Beth

Beth woke up alone the morning of Brenna’s wedding. She was wrapped in a blanket on her bed and couldn’t remember how she’d gotten there. The last thing she recalled was lying under the stars with Parker.

It’d been so still and peaceful on the balcony. But as Beth stretched her stiff limbs the reality of what she’d discovered last night came crashing back—Jared and Caroline.

It was enough to knock the wind out of her. And for about two seconds Beth felt angry, and then sorry for herself. But when she dragged herself into the bathroom and saw the note taped to the mirror, all those feelings melted away.

Good morning beautiful. I went for a run. I’ll see you at the altar. I’ll be the one who can’t take my eyes off of you. xxxx – P

PS – remember to look for the rainbows.

Butterflies barreled through Beth’s stomach obliterating any feelings but those she had for Parker. She hadn’t heard that saying in ages. It was something she and Parker used to say to each other as kids. It started when they were eight and Beth’s big pool party got rained out. She had spent what was supposed to be a great day in her room crying until Parker came over. He asked why she was crying and her response was, “Isn’t it obvious? It’s raining on my parade.”

Beth held the note to her heart, smiling at the memory. She’d never forget Parker’s response. He’d shrugged and said, “that just means we can look for rainbows.” Then he held out his hand and led Beth outside. They’d spent the rest of the day splashing around in rain boots laughing and hunting down rainbows. ‘Looking for rainbows’ had been their mantra for spoiled plans ever since.

Parker had always been the rainbow in Beth’s cloudy day, and today was no exception. But today wasn’t even cloudy. Beth realized with sudden clarity that the storm had passed and she was finally free. More than that, she was finally with Parker, or she would be very shortly.

Beth hopped in the shower with renewed confidence. Today was going to be all rainbows.

Jared

“Jared, don’t do this,” Caroline begged.

He ignored her pleas and continued shoving his things into his duffle bag. He’d been in complete shock since last night. Every time he closed his eyes, all he could see was Beth’s heartbroken expression. Jared was a fool to think he still had a chance, but he had nothing to lose at this point.

“Jared, just talk to me.”

He refused to look at her.

“She’s never gonna take you back.”

“I guess we’ll see,” he replied.

“If you go after her you can kiss your scholarship goodbye.”

Jared stopped packing. He finally met Caroline’s gaze, shocked by the emotion he saw simmering there. He’d finally reached his crossroad. Beth or lacrosse? The girl or the game?

He had a decision to make. And it wasn’t an easy one.

Beth

Beth was late getting to Brenna’s room, but when she’d gotten out of the shower she noticed that Parker had rearranged the shells from their initials to spell out, I LOVE YOU. Beth had to leave him a message of her own. She smirked to herself imagining Parker finding her response.

“What are you smiling about?” Brenna asked, peering at Beth over her champagne flute.

Beth schooled her face. Her sisters were like bloodhounds when it came to gossip, they didn’t miss a thing. They were all gathered in Brenna’s room drinking mimosas and in various stages of getting their hair and makeup done. Brenna scooted over on the divan and patted the spot next to her.

Grabbing a scone and mimosa of her own, Beth joined her sister. “Ready for the big day?” Beth asked hoping to dodge the questions simmering in Brenna’s eyes.

“I was born ready,” Brenna quipped.

“Truer words were never spoken,” Britton called from across the room.

Beth laughed and stuffed a bite of scone into her mouth. This was gonna be a long morning. But secretly, Beth was looking forward to it. Her sisters hadn’t all been together like this in years. And being back at Bellemora together made it even more special.

Beth dreamily reached up to touch Nana’s pearls around her neck. It was almost like old times. And now that things were finally over with her and Jared, she felt lighter than she had in days. For once, her head and her heart weren’t being pulled in two different directions and it felt incredible. She could finally enjoy herself. Or she could if her infernal phone would stop ringing.

She’d turned the ringer off, but the dull vibrating was grating on her nerves. Brenna kept eyeing Beth’s phone suspiciously.

“Who keeps calling you?” Brenna finally asked.

“My ex.”

Brenna’s eyebrows flew up and Beatrice smeared mascara onto her cheek.

“I’m sorry, did you just say, ex?” Bianca called from across the room.

Beth sighed. Bloodhounds. “Yes, Jared and I broke up last night.”

All of her sisters exchanged looks.

“Can we not make a big deal about this?” Beth begged. “Today is about Brenna. We can ex-boyfriend bash tomorrow.”

Brianne pouted. “But ex boyfriend-bashing is my favorite sport.”

“Too bad,” Brenna called. “You had your day. Today is all about me.”

Once the rest of Beth’s sisters went back to their primping, Brenna pulled Beth out onto the balcony. “Today may be all about me,” she said. “But I want to know what happened.”

“Bren, I really don’t want to get into it.”

“But I’m the bride,” Brenna pouted.

Beth rolled her eyes and swatted her.

“Come on, Bethy. At least tell me if you took my advice about Parker.”

“More or less,” Beth admitted, trying to conceal her grin.

“You’ve made your decision, then?”

Beth nodded.

“And it’s Parker?”

Beth couldn’t contain her smile any longer. Just the mention of Parker’s name made her giddy. “Yes,” she whispered excitedly.

Brenna whooped. “It’s about time!” Then she pulled Beth into a bone-crushing hug. “Now spill it!”

In a flash, the rest of Beth’s sisters piled onto the balcony to see what all the fuss was about. They’d no doubt been eavesdropping—it was practically a Bennett sister super power.

“Hey, no sister-talk without me!” Britton scolded. “I flew all the way from Scotland for this.”

Brenna beamed at Beth and then shouted loud enough to be heard two towns over, “Beth and Parker are finally doing it!”

Beth’s hand flew to her mouth. “Oh my God, Brenna! We are so not doing it!” But her feeble protests were drowned out by the rest of her sisters’ cheers. Each of them took turns pulling Beth into a fierce embrace and giving her sage sisterly advice.

It turned out that all of Beth’s sisters felt like Brenna did—Beth and Parker were meant for each other. They all had such kind things to say about him, sharing little ways they’d each noticed him hiding his feelings for her. Apparently all of Beth’s sisters had watched his love for her blossom into the vibrant bouquet that now overwhelmed her.

By the time her sisters’ excitement died down Beth was near tears with happiness. The Bennett girls knew Parker so well and they all felt he fit into their family like the missing piece.

For a moment, Beth felt silly for having missed all the signs of what they’d become to each other. But unexpectedly, it was Brenna who made her feel better.

“Sometimes we can’t see the things that are right in front of us, until we learn how to see ourselves first,” Brenna said quietly.

Beth squeezed Brenna’s hand. There was so much strength there and never had Beth been more grateful that Hurricane Brenna, in all her feisty, wild nature, was her sister.

Parker

Parker finished his morning run. He trekked eight miles on the beach. It was more than his usual six, but he couldn’t seem to stop. He just felt so alive. The salt air and the soft sand tried to coax him to keep going, but he was anxious to get back to Bellemora—back to Beth.

He knew he wouldn’t have time to see her before the ceremony, but just knowing he’d be in her general vicinity eased his mind. It’d always been like that for him. Parker felt better whenever he was where Beth was. He smiled to himself knowing it would be nearly impossible to tear himself away from her today. He’d seen her pale lacey bridesmaid dress hanging in the bedroom before he left for his run. She was going to look stunning in it.

Parker was lost in daydreams of Beth when he heard his name being catcalled from the balcony he jogged under. He looked up and nearly tripped. Beth and her sisters were all in states of half-dress as they waved and cheered like girls gone wild. Parker’s eyes found Beth’s and she smiled at him so brightly his chest hurt.

“Spot any rainbows yet?” he shouted.

Beth leaned over the railing, giggling like a child. “They’re all I see,” she called back.

And then she blew Parker a kiss, riling her sisters even further. They teased him some more, dragging a giggling Beth back into the suite like she was a princess awaiting her knight.

Her wild laughter trailed after Parker like music. He smiled to himself as he jogged away, his heart swelling in his chest. Beth’s happiness was all that had ever mattered to him, and being the one to bring that to her filled him up in a way he couldn’t express. He found himself wondering if her laughter alone was enough to sustain him. Parker laughed at himself, because in that instant, he knew it was.