Chapter Song: Dandelion- Oliver Hazard
"You know you didn't have to be my date," she sighed as I escorted her to her table, our drinks in my hands.
"Yeah yeah yeah," I rolled my eyes at her.
"You could have taken anyone I'm just saying," she grabbed her wine from me taking a seat. "You know someone attractive? Someone your age?" She scoffed at me as if it was obvious. This woman always had something to say.
"Yeah but I wanted to take you," I place a hand on her shoulder. "You look beautiful by the way mom," I gave her shoulder a light squeeze. "Way better than anyone I could have taken."
"And you look as handsome as ever, and I know you get that from me," she winked.
"Shouldn't you be making your speech?" Nolan looked up at me.
"Yeah I just wanted to show mom her table. I should probably find Ken too," I trailed off.
My mom raised her brows at Nolan giving him a look. A look that he also returned. Whatever that meant.
"She's absolutely stunning that one."
"And she's an incredible person," Nolan added in.
"Yeah she always is," I agreed with her. I glanced around the yard for her but didn't see her quite yet.
"She makes a really good lemony pasta dish, I need that recipe from her," my mom sighed.
"Wait what? When did she make you pasta?" I asked.
"She came by a week or so ago asking if she wanted some dinner. I think she made it for her parents." She smiled and clasped her hands together. "She stayed and we ate together on the back porch."
"That was nice of her," Nolan responded. "I've always liked her."
"Me too," mom agreed.
I get it they love Ken. I mean who wouldn't? She was a good person.
I didn't realize she had stopped by my moms house. It was interesting that she never mentioned it. I knew she'd been seeing her parents but I didn't think she'd go visit my mom.
The thought of the two of them sitting together made me smile and feel warm. They always got along well, and it made me happy knowing they still did. It didn't matter what happens between us, my mom still loved Ken. She always took care of her.
I used to think it was because my mom had boys growing up. As I'd gotten older I think it was just my mom being motherly. Like how Ken and Liam's dad was with me and Nolan. They all took us under each other's wings. It's takes a village they would tell us.
It definitely did.
Suddenly I spotted her blonde head sitting at a table. I didn't catch who it was at first, but at a second glass I knew instantly. Nothing seemed wrong but I knew we had our speeches to make.
"I'll find you later okay? Save me a dance." I kissed the top of her head and headed to find that stunning woman I couldn't stop staring at.
God she was intoxicating.
"Excuse me my beautiful ladies, Kennedy it's speech time." I bent down between the two of them as I reached their table.
I turned to Kenny's birth mom and introduced myself. I shook her hind politely and gave her a smile. She seemed friendly enough.
I could tell she was nervous being here. But it meant a lot to Liam. He talked about it a lot last night when I got him alone. He was nervous to see her again, introduce her to Riley, Kenny and her being in the same place even. He was excited underneath it all I could tell.
It was good she was here. It was good that the two of them were talking. No fires started.
Yet.
"Let me know before you leave tonight I'd like to say goodbye okay?" Kenny spoke up.
"Of course," she gave Ken a hug and whispered something that I couldn't hear.
I held out my arm for Ken and she linked hers through. It was simple and didn't mean much but it made me smile nevertheless. It felt good to be on the same side again. It felt like we were teammates.
"How'd it go?" I asked smiling at guests we passed.
"Surprisingly good." She sighed a bit relieved.
I could tell how much it meant to have that conversation with her. She didn't want her to be a parent but I think getting to know her would help heal a part of her.
"I told you, you could do it," I flapped the arm shaking hers too.
"Yeah yeah. You were right," something caught my foot causing me to fall forward a bit. Thankfully I caught myself before dragging the two of us down.
"Oh my god," I breathed a deep breath. "Don't start something you can't finish."
"I'm not starting anything. My dress was caught to my heel," she brushed me off.
"Uh huh, very plausible." I rolled my eyes at her. My grin was the only thing she was staring at. "Ladies first," I handed her the microphone.
As soon as she began speaking it was like everyone fell into a trance. She had that sort of effect on people. She was one of the people that walked into a room and you couldn't ignore her.
"There are people that come into your life and sometimes you can't seem to get rid of," I only heard part of her speech.
She was right. She was one of those people for me. I couldn't get rid of her no matter how hard I tried. She was stuck there regardless.
Focus.
I shook my head and thoughts away and tried to zone back in on what she was saying. It wasn't working well.
"I'm thankful to be stuck with these two people." She smiled at them. Riley was crying and Kenny was trying hard not to let her tears fall. I'll have to make fun of the two of them later.
Part of me thought I should step on her foot to help her out. It'd get her to focus on her words but I wasn't close enough to her.
I did want to see her smile more. She'd been doing it more recently and if I could capture that moment forever I would. Maybe that was why she liked taking photos so much.
Freezing time. There was something about being able to capture a memory or moment. It was like you could hold a piece of it with you forever. At least that's what it seemed like, or why people like taking photos so much. Maybe because they felt like they could stop time. To have control over something nobody actually does.
Anytime we were together I swore I felt time stop. Even if it was for just a glimpse. At least anytime her eyes landed on mine. But again it could just be the effect she had on people.
I couldn't believe how far she'd come since coming back. Even if it wasn't for long, she'd changed. I think it helped her being away even if she feels like it didn't. She needed it I think. As much as it pained me to admit it.
She'll probably think of the what if scenario. She was good with that game. But there's no telling what would have happened. It might have been worse for her is she stayed. We'll never really know.
What I do know is she'll always be there. Even if we let that part of us go. She would be there. She always was. We were both just too stubborn or hurt to push through it. I think we could handle it now though.
"Because what you really need is a best friend to go through all of it with. The good the bad and all the in between." She smiled. "As sad as i am you found a new best friend in each other," she sighed dramatically. "Im glad you found each other."
She would go back to London soon. And this time I wouldn't be dreading it. I think this time I could do it with an eased smile instead of a forced one.
Then I'd be choosing from one of the architecture programs I got accepted into. We both had new things going for us. It would be good.
We'd be good.
"Riley and Liam, I'm glad you found your happy."
She finished up her speech and even I started to get worked up. I didn't want to go and talk after that. I wanted to go sit at a quiet table and relax. Maybe grab a drink. Someone would find me and drag me bag to socializing. They always did.
Yet, I still took the mic from her. Our fingers grazed against the other and I shouldn't have focused on it but I did. I stuck my tongue at her and gave her a wink before taking her center spot.
Because what else was I supposed to do when I was supposed to make a speech about love? When the love of my life wouldn't be mine, couldn't be mine. When I had to stand up and talk about two of my favorite people and their love when my absolute favorite person was standing next to me when I so desperately wanted to be saying everything to her.
I couldn't do anything about it. Because we had to accept the truth. Some great loves don't get happy endings. Some great loves only get happy middles or chances or the in between. We weren't the happily ever afters.
So there I was staring at her making it seem like I didn't have a care in the world in front of so many of our family and friends. And I didn't picture her next to me holding my hand.
I turned to everyone plastered on a carefree smile even if it was forced and started the speech I had been practicing for weeks instead.