The Difference

Chapter 24

As the movie starts, Ava and Brad climb into the jet as well.

"What the heck!" I say excitedly as Ava sits down, throwing a large duffel bag next to her.

"Troy wanted to surprise you, so he asked me where you've always wanted to go! I told him Tennessee, and all of a sudden, Brad is driving me here! Are you excited?"

"Of course!" Troy sits quietly with a grin on his face. I give him a kiss on the cheek and Brad makes a point to scold us for PDA. As they settle in, Troy begins to whisper in my ear.

"Happy?"

"Always," I say back, and he grabs my hand, giving it a kiss. "I'm so happy you said Nashville in the car, too. It was killing me waiting the extra 30 seconds to tell you I had it all planned out already," he whispers. He hangs onto my hand the entire flight as I fall asleep next to him.

He wakes me up a few short hours later and I let out a big yawn.

"Damn, Rosemary, did you sleep the entire time?" Brad questions. I laugh and give a nod, and Troy stands up, pulling me up with him.

"You just woke up 5 minutes ago," Ava says to Brad, defending me.

We pile out of the jet and we are in the heart of Tennessee. From on the top of a large building, we can see everything perfectly. Ava and I run excitedly along the ledge, trying to take it all in. She's dressed in skinny jeans, her signature monogrammed cowgirl boots, and a flannel t-shirt tied right at her waist. I look down at my outfit. I had at least changed into my boots, but I was looking more business-casual than anything else. Ava notices my glare and hands me her huge duffel bag. Inside, I pull out my favorite jean skirt and white lace top. I give her a thankful hug and run back into the jet to change. Brad and Ava practice their line-dancing in the middle of the rooftop as I walk by and I can't help but laugh. I run into the back of the jet and begin to change, interrupted by Troy as I'm half naked trying to get the zipper of my skirt un-stuck.

"There's my girl," he says, walking to me and giving me a kiss.

"Here I am, trying to get my clothes off," I say in frustration. Troy opens his bag and changes as well, sporting jeans, boots, and a red and black flannel shirt over a plain white tee.

"Let me help you with that," he says, struggling with the zipper.

"It's not even that the skirt is tight, it's just old," I say, trying to justify it. I had probably gained some weight since I met the Marigold family, though.

"Put your arms over your head," he demands, as he tries to slide the skirt over my head.

"This is so awkward," I say as he struggles.

"Did you try sliding it down?" He questions.

I facepalm and tell him to forget about it, but he suddenly is able to unzip it as if it were magic.

"How did you?"

"I have no clue," he says at the same time.

I put on my best country wear and make my way out of the jet, Troy following me.

"What took so long?" Ava and Brad ask. I shake my head and we all walk down toward the street.

"Now, we have to be back in the jet by 8:00, ready to take off. Grandma doesn't know we took the jet and she'll find out if we aren't all home later. Mom told her we were taking a relaxation day, but you know how mom is," Troy says, taking charge of the group.

"Yeah, she's a sell out. All it takes is one stern look from Grandma for her to change sides."

"Not all the time," Troy says defensively. I clear my throat in the silence, wondering if that was true. Troy told me his mom would come around to the idea of us together, but Mrs. Marigold probably wouldn't. I was nervous enough about just one of them not supporting us, but if neither of them approve, then what are we doing here? I shake my head trying to make the best of the situation.

"Here we are," Brad says.

"A real dream come true," Ava says and I admire the way her and Brad seem to just get one another. I look over at Troy and he takes my hand as if he can read my mind and sense my worry.

"Are you ready?" He says, as we walk into a large bar I've never heard of. The room has a dusty hue, and nearly every surface is made of hardwood, stained a dark oak color. In the back, a man in full-country garb is singing to a small audience of people. In front of him, couples are line-dancing a somewhat complicated step, laughing and clapping amongst themselves. Brad and Troy make their way to the bar and grab a pitcher of beer. I laugh at how funny it is the way both of them look like completely different guys when they aren't dressing in the Marigold uniform of etiquacy. I notice Ava studying the dancers intently, practicing their steps in her head.

"You know I'm not a good dancer!" She says, noticing I'm watching her.

"You'll be fine!" I reassure her.

"They look so cute, don't they?" She asks, moving her gaze to Brad and Troy.

"Yeah," I agree with her quietly.

"What's wrong?" She questions.

"Nothing," I lie.

"What is it, Rosemary?"

"Don't you think all of the odds are against us?"

"In what way?" She says, as we sit at a nearby table.

"I don't know," I say not wanting to ruin the night.

"If you're worried about Mrs. Marigold, well, I don't think Troy would ever choose her over you," she reassures me.

"But I don't want to hold him back," I argue.

"Rosemary, you wouldn't! You could move out there! I'd come with you!" She joins in, but I know she's just saying it to make me feel better. She would never leave Virginia, especially with how popular her business grew in the last few months.

"Yeah. It'll be fine," I say, dismissing it as Troy slings am arm around me.

"I'm going to make a complete fool of myself, but do you want to go dance?" He asks me. I nod my head, dragging Ava with us. Brad follows her, whispering something incomprehensible in her ear. She gives an approving laugh and they make their way to be back of the floor, whereas Troy and I somehow get shoved to the front. I focus on the woman in front of me in line, who is nailing all the movies. I try it a few times and am nearly tripping over my feet. Troy does no better, grabbing me for balance at one point. I laugh at how stupid we probably look together and he pulls me in for a quick kiss. The couples around us start to hoot and holler, cheering us on. The woman then grabs my hands and breaks it down for me step by step. As soon as I pick up on it, Troy does too.

"This is a lot different than ballroom dancing," he says to me excitedly.

"Yes, it is!" I reassure him.

"He grabs my hand and twirls me around, completely disregarding the work we just put into learning all of the moves.

"I love you," he yells over the music.

"How much?" I question, teasing him.

"So much that I put on these tight jeans to impress you," he says and I can't help but laugh.

"You look great," I say, trying to take a mental picture in my head.

We get back into the groove and notice Brad and Ava have migrated back to the table. They look serious in the corner as if the rest of the room isn't even here with us. I wonder if that's how Troy and I look together in a crowded room; like no matter what happens, we will always have one another. I decide the answer is yes as he reaches a hand out to give me one last twirl.