The reception was held in the beautiful Sugarcreek Ski Lodge, located ten minutes outside Smitten. Reese surveyed the lofted space from her seat at the table.
It didn’t look remotely like the room she’d sat in with Griffen a month earlier after they’d given Sawyer his ski lesson. The lodge had been transformed into a winter wonderland. White lights dangled from the wooden trusses like twinkling icicles. Sprays of flowers anchored round tables that were covered in shimmering silver, and great clusters of white-painted branches flanked the stone walls.
Dinner had been served, the towering cake had been cut, the bridal bouquet thrown, and now guests danced on the parquet floor to the celebratory strains of the band. The media people had left, rushing to meet their deadlines. Tomorrow’s papers and news programs would be littered with news of the celebrity wedding.
Reese scanned the crowd for her friends. On the dance floor, Carson held Mia in his arms and danced with Natalie at the same time. No doubt they were dreaming of the day they would become a family. With the adoption being finalized in a few short weeks and their summer wedding approaching, it wouldn’t be long. The couple had come so far from the antagonistic relationship they’d shared a year ago. Natalie looked so happy, her cheeks flushed, her eyes sparkling. Reese was glad for her.
A short distance away she spotted Shelby and Nick, gliding across the floor gracefully. The couple had eyes only for each other. Shelby had managed to talk Nick into a suit and a clean shave, and the way he was holding her, she didn’t think he was going to let go anytime soon. If Reese’s hunch was right, a proposal wouldn’t be long in coming. Grace surely did cover a multitude of sins. Those two were proof of what happened when unconditional love stepped in.
She searched the crowd again and finally found Julia and Zak sitting by the enormous fireplace, their heads close together in conversation. Julia tossed her head back, laughing, and Zak ran his finger inside his collar, tugging. So different, those two, and yet so perfect together. Reese shook her head, amazed by the power of love and the unexpected blessings that God sent into her friends’ lives.
The crowd on the dance floor applauded, drawing Reese’s attention. Sawyer twirled his bride, then drew her into his arms with a great flourish. Reese thought back to the new song he’d sung during the ceremony. The whole chapel had seemed to melt. The lyrics to “Smitten” were lovely, the melody haunting, and somehow he’d written the words so you couldn’t tell if he was singing about his woman or his hometown. But there was no doubt as he sang it tonight that the words were for his bride alone.
The words rang in Reese’s ears even now.
I’m just gonna say it
Gonna lay my heart,
There on the line
Every time I wrap my arms around you
Whisper in your ear, I realize
That I’m smitten
Oh, I’m smitten
Yes I’m smitten
By your love.
Kate had dabbed her eyes after he sang the last romantic words, and she wasn’t the only one. Reese had no doubt the song was going to hit the charts upon its release.
Reese propped her chin on her palm and watched the newlyweds longingly. It wasn’t that she wasn’t happy for Sawyer. It was that she longed for that kind of love—the kind that was returned. Why had God let these feelings develop if Griffen wasn’t going to return them?
He loved her, she didn’t doubt that. But there was a vast difference between loving a friend and being thoroughly, well, smitten. It hurt to be the one who loved more. She wondered if God felt this way. After all, our love for you really can’t measure up to your extravagant love for us. I’m sorry, God. Let me love you like you love me. Make me smitten.
Griffen appeared at her side with her drink and dropped into his chair. They were the only two left at the circular table.
“Thanks,” she said.
When he followed her eyes to the dance floor, she peeked at him through her lashes. A shadow flickered over his jaw as he watched the bride and groom dancing.
A moment later, he turned back to her. “I’m sorry things didn’t work out the way you wanted.”
His eyes were all melty, and she pulled hers away before she got sucked in. “I’ll be fine.” She threw in a brave smile for good measure.
She didn’t want to talk about Sawyer Smitten and her supposed pathetic crush. “Hey, at least the town’s going to make it, huh? The influx from the weekend will fill the coffers back up for that advertising campaign Carson wants to launch.”
From the corner of her eye she saw him nod.
“Sure, sure. And your shop’s going to do great. I’m proud of you, throwing it all on the line that way. I know it wasn’t easy for you.”
He did know her, better than anyone else, in fact. And yet, she had this secret thing she didn’t dare tell him.
A lump grew in her throat. “Yeah, well, couldn’t have done it without you, buddy.” She winced. Why did she say that? That was the last thing she wanted him to think.
There was a pause as the song ended, then the band struck up a new tune. The lead singer lifted the microphone and crooned the words, “Someday . . . when I’m awfully low . . .”
She listened a moment, the poignancy of the words not lost on her.
Griffen leaned back in his chair and his thigh brushed hers, sending a flash of heat through her.
“I’ve decided to leave tomorrow,” he said.
Her eyes flew to his, her stomach dropping somewhere in the vicinity of her ankles. “What? I thought you were leaving next week.”
“I was, but . . . I think I’ll get an earlier start.”
The hands of the ticking clock whirled forward, erasing hours, days. This couldn’t be happening. “What’s the rush?”
He looked toward the dance floor, shrugging. “My work here is done, you know?”
It was done, all right. He’d come to town, bowled her over, and made her love him.
“Like you said, Smitten will be fine. The revamping is complete.” He tossed her a smile. “I’m taking my tools and going home.”
Don’t forget my heart. You’re taking that too. The lump swelled, choking off an appropriate response.
So it was over. She’d lost her chance. And seeing her all dolled up hadn’t changed a thing. Had she really thought it would?
There were no stars in his eyes tonight, only pity. No lingering caresses of a lover, only the comforting touches of a friend. He didn’t love her. He only felt sorry for her.
Her eyes began to burn. She had to get out of here before she made a real fool of herself. She popped to her feet, turning. “I’m going to the ladies’ room.”
He angled a look her direction. “You okay?”
She waved his concern away. “Fine. Be right back.”
She wove through the tables to the back of the lodge on wobbly legs. The hall by the restroom was crowded with loud, giddy women. Sweat beaded on the back of her neck. She couldn’t go in there. She needed a moment alone. She needed air. She was suffocating in this tight dress.
Turning left, she pushed the door that led to a brick patio. Air washed over her, cooling her skin. She breathed, letting the chilly air fill her lungs.
Evergreens sheltered the patio from the wind and sparkled with white dancing lights. Their glow made the snow into a carpet of gold. Not to be outdone, the stars shimmered in the night sky. The temperature had warmed through the day, and she could hear the drip, drip, drip of icicles melting nearby.
Reese drew a deeper breath, and the expansion of her lungs almost choked her. He was leaving tomorrow. All these weeks she’d wasted trying to make him jealous, and for what? She’d lost her chance.
She spied a bench along the stone wall and lowered her weight onto it. The faint strains of “The Way You Look Tonight” bled through the walls. It didn’t matter how she looked tonight. Not one iota.
The song ended, and all was quiet for a moment. The kind of hush that only a snow-shrouded landscape brought. Then the band struck up another tune.
The music grew louder when the door behind her opened. Natalie shivered as she approached the bench. “Brrr. What are you doing out here, and without a coat?”
“It’s not so cold.”
Natalie sank down beside her. They listened to the music for a moment. The dripping snowmelt, a woman’s laughter from the hallway.
“He’s leaving tomorrow,” Reese said. What would it feel like to lose him? To have him living two states away? To wait a month just to hear his voice?
“Why don’t you just tell him, Reese?”
As it always did, her heart raced at the thought of revealing her secret. Her mouth dried, and adrenaline raced through her veins like she was about to parachute from a plane instead of just admit her feelings.
Natalie brushed Reese’s hair over her shoulder. “If he’s leaving anyway, what does it matter? Even if it makes things awkward, you won’t have to face him every day.”
That was true. Still, there were the phone calls. Could she stand to hear the pity in his voice? To hear how bad he felt that he couldn’t return her feelings? Not to mention the loss of his friendship. Things would never be the same.
“Remember when Julia was sure Zak didn’t return her feelings, and we encouraged her to tell him? It worked out, didn’t it? I know you don’t like stepping off into the great unknown, but, honey, sometimes you have to step out in faith and trust God to work it out. Like we did with the town. It wasn’t easy for any of us. But we laid it all on the line and left the results up to God. He’s come through pretty well, hasn’t he?”
Reese nodded. “You’re right. I just can’t seem to make myself do it. I’ve tried—I have. The words just get all crammed in my throat.”
“Well, if he’s leaving tomorrow, it’s now or never.” Natalie smiled sympathetically. “Speak now or forever hold your peace.”
The wedding words took on a whole new meaning, and Reese gave a wry grin. Natalie was right, but how would she find the courage?
Natalie gathered Reese’s hand in hers and bowed her head.
“Jesus, you’ve done amazing things. Right before our eyes, you’ve transformed our little town, saved it. We thank you for that. You’re faithful and good, and you bless us with far more than we deserve. I pray for my friend right now. Give her the courage to follow your leading, whatever direction that may take her. Wrap your arms around her and comfort her.” Natalie gave her a squeeze.
“Amen. Thanks, Nat.”
Her friend rubbed her bare shoulders, warming them. “You do look beautiful tonight, honey. I saw the way Griffen looked at you when you were coming down those stairs.”
Reese breathed a laugh. “He was shocked to see me without a ponytail and sneakers.” Still, at the memory of that look, her flesh tingled.
“Maybe . . .”
The music grew louder, and they both turned to see Griffen exiting the building.
“There you are,” he said.
Natalie gave Reese a sympathetic smile. “I’m heading back inside.”
Reese turned a pleading look on her friend, who nevertheless sprang off the bench and passed Griffen.
“Carson’s looking for you,” he said.
“Thanks, Griffen.” And then she was gone.
Reese stood, all nerves, her legs wobbling on these stupid heels Natalie had talked her into.
Griffen pulled off his jacket and held it open for her.
She slipped her arms into the sleeves and pulled the jacket tight. “Thanks.” It smelled of Griffen, and before she could stop herself, she drew a deep whiff.
“You okay?”
She shrugged. “Sure.”
He looked at her, those blue eyes plumbing the depths. “I can take you home if you want.”
She looked away before he saw too much. “I told Natalie I’d stay and help with the coffee equipment.”
He tucked his hands into his trouser pockets. “Go back inside?”
She needed time to process what Natalie had said. A little time to weigh the pros and cons one last time before she broke down a wall she could never rebuild.
“You go on. I’m fine—just need a few minutes.”
He tilted his head, looking at her intently. Blue eyes had never looked so warm. She couldn’t look away. They were pulling her like a magnet. She didn’t want to look away. Who knew when they would look at her that way again?
He opened his arms. “Dance?”
That was unexpected. She had an immediate image of herself curled in his arms, her head against his chest, his arms circling her waist. Sheer torture.
“Out here?” She cleared the squeak from her voice.
He shrugged. “Why not?”
Torture, yes. But perhaps her last chance. Oh, why not?
She stepped into his arms. He set his hands at her waist. She placed hers on his shoulders. So it wasn’t like she’d pictured it. She could still feel his body heat beneath her palms. Still feel his breath on her temples.
“You did real good tonight,” he whispered. “I know it was hard.”
He had no idea. The hardest part of her night had just begun. Pros and cons. Pros and cons. She couldn’t think with him so close. Could only think of him leaving tomorrow. Of days and weeks and months without seeing him again.
Sure, she’d done it before. But that was before she’d fallen totally and completely in love with him. Everything was different now.
Different for her. Him, not so much.
Her eyes began to burn, and tears followed too quickly to stop them.
Griffen leaned back, frowning. “Hey, now.”
His thumb caught the tear that spilled over, but another followed, and another. She couldn’t seem to stop the flow once it began.
“Don’t cry, Reese Cup. It’ll be okay. You’ll see.” He pulled her into his arms, cradling her. His heart beat strong and steady against her temple, and she felt his deep sigh.
Her tears dampened his shirt. He’d said it would be okay, but it wouldn’t. He didn’t even understand her tears—thought they were for someone else.
Natalie’s words rang in her ears. “Sometimes you have to step out in faith and trust God to work it out.”
Her heart pummeled her ribs, and her mouth went dry. It was now or never. Speak now or forever hold your peace. She sucked in a breath. Breathed a prayer.
Reese pulled away. They were barely swaying now. She clenched her fists against his shoulders and looked into his eyes.
Words. She needed words. A few of them, strung together coherently, preferably.
Creases appeared between his brows. “You need me to stay longer? I can stick around until next week.”
“Yes.” She needed him. A few extra days. More time, another chance to get his attention without having to put it all on the line.
What was she doing? Chickening out again? She shook her head. “No. No, you don’t have to stay.”
He frowned, those blue eyes questioning.
No wonder. She was as changeable as the wind. She closed her eyes, unable to think with him looking at her that way. She opened them again, focused on the tight knot of the black tie at his throat.
She unclenched her fists and laid her hands flat against his shoulders. She took a deep breath and forced herself to say the words.
“Thing is, Griffen . . . I’m, uh, not in love with Sawyer.” Heat crept up her neck and into her cheeks. Her legs trembled with the surge of adrenaline.
The pause stretched out, practically begged for a peek at his face. But she couldn’t. Not if she was going to get through this.
“I don’t understand,” he said.
Well, he would in a minute. For better or worse. She swallowed hard. “I know. It’s—it’s all my fault. I led you to believe it, or I let you believe it, really, that day when Josh walked in and canceled our date. But the truth is, the real truth, is that—”
Be brave, Reese. You can do this. Deep breaths.
She forced her eyes to his. “See, somewhere along the way, Griff, I—I fell in love with you. I’m sorry, I know this must be a big shock, and I didn’t even want to tell you because I was so afraid of losing you as a friend. But then you assumed I wanted to win Sawyer back, and I thought if we just spent time together, your feelings might change too, and then tonight, I thought seeing me this way might make you see me as not just your little buddy but as a woman, but then you said you were leaving, and—”
His lips parted, stretched, and then he was laughing.
Laughing.
The response was a kick, hard and low. She shivered, but it wasn’t from the cold. She didn’t know what she’d expected, but it wasn’t this. Angry tears burned her eyes.
She glared, shoved her palms into his shoulders, and stepped from his embrace. “You’re laughing at me?”
As quickly as the laugh surfaced, it was gone. Griffen held his hands up. “No, honey, I’m not laughing at you.”
“Well, it sure sounds like it.”
He looked away, forked his fingers through his hair, leaving it all tousled and boyishly charming, drat him. Then he looked back at her, disbelief in every line on his forehead, looking at her as if he’d never seen her before.
This was humiliating enough without the sheer shock. Without the cruel laughter. She hugged her body against the cold. Yeah, that was it. The cold.
He put his hands on his hips. “You don’t love Sawyer.”
“No.”
“You weren’t trying to break up the wedding, get him back, all that.”
“No.”
“You—you love me.”
She felt her lip wobble. “You need it in blood? And if you start laughing again, Griffen Parker, I’m going to slug you so hard—”
He pulled her close until she was a breath away. When he took her chin and tilted her face, she saw a new look in his eyes.
“I’ve waited three years for this, lady,” he whispered.
He brushed her lips with his own. His kiss was gentle and strong all at once. The anger and hurt drained away, and she melted into his arms. She palmed his freshly shaven face, gave back everything he was giving. Soaked in the familiar smell of him, the familiar feel of him that was both old and new.
He deepened the kiss, and her legs nearly buckled. How had she missed this all these years? He was right there all along. Something he said before rushed to her mind. Three years.
She pulled back, already missing his kiss. But just looking at him was pretty good too. “You said three years.”
“I did, didn’t I?”
“Before you left?”
He gave a little smile. “You were engaged, Reese. I couldn’t watch the love of my life find her happily-ever-after with someone else.”
His words struck her speechless. How could she not have known? If she had . . . Well, she didn’t know what would’ve happened. Maybe her eyes would’ve been opened. But maybe not.
You knew, though, didn’t you, God? You had this planned all along.
“I’m so sorry,” she said. “I didn’t feel this way until you came back—that day on the basketball court.”
His eyes narrowed. “When I knocked you down?”
“Bowled me over, more like.”
He looked at her with wonder in his eyes, joy in the curve of his lips, then he framed her face in his palms. “This is the best Valentine’s Day present I ever got, by far.”
She smiled. “Better than the I-Heart-You chocolate Miranda Willoughby gave you in ninth grade?”
“Way better.”
“Better than the teddy bear from Laurel Perkins?”
“You couldn’t dig up a better Valentine’s Day present if you searched the world over.” His eyes flickered over her. “And look, it’s even wrapped in pink.”
Her smile widened. “You noticed.”
“Oh, I noticed all right.” And then he kissed her again, making her knees go weak in two seconds flat.
Her fingers found the curls at the nape of his neck and threaded their way through. Joy bubbled deep inside her heart.
Some things were destined to happen, she supposed. Unlikely matches, unexpected beginnings, unforeseeable love. She might not have believed it a year ago, maybe not even a week ago, but now . . . well, anything was possible when you were smitten.