Page 31 of Mess With Me
“Maybe he’s in love with you,” Ally said. She couldn’t imagine why else a guy would be available off and on for years. Unless the sex was off the charts. Hmmm…
“He’s not,” Hailey said tightly. “When I ended it, he said that was okay because he recently met someone and he thought it might go somewhere.” She pasted on her beauty-queen smile and Ally instantly knew her friend was hurting. They all did, everyone giving her sympathetic looks.
“So no hard feelings,” Hailey choked out and then broke down in gut-wrenching sobs.
The women quickly gathered around, rubbing her back and murmuring sympathies.
“Did you love him?” Ally asked gently once Hailey had quieted again and everyone had returned to their seats in somber silence. Ally was all too familiar with the big buildup and devastating disappointment of unrequited love.
“No!” Hailey dug a tissue out of her purse and carefully wiped under her eyes. Her mascara was apparently tear-proof. “I guess I just thought maybe someday the thing with Liam would go somewhere, you know, when the time was right. I know that sounds dumb. It would’ve happened by now, right?” She squared her shoulders and took a deep breath. “I didn’t mind the casual nature of our relationship because it made it so easy for me to focus on building my business. I desperately needed that solid foundation, for me, you know? You have no idea how unstable things were growing up, but now I’m going to be inBride Special. When that comes out next August with Carrie’s wedding in it, I’m set. There’s nothing better for national publicity.” Hailey had been lucky enough to score a feature article as a wedding planner extraordinaire inBride Special. In a cool turn of events, the magazine people had witnessed Zach proposing to Carrie and had invited them to be the featured wedding in conjunction with Hailey’s spotlight.
Hailey took them all in. “Tonight with full honesty and commitment, I enter into these vows. To honor myself and my company’s mission. And to be open to future relationships.”
Stunned silence.
“Wow,” Missy said. “That was a good vow.”
Hailey let out a sniffly laugh. “I’m sure what you and Ally prepared is even better. Ally, would you like to lead us now?”
“Absolutely,” Ally said, rising from her chair. She looked around the table at the women who were like sisters to her, faithful companions on this great journey, and began. “On this most special night, surrounded by friends who love me, I vow to love myself.
“I vow to take care of myself,
“to seek out fulfilling work and purpose,
“to live my dreams,
“to accept my flaws unconditionally,
“to forgive myself,
“to know that I am worthy of love,
“and to treat myself and others with love and respect.”
She took a moment to soak in the significance of the words, tears pricking her eyes at the commitment she should’ve made to herself long ago. She pulled a jewelry box from her purse and removed a sterling silver heart necklace and held it up with a smile. “With this beautiful reminder of self-love, I do.” She put it on and rested her hand on the heart.
The women applauded and whistled. “Congratulations, Ally!” they chorused.
She sniffled, more moved than she thought possible. “Thank you,” she managed over the lump in her throat. She plunked down in her seat.
Sabrina, sitting next to her, clasped her hand warmly. “That was beautiful.”
“Thanks,” she whispered.
“I’ll go next,” Sabrina announced. “I brought my grandmother’s emerald ring for my symbol.” She set it in front of her, stood, and held up a hand with a short laugh. “I’m shaking.”
The women encouraged her. Sabrina didn’t often speak in front of the group. She was on the shy side, more comfortable one-on-one. Finally, she launched into the vows with a quavering but determined voice.
Ally got choked up. Everyone did. It was powerful stuff.
With each of her friends’ vows, the love in the room grew. A palpable force. The strength of the women, their determination to support each other and themselves. It was perfection.
They finished with a champagne toast. “To us!” Ally declared and they drank.
“Let’s eat!” Mad exclaimed.
Everyone laughed.
