“What kind of realization?”
“I’m about to make a lifelong commitment to the man that I love. He may not be the perfect man, and that’s okay. Nobody’s perfect. I’m certainly a long way from perfect.”
“And you’re just now thinking about this, the night before your wedding?”
She giggles. “Better late than never, right?”
The weight of guilt hits me, and I cross to her, dropping onto the couch. Pulling her in for a hug, my voice comes out thick with regret. “Roxy, I’m so sorry I haven’t been around these last couple of years. I feel like I’ve let you down. But I promise, things are going to change.”
“I know. Keri said the same thing.”
I smile, thinking of Keri with her calm demeanor, chatting about life with my cousin. “So, what’s this sudden realization?”
“I need to focus more on Justin. Not the house or the parties or his work and family. Just… Justin. I feel like we’ve both been lonely in this relationship. You don’t have to be alone to be lonely.”
“I know.”
“He is a wonderful man. He’s good to me, and I don’t deserve him. He touched my heart like no one else when we first met. And then somehow, we got too busy living and haven’t spent enough time loving. And I love him. I do.”
“I know, Roxy. Believe me, I know.”
She looks up at me with wet, hopeful eyes. “You do?”
A warm pride rises in me, softening the confusion. “Mmmhmm. The more I get to know the guy, the more I like him. You balance each other out. And I understand where you’re coming from. Sometimes life can get in the way. You get the bad news and the glorious sunset on the same day. You cry over the headlines, then you laugh when a toddler grabs your piece of cake off your plate when you’re not looking.”
She giggles. “Did that happen to you recently?”
I chuckle. “Yes, it did. There’s living and loving. It’s the dual citizenship of being alive, Roxy. Anger and awe, deep sorrow and grace. We’re allowed to feel both. We are allowed to scream and still comment on how good the salsa is. We are allowed to feel lonely in a room full of people. We don’t have to choose. I’ve learned to let it all in. To take it as it comes.”
She mulls over my words, her next statement coming out of the blue. “I sure hope you’ll take Keri to Feather Falls while you’re here.”
I’m confused. “What made you think of that?”
I hadn’t thought about Feather Falls in years. The drive alone is long and off the beaten path to the trailhead, but it’s totally worth it. Feather Falls is the 6th-highest waterfall in the world, with breathtaking views. For a photographer like me, it’s a dream.
“Well, we’re talking about living and loving. I know it was your favorite place to hike. If you’re not going to ever go back to your property, you should totally take Keri to the falls before you fly out and show her your love for California. Unless you don’t love it anymore.”
I sigh. “Of course, I love it here. I’ll always love it here. But my life is in Georgia now.” I clear my throat and try to get her back on track. “So, what was this ‘thing’ you wanted to talk to me about?”
She sits up and grabs both of my hands. “It’s two more things, actually.”
“Oh, boy.”
“Do you want the easy one first, or the one that might make you mad?”
I suck in a deep breath through my nostrils. “You pick.”
“Okay. Just so you know, we’ve already hired a reputable photographer and videographer for our wedding, so you can sit back and just be a special guest. But I was wondering… would you mind taking a few pictures of me in my wedding dress tomorrow before the ceremony? You’re by far the best photographer I know. And you’re my only family. I want you to have the honor of capturing the official bridal portrait. And… it could be your wedding present to Justin and me.” She tents her hands in a prayer gesture, her mega-watt smile on full throttle.
My heart instantly turns to mush, and I tilt my head to look at her, my lips trembling with a smile. “I was already planning on it. I’ve got my camera ready to go. I’ll shoot whatever you want me to.”
She squeals and bounces on the couch cushion like a little girl. Throwing her arms around my neck, she practically strangles me with a hug. “Oh, thank you, Adam. Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
“Ugh, you’re choking me.” I laugh, peeling her arms back from my shoulders. “Time to spill the rest of it, cuz. Don’t hold back now. You’re on a roll. What’s the second thing?”
Her breath hitches. Anxiety flickers in her eyes, but she lets it out in a rush. “Okay. Here it comes… I invited Dan Combs to the wedding.”
It takes a minute for her words to register. “Dan Combs? My agent?”
