Love Like This, page 27
“Let me pass the phone to someone who might be able to explain.”
“Hadley.”
She closed her eyes when she heard the velvety voice she’d know anywhere. “Spencer, what are you doing in Venice?” she asked, mystified.
“The question is what are you doing in Paris?”
“I’m here for you,” she said quietly. “I should have been here all along.”
Spencer laughed. “Well, that’s perfect because I’m here for you, where I never should have left.”
Hadley stared up at the darkening Paris sky. “We’re ridiculous.”
“I’m ridiculously in love with you, is what I am.”
Hadley turned it around. “You are? No. You don’t have to say that. We can pick up where we left off. Open minds, remember?”
“I don’t have an open mind anymore. Mine’s decided. I love you, and I flew all this way to tell you so.”
Hadley couldn’t keep up. With the utterance of the three words, her mind regressed to a jumble of information while her insides turned to wonderful mush. She’d dreamt of the right person saying those words to her and it had just happened. While she stood on the streets of Paris no less! Okay, she was alone, but this was still Paris, darn it!
“Victor drove me to your apartment, which is so close to the Eiffel Tower that I couldn’t believe it, and then I went to find you at Bertrand, but you’re apparently drinking coffee with Autumn instead, and I love you, too!” It all came out in a joyful, euphoric run-on sentence that she hoped made at least a little bit of sense to Spencer, who she swore she could hear smile through the phone.
A pause. “Sounds like we’re a couple of kids in love,” Spencer said, and it felt like Hadley’s heart took flight. “We should really be in the same city for this moment. We have to plan better.”
“I promise to try if you do,” Hadley said, laughing. “What now?”
“I parted ways with Bertrand. I don’t work for them anymore.”
“Oh, no.”
“No, it’s good. I’m moving back to LA. In fact, I already have. The brand was taking off before I left, and I want to see what I can do with it on my own. Maybe you can help me with that. You offer great advice.”
“You’re going to kill it!” Hadley ran a hand through her hair in happy disbelief. “This is the most amazing news I’ve ever heard.”
“She’s back for good!” Autumn yelled in the background. “Come home already! I have a mocha with your name on it.”
Hadley grinned. “I’ll find a flight.”
“No,” Spencer said. “Stay there. Please. You’ve always wanted to see Paris. I’ll come to you. We can make it our first real vacation.”
“No. You don’t have to do that. Really? You would want to travel all the way back?”
“I would do anything to see Paris with you. We can hold hands, stroll the streets.”
“And take a photo with the Eiffel Tower?”
“Are you kidding? We’ll take ten.”
* * *
Spencer sat in the back of her cab as it wound through the downright cold streets of Paris, wondering why in the hell she wasn’t feeling the fatigue she should be after back-to-back international flights. There was only one reason. She was about to lay eyes on Hadley for the first time in weeks and was close to leaping out of her skin from the pure exhilaration. She smiled at the pedestrians who snuggled further into their jackets as the wind whipped around them, tousling their hair and making one gentleman lose his cap entirely and chase it down the sidewalk as his friends laughed. She made a mental note: no hats tonight.
Twenty minutes later, she arrived at the Shangri-La where, at her encouragement, Hadley had reserved a full-on suite with Spencer’s credit card, complete with a terrace and an Eiffel Tower view. Hadley deserved that and more. She wanted this trip to be a memorable one and would go out of her way to see that happen. She planned to pamper Hadley and show her Paris in style. If there was a time to splurge, this was most definitely it.
Who was she kidding? Spencer would find a way to rope the moon in everyday life if Hadley asked her to. Everything felt different now that she’d been honest with herself about who she was and what she wanted. The sky was the limit for the two of them.
With luggage in hand, she knocked and waited. The door opened and there she was, like a long-needed drink of ice water: Hadley, in person, at long last. Spencer took a moment to absorb the sight and enjoy every second of their reunion. Hadley wore jeans and a navy sweater which highlighted the blue of her gorgeous eyes. Her hair was down and she looked more radiant than Spencer remembered. She skipped right over the shy part where they would chat and smile and get used to each other again. Nope, none of that damn getting reacquainted nonsense. She moved to Hadley and had her by the waist in seconds, walking her into the room as Hadley laughed.
“Oh, my dear goodness. Hi,” Hadley said, as she was virtually carried inside. “You’re finally here.” She took Spencer’s face and kissed her and kissed her again and again. “I thought you’d never get here.” Kiss. “Time was moving too slow. Like a turtle in peanut butter.”
“Same. Trip took”—kiss—“too”—kiss—“long.” Spencer released her. “You don’t know how happy I am to see you. A turtle in peanut butter?”
“Yes, that’s a thing. And I do, too, know, because I’m just as happy.” Hadley pressed her forehead to Spencer’s. “Let’s neither of us move away again.”
“Ever,” Spencer said. “You heard it here.”
Hadley smiled. “Sounds permanent.”
“Because it is very permanent. You were right. Happily ever after is real, and I’m staring at her.”
Hadley paused. “Do you mean it? We don’t have to leap fully if you’re not ready. We can go slow.”
“I’ve never meant anything more in my life. There will be no more slow. Where you go, I will follow.”
Hadley shook her head in surprise. “I don’t understand. What’s changed?”
“Are you kidding? What’s changed?” Spencer laughed, glanced at the ceiling and back to Hadley again. “You. The second I met you everything changed. Everything down to the damn sidewalk seemed brighter and more exciting. Things are now infinitely possible that I didn’t think were before. All from you. I just needed a smack in my head to understand that.”
The words seemed to carry a large amount of weight for Hadley. Spencer watched as she sifted and sorted through them. After a pause, a smile started slowly on Hadley’s lips and blossomed into the most beautiful beam Spencer had ever enjoyed.
“I love you,” Hadley said quietly.
Hearing the words sent Spencer on a high. Would they ever sound normal, or mundane, or casual rolling off the tongue? She couldn’t imagine that. Hearing “I love you” from Hadley would always undo her, and she looked forward to each and every time. She was up for future dismantling.
“I love you, too,” Spencer said, and let the words float in the air, delicate and important. She stared at the woman who was lit up brightly from the inside out. Hadley glowed in every possible way as she leaned in, kissing Spencer unhurriedly and communicating so much in the process.
“Come onto the balcony. It’s freezing, but you have to see this.”
Spencer followed, holding Hadley’s hand. Her breath caught as she saw the tower, lit up for all the city to see in the encroaching darkness. She’d seen the tower at night many times now, but tonight was different. She didn’t just see its beauty, she felt it. Standing there with Hadley, knowing how much she loved the city, it meant so much more. A surge of emotion hit and she pulled Hadley’s lips to hers. Right then and there, they kissed with the lights of Paris twinkling behind them. The wind, the cold, none of it mattered.
“That might have been the best kiss of my life,” Hadley said, finally. “No, it was.”
“Was there toe-curling?” Spencer asked. “I like it when that happens.”
Hadley nodded. “Ten toes a-curling.”
Spencer’s entire heart turned over in her chest. “Please tell me we can order room service and see what other things we can make curl? I love a challenge.”
Hadley blushed and followed her back inside. In moments, she was on the phone ordering strawberries, chocolate, and Champagne. While she spoke in the best French she could, Spencer looked on, removing one piece of clothing at a time, while Hadley watched in captivation. By the time she hung up, Spencer was in lingerie on the bed waiting for her.
Hadley sat next to her and placed one finger on her cheek. “There’s a sexy woman, who I happen to be in love with, waiting for me in bed in the center of Paris.” She tapped her cheek.
“What would Captain Janika do?” Spencer asked, sweetly. She ran a hand from her breast to her stomach and watched as Hadley swallowed noticeably.
She closed her eyes and opened them. “Captain who?”
Spencer laughed. “Kiss me. You own my heart, now own the rest of me.”
Hadley didn’t hesitate.
They came up for air only briefly when the room service arrived. Hadley answered after hastily stepping into her robe, which she quickly dropped as she returned to bed.
“Disneyland on fire,” Spencer murmured.
The chocolate and strawberries made a nice addition to their fun. Spencer dipped a strawberry and ran it down Hadley’s body, chasing the results with her tongue as Hadley moaned quietly, moving her hips. Tasting Hadley herself was much sweeter, and she relished taking her to the brink only to pull her right back in.
“You are torturing me, and it’s wonderful,” Hadley said, back arched in their now-darkened hotel room. The outline of the Eiffel Tower was still visible through their window and offered the small amount of illumination which Spencer used to navigate. She took her time and worked slowly, touching, caressing, and making love to every inch of Hadley Cooper.
When they were happy and tired, Hadley pulled her into her arms where they lay as sleep hovered. “What do you think we’ll do tomorrow?”
“I want to walk the streets with you. Explore. Find a café and do nothing but watch the world go by.”
She felt Hadley smile up against her cheek. “That sounds like one of the best days of my life.” She paused and looked down at Spencer in her arms. “I’m starting to imagine a lot of those ahead.”
Spencer crawled up the bed until she lay face-to-face with Hadley. “It’s not imagination anymore. It’s our life, and it’s only just getting started.” She reached across Hadley. “Chocolate-covered strawberry?”
“Yes, please.”
They stayed up most of the night talking, catching up on all the things that had happened since they’d parted, and when the sun came up the next morning and drenched the suite in its magnificent show of color, Spencer snuggled further into Hadley, lost, happy, and sure.
Epilogue
Summertime
No two people had ever looked more beautiful. Hadley was sure of it.
As Isabel and Taylor walked hand in hand down the beach together to the sound of a solo violin, Hadley was a goner. Remembering to breathe in the midst of all of this beauty would be a task. The brides were barefoot and each carried a single white calla lily, which perfectly accentuated the simplicity of the dresses Spencer had designed for the ceremony. Isabel’s dress was more casual in nature, short and lacy with an asymmetrical hemline and V-neck. It was amazing how accurately the dress captured who Isabel was—part of Spencer’s talent. Taylor’s dress was longer and fuller and fell just above her bare feet. While also white, it transitioned into a beautiful light blue ombré as the fabric neared the hemline. They held hands and gazed at each other as a photographer snapped a photo.
The wedding on Venice Beach was a small affair, attended by just a handful of friends and family. Instead of assembling and sitting formally, everyone stood, looking on, as the sun met the water and the rings were prepared. The sunset arrived on time and did not disappoint, haloing the couple in amazing pinks, oranges, purples. Hadley squeezed Spencer’s hand just in time for the vows, her very favorite part.
“Isabel, you are the most unexpected gift,” Taylor said, as she held Isabel’s ring in her hand. “Never once did I imagine my life could be as full and wonderful as it became the moment you walked into it. I hope, with all I have, that you will continue spilling coffee on my belongings, encouraging me to eat junk food, and challenging me, making me think, and coloring in my life until the end of our time on Earth. I love you, and with this ring promise to continue loving you always. I vow to support you, stand by you, and be there for you even on the most difficult of days. In fact, it’s the most natural thing I could imagine doing. You’re my everything.” Isabel’s hand shook as Taylor slid the ring onto her finger. They exchanged a watery smile.
Okay, it was time! Hadley knew Isabel was nervous about this part and willed all of the courage in the world her direction. “You got this,” she mouthed, and squeezed Spencer’s hand extra hard to punctuate. Isabel nodded back and accepted Taylor’s ring from the officiant. “I have no idea what you’re doing with me,” Isabel blurted, pulling an unexpected laugh from the guests, as well as Taylor. “Seriously. You may have the wrong girl.” Taylor shook her head. “But since you’re still here, I’m not about to let you get away. Taylor Andrews, you are the kindest among kind, the smartest among the brilliant, and the most beautiful woman on the planet. If you hadn’t agreed to marry me, I don’t know where I’d be. This is infinitely better. I’ve never been so excited to wake up each morning as I have been since you came into my life and changed it forever.” This time it was Spencer’s turn to squeeze Hadley’s hand. Their gazes collided in warmth. “I guarantee there will be more coffee spilling and swear words at the most inappropriate of times.” She held up the ring in pledge. “But there will also be continued love, and tenderness, and kindness, and loyalty. I’m yours forever, Taylor. My heart beats for you.” There were tears running down Taylor’s face, just as there were Hadley’s. She rejected the tissue Gia offered her and embraced the happy emotion.
When it was time for the brides to kiss, the small group of guests erupted in applause. Will, in his tiny little man suit, burst into tears at the shock of noise. Spencer graciously took him in her arms and shushed him back to calm with her soothing words, as Autumn bounced a dressed-to-the-nines Carrie, who it turned out loved clothes and who babbled away constantly these days.
“That was a game-changer ceremony,” Spencer said, as they waited for the variety of photos to be taken after its conclusion.
“What do you mean, game changer?” Hadley asked.
She shook her head in awe. “I’ve never seen one so sincere, so meaningful. All the weddings I’ve been to were stuffy and inside a church. This one was so heartfelt and honest and them. I want ours to be more like that one. Like us.”
“Ours?” Hadley asked, as she accepted a glass of Champagne from Scarlett, who was on pouring duty.
“Yes, ours,” Spencer said, leaning in for a kiss. “And we probably shouldn’t wait too long either. Though my mama is gonna want to be very involved, and that’s gonna be a whole separate can of worms.”
“My dads, too. Get ready. They’ve had ideas about my wedding since I was nine.”
“Good thing they all get along.”
Hadley grinned at the recent memory of her dads playing corn hole in pastels at the last Adair outdoor cookout. They’d all had the best time and stayed up well past midnight on the Adairs’ back patio, getting to know each other and drinking wine.
“You don’t let her get away again, you hear me?” Sonny had said over her shoulder to Hadley, once they were alone in the kitchen. “That child doesn’t know what’s good for her all the time. But you? You’re good for her.”
“Aww, Sonny,” Hadley said, and pulled her into a hug. “That means a lot to me.”
“You know what means a lot to me? You and my daughter so happy together. I’ve never seen her like this, all breezy with grins, and it’s all because of you. I knew it the minute I saw the two of you together in my living room. So, listen, if I have anything to say about it? You’re not going anywhere.”
“We are in agreement, because I plan to stick around.”
“Good! Now will you help me carry this sangria outside? You grab the glasses. I’ll grab the goods.”
“Yes, ma’am. I will happily do that for you.”
Since returning to LA, things between her and Spencer had only continued to blossom. With the new line selling remarkably well at Silhouette, Spencer had been able to take a breather from the world of fast-paced online sales and pay others to handle that end of the business for her. Instead, she spent her days and nights dreaming, designing, and meeting with retailers to build the brand. Not surprisingly, Bertrand rethought their offer and extended Spencer the opportunity to work from LA.
She turned them down flat.
“There’s too much I want to do to answer to anyone else’s artistic vision at this point,” Spencer explained the week prior, as they’d moved another box into Hadley’s—correction, now their apartment.
“You don’t need anyone else at this point. I think you made the right call,” Hadley told her.
“You do?” Spencer asked, dropping the box and snagging Hadley by the waist. “You think I was right? Say it. Say I was right.”
“Sometimes you’re right.”
“Damn right I am.”
“You’re cute when you gloat.”
“Prove it.”
The constant touching and kissing really got in the way of their move-in process but, honestly, Hadley wasn’t complaining.
She smiled at how wonderful it was to have Spencer with her for good each night. Not to mention, with Minnie Mouse around, the complex still had a resident mascot. Fat Tony would be moving with Isabel and Taylor out of Seven Shores and into a gorgeous house they’d purchased and upgraded just blocks away in Venice. With Isabel mere moments away, Breakfast Club would remain intact!
