Before We Were Strangers (31 page)

“Our clever girl.”

“Well, Gracie, do you feel like doing something crazy?”

“Always. But before we get out, I need to know if it’s for her or for us. I’ll do it either way, but I need to know.”

He took my hand in his. “Graceland Marie Starr-Shore-Porter—whatever your name is—my life wasn’t real without you. It was just a series of days all strung together by a bunch of regrets. But then I got you back. This is the right time, I promise; this is our time. You’re the love of my life. I fucking love you, Grace. I’ve always loved you. I loved you when I wasn’t with you, and before that, and right now. Marry me?”

“Fuck yeah,” I whispered. I took his face between my hands and kissed him. “Let’s go put on a show for her.”

He pulled me out of the cab and we stood hand in hand, staring up at Ash. “What’s this all about, kid?” Matt said.

She stood up and threw her arms out. “Come on, you guys. You know I’d make a way better witness than Gary Busey.”

Matt looked over at me with arched eyebrows. “She doesn’t smell like salami.” He shrugged.

“ ‘She doesn’t smell like salami’ will go down in history as the weirdest marriage proposal ever,” I said.

“Graceland, are you calling me weird?”

“Yep, it’s what I like about you.”

Ash walked down the steps and stood near us. She was beaming.

“I should do this right,” Matt said. He got down on one knee and took my hand in his.

“Grace, I love you and you love me. Now, will you marry me forever this time?”

“Yes. Forever.”

ASH

My parents got married by the justice of the peace with me as their witness. In fifteen years, I never saw my mom look so full of life and love and happiness as she did on that day. I can’t imagine what would have happened if they never saw each other on the subway. Would they have carried on with their lonely lives, living like two halves of one heart, just out of reach of each other? Who knows? All I know is that I’m glad they found each other again.

That summer, we all ended up going to Europe with the New York Philharmonic and then to California. It was like a grand honeymoon/family vacation. After we got back, Dad moved in with us. My parents were like teenagers in puppy love, with their faces attached to each other all the time. When I would roll my eyes at them, my dad would laugh and my mom would whine that they deserved it, that they were just making up for lost time. I liked giving them a hard time. It was actually really cool to know my mom and dad liked each other so much.

Dad kept his loft a few blocks away and we converted it into an art studio/office. We called it the Louvre. Mom
loved to watch us at work in the studio, and she would play music or bring us food when she wasn’t teaching.

I became a big sister a year after they got married. Finally, someone else to shoulder the burden. Actually, I really kind of adore my little brother. Leo. He’s just a baby, so how bad can he be?

I know my mom and dad made mistakes and that connections were missed, but somehow I feel lucky because of it. Who knows what might have been if everything went perfectly for them? I know I got two awesome dads who loved me like crazy, and I got to see my own parents fall in love. How many people can say that?

To the readers: thank you for believing in this magic and allowing Matt and Grace into your hearts.

To family and friends who support me, encourage me and make me feel like what I’m doing matters in some small way: thank you.

Hey, Ya Ya’s! Thanks for being proud, solid friends.

There is a big place in my heart for some special teachers and professors I’ve had who inspired me. For this book, I thought back to the many hours I spent in a darkroom in high school and college and how hard I tried to tell a story with one image alone. Now I get to use thousands of words. I’m still not sure what’s easier; I just know I love both mediums, and I’m grateful to the people who opened my eyes to these art forms.

To the roomies, who have been waiting patiently: your enthusiasm has kept me going all these months.

Melissa, thank you for assisting me in New York and for the great music recs.

Thank you, Angie, for your undying support and enthusiasm.

Heather, you know your part in all of this and how important it is. You have a gift, truly.

To the author friends out there who continue being awesome sounding boards and support systems, you are so appreciated.

To Christina, my agent, thank you for always bringing me back to the work and to the writing. It helps me feel inspired when I find myself distracted by other aspects of the business.

Jhanteigh, I feel like this is our baby together. You brought so much to Matt and Grace’s journey. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for believing in this story and allowing me to have at it.

Anthony, look at all of our evidence. How lucky, how blessed I am to have you in my life.

And finally, to Sam and Tony: my poetry. I can’t wait to see you grow. I can’t wait to know you more.

ALSO BY RENÉE CARLINO

Sweet Thing

Nowhere but Here

After the Rain

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This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © 2015 by Renée Carlino

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First Atria Paperback edition August 2015

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Interior design by Esther Paradelo

Cover Design by Rodrigo Corral Design

Cover Art © Alex Robertston
www.Alexrphotography.com/Gettyimages

Back Cover Image by Shutterstock

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Carlino, Renée

 Before we were strangers : a love story / by Renée Carlino.—First Atria paperback edition.

  pages ; cm (trade pbk. : alk. paper)

 I. Title.

 PS3603.A75255B44 2015

 813'.6—dc23       2015017238

ISBN 978-1-5011-0577-7

ISBN 978-1-5011-0578-4 (ebook)

Epigraph

First Movement: Recently

Chapter 1: Do You Still Think of Me?