Page 73 of Still The One

‘Hopefully, someone with a medical degree,’ I joke. ‘Truthfully, Aunt Diana, why worry about the future when I’d rather focus on where I am and enjoy this party?’

‘Right. So, where is he? This Foster fella, introduce me.’ She glances around the room. ‘Your mom said he’s handsome, like a young Mark Ruffalo.’

I heard my mom say that recently and it caught me off guard because I don’t see it. I guess maybe the hair is similar. And obviously his handsome face.

‘Unfortunately, his schedule got in the way of today. He’s on a plane, but only just, and it’s an eight-hour flight.’

Her lips pinch into disappointment. She is definitely my mother’s sister. ‘He’s missing his own wedding reception? That’s not a great start, sweetheart.’

It’s not like they’ve booked the Plaza – or whatever the Portland equivalent to that would be. We’re literally standing in my great-uncle’s pizza shop. Once my mom learned I’d raced out and got married to some random dude, she wouldn’t let it settle without at least throwing us a reception. She said she’d forgive me for not inviting her to my wedding if I said yes. So here we are. In the middle of a wedding reception where only one half of the blissful couple has arrived.

I lift the iPad in my hand. ‘He’s not completely missing it. Once he’s allowed to turn on his electronics he’s going to attempt joining us via video.’

‘It’s cute,’ Jess says approaching us from the rear, a glass of champagne in her hand that she gives me, saving me from tackling Aunt Diana alone. ‘Like that scene fromNew Girlwhen Schmidt can’t make it to their wedding.’

Another ‘the lights are on but nobody’s home’ stare, her head moving between us. ‘Who?’

‘He’ll be here shortly,’ I say, waving the iPad and allowing my sister to steer me away from the partygoers who have questions and opinions galore.

‘Eve, honey.’ My uncle Steve steps in front of Jess and me. ‘One month? You think you know him after one month? Sweetie…’ He grabs my free hand. ‘I’ve been married to Leigha since you were a baby. She says things I never knew every single day. I bet you didn’t know he was going to miss this party?’

‘Well, no, I didn’t. But sometimes things happen – nobody’s perfect.’

Shall I remind you of your three-month stint in the clink for a ‘misunderstanding that was never revealed’, Uncle Steve?

He nods, repeatedly, as if I should still be talking.

‘You know how I am,’ I continue. ‘I like to follow my heart,’ I declare, fully aware of my tendencies.

‘I remember,’ he says. ‘The basketball player. He’s in our family photos. Who was that again?’

‘Josh,’ I say, preferring not to have him on my mind right now. It feels taboo to be discussing the man I thought I’d marry at sixteen while at my wedding reception to someone else.

‘Poor Josh. Had you two discussed breaking up when he went to college?’

‘Nope,’ I say, downing the champagne, completely over the entire day at this point.

My mom made it clear that I needed to be on my best behavior at this event. She knows that I tend to speak before I think. And while I usually don’t regret what I say, the same can’t be said for how my family receives it. So, I’m working on myself and taming my tongue for the sake of my future patients.

I glance across the room and catch sight of my mother. Her expression speaks volumes as she shoots me the ‘don’t say whatever you’re thinking’ look. I’d know it anywhere, as I get it often. She knows me so well that she can read my mind from a distance, especially regarding her annoying little sister.

‘Evie,’ Jess says, jabbing me with her finger. ‘The iPad is ringing.’

I glance down and notice the incoming FaceTime request, walking away from the crowd to greet him.

‘Hey,’ I chirp.

He smiles at the sight of me, grabbing his chest like he’s been shot by Cupid’s arrow. God, I wish he weren’t so handsome. Then I could actually tell him how disappointed I am that our marriage is starting with him being constantly on the road.

‘Hello, beautiful girl.’

I crack a smile, dropping my head to hide it. I’m mad at him so he can’t see it.

‘I’m sorry,’ he says. ‘You know I didn’t expect to miss any of this, but we got married without warning and I already had commitments. We didn’t really consider the after, you know?’

I nod. ‘I know. I’m not mad.’

‘Yeah, you are,’ he says, a slight knowing smile on his lips. ‘And I plan to apologize however I can while I’m in your presence, for the rest of our lives. But for now, all I can offer is me, and my new friend and seat-mate Dave, who has invited himself because it’s been a long time since he’s been to a wedding.’ He shakes his head slightly, a perplexed look on his face before panning the camera to an elderly man wearing dark-rimmed glasses.

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