Page 46 of Only You and Me

I roll my eyes and down the rest of my drink before standing to go get another. Good thing Emily picked me up and drove me because I have a feeling these three are going to have me back at the alcohol table several times this afternoon.

Two hours later, we’ve eaten lunch and played a miserable amount of wedding themed party games. Annie and Jack are just opening presents and, needing a few minutes of reprieve from the group at my table, I stand and move off to the periphery of the party. A couple others are standing on the edges, so I don’t appear too awkward doing it.

A few minutes later, Ben’s mom—one of the best women I know—comes and stands next to me. Now this woman, she’s the epitome of a mother. It was actually getting to know her and seeing her with her family over the years after Emily became friends with Shayna that made me realize how amazing it could be to have a big family.

“Hi Trina. It’s so wonderful to see you.”

I smile at her. “Hi Mrs. Donley. It’s great to see you too. It’s been too long.”

“Yes, it definitely has. It always makes me so happy to see you. We should start having coffee or lunch once a month.”

“I’d love that.” An idea strikes me. “Mrs. Donley, do you still crochet?”

“Of course. It helps relax me, and I love making things for people. Why do you ask?”

I grin. “Have you ever heard of plarning?”

She tilts her head, and her eyebrows furrow. “I don’t think I have. What is it?”

Ten minutes later, I’ve explained plarning and my group that meets to make sleeping mats for the homeless. We’ve made plans for her to join me when I next go to Meadow Creek for our meeting at the library.

After that, we stand quietly for a few minutes and watch as Annie and Jack continue opening gifts.

“You know, I always thought Ben would be first.”

Confused, I turn to her, but she’s still watching Annie and Jack. “Huh? First for what?”

“To get married, sweetie.” Rose looks at me now and her gray, almost lilac-colored eyes fix on me. “And yet here we are, with Jack about to be married for the second time. Shannon and Shyley are both married. I suspect Shayna’s headed that way, and Ben isn’t.”

“Ben?” I can’t help but chuckle out loud at the thought.

“Of course. Ben was the first of my children to fall in love with his whole heart and soul.” Her voice is soft, sad almost.

A lump fills my throat and I’m immediately nauseous thinking about Ben loving another woman like that.

I shouldn’t ask her, but I can’t stop myself. “Ben’s been in love like that? W-when?” I whisper. Nausea instantly hits me at the thought. I know it’s been almost ten years, but I still don’t enjoy hearing it and I wonder if I know the woman and what happened between them. And why he would lie to me when he left my house today and say I’m the only one he’s wanted?

Rose doesn’t speak right away, but her eyes flit over my features, searching my face as she remains quiet. Then sadness fills her eyes and her mouth curves down into a frown.

“Oh, honey. You don’t know, do you?” I say nothing, afraid she’ll stop talking and I need her to tell me. No matter how much it hurts to hear, maybe this is what I need if I have any chance of truly ever moving on with someone else. “Yes, he’s been in love like that. I’m pretty sure he still is… even though it’s been almost ten years.”

She watches me patiently as I process what she’s saying and understanding dawns on me. My eyes widen.

“M-me? It’s me?”

* * *

BEN

My dad, brothers-in-law, Troy and Lincoln, and I stayed at O’Riley’s until Jack texted me the all clear that it was safe to come back to my parents’ house. It’s nearly six p.m. when I pull into their driveway with the ragamuffin group of beer-happy men in my family. Well, except Lincoln—he’s a lightweight and prefers a fruitier drink. I’m grateful there are a lot fewer vehicles on the street near the house compared to when we left, but I’m dejected that I don’t see Trina’s sedan. I really hoped to at least get another glimpse of her before she left.

At least Jack promised there was cake left. It’s no comparison to getting a few minutes in the same space as Trina, but it’s better than nothing.

When the guys and I come around the side of my parents’ yard to the back, we find all the tables but one cleaned up. Annie and her a few of her bridesmaids—Emily, Shayna, and her friend Janie from the ER—as well as my other two sisters, Shannon and Shyley, are all seated there.

I guide a very intoxicated Lincoln, Shyley’s husband, over and sit him in the chair next to her.

“Your hubby can’t hold his alcohol, Shy,” I chuckle.

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