Page 96 of Sweet Surrender
Taylor’s stomach clenched as she watched the ceremony, not taking her eyes off them. Their love was tangible, flowing out from them. Reaching out to everyone, demanding to be seen, to be recognized. She turned her attention to Justine and Blake and saw the same expression on both of their faces. Pure, undiluted love and devotion.
Panic clawed in Taylor’s throat. How could love be denied when the evidence of it was all around her? There was no way either of these couples would ever leave each other, not if their lives depended on it. Just like her and Beau in the bar that night with Dale. Neither of them had run and left the other, both facing down a madman with a knife in order to protect the other, unwilling to abandon or give up.
“You may now kiss the bride!”
She blinked the ceremony back into focus to see Christy fling herself at Dean who caught her, laughing before they had the steamiest kiss ever seen at a wedding. Her eyes moved to Beau of their own accord. He was already watching her with an intensity that she couldn’t explain. Then they were all heading back down the aisle, posing for pictures and off to the bar in Justine’s car.
“You think I’d sit upfront because I’m the eldest,” Ruby grumbled from the backseat.
“Hush it, you’re lucky enough to be here after you made me ask for a plus one justdaysbefore a wedding,” Taylor replied. Ruby’s bickering helped distract Taylor from the knot that had formed in her chest. The realization she had made a colossal mistake, and with no idea how to fix it, or if it was even possible.
They arrived at the bar and quickly set to work getting it ready for the guests and the bride and groom, putting out flowers, champagne, the works. Ruby followed her around, making sarcastic comments and baiting her until Taylor snapped at her.
“What the hell crawled up your ass, girl?” Ruby sulked.
I think I’m in love and I don’t know what to do because I royally fucked it up and now he’s over me!Taylor wanted to scream but she didn’t, instead she glared at Ruby.
“Well shit. You finally figured it out, didn’t you?” Ruby cackled and Taylor promptly burst into tears. Goddammit, Beau had turned her into an emotional wreck. Ruby sighed and dragged Taylor to her office for privacy.
“I don’t know what to do,” Taylor sniffled in-between sobs.
“I don’t understand, where’s the problem?” Ruby asked, looking around her.
“I’m scared.”
“We’re all scared all the time, Taylor.”
“Why are you being mean, just be nice for once please!” Taylor wailed and Ruby sighed heavily.
“Because nice won’t get you what you need right now. I know you’re scared, Iknow. But you’ve got to move past that.”
“That man is making me want all the things I said I never wanted. So now what do I do?”
“You take the risk! Without risk, there is no reward.” Ruby said then paused. “Did I ever tell you about my Roger?”
“No?” Taylor sniffled.
“Most arrogant man I ever met in my life, I hated him. He pursued me doggedly for years, so damn annoying. He wore me down eventually. Made me love him. Then the bastard went and died and left me. God, I hated the SOB for that, for leaving me all alone. But if I knew the outcome ahead of time, I wouldn’t have changed a goddamn thing. Because it was so worth it. Love is always worth the risk and that boy has loved you his whole life. Just like you’ve loved him. You’re just too dang stubborn to see it.”
“But I can’t give him children naturally and he wants that, he deserves that chance.”
“That’s not for you to decide, it’s for him and I think he’s probably figured that out by now considering the way he stared at you throughout the ceremony, so I wouldn’t say it’s an issue. Stop finding excuses not to be happy.”
Taylor hiccupped. “What if he gets bored and leaves me?”
Ruby put an arm around her and pulled her close. “What if he doesn’t? What if he stays and you get everything you never knew you wanted?” Ruby stroked her hair and cupped her cheek. “This risk is worth the reward. Trust someone who lived it and knows.”
They were quiet for a moment and then Taylor heard the guests arriving, but Ruby didn’t immediately let her go.
“Thanks Ruby.”
“I love you like you’re mine, you know that right?” Ruby asked, softly.
“Who are we kidding, I am yours!” Taylor sobbed, squeezing her tight.
“Good, now hurry up and tell that boy you love him and adopt my grandbabies already.”
Taylor laughed. “So demanding.”
