Page 36 of Why Not Both?

I consider the question for a few moments. How would I feel if I were going to get married? Of course, there’s no way to know for certain until it’s happening. But after a couple seconds, I shake my head.

“If I ask someone to marry me, it would be because I want to spend the rest of my life with them. That wouldn’t make me nervous at all.”

“You asked me to marry you,” she says it with a smile, quirking an eyebrow. “We’d only known each other a few hours. You don’t think that would have made you nervous if I’d said yes?”

What do I say to that? I hadn’t exactly meant it then. But I also wouldn’t have taken it back. I’ve often wondered in the last week, if she’d said yes, if she’d meant it, would we be together now? Or would she still have cut off our relationship when she started working at Blue Vista?

Eventually, I shrug. “You didn’t say yes. So I guess we’ll never know.”

I give her a smile and take the coffee to the groom. He drinks it and then makes his way up to the roof. He and miss Bridezilla become Mr. and Mrs. Bridezilla. The reception goes off without a hitch. It seems, once the ceremony is over, Mrs. Bridezilla calms down a bit.

I’m left with an ache in my chest, as my words keep coming back to haunt me.

She hadn’t said yes. And now she wouldn’t. We’d never know.

Chapter 15

Lis

For the rest of the wedding and all day on Sunday, I replay Spencer’s words over and over.

You didn’t say yes. So I guess we’ll never know.

Had he wanted me to say yes? The idea is absolutely insane. But, though he’d tried to play it off like a quip, he hadn’t been able to keep that edge of sadness out of his voice.

I hadn’t said yes. But I hadn’t said no, either. If I’m going to be honest with myself, there had been a part of me that wanted to say yes. Throw caution to the wind and figure it out later. But then, I’d thought we’d have time.

I shake myself out of my thoughts Monday morning as I finish dressing and gathering what I’ll need. When I head into the living room, Daze is just putting on her jacket to head out to work.

“So, you’re taking Spencer to visit Mom and Dad today?”

“No. I’m taking him hiking in Golden Ears. We’re also stopping by Mom and Dad’s because I’ll be out there.”

She snorts. “Whatever you need to tell yourself. You staying out there for dinner?”

“Of course I am. I’ve already talked to Mom. I’m making beef and broccoli.”

“Right.”

“Spencer and I are just friends.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“Ugh. Go away. Go do something productive.”

Daze smiles and kisses my cheek. “Have fun with your friend.”

Then she leaves. I say goodbye to Sophie and Cerberus and I drive over to Spencer’s house. He meets us downstairs in just a couple of minutes. I’d given him his hoodie back on Sunday and he’s wearing it now. I haven’t actually seen him wear it before. He’s always given it to me to wear.

The fabric stretches over his strong shoulders and his hands are shoved into the front pocket. He looks so comfortable and I admit, I want the sweater back. Especially now that it’ll smell like him again.

He slides into the passenger seat with a smile. “Hey. I figured, if it’s an easy hike, jeans would be okay. I didn’t really want to wear sweatpants to your parents’ house.”

“Jeans are fine. Though my parents wouldn’t care if you wore sweatpants.”

I pull into traffic and start the long journey out to Maple Ridge. Thankfully, rush hour is in the opposite direction from what we’re travelling, so once we get onto the highway, it’s a pretty fast drive.

We talk about movies and future hiking adventures. I staunchly refuse to hike the Grouse Grind with him next week, telling him I’ll only do it with him if he runs the Seawall with me. He pouts, but lets it go. We pass my parents’ street and I point it out, continuing on to Golden Ears Park. It’s actually quite a drive to get into the park.

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