“Waking your ass up.”
“Were you tickling my nose?”
“Maybe. Come on. I made breakfast, then we’re driving to Laguna Beach for the day.” She pulls back the covers and pushes me toward the edge of the bed.
“I’m getting up,” I mumble at her as my feet hit the floor. I brush my teeth and quickly change and get ready for the day. Pulling my hair into a ponytail and keeping my makeup simple with just some light eye shadow and lip gloss. I’m all about California casual in my sundress and wedge sandals.
Jess meets me in the kitchen with a carafe of coffee and a plate of food. The sun is bright and warm this morning, so we decide to eat outside on the patio. I actually enjoy the scrambled eggs, turkey bacon, and cut-up fresh fruit Jess prepared while we talked.
“So Santa Barbara and Laguna Beach,” she says with a bright smile. “Two of my favorite places. I can’t wait to show you around. There are the neatest little boutiques, and amazing little cafés.”
“Sounds like heaven,” I admit. “I can’t believe that I only have two days left with you.”
“I know, but I can’t believe you’re flying home on Friday, the day of your brother’s wedding rehearsal. Maybe you should go on Thursday so you’re not so exhausted.”
“I needed to take this time for me. Reagan and Landon understood. Plus, I’ve helped Reagan get everything ready for the wedding. All I have to do is show up.”
“I still can’t believe he’s getting married before me.” Jess rolls her eyes sarcastically.
“What if it was you two?” I say seriously, sipping my coffee.
She shakes her head aggressively. “Nope. I love him to death, but we would never have worked. We’re both too damaged individually to work as a whole.” Jess sips on her coffee and appears lost in her thoughts for a moment. “Plus, it sounds like he found someone perfect for him.”
“He really did,” I admit. “She’s amazing and they make a really great couple.”
“I’m happy for him. I really am.”
My last two days in California are a whirlwind of shopping, beaches, diners, cafes, coffee shops, and bookstores. My heart skipped a beat when I helped Jess pick out the perfect wedding dress for her wedding next spring, and my heart felt genuine sorrow when I had to hug my friend at the airport and say goodbye.
As I sit at my gate, ready to board my flight back to North Carolina, I’m overcome with emotions. I fight back tears as I think about the forgiveness those I’ve hurt have shown me and how much I needed it from them. The last person, the person I care about the most, I suspect won’t be as forgiving.
As I lose myself in thoughts of talking to Matt, I hear the gate attendant announce that my flight will be delayed. Shit.
Landing in Charlotte, I race to the customer service counter in hopes of rebooking a flight to Wilmington. Unfortunately, the next flight isn’t until later this evening, and not only would I miss the rehearsal, but the dinner afterward. I glance at my phone and, if I can get a rental car in the next thirty minutes, I will at least make the rehearsal dinner. I frantically call Reagan and explain my situation.
I whisper a quiet prayer of thanks that my new sister-in-law isn’t Bridezilla. She completely remained calm about my impending absence from the wedding rehearsal at the church. I drive as fast as feasibly and legally possible to get to Wilmington in record time. Pulling into the parking lot of the upscale steakhouse where the rehearsal dinner is being held, I realize I look like a mess. I slip into the restaurant restroom and spend a few minutes combing my hair and reapplying my make-up so that I look somewhat presentable.#p#分页标题#e#
My palms sweat when I think about seeing many of the people in attendance for the first time since rehab and my stomach does small flips. After a small pep-talk and one last application of lip gloss, I snake through the sea of tables to the party room located off to the side of the steakhouse. There are eight large, rectangle tables that hold eight people to a table and every spot is taken except for one—next to Matt.
My heart races as my mom waves me over to the table. There is a commotion of sorts while people shuffle and my heart sinks when Matt moves to the end of the table and my mom takes his spot.
“Nice of you to join us, Linds,” Landon scoffs jokingly.
“Shut up. I’ve been through hell and back to get here.” He leans in and presses a kiss to my cheek.
“I’m kidding. I love you. I’m just glad you made it back.”
“I’m so sorry I missed the rehearsal.”