Eighteen months later
I PUSHED THROUGH the door of Copeland Stained Glass Studio, a tray of freshly baked muffins in my hands. Addy was close on my heels, her arms brimming full of several more delicious pastries she specifically whipped up for the studio’s grand opening celebration.
Eighteen months ago, after admitting we loved and wanted to be with each other, Sam and I discussed how we could make our relationship work. He had been adamant that I keep my job, and I’d been just as hard-pressed that he followed through with the opportunity in Boston. Ultimately, we’d decided on long distance, which meant frequent flights on both of our parts. He occasionally flew home on the weekends to continue helping his father, and once the busy Easter holiday season passed, I requested some time off work and spent a few weeks with him. When we weren’t together, I kept myself busy, devoting my time between my family and Mason.
Once Sam’s assignment was over and the job finished, he returned home and decided he was ready to follow through on his dream of opening a stained glass studio. We found the perfect building, Sam signed the contract, and the deal was closed. After twelve long months of hard labor—restoring the former location that had been left in near ruins by the previous owners—it was finally ready to greet the public. Sam had worked tirelessly, pouring all his free time into making sure the contractors were on schedule, while simultaneously working in his private home studio. He’d locked himself away for hours on end, creating hundreds of new pieces to put on display.
Today, the fruits of his labor could finally be shared, sold, and appreciated.
Three stores down from The Coffee Cave, the new studio was perfectly situated in a row of shops that would hopefully draw in customers of every age. Two large stained glass front windows showcased his craftsmanship and offered a glimpse of the art hidden inside. Pieces, from stained glass vases to bowls, lined the shelved walls, and hundreds of chandeliers and wind chimes dangled from the ceiling. No matter where you looked, there was beauty in the broken, and here, under the bright lights and accompanied by cheerful smiles, it was so easy to see.
Placing the tray of muffins on the refreshment table, I immediately slipped into the rear office, searching for Sam.
“Sam, baby? Are you in here?”
I stopped in the doorway, hesitating only long enough to drink my fill of his devastatingly handsome appearance. Dressed in a crisp, black tux and a silk, maroon tie, he rested on the edge of his desk, his hands in his pockets.
He lifted his chin from where he’d been staring at a spot on the floor, an expression cast over his features that was proving difficult to read. “Yeah. I’m here.” He paused, his breath hitching as his gaze performed a slow caress from the tips of my toes to the top of my head. “God, you look beautiful.”
I glanced at my dress, the color a perfect match to his tie, and smiled shyly. Heat collected in my cheeks at the way he looked at me. It was the same way he always looked at me—as if I was giving his heart every reason to beat.
Erasing the distance, I took his face in my hands and ran my fingers over the coarse layer of stubble he’d trimmed that morning. “You okay?”
“Yeah.” He nodded, the ball in his throat bobbing on a nervous swallow. “I’m just anxious, that’s all. I want this to go well.”
“It will.” I smiled reassuringly at him. “I promise you it will.”
Strong and possessive arms snaked around my waist, pulling me between the V of his thighs. “Thank you for being here with me. I couldn’t have done this without you.” He brushed his nose along the length of mine, his mouth hovering a hairsbreadth away.
“I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.”
His large, warm palm ghosted up the skin of my bare arm and to my face where he tucked away a loose curl. “I know,” he murmured, smoothing his thumb over my cheek and drawing my body closer until it was flush with his.
Our lips met in a slow kiss, our tongues dipping inside one another’s mouth to tangle and taste. With each tender sweep, each gentle caress, I melded farther into him, the pride and emotion I’d felt all day welling up inside me like a dam ready to burst. I clung to his shoulders, knowing if I let go I’d lose my balance.
We continued to kiss for several long seconds until I reluctantly forced myself to take a step back. “We should get out there. Everyone’s waiting.”
“Everyone?” He lifted a brow. “And who exactly is everyone?”
Grabbing his hand and winking at him, I dragged him along. “You’ll see.”
Sam had made the decision to leave me in charge of the guest list and hiring the promotional company to market the event. And well, to say he would be surprised would be an understatement. The gallery’s opening had been broadcasted on every TV and radio station within one hundred miles, and the early interest and response alone promised a spectacular turnout. I hadn’t told him, because I didn’t want to add any unnecessary stress or pressure to his already overworked self.
When we entered the main room of the studio, Sam’s jaw dropped to the floor. Among our close friends and family were at least one hundred people we’d never before met. They stood gathered in circles, exchanging smiles and laughs while pointing to the array of mesmerizing pieces.
“What did you do?”
I bit my lip, hiding my grin. “I may have posted a few ads and flyers around town.”
“A few? Cassi, this is clearly the result of more than a few.”
Tilting my head in his direction, I shrugged. “Maybe. The marketing team might have done the rest.”
“Jesus.” His hand gripped the back of my neck, gently tugging me until his lips collided with my temple. “You never fail to amaze me, you know that?” He lingered there for a few moments before kissing me again.
“Come on.” I threaded my fingers through his. “Let’s go greet our guests.”
Seeing Addy and Mr. Copeland standing in one corner, Sam and I walked over to join them. The pair had become rather close over the last several months, which was understandable given Mr. Copeland’s frequent visits to Addy’s coffee shop, but I was convinced there was something more than friendly companionship blossoming between the two of them.
Only time would tell, I supposed.
Robert looked at his son with tearful pride in his eyes. “You did good, son. You did real good.”
“Ah, come on, Dad.” Sam squeezed his father’s shoulder before pulling him into a hug, and I swear my heart fell a little more in love with him in that moment. His relationship with his father hadn’t been easy, but they’d both put in the time and effort to rebuild what was once completely broken. “Don’t cry.”
“I’m sorry.” He wiped the water from his wrinkled cheeks. “I just wish your mother could be here for this. She’d be so damn proud you. So damn proud.”
We remained there for a few minutes, chatting about the evening’s schedule and expectations and then continued to maneuver ourselves around the congregated circles of mostly strangers.
In the distance, my sight landed on my sister and her husband as they weaved their way through the growing and bustling crowd, glasses of champagne in their hands. Stopping in front of us, Jenny pulled me into a hug and then wrapped Sam up in her arms, and the happiness that filled me at seeing them embrace was indescribable. Aside from being my sister, Jenny was my best friend, and her love and support, for not only me, but toward my relationship with Sam, had been important over the course of the past year and a half. Eighteen months later, and she still harbored guilt for the way she’d spoken to him even though Sam had found it in his heart to forgive her.
Of course, he had.
His heart was too kind to hold grudges or resentment.
The next two hours were a whirlwind of greeting and chatting with guests, answering questions and making sure everyone was enjoying themselves, and ensuring the grand opening was everything Sam had hoped it would be. People filtered through the door, one after the other, and seeing the smiles light up on their faces as they soaked up the beauty of Sam’s work filled me with awe.
There wasn’t a day that passed that I hadn’t thanked fate or the universe for bringing him to me.
As the night dwindled and the moment fell upon us for Sam to give his speech, nearly every piece on display had been marked with a sold sign. The turnout had been incredible, and the success of the overall event astounding.
Silence fell around us as Sam took center stage. He cleared his throat, looking at me briefly before making eye contact with every possible guest in the room.
“I want to thank you all for being here and making this opening the most successful it could ever be. As many of you know, a portion of the proceeds this evening will be donated to the Adam Hoffman Foundation, a foundation set up by myself and my girlfriend, Cassi, in honor of the man who had made the selfless decision to participate in organ donation. The foundation is a non-profit organization which provides support and services to those, and their families, either awaiting an organ transplant or those whose loved ones recently passed and have graciously donated the gift of life. In the span of four hours, we have collectively managed to raise seventeen thousand dollars, and we couldn’t have done it without all of you. So, on behalf of myself, Cassi, and the entire foundation, we thank you for your support and generosity.” A round of applause ignited and then quietly dissipated as Sam smoothed a hand down his tie. “I know you’re all anxious to return to the festivities and the amazing food, but before I take a step away from the spotlight, I want to take a moment to recognize the woman in my life.”
All eyes turned to me as Sam stepped away from the middle of the floor. He strode right up to me, taking my hands in his, holding my gaze as if it were the only thing giving him the courage to continue his speech. “Cassi, your unending support over these last eighteen months has meant more than you can ever imagine. For the first time in twenty-nine years, I’m living my best life, and it’s because I have you by my side, believing in me, encouraging me, loving me.” His fingers smoothed over my skin. “I love you so much, and I wouldn’t be where I am right now if it weren’t for you.” Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a small, black leather box. He stared at it for the length of two stuttering beats and then lowered to one knee, stealing the breath from my lungs and all the available oxygen from the crowded room.
“Oh my God.” Tears clouded my vision as the thought left me on a disbelieving gasp.
Everyone and everything slowly faded.
“You once told me we were both broken and there was a chance we might never be whole. And maybe you were right. Maybe some things in this life are far more beautiful when the light is able to shine through its cracks, its imperfections. But if that is in fact the case, then I want to spend the rest of my life being beautifully broken with you. Only you.” With a slight tremble in his hands, he flipped open the lid of the box, revealing a stunning heart-shaped diamond ring. “Cassidy Porter, you already own my heart, but what I need to know is if you’d do me the honor of owning my name. Will you marry me?”
Not more than a second passed from the time he’d asked to the moment I was throwing my arms around his neck, kissing him with a thousand “yeses” spilling from my lips and tears streaming from my eyes. “Yes. I love you. I love you so much.”
He quickly slid the ring on my finger, a perfect fit, and then scooped me up off the floor, picking me up and spinning us around in a made-for-movie type of kiss. “And I love you. So damn much.”
By the time the whistles, cheers, and congratulations had subsided, Sam and I were left swaying to the sounds of soft music. With my ear pressed to his chest, I listened to the strong, steady beats of his heart. His heart. And it seemed as though my heart didn’t know how to be anything other than in love when it came to this man.
I stared at the ring on my finger, the way it dazzled and glistened under the bright overhead lights. It was stunning and breathtaking and one of a kind, just like the man who’d given it to me. “This night turned out to be incredible.”
“I believe I have you to thank for that.” Sam rested his cheek on top of my head as he danced me around in slow circles. There was a pregnant pause followed by his barely heard murmur. “Tonight feels like the start of the rest of my life.” Despite the sigh of contentment that floated from him, there was a hint of doubt—of lingering unsureness in his voice—and I wanted it gone.
Pushing up on my toes, I brought my mouth to his. “You deserve this, Sam. You deserve all of this.” It drifted across his lips on a whisper, but the way he leaned in and kissed me—hard—made it seem as though I’d shouted the words to the world.
And I would have if he’d let me, because it was true. He deserved happiness and every ounce of success that came with navigating his newfound life—his second chance.
A second chance made possible by Adam.
I often thought about him, but the sadness that had once been so prevalent was no longer present. It no longer hurt to see his photo or reminisce in our memories. Instead, I’d smile and lose myself in the incredible love we’d once shared. Truth was, I’d always love Adam. He’d always be a part of me, and although he wasn’t here, I couldn’t help but feel as if he’d been watching over me this entire time. Adam’s “always forever” was a promise he’d managed to keep even after he was gone. You see, it lived on in his heart. And his heart now lived on in Sam, a man who had come into my life and not only saved me but had become so much more than my everything.
Sam had taught me it was okay to let go, because letting go didn’t mean you had to forget. It didn’t mean you had to pretend to be okay or happy. There were some days when I was neither of those things, and that was all right. It was all right because it was a part of the process that at some point in our lives we’d all be forced to endure: healing.
Our heartache and pain made us who we were. It tore us down, forcing us to build ourselves back up and be stronger than the person we were yesterday, stronger than the person we would be tomorrow. And it was the people who loved us unconditionally that filled our broken cracks, renewing us with hope and making us realize that even during our most dark and difficult times, our beauty would constantly continue to shine.
THE END
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