Page 2 of Embracing Trust

Merilee puts an arm around our friend. “Oh. What’s going on?”

Amy sighs. “I’m trying not to freak out. You know how I’ve been about this wedding. I just want everything to be perfect.” She puts her hand over her heart and takes a deep breath. “Kevin’s brother can’t be our best man. Would you believe he had to have an emergency appendectomy this morning? So, now I’m shorttwoattendants. Heandhis wife.”

“Oh no.” I feel so bad for Amy. No bride needs stress.

“But thankfully it hadn’t ruptured and he’s gonna be okay. He feels terrible missing the wedding, but I’m glad it wasn’t more serious.”

“Thankfully, they caught it in time.” Merilee squeezes Amy. “A ruptured appendix can be very serious.”

I grin to myself. It’s not unusual for Merilee to be so concerned with a medical malady. She’s an RN at our local hospital’s emergency room. She’s always been compassionate, and she loves caring for patients. For as long as I’ve known her, she’s been cool under pressure.

Merilee and I met in eighth-grade science class where she sat behind me. I hated science and barely made a C. Merilee rarely studied and easily finished with a B+.

Amy continues, “I had to do some shifting around…my cousin was going to be an usher…well, it doesn’t really matter. Long story short, Merilee, you’ll be with Mark and Julia, you’re going to be with Ryan. I hope that’s okay.”

I take a deep breath. “Of course,” I reply.

Amy Stewart, the bride-to-be, completed our inseparable high school trio. Although we each had different interests and ideas, we always had fun when we were together. Amy has been dating her high school sweetheart, Kevin Banks, since senior year. This is the big weekend where Amy and Kevin will finally tie the knot after six years. They wanted to wait until they graduated from college before getting married. I’m a bit envious of Amy. It seems she has had her whole future planned out. They got engaged, finished college and here she is getting married to the man of her dreams. Of course, Amy deserves every happiness.

The church’s wedding coordinator directs the group of attendants and parents to the back of the church. She gives out instructions like an Army drill sergeant except my group of friends are talking, joking, and not paying much attention.

She admonishes the group. “The more you visit, the more time we’re wasting.” Her lips are pursed like she just sucked on a lemon.

I try not to stare as Ryan stands with his friends. He probably doesn’t know about the change in plans. My hands are so damp, I don’t dare rub them on the red satin.

Just take deep breaths. Keep your knees bent. Can’t people pass out if they keep their knees locked?

Thankfully, the group finally settles down so the coordinator can put everyone in their appropriate spots. We do a quick run-through of the ceremony. The minister introduces the married couple, and they do a little boogie as they make their way toward the church’s entryway. Another admonishment from the coordinator. “Of course, we won’t exit the ceremony this way tomorrow, now, will we?”

Geez, pull the stick out. They’re just having fun.

Two by two, one couple at a time follows the happy couple down the aisle. Now it’s our turn. If Ryan notices the change in plans, he doesn’t let on. We meet in the middle. Ryan holds out his arm and I wrap my arm around his.

Ryan clears his throat to speak as we make our way to the back of the church. “Hey there.”

“Hi.”Don’t look at him. He’s acting too nonchalant—like he didn’t crush your heart into bits.

Although I’m sure the length of the sanctuary could be measured in mere yards, it feels like two miles until we reach our friends and can break our hold.

Merilee situates herself next to me. “Geez,” she whispers. “What did he say to you? You’re blushing.”

I turn to her. “I amnotblushing.”

Merilee chuckles. “Whatever you want to tell yourself, Jules.” She laughs as she walks away.

Once we arrive at a local steakhouse for the rehearsal dinner, the members of our party gather in the restaurant’s waiting area. I slip away to the ladies’ room. Once inside, I run cold water on a paper towel and dab it on my face and chest. My legs feel like rubber and my skin is hot. I try to take a deep breath to calm myself, but it feels like I can’t get enough air into my lungs. I fan myself with my hand.You’ve got this. You’ll need to talk to him at some point. Relax. Just relax.Maybe if I eat some dinner and have a glass of water, I’ll start feeling better.

I reapply my lipstick and take one more big breath. I make my way back to the waiting area. Our group has apparently already been seated.

“Are you with the wedding party, Miss?” the host asks. I nod and he leads me to the table. There is one chair left and it’s right next to Ryan who smiles.Please bring me a drink.

Chapter Two

Ryan

What the hell is with that dress?Smoking. Hot. Of course, there’s one chair left in here and it looks like she’s going to be my dinner companion. As soon as I offered her my arm at the rehearsal and got a whiff of that familiar shampoo or soap or whatever…Shit. I knew I was screwed.

Julia Crandall. The only woman who has ever gotten through my tough exterior and into my heart. In high school, she was always stunning, but she’s even more attractive now. Her long, brown hair—the kind you want to wrap around your fingers when you’re kissing her. And her eyes. The coffee brown kind—rich and expressive. She was always a sweetheart—innocent, but with a wicked bit of a wild side that came out when it was least expected. A sassy mouth with a keen sense of humor. All of that wrapped up into one sexy little package.

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