You Say It First
Page 64

Pallas smiled. “I’m one of his favorite cousins.”
“So he tells me on a regular basis.” Libby studied her. “Are we okay?”
“We are. Will you try the zip line?”
“No, but your grandfather will, I’m sure. The man thinks he’s seventeen. He’s going to break his neck one day.”
Before Pallas could say anything, her mother pulled her close and hugged her. Pallas hugged her back. She didn’t think their relationship was magically fixed but they’d made a start and for now that was enough.
* * *
NICK KEPT TELLING himself he should leave, but here he was—still at the wedding as the happy couple cut the cake.
Everything had gone according to plan. Pallas and her team had done a hell of a job. He’d only played a small part and didn’t think he deserved any credit. He’d painted the dress and made a few flowers, but Pallas had done so much more.
Nova and Joel were practically floating with happiness. Grandpa Frank had been the first down the zip line and in a move that was both confusing and unsettling, Tim and Libby were sharing their third slow dance.
Nick circled the party, unable to shake the restlessness that drove him to keep moving. He was looking for something and didn’t know what. Or who. For maybe the millionth time, he sought out Pallas, watching her chat with a guest.
She was amazing. The way she’d handled everything, how she’d totally been there for Nova and her family. She cared about people and they cared about her. How could they not?
He thought about what Tim had said earlier. The man had been all about the love. For him passion didn’t consume, it was his reason for hanging on. He supposed it was like his art. When he didn’t give 100 percent, the piece had no soul. It was simply inert. But when he put himself into it, then there was a chance it would live and breathe. He had to be willing to take the chance or he was just wasting his time.
He stopped and watched Pallas talking to Silver. The two women laughed together, then Silver handed Pallas a drink.
He liked looking at her, he thought. Being with her. He missed her desperately and wished...
What? That he wasn’t afraid? That he could believe? That he was willing to take a chance on them? Because it was all right there, waiting. Pallas had offered her heart and he’d walked away. Walked away from the one person he wanted to be with for the rest of his life.
The truth slammed into him where it stabbed his soul and left him gasping for air. He wanted to be with Pallas always. He loved her and he trusted her. She was... She was everything!
He crossed the grass, took the drink from her hands, then cupped her face and kissed her. When he drew back he stared into her eyes.
“I love you. I’m sorry I’ve been such a jackass. I love you, Pallas. Please give me another chance.”
Her gaze searched his, then she smiled. “I told you there weren’t any conditions. I’m all in, Nick. I have been from the first.”
The tight band around his chest loosened and he knew they’d been damned lucky to find each other. No. He’d been the lucky one. For reasons he would never understand, Pallas had chosen him. He only knew one thing to do—hang on and never let go.
“I’m all in, too,” he told her. “For always.”
They walked to the dance floor and held on to each other as they swayed to the music. Certainty washed over him—certainty that this was the best thing he’d ever been a part of. Loving Pallas, being loved by her—it was right.
Three months later
“I HONESTLY DON’T know what to say,” Taylor breathed as she stared at the life-size—assuming Roman gods were six foot four—wood carving of Neptune in the center of the courtyard.
He dominated the space, his arm raised. The tips of the trident gleamed, probably because they were gold plated. His cape seemed to move in the breeze. At any second he would step down and join them for the upcoming party.
“The artist, Nick, he’s famous,” Taylor added in a whisper. “We can’t afford this.”
Pallas held in a grin. “You don’t have to. I told you—Nick’s loaning you this big guy for your wedding because you inspired him. Then Neptune is off to some hotel in Italy where he will find his forever home in the lobby.”
A fact that was exciting to her, mostly because Nick was overseeing the installation and she would be joining him for a two-week Italian vacation. She couldn’t wait to be alone with him somewhere that beautiful.
The summer had flown by in a flurry of weddings, work and being madly in love with the greatest guy ever. Nick was an incredible boyfriend. She’d thought he was good before but once he committed himself, he was focused, attentive and so sweet. The only surprises had been good ones. Like the time he’d...
She told herself this was not the time to daydream about her good fortune in the love department. Taylor’s wedding was in two days and the bride needed her full attention.
They walked through Weddings Out of the Box and went over every detail. The under-the-sea theme had played out beautifully.
“You’ve been to see Wynn?” Pallas asked.
“Yes. The panels.” Taylor’s voice was dreamy. “They’re wonderful. She’s so talented.”
“She did a great job. We’ll have them up in time for the rehearsal tomorrow night. I just love all the little touches.”
“Me, too.” Taylor hugged her. “You’ve been so wonderful. Thank you. Jake and I are getting our dream wedding and you’re the reason.”
“It takes a village.” Pallas glanced at her watch. “I believe you have a massage in half an hour. You need to head back to the hotel.”
Taylor shrieked. “I don’t want to be late for that. After I get my special manicure.”
Pallas had started coordinating with the local hotels to offer spa packages for her brides, including mani-pedis that included polish coordinated to the wedding colors.
Taylor hugged her one last time before dashing out. Pallas laughed as the other woman ran to her car. The few days before any wedding were always insane, but she loved every second of them. Of course these days she loved almost everything in her life.
She walked into the ballroom and watched as Nick assembled the lightweight wooden frames he’d constructed for her. The aluminum ones had been delivered, but he’d hated them on sight and insisted in making her something custom. Now she walked over to study the dark wood.
There was something on it, she realized. A pattern. She moved closer and saw that it wasn’t a pattern at all—at least not in the traditional sense. It was their initials looping together, along with tiny hearts.
She rubbed her fingers against the wood, then looked at him.
“You did this. It’s beautiful, but what were you thinking? You’re an important artist. You can’t waste your time decorating screen frames for me.”
“It wasn’t a waste of time, Pallas. The wood told me what it was supposed to be. I just did the work.”
She fought against tears. There had to be dozens of hours in the project. Maybe hundreds. “When did you find the time? You were supposed to be finishing Neptune.”
“I did both. I’ll admit I didn’t get a lot of sleep, but that’s okay. You’re worth it. Do you like them?”
She looked at the huge frames that would be filled with Wynn’s panels. “They’re wonderful. Just like you.”