Page 16 of My Always One

“No, you’re not.” I say, my words slurring just a bit.

“Pull up a chair.” Jane’s direction is repeated by affirmations around the rest of the table.

When I turn, I see my sister’s knowing grin. “You told him we were here?” I accuse.

Jane smiles and leans back, lifting her hands. “I did it. I’m guilty as charged.”

In the time I’ve been looking at my older sister, Marshal has pulled up a chair right next to mine. Within seconds, one of the waitresses is at his side, taking his order and probably giving him her phone number. Once she walks away, I turn and lower my voice. With each word, I lean closer and closer, working to keep his blue orbs in focus. “I thought you were upset.”

“Upset that my best friend found her forever? Never.”

Inhaling, I’m filled with a sense of relief that I hadn’t realized I needed. “Thank you.”

“So am I going to be your man of honor?”

“Do they do that?” Ashley asks.

“I can do whatever I want,” I say. “I’m the bride.”

“What is that show?” Linda asks before answering her own question. “Bridezilla.”

I lean back, feeling Marsh’s arm on the back of my chair and sigh. “I’ve been imagining this feeling my whole life.” I shake my head. “I mean, I have wanted it all, not justforever. I want the friends and career. I want a best friend.” I squeeze Marshal’s knee. “And I want the always.” I look at Jane. “You know, like Mom and Dad. And you and Tony.” I turn to Millie. “You’ll get it one day.”

“I’m not worried.” She smiles at Marshal. “After all, I know of one guy who’s still available.”

My younger sister is probably one of the only women in this bar who has no chance of waking in his bed. My sisters and his brother aren’t part of our understanding; that was for friends. Siblings are totally and completely off-limits. After all, we all grew up together like stair steps: Jane was the oldest, then Marcus, Marshal’s brother, only a few months older than my brother, Byron, and then Marshal and me, and finally Millie.

It would just be weird.

“He’s taken,” I say as everyone looks my way.

When I turn to Marshal, I smile. “Remember, you told me who you’ll end up with?”

“I did?”

“Yeah, right before graduation.”

“Who?” Linda asks.

It’s as if a light bulb illuminates and Marshal’s baby blues open wide. “Sami’s right. There’s only one person in my forever and it’s me.”

“Oh,” comes from everyone.

“It’s okay,” he reassures. “That way I can share my attention with everyone.”

“I’m free,” Linda says with a smirk.

“Nope,” I answer. “Friends are off-limits as well as siblings.”

“So you’re saying as long as I’m friends with you, Marshal is off-limits?”

I know where this is going. “That’s our understanding.”

“Well, Sami,” Linda says, “it’s been nice.”

We all laugh.

As the night goes on, food continues to be delivered to our table. First there were onion rings and then nachos. The last delivery was a large pizza. It wasn’t until we started to disperse that I questioned the tab.

---