The send-off for Natalie and Brock brought a happy warmth to my heart. Lorea had handed out baskets of rose petals for people to throw as the couple made their way across the lawn to a stretch limo parked in front of the house. The result was a fragrant snowstorm of velvet petals cascading in every direction.
Brock stepped back to make room for his bride to toss a bouquet—a mini version of Natalie’s wedding arrangement with cream and wine-colored roses wrapped in a dark green ribbon and adorned with an antique pearl brooch.
My neighbor Lily Rowan elbowed several ladies out of the way to catch the bouquet. She cheered and held the roses high in triumph. I didn’t even mind when I caught Luke rolling his eyes. Natalie brushed by with Brock holding her close. I saw her reach out and squeeze Lorea’s hand before climbing into the limo. Brock pushed aside some of the frills on Natalie’s gown and with a whoop slid onto the seat next to her.
Everyone cheered, including me. The smile that encompassed my face was a well-deserved one, and I basked in the glory of my wedding planner dreams for a moment. The crowd jostled me a bit as people hurried back to the party to nab one last drink and finish off the refreshment table. But I stood there in the quiet, watching the rose petals twirl across the lawn, lifted by the cool mountain breeze.
“So that’s how it’s done,” Luke’s voice tickled my ear. I turned and bumped right into him. He had crept up behind me, and as I moved to step back, I stumbled. My heels sank into the grass, but as I fell backward, Luke grabbed my arms. At the same moment I clutched his white dress shirt.
“Oh, sorry,” I said. Releasing his shirt, I smoothed out the fabric and then realized that I was touching those rock hard abs I’d admired for so long. My cheeks flushed, and I pulled my hands back.
“No harm done,” Luke answered, but he didn’t let go of me. “I didn’t mean to startle you. I just wanted to tell you that you did a great job.”
His compliment and his closeness lit off the grand finale of emotions in my chest. I lifted my head, feeling the breath of space between us charged with fireworks. He glanced at my mouth and then back to my eyes.
“Do I detect a hint of admiration in the divorce lawyer’s tone?” I struggled to make my voice light and teasing.
Luke grinned. “You do, but your friend Tony told me you’re not supposed to do any more detecting.”
I shook my head. Tony was one of the many guests at the reception. I wondered how long a conversation he’d had with Luke. “Did he tell you that I pegged Sylvia as the thief of her own wedding gown?”
Luke chuckled. “He mentioned something about you making him eat his words with the wedding cake.”
I laughed. “I’m so happy to be rid of her.”
“I’m happy for you.” Luke hesitated, studying my face before he continued. “How are you doing, Adri, really?”
My chin wobbled as I opened my mouth to answer that I was fine—the answer I gave to everyone who asked—but I could see I couldn’t fool Luke. The way he scrutinized me, I realized that he really saw me. Somehow he’d gotten past my façade of everything is all better now. Tears stung the corners of my eyes. “It’s hard,” I whispered.
Luke nodded, and before I could think about my wounded heart and crazy emotions, he had pulled me into an embrace. My cheek rested against his chest, and tears dripped onto his crisp white shirt, leaving trails of black mascara.
“It hurts, but it’s okay to feel that pain once in a while.” Luke’s voice rumbled in his chest, and the vibrations caressed my cheek. “It doesn’t go away just because other people are happy.”
With a sniff, I pulled back. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.” Luke didn’t move to release me. “You are an incredibly strong woman. Just don’t be so strong that you can’t feel.”
I heard what he was saying, and at the same time I realized that he was telling me something about himself. I nodded, and we stood staring at each other for a moment. The breeze shifted, bringing with it music from the band playing in Brock’s backyard. Luke tilted his head toward the sound. “Would you like to dance?”
“That sounds like a great idea.” My hands rested on his forearms as I leaned forward to kiss his cheek. “Thank you.” I thought about saying more, but I knew he understood what I meant in those two little words.
Luke smiled and took my hand as we walked toward the dance floor. I could feel Malia’s index card in the inner pocket of the linen dress jacket I wore over a blush-colored silk top. The prospect of a new challenge had me excited to meet with Malia next week. A wedding in Hawaii. I wondered if she would want to be married on the beach.
Luke squeezed my hand, and I turned my head to meet his gaze. We began dancing, moving through the crowd of people. Luke wouldn’t travel all the way to Hawaii for his cousin’s wedding, would he? For a moment, I let my mind wander to the sand and surf. What would it be like to spend time with Luke? There was depth to him, emotion that he kept hidden from the rest of the world, but for some reason he had let me see.
I felt his hand on the small of my back, guiding me along the dance floor. Even though he was a divorce lawyer, Luke had saved me. He made me feel safe. He twirled me and drew me in close to his chest. I allowed myself to relax and lean my head on his shoulder. A breeze cooled the back
