“So anyway,” I said, deciding to broach a new subject. “What made you tell Julia about Ryan?”
“Oh, it just came up,” Morgan said with a shrug.
I gave her a look. “There’s no way it just came up. What, my assistant just happened to ask if I met anyone over the weekend?”
“Okay, okay. Maybe it didn’t just come up. But I was talking to Julia about the wedding and how you ended up missing the bachelorette party. She sounded bummed that you couldn’t make it after all the hard work you’d put in planning it, so I just said something about how I didn’t think you were too lonely during your time in San Francisco. I’m sorry,” she added, once again meeting my gaze.
“It’s fine,” I said with a sigh. “It’s not like I care that she knows. I’m just having a tough time today.”
“You really like him, huh?”
“It doesn’t matter,” I said, shaking my head. “He was just with me because he can never have the woman he really wants.” I’d told Morgan the whole story yesterday about finding Ryan’s letter and realizing that our night together meant something different to Ryan than to me. Sure I was attracted to him, but I’d thought we had an amazing connection and something that you didn’t find just anywhere. He may have been attracted to me, too, but he was also secretly pining away for someone he could never have. “Anyway, enough about me. Are you getting excited? Five more days!”
“I know; I can hardly believe it. It feels like we’ve been engaged forever, and now all of a sudden the wedding is here. By this time next week I’ll be a Mrs.!”
“And in Hawaii,” I added with a grin. “I could really go for a vacation right about now.”
“I hear California is nice this time of year,” she said casually. If looks could kill, Morgan would never have stood a chance against my scorching gaze.
“Or not,” she said with a giggle. She glanced down at my empty glass. “Come on; let’s have another drink. Next round’s on me.”
Chapter 5
Morgan’s dad finished his toast at the rehearsal dinner on Friday night, and I happily raised my wine glass with the others, congratulating the happy couple. The rehearsal had gone off without a hitch, and the dinner was spectacular, with an amazing spread of appetizers, a main course of lobster and filet mignon, and a delicious assortment of bite-size desserts. I’d helped Morgan’s parents select the location for the dinner and was happy that everything had worked out as planned. Morgan’s brother Chris leaned closer to me, giving me a big grin. “I can’t believe my little sister is really getting married. Think that’ll be you and me someday?”
I laughed as I glanced over at him. “‘You and me’ as in getting married to each other? Or just getting married in general?”
Chris laughed, a deep, rich sound, and I wished that I didn’t see him almost as my own big brother. He was cute, with a friendly personality and steady job, but there never had been any sparks between us, much to Morgan’s and her parents’ disappointment. “I meant in general. But hey, if you’re asking me to marry you, I wouldn’t turn you down.”
I elbowed him playfully, thinking there was no end to his teasing. “I better go bring in the gifts soon.”
“Gifts?”
“Yeah, Morgan and Josh have presents for all the bridesmaids and groomsmen.”
“Well, this night is getting better and better. My little sister is plying us with alcohol, lavishing us with presents—maybe we should get married, so we can have a big party, too.”
I eyed him curiously, thinking maybe I’d been reading him wrong. Even if Chris had feelings for me, though, I definitely didn’t return his affection. “Right,” I said uncertainly, wanting to change the subject.
“Hey, I’m just kidding,” Chris said, sensing my discomfort. “I know you’re pining away for that San Francisco guy anyway.”
“I’m not pining away,” I protested. “Seriously, is there anyone that Morgan didn’t tell about Ryan? Next time I’m keeping my mouth shut.”
Chris shrugged, giving me a quick grin. “You never know. These things have a way of working themselves out.”
An hour later the bridal party had opened our presents (matching silver necklaces for the bridesmaids and silver-plated cocktail shakers for the groomsmen), guests were finishing their dessert and after-dinner coffee, and the evening was beginning to wind down. “Sarah, this dinner was amazing!” Morgan said, throwing her arms around me in a huge hug.