Then He Happened (The Spearman Family #2)

by Claudia Y. Burgoa

I nod, pointing my head to Marek. I’m trying to tell her “Listen up, this one’s dedicated to you” without using my own voice. Just the words I wrote for my cousin’s vows. “Charlie, Charlotte, Charlie Bear,” Marek says. Ad libbing, huh? I definitely didn’t tell him he could do that. It’s fine, I remind myself as long as he doesn’t fuck up my speech. “Every day that I get to wake up and see you, talk to you, and feel you is the best day of my life,” Marek says. “Every time I turn around and don’t see you, I get turned around because you’re my compass—my guiding light. You give me so much, and you ask for so little.” Eileen bites back a smile. She knows that can’t be about Charlie, good. “You see the very best in me. Sometimes that scares me because I’ve never seen someone so amazing have so much optimism for other people. I want to spend every moment we have reminding you of all the things you’ve already given to me—the laughs, the love, the support, and the happiness that comes with being by your side. “I want to be the person that reminds you to take a break, to be more loving to yourself because you’re so deserving of love. You’re so much braver, kinder, and tenacious than you give yourself credit for—I vow to spend the rest of my life reminding you of that.” Marek pauses. “I vow to make every day we get together as incredible as you. I vow to remind you whenever possible that you’re— Beautiful, intelligent, hilarious, vivacious, creative, and warm-hearted, I mou...