Page 56 of The Heart That Breaks
I get out and find my way along the stone path to the enormous wood front door. It opens wide before I can rap the wrought iron knocker, and Holden is standing there with a smile on his face. “You clean up good, man,” he says, waving me inside.
“Thanks,” I say, rubbing my palms on my suit jacket. “Hope she thinks so.”
“Well, she is the one who matters,” he says, clapping a hand on my back. “And just so you know, your publishing on our song is still yours. I’m impressed that you would give it up to get our help with your girl, but it’s not necessary.”
“But I wouldn’t have asked otherwise.”
“I know. And that’s cool. We’re good though. CeCe has been in her element teaching Ann-Elizabeth all that girly stuff. Giovanna’s even been helping out. They’ve been having fun.”
“Thanks, Holden,” I say, truly grateful. “If there’s ever anything I can do to pay you back-”
“No need,” he says.
Laughter drifts down the staircase, and I turn to spot CeCe at the top of the stairs, Ms. Casteel just behind her. They walk down to join us in the foyer, both of them looking as if they could not be more pleased with themselves.
“Okay,” CeCe says. “Here she comes.”
I stand, waiting with my heart in my throat. And then Ann-Elizabeth steps out from the upstairs hallway. I forget to breathe. I can only stare in stunned silence as the most beautiful girl I have ever seen looks directly at me, smiling a soft, hopeful smile before she walks slowly down the staircase, coming to a stop in front of me.
“Hi,” I say, uttering the only word I can manage to bring to my lips.
“Hi.”
“You look . . . amazing.”
“Thanks. All CeCe.”
“Ah, no,” CeCe says, slipping her arm through Holden’s and shaking her head. “Look what I had to work with. You’re beautiful, Ann-Elizabeth.”
“Isn’t she?” Ms. Casteel says, looking as proud as any mom I’ve ever seen.
“And you look pretty incredible yourself, Nathan,” CeCe says. “How about we get some pictures by the fireplace?”
We agree and spend the next fifteen minutes taking shot after shot until Holden finally says, “Okay, we need to let these two get on their way. The restaurant has your table waiting, Nathan.”
“Thank you,” I say. “I don’t know how to thank you both.”
Ann-Elizabeth hugs her mom and then CeCe. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. If your mom can stay for dinner, we’ll take her and Henry home a little later.”
They all walk us to the front door. We say our good-byes and then, just like that, we’re in the car alone, pulling out of the driveway and heading for the restaurant.
Ann-Elizabeth looks over at me and says, “You’re not one to take no for an answer, are you?”
“When it comes to something I believe is right, I guess not.”
“What if you’re wrong?” she asks softly.
“I don’t think I am.”
She glances out the window, quiet for so long that I am sure she’s going to disagree. “Because of you . . . I’m starting to think all things are possible if you want them enough.”
“If you’re willing to take a chance,” I add.
She looks at me then, smiles the smile that kicks my heartbeat into overdrive. “I am,” she says. “Willing.”
I reach over and slip my fingers through hers, squeeze her hand and say, “Yeah?”
