Page 85 of Trial By Fire
I'm nervous about seeing Kace today. I haven't seen him since that day at his house when I'd gone to pack up my belongings, and I feel the distance between us like a time warp.
After spending every day with him, I miss him. I miss his grins and flirty comments. The way he insisted I drink my juice in the mornings and keep my coffee addiction under control. His caring and warmth and tenderness. My pain-scale check compared to his nausea-scale check banter and the care embedded into every word each time we asked.
"We're ready," Bronwyn says to Eliza.
I nod my agreement. Because no matter what the future holds for me, I realize… I'm ready, too.
I've attended some beautiful weddings over the years, but Bronwyn and Gabe's has to be the most beautiful of them all. Not because of the decorations but because of the emotions so physically present.
I'm up the aisle and in position beside of Madi and Dani when Gabe's gaze locks on Bronwyn and the look on that man's face…
I suck in a breath and flutter my mascara-thick lashes hard to control the tears that instantly form. I gaze at the bride now making her way toward us. There's a hush over the crowd and a stillness to the air, like it too knows something monumental is taking place, and I revel in the peacefulness of it. The awareness that gives goose bumps over my skin.
I feel Kace's gaze on me, but I force myself to remain focused on Bronwyn, giving the bride her due even if it's a way of avoiding eye contact with the man who has my heart struggling to beat properly. Walking down the aisle is a blur, but I put one foot in front of the other and followed Madi, using her as a guide point.
The sun casts a golden glow over us as Bronwyn reaches her groom, who draws laughter from the crowd when he can't contain himself and leans down for a kiss.
I'm still smiling at the sweetness of it when I forget myself and meet Kace's gaze and get all fluttery inside for a different reason.
He's gorgeous in his wedding finery of sand-colored slacks and a white long-sleeved shirt rolled up his muscled forearms and open at his throat. A matching sand-colored vest completes his oh-so-sexy look and emphasizes his Carolina tanned skin. Sully stands beside Kace wearing the same attire, looking Hollywood handsome compared to Kace's ruggedness, and Gabe wears the same shade of slacks but sports a lightweight jacket instead of the vests.
I like the vests better. And not even the crutches under Kace's arms can distract from his masculine appeal.
I'm one of those people who believes things happen as they're meant to. But in this moment, I really struggle to understand how and why I'd meet someone like Kace now. The timing is horrible. Both of us weighed down by life and responsibilities. But I can't bring myself to regret my mistakes when I know my baby is innocent of them.
There's a reason. I just have to find it.
Kace winks at me, and it takes everything inside me to keep my cool. I drag my gaze away from the man ever present in my thoughts and listen as Gabe and Bronwyn say their vows and are pronounced husband and wife.
The crowd erupts in applause and wolf whistles from Gabe's crew. Everyone is smiling, watching as Gabe sweeps his beautiful bride into a kiss that has the photographer's camera whirling nonstop as she captures the moment.
They take their walk back down the aisle, and I manage a smile as I meet Kace for our own walk to the reception area.
"You look beautiful," he says the moment we get close.
"You clean up pretty good yourself," I murmur, walking slowly as he uses his crutches to traverse the shifting sand beneath us.
"I heard you got the job. Congratulations."
"Thanks," I say, focused on the happy couple ahead of us. "I can't wait to get started. And moved."
"You're moving out of Bronwyn's?"
He sounds concerned, and seeing as how I've been so sick the entire time we've known each other, I can understand why. "I am. I'm doing better now, so don't worry. Moving out is a good thing."
"Lindsey, less than a week ago, you were in the hospital."
"I was, but I'm fine now." I smile as I pass by the Babes. They are such an inspiration to me and to so many on the island. Our own Golden Girls who make no bones about loving life and living it to the fullest. A row behind them, I spot Zoey and a man who must be her husband. She gives me a small wave, and I smile back as Kace and I continue.
The tension between us has grown higher thanks to my news, but I'm not about to allow anyone to deter me. Bronwyn and Gabe need their space, and so do I.
I hear Dani's giggle behind me and glance back in time to see Sully swing Dani up into his arms. He settles her high against his chest to carry her and then extends his elbow to Madi to escort her. It's such a sweet gesture for both girls, and I'm reminded once again how different their lives are because of Kace's found family of crewmembers.
"When?" Kace asks in a gruff voice. "When are you moving?"
"This evening, actually. It's not like I have much stuff," I murmur. "And the apartment's furnished."
We make it to the reception area and stand beside Gabe and Bronwyn, who are completely entranced by one another.
