Page 47 of Accidental Wedding Crasher
“There’s a difference.” Sarah patted his shoulder. “I’m doing this fellowship, but my first priority is still my family with Luka. We talked about it, we planned it out together, and we found ways tomake it work — like meeting at least twice a month, making sure we have the same vacation schedule, planning a year of awesome trips, and that kind of thing. It may look like I’m putting my career first, but I’m still putting my marriage first, because we decided this together. And when I’m with Luka, I’m reallywithhim, not trying to sneak off and work all the time.” She winked at Evan, whose heart plummeted.
“And plus,” Sarah continued, “Luka makes my work so much more meaningful, because I’m not just doing it for myself. And he’s not just working forhimself, either. Everything we do is for both of us, for the future we share.”
Evan’s thoughts swirled. He could hardly believe what he was hearing, but one thing was immediately clear: he’d made a mistake. A huge one.
Just then, Luka himself came over. He grinned at Evan, smiled politely at Grandma Josephine, and held out a hand to Sarah. The moment his gaze fell on her, his eyes softened, and he smiled.
“It’s time, my love.”
She took his hand, and, just like that, the two of them only had eyes for each other. Luka led his bride onto the dance floor as a slow love song began to play. He took her in his arms, and they swayed together, staring into each other’s eyes as though they held the secrets of the universe. Sarah looked so lovely in her wedding dress. And the love between them was so clear and so bright that Evan’s heart ached.
As they danced, Evan thought about what Sarah had said, and his world tilted on its axis. He’d always looked at couples who cut down on work after marriage and kids as weak or easilydistracted. But now, he saw the strength in it. He saw the strength in seeing something else as more important than a job. And he saw that his brother and sister-in-law were giving everything to each other, while still keeping their own lives.
Evan thought of the work he’d tried to do that day. Usually, he was completely absorbed in work, but today, it had felt meaningless. In fact, it had been easier than ever to put aside work this week and spend time with Mia and his family. He’d worked less than usual, and nothing had fallen apart. Reign was still sailing along, as steady as ever.
The music changed, and Sarah and Luka slid from their slow, swaying dance into a quick, upbeat number full of jumps and spins that they’d clearly choreographed and practiced. Cheers rose from the audience as they did a moonwalk toward each other, laughing, and Luka caught Sarah in a dip.
Maybe Evan had been wrong to assume that his brother, and Tyler, for that matter, didn’t care about work at all anymore. Maybe things shifted when people fell in love.
We talked about it.Sarah’s words rang in Evan’s mind. Could it be that simple?
Then Evan’s heart dropped like a stone. Maybe ithadbeen that simple, all along. Maybe, if he’d talked to Mia, they could have sorted this all out together, the way Luka and Sarah had. Maybe he could have always given a little of his responsibility to his employees, the way he did this week, so he could have a life outside of work. Maybe he’d had a chance with Mia all along.
Butnow,there was no way it was that simple anymore. Mia had told him she was pregnant, and he had walked away. Regret flooded him. He’d been a total jerk to her, and she was probablyfurious. He turned away from the dance, threading through the crowd as quickly as he could. He had to get to her. He had to talk to her. He could only hope it wasn’t too late and that she’d forgive him.
He raced into the lobby, where the receptionist flagged him down.
“Sir, you’re in room 207, aren’t you?” he asked.
“Yes.” Evan glanced at the stairs, desperate to run up and find Mia. He couldn’t wait another second.
“Perfect, I was about to call. Your cab to the airport is here.” He smiled, and Evan’s heart sank even deeper into the earth. He managed a mumbled “thank you” and took off toward the stairs. This was much worse than he’d thought. Mia was about to leave, and if she did, it would forever end any chance of a future between them.
A future Evan wanted more than anything. More, even, than his work.
And despite what his mother had said, talking wasn’t going to be enough. He skidded to a halt and turned back to the reception desk.
“Could you hold the cab?” he asked the receptionist. “And please call up to say it’s delayed.”
“All right, sir.” The receptionist picked up the phone, and Evan turned away. Instead of racing up the stairs, though, he went outside, his heart beating a quick rhythm as a plan began to form. He could only hope that this would be enough.
CHAPTER 21
MIA
Mia reached for the door handle at the same time as the phone in her room rang. Jumping, she put a hand to her chest, calming her suddenly racing heartbeat, and went back to answer. As she lifted the old-fashioned phone on the bedside table, she worried that answering was a mistake; maybe someone in Evan’s family was trying to contact her.
It was the receptionist.
“Ms. Newton?” he asked.
“Speaking.” Mia shifted the phone to pinch it between her shoulder and ear as she adjusted her grip on her suitcase. “Is the cab ready?”
“Actually, I’m sorry to say it’s delayed,” the receptionist said.
“Do you know when it’ll be here?” Mia asked.
“I’m sorry, I don’t. I’ll let you know as soon as possible.”
