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.Max really loved Susan.And he really was a great guy.Cooper s face swam before her eyes his startlingly green gaze, his rock-hard body, his sexier-than-sexy smile.Then she reminded herself he was gone, and she shoved the picture away.Sheneeded to focus on Susan, not her own mess of a life.Her sister had found happiness.True happiness.How many people could say they d done the same and not lost it? I take this woman, as my lawfully wedded husband  Max cut himself off, his cheeks goingbright red. I mean wife.My lawfully wedded wife.I m so nervous I m sorry.Susan laughed up at Max, squeezing his hands. It s okay.Take your time.Max finished his vows without further issue, and when he finished he whispered three little wordsthat only a few people could see and Kayla was one of them.He looked down at Susan and mouthed: I love you.Kayla sniffed and wiped the tears off of her cheeks with the back of her hand, biting down on herquivering lip.Ah, hell.That was the last of her restraint.Cue the messy tears.Except they were messy tears of happiness for her sister a nice change to theriver of sadness she d cried last night over Cooper.But enough of that.Today was for her little sister.And Cooper could go back to the hell in which he was so determined to live.Susan said her vows, then they exchanged rings and kissed.As Kayla held both bouquets, tearsrunning down her face, she realized something.She did want this.She wanted it with Cooper.After posing for an obscene number of pictures, Kayla sank down into her chair at the receptionhall and rubbed her sore jaw.Who would ve thought smiling would cause so much pain? She relaxedagainst the back of the seat, taking a second to compose herself. Hey, sweetie, her father said, his voice coming from somewhere behind her. Can we talk?Kayla peeked over her shoulder. Hey, Dad.What s up? I m sorry Cooper left. He sat down.He looked older tonight, for some reason.Maybe becausehe d just watched his baby girl get married. I know you liked him. I know you didn t, she replied lightly. But I m fine.Today isn t about me. It might not be about you, but that doesn t mean I don t care. He sighed. I want to see you settleddown and happy.He smoothed his tie and glanced over his shoulder.Susan was dancing with Max, and Kayla smother was dancing with Uncle Frankie.Everyone looked joyful and carefree.She hoped to God shehad done a good enough job appearing to feel the same way.She picked up her glass of water and took a sip. I appreciate that, Dad.But I ve always been finealone.I like being alone.I m happy alone. Then why were you with Cooper?She could admit the truth.Say he d been pretending to love her so that the focus would be on Susaninstead of poor, single Kayla& but then Uncle Frankie would know Cooper had played them all.Andthat might affect him badly.Kayla wished things with Cooper could have been different wishedhe d been less afraid to take a chance on her but she wasn t going to end his career because hechose to leave her.She bit down on the side of her tongue.Cooper had told her she should just be honest and open, andthat her parents would accept that.Maybe it was worth a try.She sighed and lifted her hands insubmission. With Cooper, I was different.He s the one guy I didn t mind giving up my freedom for.But the rest of the time? I prefer to be single.I don t want to settle down and get married.I don t wantto pop out three kids before I m thirty-five.I just want to live, and let life take me where it will.Her father nodded. I know. You do?Laughing warmly at her, he said,  Of course.Do you honestly think your parents don t know you atall?She felt her jaw drop. Yes.I mean, no.I mean&  It s why you ve been single most of your life, and it s why you moved to Maine. He shrugged. You re independent.I think it s one of the things I admire most about you. Then why are you always trying to get me to settle down with a nice man? She felt completely ata loss for words. You re always pressuring me to get married.Always asking if there s a specialguy in my life. That s because I was waiting for a guy like Cooper to sweep you off your feet. Her dad took adrink of water, then met her eyes. I m not going to live forever.I m just looking for someone to takecare of you when I m gone. I can take care of myself, Dad. She reached out and squeezed his hand. And you re not goinganywhere.I forbid it.He smiled, but it looked sad. I would love to obey, but some things are out of my control.No onelives forever.She swallowed past the lump in her throat.She didn t even want to think about that day. I ll befine, Dad.He kissed her temple, then pulled back. What happened with Cooper? He broke up with me. She averted her gaze. He s& he s leaving, and he didn t feel right leavingme to worry.He s scared that if something happens to him, I ll fall apart. He told me that last night.But I didn t think he d break it off with you.She sat up straighter. Wait, he told you he was going to break up with me? Why would he tell youthat? Not in so many words, but he expressed his concern for you after he shipped out. Her dad rubbedhis jaw. I told him you could handle it, because I was trying to be supportive.But honestly? I thinkyou re better off this way.I think he s right.She stiffened. I could have handled it. Yeah, you could have. He reached out and squeezed her shoulder. But you deserve so muchmore. I m so sick of people telling me they made the right choice for me. She curled her hands intofists. I can make my own decisions. He s been scarred by his friend s death and the role he irrationally thinks he played in it.Not tomention the responsibility of watching over his friend s fiancée a woman who, I d bet anything, isstruggling to adjust to life without her fiancé.He doesn t want to put you through the same thing.Isthat such a bad reason to end things? Not letting me decide for myself? Yeah. She lifted a shoulder. But the motives behind them?No. Sometimes the worst actions come for all the right reasons, no matter how wrong they might feel.He finished off his drink and then set it down. Do you understand my motives for being concernedabout your welfare? I get where you re coming from, yes.Her father nodded. Just remember that he and I aren t that different.She tilted her head. Are you serious? Yes.He s scared you ll be hurt if he leaves. Her father stood. And I fear the same.Not sodifferent after all.He left before she could reply.And honestly, she didn t know what she would say anyway.He dkind of blown her mind.When he put it that way, she saw everything her family, Cooper, her ownlife in a whole new light.She stood up and smiled at her sister, who approached with a dreamy look in her eyes. Hey, sis. Hey. Susan hugged her. I have a surprise for you. For me? Kayla squinted at her. It s your wedding, not mine.You re not supposed to surpriseme.Susan peeked over her shoulder, her whole body vibrating with excitement. I know [ Pobierz caÅ‚ość w formacie PDF ]