Page 6 of Dana
Confusion stops me in my tracks.
My first instinct is to confront her. Pull her to the side and ask what the heck she thinks she’s doing.
But we’ve only just met and it’s my brother’s wedding. I’m not exactly the favorite family member. I don’t think they even officially invited me. The last thing I want to do is cause a scene and prove them all right.
But I must talk to her.
I can’t just walk away and pretend like I don’t have these feelings that are burning inside me like the flaming embers of a newborn sun. “Dana.” I turn around to see my brother standing beside me.
It’s the first time I’ve spoken to him in years.
“Richard.” I plaster a smile onto my face that I really don’t feel, and hug him.
He feels tight and unresponsive. He doesn’t hug me back.
“It’s nice of you to come,” he says. “I didn’t think you’d make it.”
That’s his way of reminding me he doesn’t want me here.
“Not make it?” I say. “What kind of man would I be if I missed my favorite brother getting married?”
“Your only brother,” he reminds me.
“Exactly.” I squeeze his arm and look him in the eyes. This is the moment I’ve been thinking about ever since I decided to come here.
The olive branch.
But, just as I’m about to apologize for being a terrible big brother, I see Eden walking past behind him.
“I’ve been a complete jerk in the past, Richard. And I’m going to make it up to you.” It’s not quite the speech I practiced in the car on the way over here, but it’ll do. “Right now, though, there’s somewhere else Ireallyneed to be. Do you mind?”
His mouth hangs open. Stunned. “Sure,” he mumbles. “Thank you.”
I hug him again and kiss him on the cheek. ”Congratulations,” I say, meaning it. “You’ve found yourself a real winner.”
I push past him before he’s had a chance to reply and follow Eden towards the back of the hall.
Her hips sway from side to side with each step. It’s mesmerizing.
She walks into the lady's restroom.
I’m tempted to barge in after her and take her into one of the stalls. But, instead, I stand outside, waiting.
Seconds feel like hours. Minutes feel likes days.
I pace up and down, chewing my lip, barely able to wait until I have Eden in my arms again.
“Dana?”
I spin around at the sound of her voice. It's like music to my ears. I’d been so consumed in my thoughts, I didn’t notice her right beside me.
“Eden,” I growl, “we need to talk.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” she says.
I take a step forward. Our bodies are almost touching. Her eyes dart over my shoulder like she’s searching for help.
“Why not?” I say.
