Never Have I Ever

Bonus Scene #1:

Poppy

“Are you sure this is okay?” I tug at the hem of my shirt and then glance at Marina for reassurance.

She moves behind me, peering over my shoulder and smiling in the mirror’s reflection. “It’s classy.”

“I never thought a crop top would be classy, but I agree.” The top is fitted with straps topped with bows that hang over my shoulders. The hem has the smallest of scalloped edging and hugs my tanned summer skin. Only a hint of my midsection shows, but it pops against the bright white of the material. “I love this outfit, but I think Laird will go crazy for it.”

The short skirt highlights my toned thighs, a reward from doing countless lunges for the past couple of years. Holding Marina’s shoulder, I slip one foot inside a white cowboy boot and then the other. I ask, “Do you think he’d prefer something more traditional? A bridal gown and church, a quartet playing the “Wedding March,” and a proper reception?”

She turns me toward her and takes hold of both my hands, giving them a gentle squeeze. “I think Laird prefers you over anything else. He loves you so much, Poppy.”

Her words are sweet, but I believe them. Laird loves me more than anything. Through his own pain, he protected me, keeping me safe from the repercussions of my amnesia.

I could never be mad that he loved me through the years and our reunion. He’s the reason I want to marry him, that I put this surprise together. Laird’s not the church ceremony kind of guy despite calling me his miracle in life.

So although the Magnolia Café may not be a traditional location to get married, I know he’ll appreciate that we get to start where we left off this time.

“I’ve never felt more loved in my life than I do with him.”

“You deserve it and,” she says, fussing about a few stray strands of hair, “you’ve never looked more beautiful. Love looks good on you, my friend.”

“Thank you.” I hug her, careful not to wrinkle the cotton top and trying not to mess up my makeup by crying. Though, as I blink back a few times, I’m worried it may be too late.

A knock on the door distracts my emotions that are getting away from me. Marina answers the door. Glancing back at me, she smiles. “Laird’s mom.”

I’ve not met Deidra and Joe Faris but a few times, but the connection to them was instant. Loving their son was easy to bond over.

She stands at the door, peeking in. “Is it all right if I’m here?”

“Yes,” I say, waving her inside the manager’s office we set up as the bridal room. “Please come in.”

Deidra comes in just as Marina grins. “I’ll get some water for us.” She exits and closes the door behind her.

Laird’s mom is stunning, just like his sister—blond hair styled in a bob that sweeps just above her shoulders. Even though I’m marrying her son in a diner in Austin, she’s still dressed as though it’s a beautiful event, wearing an ice-blue dress that hits the top of her knees and silver shoes to match. The blue is a dead ringer for Laird’s eye color. I’m thinking that’s not a coincidence. She’s thoughtful about every detail and never once complained or insulted regarding the plan when helping me organize the surprise nuptials.

She smiles as she takes a box from the nearby desk. “Laird is going to love this.”

“You think?”

Nodding with full confidence, she comes to me with the box in her hands. “He would have planned it the exact same. Every detail, including you, Poppy. You make a beautiful bride.”

My outfit along with the theme is a little kitschy and a lot rock-n-roll, wild and free like Laird and I are—how we met and how it would have been had I not been in an accident.

“Laird told me you would have been married almost three years now.”

“Three years in October.” I try not to think of the time we’ve lost, but what we have ahead. “The universe brought us back together.”

“I brought flowers for you.” She takes the lid off the box. “You don’t have to wear them. I took a chance.”

I look at the white flowers protected by the case and the pearls on the tips of bobby pins. My breath catches as the scent of gardenias fills the air between us.

With the slightest of shrugs, she adds, “I thought they would look pretty in your hair, but I don’t want to take away from your day—”

“They’re beautiful.” I pull my hair over one shoulder and say, “I didn’t honestly know what to do with my hair. Laird likes it down, and putting it up feels too formal for the outfit anyway. But these are perfect. Will you help pin them in my hair?”

Her eyes become glassy as she takes the box from me. “I’d be honored.” She studies my hair as I stand before her. “What do you think about taking a few strands from the crown and pinning them there?”

“I trust you.”

She maneuvers around me, her touch so light, but the pins feeling firm when they slide in. “The pearls are to honor the three years. The gemstone that represents that anniversary.”

Every detail is intended with love and acceptance of me into their family. It honestly doesn’t matter what I look like when she’s finished. The love is all that matters.

I’ve thought about my mom a few times this morning. I don’t regret not having her and her judgments here to criticize me, but the peace I’ve found came unexpectedly. Now with his mom filling in the holes of my family along with the Westcotts, the day feels complete.

Stepping back, she admires . . . I think it’s her work at first, but it’s not. It’s me she’s admiring. “My son is fortunate to have you in his life. We all are, Poppy.” She turns me toward the mirror. “What do you think?”

I’m careful to dab under my eyes with the back of my finger and not wipe. “They’re perfect.” I hug her. “Thank you for being so kind to me.”

Her embrace is as comforting as she is to me. “Welcome to the family.”

A quick knock on the door startles us. Marina says, “He’s here.”

Deirdra and I look at each other. “He’s here,” we say in unison.

I rush toward the door with Marina in tow. She says, “Lipstick.”

Grabbing it from her, I’m quick to swipe it on one last time as a single woman.

She adds, “Bouquet.”

We swap the lipstick for the flowers as we pass through the restaurant. An echoing of oohs and aahs fills the air around the intimate crowd of friends and family when I rush toward the door.

“Wish me luck.”

They laugh, but it’s sweet and genuine without a doubt in the room. That’s what family is—support to pursue your wildest dreams.

I catch a glimpse of Laird unloading his bag from the trunk just as I open the door and slip outside to wait for him.

It’s not nerves I feel but pure excitement. He’s been on the road for the past week while I sprang into action to plan our wedding. I’ve been missing the other half of my soul. This surprise will make the time apart worth it. After today, we’ll never be apart again.

I take a deep breath and release it as soon as Laird comes around the corner. He stops as if his own breath has been caught in his throat.

He’s as devastatingly handsome as he was the first and second time we met, but now I see the love in his eyes, and tears well in the corners of mine. I swallow, and then say, “Took you long enough.”

His duffel bag is dropped at his feet and then he closes the distance, taking me into his arms and kissing me. We don’t need words. Plenty of those have been exchanged over the time we’ve been reunited. We just need each other. Leaving us both breathless, he pulls back still holding my face in his hands, and replies, “I took the scenic route. Thirty-three months to be exact.”

With a smile that still weakens my knees shining on his face, I hold onto him—this time forever. “You got here just in time, babe.”