Page 9 of Third Time Lucky

‘I’m very aware.’

The door swings open suddenly and a tall slender woman stares us down.

‘Can I help you?’

‘Um— I’m looking for Lucy Gray? Flower delivery,’ I say, motioning Aaron’s way.

Her gaze moves to the flowers, and she lifts a curious eyebrow. ‘Lucy?’ The woman pulls the door open all the way and at the far side of the room, standing in front of a mirror, is Lucy. Our eyes lock through the reflection. Her sparkling white gown glitters when she turns my way. Shit.

‘Ash?’

I stand, silent, my mind wiped clean at the sight of her.

‘Earth to Ash,’ Aaron groans under his breath. ‘Say, Brandon is a jezebel and you’re too good for him.’ From behind the flowers, he mutters a sentence he thinks will fix all, jabbing me in the ribs with his elbow as I realize I’m staring with my jaw hanging open like a goddamn cartoon character, my gaze on Lucy.

‘W-WOW,’ I stutter. ‘You look… beautiful.’

Pink fills her cheeks as she smiles softly, running her hands down her sides and admiring her dress. ‘Thanks. Though I do believe it’s bad luck to see a bride before the wedding?’

Finally, Aaron lowers the bouquet and shakes his head. ‘Only if you’re marrying him.’ He throws a thumb in my direction.

Since when is he an expert in wedding traditions? ‘How do you know that?’

He smirks. ‘You may not realize this, but I’m a very romantic man,’ he insists, winking toward a woman standing near Lucy. ‘Deep down. Very deep.’

The man just used two of her friends – there is obviously a bone in his body, but it’s not the romantic type.

I glance back at Lucy, who also doesn’t look convinced. I’m sure by now she’s heard the story.

‘Didn’t you— uh—’ Aaron clears his throat, looking to me. ‘Have something you needed to say?’

All eyes snap my way. ‘Yeah,’ I say with a nod. ‘I, uh?—’

I swear she’s somehow staring into my soul. She looks so beautiful. And I haven’t seen her for twelve years – why am I about to ruin this woman’s life?

‘Congratulations, again,’ I say, the words tumbling out of my mouth unexpectedly. ‘You look even prettier than you did at prom.’

Her smile is bright. ‘Thank you. And today’s the dreaded day, right? Thirty?’

I nod. She remembered even though she must be preoccupied with wedding things.

‘Happy Birthday,’ she says. ‘I’m sure both of our days will be amazing.’

But her face doesn’t match her words. Sure, I haven’t seen this girl in twelve years, but I once knew her well enough to see when there was doubt all over her, so, I’m not convinced she thinks today will be amazing.

Silence hangs between us like a heavy, invisible cloak, weighing down our conversation with unspoken tension and repressed memories. This is the exact confused, worried look she gave me the night Kris died as she waited for me to find the courage to speak.

‘I—’

‘OK, that’s all the time we have for this,’ the tall woman who answered the door says, cutting me off while taking the bouquet from Aaron, furrowing her brow when she realizes the stems are wet. ‘Thanks for stopping by, but we’re on a tight timeline. We appreciate the sentiment.’

With that, she closes the door in our face.

Aaron and I both stare at the door silently for a second before he starts to laugh.

‘Dude, smooth as butter.’

‘Shut. Up.’ I run a hand through my hair. ‘The dress, the sparkles, seeing her again, the words I have to say – it all distracted me.’

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