Meant to Be (Sweetbriar Cove #1)(80)

Was this really happening?

Poppy's heart was in her throat before the end of the very first verse. She was barely aware of the crowd watching the two of them, all that mattered was right there in front of her: the emotion in Cooper's eyes as he sang to her, his voice almost catching on the words.

"Tell me that your sweet love hasn't died . . ."

And then the song he'd chosen began to sink in. The regret in those lyrics.

It was an apology.

She would have taken a few words from him, any time, anywhere, but he was doing it here, in front of everyone. Admitting he'd been wrong, and promising to make it right. He meant every line, pouring his heart into the song. So did this mean what she'd only let herself imagine: that he was sorry for pushing her away?



       
         
       
        

Did he want another chance for them?

"You were always on my mind."

The final words faded away, and then for a long moment, the room was completely silent. Poppy felt the emotion shimmering in the air between them, and then suddenly, there was applause. Whistles and hooting broke through the spell, and Cooper finally looked away, bashful.

Someone pushed her to her feet. "Go on," June hissed, nudging her forward, but Poppy held back. Her pulse was racing, heart pounding in her chest, but still, she couldn't believe it. He'd walked away, and said there was no hope for them.

So what had changed?

Cooper cut through the crowd to her. "Hey," he said softly, and Poppy had to curl her hands at her sides to keep from reaching for him. He was clean-shaven and smart in a sky-blue button-down, and god, looking way too good to resist.

"Hi," Poppy echoed. She didn't want to hope, but it was too late for that. Hope was a thousand wing-beats fluttering in her chest, as if all it would take was a word from him, and she'd take flight. "I, um, didn't know you could sing."

"Sorry," Cooper looked bashful. "I'm kind of rusty."

"No," Poppy said quickly. "That was . . ." She trailed off, not able to put it in words just yet. And not even sure she should. She gulped and forced herself to ask straight out. "What was that?"

Cooper took a breath. "That was an apology. At least, the start of one." He took her hands in his, meeting her eyes with a look that was so full of regret and determination, it took her breath away. "I'm sorry. For pushing you away, for screwing this whole damn thing up. I'm not like you," he added with a rueful smile. "I never believed in true love, or soulmates. At least, not before you."

Oh god.

It was really happening. Poppy felt the tears stinging in her eyes, but she was too overwhelmed to keep them back. She'd written her share of happy endings, but nothing compared to the way she felt right now.

The future she'd dreamed of was standing right there in front of her.

"I love you," he said, searching her face. His voice was choked with emotion, but he didn't stop. "I promise, I'm never running from it again. You can count on me, for good this time. Will you give me another chance?" he asked. "I won't let you down."

Poppy managed a nod. "I love you, too," she said. She was in tears in front of everyone, but she couldn't care less. Not when Cooper was pulling her into his arms, and finding her lips with his own, and kissing her with enough passion to wipe away the past week without him.

A kiss to make her forget the lonely nights it had taken to get them there. A kiss to heal every bitter wound. 

A kiss to build a tomorrow.

She fell into the promise of forever, his lips strong and true against her mouth. And when she finally surfaced for air, the whole room was cheering.

Poppy blushed, realizing everyone was watching, but Cooper was still looking at her like she was the only person in the world. "Will you stay?" he asked, pressing her hands to his chest. "For the summer, at least. And then, after that, we can do whatever you want. I'll move to the city, or you can be here-"

"I'm staying." She answered without thinking, but the moment the words left her lips, she felt just how right they were. Sweetbriar Cove already felt like home, and the thought of building a future here-with him-filled her with happiness.

Cooper's face spread in an enormous grin. "You're sure?"

"I'm sure." Poppy beamed back. It turned out that taking that leap was easy in the end.

Some things were just meant to be.

"You guys!" They were suddenly smothered in a hug from Mackenzie. "I knew it! I knew you couldn't be so pig-headed in the end."

"Hey!" Cooper objected, laughing.