Page 148 of Head Over Heels
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Sophie had smiled so much her cheeks ached as she shook another hand of a Revival citizen. The day was perfect. The sun was shining, it was warm but not stifling, and the new town square was so pretty it could be in a movie. They’d set up the festival so the booths and community sponsors lined the area, so as to not mar the beauty of the new center. Fresh green grass was the perfect contrast to the giant white gazebo where the city orchestra played.
Sophie made sure huge, lush flowers hung in pots, dripping foliage in bright colors. She’d also lined the gazebo with twinkle lights and strung them across the old trees. It was gorgeous, and she experienced a sense of immense satisfaction at the outcome.
She couldn’t wait to see it all lit up.
Mary Beth Crowley hugged her. “This is beyond my wildest imagination.”
Sophie laughed. “It was a group effort, as you well know.”
“But still, I’m good, but I know when I’ve met my match.” The petite blond spitfire shook her head. “Seriously, without you it would have been nice, but you took it to a whole other level.”
“Thank you, I’m glad you’re happy.” Sophie couldn’t deny the event gave her a different type of satisfaction than she’d ever experienced before. What she loved was that the rewards were so immediate. Yes, there’d been the normal chaos, and craziness, and last-minute disasters that accompanied these types of things, but it was all worth it when people came up to her to thank her so enthusiastically. It’s what she’d always loved, to take something rough and unpolished and make it shine.
Mary Beth smiled. “Griffin told me about your idea for the forest area at the end of the river.”
“And?”
“I love it. It’s genius.” She winked. “Best of both worlds, you know?”
“I do.” Over the small blonde’s shoulder, Sophie’s attention caught on Ryder talking to a couple people she didn’t recognize. As though he sensed her gaze, he glanced at her and smiled that smile he had just for her.
Somehow, admitting she loved him had lifted a weight off her chest. And last night she’d poured every drop of energy into showing him how much he mattered to her. They were low on sleep, but it was so worth it. She’d think about everything else on Monday, on the road back to Chicago. But she was determined to enjoy this time with him.
After all, it could be her last. She didn’t delude herself. When she got back to Revival she’d have to tell him he couldn’t move with her. She wanted to pretend, but she knew the truth. He didn’t belong in Chicago. They’d end, and there’d be no coming back. This, right now, was a temporary respite.
So she’d enjoy it while she could.
“I know that look.” Mary Beth’s voice shook her from her trance.
Sophie jerked back to the present. “I’m sorry?”
She laughed. “You do know you’re crushing the dreams of all the single women in Revival.”
Sophie shrugged. She wasn’t going to explain those dreams might still be alive. Instead she said, “He’s quite a man.”
“That he is.” Mary Beth turned to peer over her shoulder. “It took a lot to get him here, but it was worth the effort. Some people just fit, you know?”
“I do know.” And she understood what Mary Beth meant. Ryder did belong there. He seemed like part of the fabric and flow of the town. It was why she knew she couldn’t take it away from him.
It would be unfair.
Mary Beth touched her arm. “You could be one of those people.”
Shocked, Sophie blinked at her. “What?”
“This town, it needs people like you. I’m just saying you wear Revival well.”
“Oh.” Sophie didn’t know what to say, or even what to think, but it felt a little like her worldview had just tilted. She laughed, awkwardly. “That’s just because you’ve never seen me on Michigan Avenue.”
Mary Beth nodded. “Maybe.”
Sophie knew where she belonged, and it wasn’t Revival.
* * *
Later that night, as a local band played covers of eighties classic rock, Sophie lay with Ryder on a big blanket and looked at the stars. It was late, and this was the final show before everyone went home for the night. Sophie experienced an unexpected burst of longing that this, right here, would last forever. That she would never have to move from this time and space and she could exist here, holding hands with Ryder.