Dream Wedding(102)
At least Joel dated, he thought grimly as he tried to remember the last time he’d been out with one of his female friends. It had been months. Lately he’d spent all his time at the office. Maybe because most of the women of his acquaintance had started to all sound the same.
“What does he do?”
“He’s the assistant manager of Bradley Discount Store.” She fingered the promise ring. “His is a very responsible position. He’s going to be manager in a couple of years, and when that happens he’ll be their youngest manager ever. He’s worked there since he was sixteen.”
“Sounds like they appreciate him,” he said, wondering why he’d thought Cassie would be dating a lawyer or a doctor.
She nodded. “He’s done well. He takes management classes at the community college. One day he’ll be able to transfer to the university.” She paused, then added, “He’s very nice.”
“I’m sure he is.”
“He’s nothing like you, of course.” Her voice sounded defensive.
He raised his eyebrows. “Because I’m not nice?”
Cassie opened her mouth, then snapped it shut and closed her eyes. A bright flush swept up her cheeks. “I didn’t mean that the way it came out,” she mumbled.
He’d been interested before, but now he was intrigued. Not only by Cassie and her faux pas, but by the differences between himself and Joel. “So Joel and I don’t have much in common?” he asked in an attempt to rescue her.
She shot him a look of gratitude. “Not really. He’s lived in Bradley all his life. You’re a lot more sophisticated. Then there’s the age difference. He’s only a year older than me. We’re just the country mice here, while you’ve been all over.”
He thought about telling her that the big world beyond Bradley wasn’t as wonderful as she made it out to be, but doubted she would believe him. “How long have you two been dating?”
“Nine years.”
He blinked…twice. “I’m sorry, did you say nine years?”
Some of the color had faded from her cheeks. It returned now, although she didn’t turn from his incredulous gaze. “Yes. I started dating Joel when I was in high school.”
“And you’re not married?”
“No.”
“You’re not officially engaged?”
“No.”
“But you’ve been dating for nine years?”
“Why is that so hard to understand?”
“I’ve never known anyone who has done that,” he admitted. “I doubt I’ve dated anyone for nine months, let alone that long.” He couldn’t imagine any situation in which that made sense. Of course his personal life had never been all that important to him.
She shrugged. “We don’t want to make a mistake. Getting married is a serious commitment and we want to be sure.”
Ryan didn’t think they could be any more sure, unless they were planning to experience old age together first, to see what that was like.
He had several other questions he wanted to ask, but before he could, the doorbell rang. Cassie shot out of her chair.
“I’ll get that,” she said quickly and practically ran from the room.
Ryan followed. While he didn’t really have the right to intrude on Cassie’s private time, he couldn’t help wanting to get a look at the young man who had dated Cassie for nine years without “being sure” of his commitment. He walked into the foyer just as Joel stepped in from the porch.
The two men stared at each other. Joel was a few inches shorter, maybe five-nine or -ten, with wavy blond hair and glasses. He was slight, dressed in freshly pressed khakis and a blue, long-sleeved shirt.
Joel blinked first. He stepped forward, offering both his hand and an easy grin. “You must be Ryan Lawford,” he said. “Cassie has told me a lot about you. She’s really pleased to be able to help out. She’s the best,” he added, a note of pride in his voice. “Great with kids.” His smile faded. “I was real sorry to hear about your brother and sister-in-law. It’s a tragic loss.”
Until that moment Ryan hadn’t realized that he’d wanted to dislike Joel, or at least have the kid show up with hay in his hair, dressed like some hick out on the town for the first time in a year. Instead, Joel was exactly what Ryan should have expected. A nice, sincere young man with prospects.
“Thank you,” Ryan said, shook Joel’s hand, then stepped back.
Cassie moved to her boyfriend’s side and gave him a quick hug. “Hi,” she murmured.
They didn’t kiss, or show any outward affection, but Ryan figured that was because he was there, cramping their style. No doubt they would be more intimate later, maybe going back to Joel’s place and making love. There was a definite connection between them. He could see it in the shared glance, the way they stood so close together. He’d thought he would feel superior and a little worldly when compared with Joel and Cassie, but instead he felt inadequate and out of place.