else that didn’t absolutelyhaveto know the truth, that we were preparing for a big fundraiser to help secure money to improve the handicap access to local town landmarks, which was partially true. Molly was astute enough to know something else was up, but she refrained from asking me about it. It was a good thing she showed some restraint because I was practically bursting from wanting to tell her, yet knowing it would be best to keep it a surprise.
The big night was finally here, and it looked like everything was a go. The weather was cooperating, and we couldn’t ask for a better night to make this happen. The outdoor stage was set up and the audience had been told to bring their own lawn chairs to sit in on the grass.
The paved area closest to the stage was blocked off for any attendees in wheelchairs, whom we had invited from all of the surrounding counties. The community event had been dubbed a ‘wheel-in movie,’ and I was delighted to see several people with disabilities and their families claiming their spots of honor right up front.
I was showing Molly the special area I had reserved exclusively for her and any guests she chose, and she seemed delighted.
Bonnie had promised to make sure Scout was kept occupied. When she approached and tried to take him, so Molly could focus on the evening’s entertainment, the little boy clung to Molly and cried, “Momma.”
The tear-filled gaze of pure joy that Molly gave me as she squeezed our son to her chest to comfort him almost did me in. Hearing him refer to her as ‘momma’ for the first time was something neither of us would ever likely forget. A seasoned Hollywood script writer couldn’t have created a more moving pivotal scene than this impromptu moment.
After blinking the happy tears out of my own eyes, I turned to Bonnie and said, “Looks like he’s staying with his mother until he falls asleep.”
Bonnie gave me a knowing look and winked that she understood.
Turning to the woman I loved as she held our son, I said, “It’s time for me to head backstage to get ready.”
Molly nodded and said, “Okay… Break a leg.”
The look of horror arose immediately when she realized what she had said. Her shoulders raised up almost to her ears.
Wanting to ease her pained expression, I took her tiny hand within mine and leaned in close to say, “Hey, listen to me… It’s all right. You don’t ever need to worry about saying the wrong idiom or phrase to me. I’m tougher than I look, and I love you to pieces. Nothing could ever change that. Got it?”
At Molly’s nod, I gave her and Scout quick pecks on their cheeks before wheeling around to go backstage.
My nerves began to truly kick in as we gathered behind the curtain. For better or worse, tonight was going to determine the course of the rest of my life.
The other guys weren’t used to performing, so they needed me to be their calm, confident leader, but I was too wired to give them a proper pre-show pep talk. Instead, I had them gather around and said, “Let’s do this!”
They gave a collective “whoop!” of excitement as the curtain was swept open just enough for me to wheel myself onstage and out to the protruding apron.
The crowd gave me a warm welcome as I went to the microphone that had already been adjusted properly for me. Once the clapping died down, I began my speech. Although I knew what I wanted to say, I hadn’t rehearsed it or written down any notes––preferring instead to talk to them genuinely, like good friends.
“Hello, everyone, and thank you for coming out on this gorgeous evening. I’d like to extend a special welcome to the guests of honor in the front section here.”
