Page 76 of Can't Help Falling in Love
On a rounded, porcelain white base, the bride, in a gorgeous white gown, intricately patterned with little swirls that looked like flowers, lay across a bench, her head resting on the groom’s leg. Her dark curls seemed to actually flow down. The groom, in a tuxedo, complete with a red bow tie that was beyond adorable, read from a miniature book. Lexi leaned in to see that it saidPride & Prejudiceon the cover.
It was exquisite, personal, and so amazing Lexi’s eyes filled with tears. She swiped at the first few that fell.
“Mom. It’s stunning. This is unbelievable.”
When she looked up at Gwen, still bent at the waist, she noticed her mom grasping her hands the way she did when she was nervous.
“You really like it?”
Lexi stood up. “Mom, this is one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen. My favorite thing that you’ve made. It’s wonderful.” She didn’t stop the tears that continued to fall, instead, pulling her mother into a tight hug.
“I’m so happy you love it. I hope Maisie and the couple will.”
Giving her another squeeze, Lexi stepped back. “Everyone is going to love it. I don’t want to push too much but you could really make a business out of this, Mom. It’s so unique and special. It could be cake toppers, your scenes, anything you want.”
“Oh, honey. I’m too old to start a business.”
Lexi looked around the room. “You’re not, Mom.” She looked back at her mom. “You’re still young.” She wanted to say more but didn’t want Gwen to shut down.
She’d met with the therapist a couple of times now and Lexi noticed she was keeping a journal, making an effort to be a little more present. Pushing harder didn’t always equal progress.
“You can start slow. Or just think about it. But Mom, this is remarkable. I’m so proud of you.”
Gwen beamed, throwing her arms around Lexi. “You’re the best daughter, sweetheart. I know it’s not always easy.”
Maybe not. But what was? Lexi breathed more easily than she had in a long time. Aside from her runaway feelings that she needed to rein in, she felt like maybe, just maybe, she and her mom would be okay.
She pulled back. “I have to go out to the second location of Side Tap. I want to time the commute, but I want to get a better feel for the space. The contractor is supposed to be stopping in. I’ll bring back dinner? We could watch a romcom?”
Gwen laughed, set the lid on the box. “Either you’ve been hiding your romantic streak or Will brought it out in you.”
“Or I’m just indulging your sappiness,” Lexi joked, heading for the door.
“Lexi?”
She turned at the doorway.
Gwen shoved her hands in the pockets of her jeans. “Could I… come for the drive? To see where you’ll be spending time?”
Breathing very slowly, like reacting fast would erase the moment, Lexi nodded. “Of course,” she said, surprised her voice came out steady.
“Okay.” Gwen pushed past her, saying she’d be ready in a few minutes. Lexi leaned back against the doorframe, put her hands over her face. She fought the urge to happy-dance as hard as she did the sob wanting to break free. Even good things could make a person feel like their insides were being gripped in a giant’s fist.
One step at a time. One little victory. She dropped her hands, sucked in a breath.Keep moving forward. When it gets hard, dig deeper.It was good advice in college and apparently, it worked for adulthood too.
Thirty-one
Usually Sundays flew by like a blink but this one had the endurance of a marathon runner. After checking his emails and making a to-do list for the next day, Will tossed his phone on the coffee table and settled back against the soft couch cushions. They were heading into a busy season. He needed to touch base with marketing and advertising, and at this time of year he enjoyed being part of the conversations around store displays. He’d left messages with Comfort Plus and had a lunch meeting scheduled with Holden on Thursday. They’d officially squashed the deal with Home Needs, which had pissed Fredrick off to no end. Will had plenty to keep him busy. Keep his mind off Lexi and the way she’d hugged him, held him when her mom agreed to come to his place.
Relief at a distraction from his own thoughts coursed through him when a knock came at his door. He’d seen both of his sisters when he dropped by his grandparents’ place for lunch so it wouldn’t be them. He paused. He wasn’t ready to see his parents. Will was certain he’d never been this mad at either of them. He took a fortifying breath and squared his shoulders, just in case. When he got to the door and saw through the peephole that it was Ethan, everything inside him relaxed.
He opened the door to find his best friend dressed for the crispweather in a leather bomber jacket and gloves, a light-gray Side Tap beanie tugged over his slightly-too-long hair.
“Hey. Thought I’d check in. Last night was quite the show and you’re not answering your phone.”
“I turned it off. Come on in.”
Ethan shook his head. “Actually, I was headed out to the new site just to go over a few things with my dad. Thought maybe you’d come for a drive.”
