We talked for a few more minutes, both of us crying, both of us trying to be brave.
Finally, around two-thirty, we said goodnight.
“I love you,” I said. “More than anything.”
“I love you too. Now go get some sleep. And text me tomorrow after the wedding. I want to hear all about how your brother cries at the altar.”
“He probably will.”
“They always do.” She paused. “Leigh?”
“Yeah?”
“Thank you. For everything. For the last six years. For keeping me tethered to the world when I wanted to float away. You saved me. You know that, right?”
“And now I have to let you save yourself.”
“Yeah. Now you do.”
I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, my mind still racing.
The wedding was this week. Trace and Delaney would get married, would promise each other forever, would choose love over fear.
And the day after...
The day after, I’d have to make my own choice.
Stay or go.
Safety or risk.
Fear or love.
I just hoped I’d make the right one.
Chapter 27
DEX
The rehearsal dinner at James Farm was winding down, and I couldn’t stop watching Leigh.
She stood near one of the tables, laughing at something Billie said, the white lights strung between the apple trees casting a warm glow across her face. The August evening had been perfect. That ideal temperature where you didn’t need a jacket but the breeze kept things comfortable. The scent of apple blossoms mixed with whatever amazing thing Delaney’s new chef had cooked up.
And God, the food had been incredible. Delaney had been gushing about it all night. Some chef she’d discovered who she was trying to convince to relocate to Willowbrook. Basedon what I’d eaten tonight, she was worth whatever she was paying her. Even the Wednesday Lunch Club ladies had been impressed, which was saying something.
Everyone was happy. Full. Relaxed. Tomorrow was the wedding, but tonight was just about celebration.
I took a sip of my beer and tried to ignore the knot in my stomach that had been there all evening.
“You going to stare at her all night, or actually do something about it?” Booker appeared at my elbow, his own beer in hand.
“I’m not staring.”
“You’ve been watching her for the last hour like she’s about to disappear.”
“Sheisgoing to disappear. Day after tomorrow, she goes back to Blue Point Bay.” The words tasted bitter. “This ends.”
Booker was quiet for a moment. “Does it have to?”
