With an annoyed smile on my face I nod my head. “Wouldn’t want to ruin your plans,” I retort, waving my hands at her and her notebook. She’s been using that thing to call out orders to all of us for the past week. Strolling past Kinsley, I wrap my friend in a hug.
“You look so pretty, Ells. Are you excited to find the perfect dress?”
“Honestly, some of these dresses are so intimidating,” she sighs. “I just want something simple. Callum promised me simple.”
Ellie doesn’t ask for a lot, but the one thing she did say was she wanted a small wedding. She wanted a day filled with all the people she loved as she tied the knot of forever with the only man she’s ever loved. Callum, being Callum, promised to give her everything she ever wanted and more. He just wanted to know she was his.
I’m so happy to see someone who deserves it more than anyone finally get her day.
I can’t deny the small part of me that feels my heart ache in my chest after seeing Graham today. Five years ago, I thought I found my forever. We were young but were so in love. The two of us together, I thought there was nothing in the world that could tear us apart.
Moments like this, the memories come crashing over me in waves. I find myself doing what I’ve always done to bury the pain, I find ways of coping, distracting me from the way my heart aches with missing him.
Bringing myself back to the present, I run my hand along Ellie’s back before I whisper in her ear, “I promise it will be everything you want and more.”
Standing back, I flash Ellie my best smile hoping that it hides my sadness and gives her the reassurance she needs.
“Why don’t you show us one of the dresses you have your eye on? Do you have a style you had in mind?”
Kinsley start clapping her hands excitedly.
“Ells, I promise you’re going to look stunning.” Kinsley walks toward her, reaching over her shoulder to pull a dress off the rack. “I saw you looking at this one. I think you should try it on. Who knows, maybe this is THE dress!”
I take a seat next to June and she reaches over, patting my forearm. “Hi, sweetie, you doin’ alright?”
Running my thumb over my fingernail, my mind wanders elsewhere. As soon as I hear the lock on the dressing room door, my eyes shoot up to find Ellie looking stunning in a gorgeous white dress.
It’s simple and form-fitting, molding to her body like it was meant for her. Blush highlights her cheeks. She’s never liked being the center of attention, but the sparkle in her eye shows just how happy she truly is.
Kinsley lifts the train behind her, using her other hand to help Ellie step onto the platform. We all turn to look in the mirror, searching for any sight of what Ellie may be thinking, but the subtle way she bites her lip shows she’s trying to fight back the smile that wants to let loose on her face.
“Ellie, oh my God,” Kinsley mutters, pressing her hand to her mouth as tears form in her eyes. I force down the emotion rising in my throat. She looks beautiful.
Ellie’s had an incredibly hard life, facing more tragedy and heartbreak than any one person should ever have to endure. Nearly nine months ago, we almost lost her when she was assaulted and abducted. She’s fought her way out of that life, and she continues to fight with every ounce of determination in her. No one in this world deserves the happiness she has been given more and seeing how happy she looks in that dress has tears silently streaming down my face.
“What do you think?” Brea asks. Looking around the room, I notice there isn’t a dry eye in sight.
“I love it! It’s pretty and so perfect. Do you think Callum would like it?”
Ellie bites the inside of her cheek, looking uncertain. There’s a hesitancy in her voice, before Kinsley interrupts the seriousness of the moment bursting out laughing.
“Are you kidding? He’s going to lose his shit when he sees you walking down the aisle and I can’t wait to see it happen.”
June laughs softly and I know she, along with the rest of us, agrees with Kinsley’s statement. Although I’m positive Callum would be tripping over her no matter what dress she picked.
Ellie quickly swipes away the tear that threatens to fall before she subtlety nods her head agreeing. “I think this is the one then.” She smiles. “Oh, God, I’m getting married.”
She says the statement with shock underlying her tone, as if she can’t believe it’s about to happen either.
“You and Callum are going to live a happy life, Ells.”
We snap a few pictures of her in the dress, being sure to capture different angles. Holding out my hand, I help her back to the fitting room to change.
Kinsley is back to work looking over the rack of bridesmaid’s dresses, so I reassure her I’ll help Ellie as she gets the rest of the dresses in order.
I feel her eyes are burning into me, as if she, too, is sensing something is wrong.
“You’ve been pretty quiet today. It’s like your mind is somewhere else. How are you handling everything?” Ellie asks quietly.
“What do you mean?” I question, as she slides the dress down over her hips.
“Brea told us about Graham moving back to town. I figured the news would be hard on you. You don’t have to pretend with me though, Halle. I’m here if you ever need to talk.”
This is what I love most about Ellie. She’s been through so much in her life that she understands the hard. When you need someone to be there for you, not necessarily with the right words to heal you, but just be there for you–it’s her.
“I’m sorry, it seems selfish of me. I don’t want today to be about me. This is such an incredibly exciting time for you. I promise I’ll pull out of my funk. Seeing him earlier was unexpected and more difficult than I ever thought it would be.”
“You don’t have to worry about that with me, Halle. If there is anyone who understands how you’re feeling, it’s me. You don’t have to pretend around me. Like I said, I’m here for you. You just let me know when you’re ready.”
I nod. “Thanks, babe.” I give her a reassuring smile. She reaches out to grab my hand, squeezing it.
“Now seriously, let’s talk about how Callum’s going to react when he sees you in this dress. You’d look great in a potato sack, that’s why I hate you. He’s going to be crying, stumbling over his words. It’s going to be adorable.” I laugh.
She blushes, her smile growing a mile wide. “That’s my plan.”
I’d always hoped I’d see Graham again, but having it become reality has me lost in my head. Lost in the past, but I’m doing my best to pull myself out of it. I’ve been forcing a smile on my face for a long time. I’ve gotten somewhat good at it by now.
We all have that one person our hearts will always go running back to and, for me, that person will always be Graham. I only wish I were his reason to stay.
3
Graham
* * *
The week after seeing Halle was crazy busy. I’m almost thankful for it because it kept my mind occupied. I spent my days preparing for the opening of Compass Security at our new location. My nights were spent with my mother. Her deteriorating health was the reason I was back in Arbor Creek, and I knew she needed me. I made it a point to stop by every night to have dinner or to check in on how she was feeling.