Page 95 of Then There Was You

“I didn’t want any of you to feel you had to but I always thought the backyard would look beautiful all dressed for a wedding.”

“It’s perfect. I hope you’ll help us organize everything,” Paisley says shyly.

From what Nash has told me, she doesn’t have a relationship with her parents. Planning your wedding day must be hard without your family, but I know how much my mom and dad, along with the whole Brookes clan, adore her. She’s got a new family now.

“Of course I will. You should both come over for dinner tomorrow and we’ll get started. We don’t have long.” She gasps and reaches for Paisley’s hand. “I’ll call the bridal boutique in River Falls on Monday and schedule an appointment to go and try on some dresses. We might have to buy off the rack, but they’ll still need some time for alterations, and then there’s the flowers and the cake.”

She finally pauses for breath, and I can’t help but smile. Only twelve months ago, I can remember her saying that with how single we all were, she was never going to get the chance to help plan a wedding or become a grams. Now, Cade and Sophie are married with baby Brookes due soon, and Nash and Paisley are planning their wedding. It’s incredible to think what can change in a relatively small space of time.

I glance across at Taylor, who’s watching the exchange between Paisley and my mom. When a single tear slips down her cheek, I frown and reach for her hand.

“Are you okay, baby?”

She nods and wipes the tears away. “I’m so happy for them,” she says quietly. “I never knew how desperately she needed to get away from Pittsburgh until she called me the day after Connor beat her up. I knew he was rough with her, but she never told me how bad it was. I should have done more.”

I squeeze her hand. “It wasn’t your fault, Taylor. You did all you could, and you helped her get away. She’s happy now.”

She nods. “Yeah, she is…” She trails off. “I never thought I’d see her again when I found out she was in Hope Creek. It’s so far away from Pittsburgh.”

I lean in and kiss her cheek. “I’m glad you decided to make the move here,” I whisper in her ear. She turns her head so her lips are half an inch from mine.

“So am I,” she says before pressing her lips to mine.

“Can I steal her away?” a voice says from behind me, and I reluctantly pull my lips from hers.

I smile, knowing it’s Paisley. “I can share her for a few minutes,” I say over my shoulder, and she smiles back.

“You two are so cute. I’m glad you managed to work things out. I won’t keep her long. I just need to ask her something.”

I stand and pull her into a hug. “Congratulations, Paisley. I’m so happy for you and Nash.”

“Thanks, Seb.”

She hugs me back and steps away, reaching for Taylor’s hand. I wink at Taylor as she stands and lets Paisley pull her to the corner of the room. I can’t hear what they’re saying, but whatever it is has them both crying and hugging. I frown and lean across the table.

“Why are they crying?” I ask Nash, interrupting his conversation with Cade. I gesture with my head to Paisley and Taylor.

He looks over and smiles. “Because weddings make women cry.”

When I look over again, Taylor’s making her way back to me while Paisley goes to speak to Ash.

“Everything okay?” I ask as she sits next to me.

She nods. “Paisley asked me to be her bridesmaid.”

“That’s great, baby.”

I lean in and gently swipe my thumbs over her cheeks, wiping away her tears. I know they’re happy tears, but either way, I hate to see her cry.

“You’ll be one of my best men, right?” Nash shouts across the table, interrupting our moment, and I chuckle.

“Try and stop me.” I turn to Taylor and grin. “Looks like we’re both in the wedding.”

“Of course you are. You’re his brother.”

“I thought he might ask Cade as he’s the oldest, but it looks like he’s having us all.”

She bites on her bottom lip and my eyes fall to her mouth. “I can’t wait to see you in a suit.”

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