“Don’t rush it. You’ll find him.”
“I’m not rushing. I know I’m young, but my parents were married by twenty-one and having kids a few years later.”
“Oh my,” I say, “I see it now.”
“What?”
“You. You’re an old maid at twenty-two.”
She reaches for her face, palming her cheeks. “Are my wrinkles showing?” Her expression turns. “What about you? Amy really seemed—”
“Clingy,” I offer, interrupting her.
“Oh, come on. You talked about her for nearly three months.”
I shake my head. “I think it’s a serious medical condition.” I scratch my neck. “I developed a rash.”
Sami’s hand goes up. “Oh, no stories about STDs.”
I can’t help but laugh. “No. I told you I keep it wrapped. I think that I’m allergic to commitment. She started talking about moving to Grand Rapids and getting an apartment together.” I scratch my arms. “See, even talking about it is making me itch.”
“You’re hopeless.”
“But you’re not. Give it time.”
For the next few hours, hometown friends and cousins join us, and all the while, Sami smiles and talks, knowing everyone. Hell, we all grew up together. It’s like old home week until it’s time for the ceremony celebrating my grandpa’s life.
As we walk into the main room, Sami looks around. I know she’s looking for her parents. “Hey,” I say as I reach for her hand and lower my voice. “I’m not being a pussy.”
“Never.”
“Sit with me.”
“What about your family?”
“Sit with all of us. I promise they won’t mind.”
And she does.
I’m not an emotional guy, and I don’t do feelings, but even I admit to loving my grandpa. Saying goodbye is one of those things that you know will come but always happens too soon. It’s nice having Sami with me, literally holding my hand.
Later, as we gather in the basement of the church, I see the long buffet of food and remember what Grandma said. I whisper to Sami, “Grandpa did love a good pitch-in.”
“Then I say we eat two plates each, just for him.”
A smile breaks through my sadness as she reaches for two plates. Hell, half the women I date won’t eat a full meal in front of me or any other guy, yet here’s Sami, balancing two plates while she fills them with homemade noodles, real mashed potatoes, and freshly canned green beans. “I’ll eat brussels sprouts tomorrow,” she says as she covers her noodles and potatoes with gravy.
I scan her slim frame. “I don’t think you need to worry, and you don’t like brussels sprouts.”
“Yeah, but I’ll have a desk job soon. I need to eat better. I’m going to gain weight and get old.”
“Bonus, extra weight will hide your wrinkles.”
She grins. “If I wasn’t holding two plates, I’d hit you.”
“You’re always so violent.”
“Here take this,” she says as she hands me one of her plates.
As soon as I do, she punches my arm. I barely feel it, but it doesn’t stop my comeback. “Violent and bossy.”
Sami
Less than one year ago
I can’t stop myself from looking at the gorgeous diamond on my left hand. Under the dim lighting of the bar, I wiggle my finger near the candle in the middle of our table.
“Yes, it’s beautiful,” my friend Linda says before leaning closer, the way she does when she’s been drinking.
The truth is that we’ve all been drinking.
Today, I broke the news of my engagement to Linda, Marcy, and Ashley, all friends of mine from work. I’ve been at this advertising agency for nearly four years, and when I started, Linda was my godsend, Marcy has the sweetest and most curious disposition, and Ashley started a year after me, and during the week and even on weekends, we’ve all been inseparable. When I announced my news this morning at work, I had no idea that Linda would call my sisters and arrange an impromptu engagement party.
Ashley lifts her hand in the air. “Another bottle of Moscato,” she shouts toward the bar.
Millie, my younger sister, shakes her head. “No, I have to drive back to Johnson.” She waves her hand over her nearly empty glass. “I need water.”
“No water, wine,” Linda says loudly. “Think of it as a miracle, water into wine. And an even greater miracle, Sami here is engaged.”
As everyone laughs, including me, I work to fake a pout. “It’s not a miracle. It’s my forever.”
Ashley lifts her glass. “To forever.”
“Forever,” Marcy says, emptying her glass and wiggling it in the air for more.
Linda tilts her head with a dreamy expression. “Tell us again how Jackson proposed.”
I take a deep breath. “On one knee.”
“Tell everyone where you were,” Millie chimes in.
“We were out to dinner at Sheffield’s.”
“The country club,” Linda adds. “Where he’s a member.”
“Yeah,” I reply, not wanting to flaunt Jackson’s money or his position. My fiancé—oh, that was fun to think—just made partner at a big law firm in Grand Rapids. It is all part of his plan—partner at the firm, wife, house, and family. I just am having a tough time believing that I am now a part of that plan. Not only a part. I will be his wife. He will be my husband.
“Do you have a date set?”
“No, Jack doesn’t want a long engagement.”
“Are we all going to be your bridesmaids?” Ashley asks.
“Who is your maid or matron of honor,” Jane, my older sister asks.
“She’ll pick me,” Millie says with a grin. “I’ve always been her favorite sister.”
“I think she should pick me,” Jane replies. “After all, I’m the oldest.”
Before I could respond, a deep voice spoke from behind me.
“I think she should pick me.”
The entire table turns, mouths agape at the man possessing the voice. I don’t need to turn. I’d know that voice anywhere, as well as the firm lips that land on my cheek at the same moment a strong hand lands on my shoulder. “After all, I’m her best friend.” He squeezes my shoulder. “Congratulations, Sami.”
Nearly spilling my glass of wine, I set it on the table and stand in time to be met with a broad hard chest. I wrap my arms around Marshal’s waist and lay my head against that solid torso. When I look up, I blink as his blue eyes shimmer in the bar’s illumination. “Why are you here?”
“Because I got a text telling me that my best friend is engaged.”
“I texted you yesterday, and you didn’t reply.”
“So, I’m a shitty best friend.”
“No, you’re not.” I say, my words slurring just a bit.
“Pull up a chair.” Jane’s direction is repeated by affirmations around the rest of the table.
When I turn, I see my sister’s knowing grin. “You told him we were here?” I accuse.