Hold the Forevers

“Because of him?” he demanded, throwing his hand toward Cole. “Because of the bullshit he’s throwing at you?”

“No. It’s not Cole.”

“Fuck,” Ash said. “Fuck.”

“It’s just … he’s not wrong.”

“Are you kidding me?”

I bit my lip. “This isn’t the wedding I wanted. It’s the wedding your mother wanted. And I know I’m responsible because I didn’t stand up for myself. But … but you didn’t stand up for me either.” Ash’s eyes widened at my words. “And you never have.”

“I’ve always stood up for you against them.”

“Then why are we here right now?” I asked as tears came to my eyes. “I wanted fifty people in Forsyth Park. Somehow, I got this. And you didn’t even care.”

“Then let’s do it over!”

I shook my head.

His Adam’s apple bobbed. “So, you choose him?”

My gaze shifted to Cole. Steady and earnest and solid. He was right. He was right about all of it. I hadn’t told him for so many reasons. Not to spare his feelings, as I’d tried to lie to myself. But because I had known that he’d change my mind. I had known that we’d been walking toward this path together before it crumbled on these church steps. And that I loved him too much to tell him. I still loved him too damn much.

“Yes,” I whispered.

Cole broke into a smile at the same second Ash broke.

Ash kicked a loose rock, swore, and then stalked away from the pair of us.

“Ash, wait,” I said, taking a step toward him.

But he didn’t wait. He didn’t slow down. He looked ready to put a fist through a wall. Not that I blamed him. Not after what just happened.

“Let him go,” Cole said. “Let him walk it off.”

“He’s never going to forgive me. No one is ever going to forgive me.”

“Do you need forgiveness?”

“I just …” I sighed heavily and watched as Ash disappeared from view. “I wasn’t lying to him when I agreed to marry him. I did want to do it. And then it all spiraled so far out of control. It wasn’t what I’d agreed to by the end.”

“That’s all that matters, Lila,” he said. “You don’t have to justify yourself to anyone else. You did the right thing.”

“You would say that.”

“I would. But that doesn’t mean I’m wrong. I was right about everything else, wasn’t I? You do still love me.” He took a step toward me.

I nodded with a sigh. “So much, Cole.”

His smile reminded me of the first day I’d ever met him. When everything was shiny and new and he knew even then that he wanted me above anyone else.

“And you didn’t talk to me because you still wanted to be with me.” He took another step, bridging the gap.

“My feelings have never changed. In all the time and distance, they’ve remained steadfast.”

“Same, Sunflower,” he said, brushing back a loose curl. “Same.”

“What do we do now?”

“Whatever you want.”

“All of my stuff is still in the church. I can’t go back in and get it.”

“Leave it. Marley and Josie will handle it.” He slowly slid his hand into mine. “Why don’t we just go for a walk? Maybe grab milkshakes.”

“Milkshakes?” I asked in disbelief. “In my wedding dress?”

He shrugged. “Why not? It’s how we started.”

“It is, isn’t it?”

He squeezed my hand. “I love you, Delilah Greer. I love you with all of my heart.”

I leaned forward against him, feeling his arms come tight around me. “I love you too.”

He looked down at me. “And I’m not saying you have to marry me right away.” I laughed. “I’ll give you a whole week.”

“What if I never marry you?” I teased.

He tilted my chin up. “Then we’ll just be blissfully happy for the rest of our lives.”

“Is that a promise?”

“Yes.”

His head dipped down, and he captured my lips with his. A promise sealed with a kiss.

Cole took my hand again, and we walked away from the church. Away from the biggest decision of my life. I was certain I’d made the right choice this time.

Though I’d have to deal with the aftermath, the moving out and moving on, I’d leave it all for another day.

Right now, I was here with Cole.

Where I was always meant to be.

And I wouldn’t trade it for the world.