Page 37 of An Unexpected Love

“What he said,” Shelly explained between yawns, “was that he was sure you’d make the right decision. And he is. I was, too, after he calmed me down.”

“I’ve made my choice. There’s no turning back now.”

“You’ll change your mind.”

“Perhaps. I don’t know. All I know is that I agreed to marry Ralph.” No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t keep the breathless catch from her voice.

Shelly heard it, and her eyes slowly opened. “What happened?” Her gaze sharply assessed Jill, who tried not to say or do anything that would give her away.

“Tell me,” she said when Jill hesitated. “You know I’ll get it out of you one way or another.”

Jill sighed. Hiding the truth was pointless. “Jordan came by late last night.”

“I thought you said he was in Hawaii.”

“He was.”

“Then what was he doing at your place?”

“He said he had a feeling there was something wrong—and he flew home.”

“Thereissomething wrong!” Shelly cried. “You’re engaged to the wrong man.”

Unexpectedly, Jill felt defeated. She’d hardly slept the night before, and the tears she’d managed to suppress refused to be held back any longer. They brimmed in her eyes, spilling onto her cheeks, cool against her flushed skin.

“I’m notengagedto the wrong man,” she said once she was able to speak coherently. “I happen tolovethe wrong one.”

“If you’re in love with Jordan,” Shelly said, “and I believe you are, then why in heaven’s name would you even consider marrying Ralph?”

It was too difficult to explain. Rather than make the effort, she merely shook her head and stood, almost toppling her chair in her eagerness to escape.

“Jill.” Shelly stood, too.

“I have to go now….”

“Jill, what’s wrong? My goodness, I’ve never seen you like this. Tell me.”

Jill shook her head again and hurried into the living room. “I brought back the wedding dress. Thank your aunt Milly for me, but I can’t…wear it.”

“You brought back the dress?” Shelly sounded as though she was about to break into tears herself. “Oh, Jill, I wish you hadn’t.”

Jill didn’t stay around to argue. She rushed out the front door and to her car. Her destination wasn’t clear until she reached Ralph’s apartment. She hadn’t planned to go there and wasn’t sure what had directed her there. For several minutes she sat outside, collecting her thoughts—and gathering her courage.

When she’d composed herself, blown her nose anddried her eyes, she walked to his front door and rang the doorbell. Ralph answered, looking pleased to see her.

“Good morning. You’re out and about early. I was just getting ready to leave for work.”

She forced a smile. “Have you got a minute?”

He nodded. “Come on in.” He paused and seemed to remember that they were now an engaged couple. He leaned forward and lightly brushed his lips across her cheek.

“I should have phoned first.”

“No. I was just thinking that this afternoon might be a good time for us to look at engagement rings.”

Jill guiltily dropped her gaze and her voice trembled. “That’s very sweet.” She could barely say the words she had to say. “I should explain…the reason I’m here—”

Ralph motioned her toward a chair. “Please, sit down.”

---