Pretend You're Mine(139)
Hand-in-hand they approached the mic. “Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. Gloria and I would like to dedicate this song to the woman we owe everything to. This one’s for you, Harper.”
“We love you,” Gloria said, blowing Harper a kiss.
The music started and Aldo and Gloria swayed together. Gloria broke into “I’ve Got You Babe” in a crystal clear voice.
“Oh my God,” Harper laughed.
Aldo warbled, Gloria tossed her hair Cher-style, and the entire bar hummed and swayed along.
Harper felt like her smile would split her face.
As Aldo crooned about wearing his ring, he held up Gloria’s hand and a distinct sparkle caught the light. Harper’s heart exploded along with the crowd.
She was blinded by happiness as Aldo and Gloria grinned at each other.
She could imagine them standing at the alter beaming at each other and hoped that she could be there to witness such happiness.
Gloria hopped off the stage and Harper grabbed for her hand. The diamond sparkled like its owner’s eyes. She wrapped the tiny brunette in a fierce hug. “I am so happy for you two.”
“We wouldn’t be here without you, Harp,” Aldo said, moving in for his hug.
“So we’re hoping you’ll agree to be our maid of honor,” Gloria said, clasping her hands together.
“Are you serious?” Harper yelped. “Oh, you guys! I would be honored!”
Gloria hugged her again. “Mind if we join you?”
“Please! Sophie disappeared. I can’t believe she’s missing this.”
A third chair was magically produced, and Gloria and Aldo crowded around the tiny table.
“This is a pretty incredible send off,” she whispered to Gloria.
Her friend smiled, but said nothing.
Aldo dug into the nachos. “I was too nervous to eat dinner tonight.”
“You guys were great.”
“Wait until you see the next act,” Gloria winked.
She didn’t have long to wait. They were already taking the stage.
The Garrisons. And Joni.
Sophie was front and center with Claire and Joni flanking her. Charlie, James, Uncle Stu, and Ty crowded in behind them. They were all wearing ugly Christmas sweaters that said Garrison X’mas.
The funky ’70s beat of Sister Sledge’s “We Are Family” filled the bar. The women moved toward the mic in unison.
They pointed to Harper and sang to her about family. Tears pricked at her eyes and quickly changed to laughter when the men stepped forward for their off-key chorus.
From the stage, Sophie tossed her something soft. Harper unfolded it to reveal a matching sweater. She hugged it to her chest and mouthed “thank you.”
The Garrisons took their bows to wild applause and the people at the front tables scrambled to make room for them.
Charlie stopped next to Harper and put his hand on her shoulder. “You’re family, kid.”
Claire swooped in for a hug, giving Harper a few precious seconds to compose herself.
“Thank you,” Harper said, squeezing Claire tighter.
“Oh sweetheart, we’re thanking you.”
“Me? Why? You’ve given me so much.”
“And this is what you gave us,” Claire said pointing to the stage.
Harper’s heart clutched. Luke stood alone in front of the mic, hands in his pockets.
CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE
It hurt to look at him. The perfect face, the body that had been so familiar. Now he was someone that she used to know. It broke her heart all over again.
He was watching her, oblivious to everyone else in the bar.
“I’d like to dedicate this song to one of the women I’ve been lucky enough to love in this lifetime. I don’t deserve you Harper, but I hope you won’t hold that against me, because I love you with every piece of me.”
The crowd whistled and whooped, but Harper didn’t notice. There was only Luke standing there, telling her he loved her.
She could barely see him through the tears.
He cleared his throat as the first bars of “Angel Eyes” played. The women in the crowd aw-ed. Harper brought her hands to her face. He was her dream come true.
She watched Luke as he sang the words she had longed to hear. Her heart filled until it felt like it would burst. As the last guitar note faded, Luke held out his hand to her. Harper stood, but the crowd was so big, there was no way to get to him. Ty and James solved the problem. They lifted her onto the table and Luke met her on the other side, plucking her off and holding her against him, her feet dangling.
“I love you, Harper, and I’m done hiding. Can you forgive me?”
Words failed her, but she could nod, which she did until she felt like her head would snap off.
Luke grinned up at her. His dimple winking into existence. He let her slide a little lower so his lips could find hers in a salty, sweet promise.