A Love Song for Always - Piper Lawson Page 0,6

can’t wait until Haley and my dad arrive tomorrow.

I come face-to-face with a shark.

It takes a moment to realize it’s mounted on the wall.

“Watch out, Manatee,” comes a familiar voice from the dark hallway to the left. “It’s gonna eat you.”

I turn to see one of my favorite people.

Beck looks effortlessly at ease in a button-down shirt that clings to his body, shoulders and chest made more defined from workouts with his Hollywood trainer for his new TV show. His dark hair and lean, smiling face are the same.

He holds out his arms, and I dive into them.

“Tell me you haven’t turned into a douche since I last saw you,” I murmur into his shoulder before pulling back.

“Why would you say that?”

I tap a finger against my lips. “Because your show is number two on the biggest streaming service? But mostly because those are some douchey Prada shades.”

He shrugs. “People send me clothes. Legally, I have to wear clothes to go out in public. Win-win.”

I grin as I follow him down the hall and into the club.

“This place is incredible,” I call, my voice bouncing off the walls designed to optimize sound. “Why did you want to meet here?”

“Free drinks.”

I think he’s joking.

BLUE is ocean themed—not like a kids’ aquarium, but like some yacht fantasy come to life. Rae came down early to check out the setup with the sound engineer, so we decided to have our meeting here because it’s closed and private with room to spread out.

“In that case, a soda would be great.”

Beck crosses to the bar and talks to the bartender—maybe a little longer than necessary—but when I look, the bartender’s the one leaning over the surface, eyes bright with interest.

Rae’s already sitting at one of the booths, on the phone. She holds it up, and Elle waves at me from the screen.

“Surprise! Sorry I’m not there in person,” Elle says. “I will be in a couple of days.”

“Are you kidding? I’m so glad you guys are all coming. We both are,” I amend.

Beck pries himself away from the bartender and returns with drinks for us. “Where is Tyler?”

“Working,” I tell them, struggling to leave the disbelief out of my voice. “So, what’s with the ambush?”

Beck and Rae exchange a look, but it’s Beck who speaks. “First, remind me what you guys have planned for the next week.”

I shift forward, wary but excited to talk about anything wedding related. “Well, I knew it would be hard for everyone to get the time, given our schedules, so I wanted to make it special. To show everyone how much it means that you’re all coming and part of our lives.”

I open my list of items on my phone. “Dad and Haley, plus Sophie and Mason, are coming here tomorrow, then we’ll all fly from LA together on the charter Wednesday. A few other people, including Pen—who’s covering a concert in Tokyo—are coming in later.

“The wedding is Saturday with the rehearsal at sunset on the beach the night before. Thursday and Friday, I have a few things planned… No known allergies? No crazy phobias?”

“No foursomes. It’s in my new contract,” Beck says, apologetic.

Rae presses her lips together to keep from laughing. “I’m sure Annie will keep that in mind.”

“Speaking of wedding events, thanks for not making us wear matching powder-puff dresses,” Elle says.

Beck shakes his head. “I still can’t believe you’re shunning the time-honored tradition of dressing your friends in shrouds so you look hotter. It’s bad karma.”

I laugh as he straightens in his seat.

“So listen. I know you said there wasn’t going to be a wedding party.”

“Right.” I didn’t want them to have to do any extra work, and it was simpler to organize things myself.

“But”—he spreads his hands—“we’re going to have one.”

I frown into my drink. “One what?”

“A wedding party.” Beck’s eyes gleam. “Elle and Rae figured I should tell you, though I wanted to keep it a surprise longer. The day after tomorrow, I’m hosting an epic event for all the people not cool enough to get an invite to the knot-tying.”

My pulse picks up. “Beck, we’re not having a party this week.” I swallow as I think of the logistics—dress fittings, calls with the officiant, packing, and now this business deal of Tyler and my dad’s. “Don’t get me wrong. It’s thoughtful of you. But you don’t need to lift a finger.”

“Oh.” He offers a charming grin. “The fingers have already been lifted.”

A man with cables wrapped around one shoulder crosses to our booth, looking