Page 81 of Just One Spark

"It wasn't true obviously.I hadn't spoken to Hattie in years.But I wanted to.I wanted to find out why we stopped being friends."

A woman near me said, "How sweet," to her friend.

"I convinced Hattie to agree to pretend to be my fiancée until the brewery opened.When her apartment was declared uninhabitable, I asked her to move in with me.It was what any good boyfriend would do.We spent more time together, and I found out why she stopped talking to me all those years ago.It killed me, because she blocked me out of a time in her life when I would have wanted to be there for her.But that's Hattie, strong and independent to the core.She doesn't let anyone in.But over time, it started to feel like she was lettingmein.With every story from her past, every vulnerability she shared, I fell more in love with her."His tone was affectionate.

Tears stung my eyes.

"So, yes, it might have started out as something pretend.But it got real fast, and I fell all the way in love with Hattie.Tonight, I was planning on telling her how I felt."Then he looked from me to the crowd."Not like this of course.It was going to be somewhere private where it was just us.I'd tell her that I loved her and give her another charm for her bracelet."

I felt everyone's gaze on me, and everyone shifted to the side so that there was no one between us anymore.If he wanted to walk off the stage, there was nothing stopping him from getting to me.

His gaze flickered from me to the other people in the crowd."My only concern was that she didn't return my feelings.That she hadn't fallen in love with me.But now I know it doesn't matter if she felt the same way, because she changed me forever.I'll always love her.I'll always be here for her.No matter what."

Then he moved away from the microphone and hopped off the stage.In a few strides, he was standing in front of me."I love you, Hattie Collins."

"I love you too."It was the easiest thing to say because it was true.Then I laughed shakily."I've been holding that inside forever."

He crushed me to him and kissed me hard.It wasn't a question.He wasn't asking me anything.He was telling me that I was his now.This wasn't pretend.It was finally my reality.

Cheers erupted around us, but all I could feel was him.

He picked me up and swung me around.When he finally set me down, he touched my cheek."I can't believe you're here.That you love me."

I smiled up at him, feeling lighter than I had in a long time.It felt good to be honest with him.To let someone in.I touched his wrist."This is real."

He kissed me again.Then he reached for my wrist, and secured a red heart charm on my bracelet.

Jane appeared next to us."Is the engagement still a sham?"

Rowan grinned."I have no intention of asking for the ring back.It's right where it's supposed to be."

With a sigh, Jane drifted away.There wasn't a story anymore.Unless it was the one where Rowan fell in love with me, and I loved him right back.

Rowan dipped his head so that he was talking in my ear and no one else could hear."I might ask you again.Recreate that night on the rooftop when I messed up so badly.I was worried that you didn't feel the same way, and I wanted to give you an out if you didn't."

I blinked away the tears."It felt so real."

He ran a thumb over my jaw."Because itwasreal.I was telling you how I felt.Maybe this engagement was too soon.But this is where we were going.I don't want you to move out.I don't want you to leave.I want you to stay."

"I want to stay too."

"Do you forgive me for being a jerk?For jumping to conclusions and blaming you when you had every right to tell your mother the truth?"

"Of course I forgive you."This was what relationships were about.They weren't perfect.But you worked together when you messed up.You forgave each other.You worked hard to keep the relationship.This wasn't going to be easy, but I wasn't going anywhere.

"I hear congratulations are in order," Mom said, and I gasped.

"Mom, what are you doing here?"

She smiled, and it was the first genuine smile I'd seen in a long time."I came here to support you and Rowan.I know you said your relationship wasn't real, but I know when my daughter is in love."

I sucked in a breath.I thought Mom was too preoccupied with her own feelings, but she saw me.I hugged her."Turns out you were right."

After I pulled away, Rowan hugged her too."I'm so happy you could be here, Mrs.Collins."

"You can call me Trista.Now I'm going to mingle while you two have your moment together."

Mom moved away, and Rowan asked, "Would you like to try one of the brews or maybe even some hot chocolate?"