I found myself nodding along and crying as Bella and Edward married. He was her one true love, there from the start and the one she was meant to be with—just like I was supposed to be with Christian.
Tears poured out of my eyes as they were pronounced man and wife, and Trish paused the DVD.
“All right, chica, who peed in your Cheerios? You’ve been distant and emotional all night. This is more than you daydreaming. What’s up? You PMSing?” Ava handed me a tissue to wipe the mascara that had run down my face.
“This isn’t like you. Should we be worried? You’re not preggo are you?”
“No! Jeez, I just had a bad week at work. It’s nothing.”
Ava and Trish held a silent conversation, but both nodded and accepted me at my word. I was sure they knew it wasn’t nothing, but they also knew me well enough to know I wasn’t ready to talk about what bothered me.
Ava got up and put the final DVD into the player, giving me a free minute. I went to the restroom and splashed cold water on my face.
Get a grip, Jill , I admonished myself in the mirror. This whole thing is stupid, and when you’re married happily to Christian, you’ll look back on this, and laugh . I took a deep breath and dried my face before returning to my friends.
As I snuggled up with the teddy bear Christian had won me at the carnival two years ago, I reached into my back pocket, pulled out my phone and texted him.
Me + U nxt wknd? Miss you! Xoxo
He responded back as I was drifting to sleep.
Sure. Still up 4 camping?
I sighed. He knew I hated camping, but at least we’d be alone together. I replied, telling him I’d go, and then, before I could stop myself, I entered Grant’s number into my contacts before scrubbing it off my hand, thankful Ava or Trish hadn’t seen it yet and questioned me. I wasn’t going to call him; I kept it there in case of a technical emergency.
Yeah, even I didn’t buy that lie.
The weekend flew by in a blur. I didn’t get to see Christian at all, and I really missed him. I needed some alone time with him and was already counting down the days until we went camping that weekend.
As I sat down at my desk and pulled on my headset Monday morning, I smiled. There, front and center in front of my monitor, was a beautiful bouquet of white, yellow, and pink daisies arranged in a green vase shaped like a water pitcher. The fragrance emanated to my nose, and I leaned in to inhale deeply. The card attached was so sweet I almost melted.
J—
Even when you’re not around, you make my world a better place. I missed you this weekend. Don’t stress about the job, you’re great at everything.
Love, Christian
I replaced the card in the little envelope and sat, strumming my fingers on the desk. Christian had bought me flowers exactly three times in our relationship: once on our first date, once after prom when I caught him kissing that slut Abbi Morris, and last year after our blowout fight about his recreational drug use. I wanted to believe this was simply a sweet gesture because he felt bad about missing our weekend together, but I just couldn’t.
I sighed, moving the flowers to the side of the desk so I could see the screen. I shook the feeling off and gave him the benefit of the doubt. He’d given me no reason to doubt his sincerity. I leaned in, inhaling their sweet scent once more. They really were beautiful. Christian was home now, so maybe I’d surprise him and head over later tonight with a homemade dessert. Anything I made was from scratch, and Christian could never get enough. Maybe I’d whip up a strawberry rhubarb pie. My Gamma had taught me to bake several of her award-winning pies and cakes over the years, and Christian was her number one fan.
It was then I noticed the piece of green sea glass propped up against my monitor. I picked it up and rubbed the smooth stone between my fingers, wondering where it had come from. It was beautiful, about the size of a half dollar and smooth all around,
Tears poured out of my eyes as they were pronounced man and wife, and Trish paused the DVD.
“All right, chica, who peed in your Cheerios? You’ve been distant and emotional all night. This is more than you daydreaming. What’s up? You PMSing?” Ava handed me a tissue to wipe the mascara that had run down my face.
“This isn’t like you. Should we be worried? You’re not preggo are you?”
“No! Jeez, I just had a bad week at work. It’s nothing.”
Ava and Trish held a silent conversation, but both nodded and accepted me at my word. I was sure they knew it wasn’t nothing, but they also knew me well enough to know I wasn’t ready to talk about what bothered me.
Ava got up and put the final DVD into the player, giving me a free minute. I went to the restroom and splashed cold water on my face.
Get a grip, Jill , I admonished myself in the mirror. This whole thing is stupid, and when you’re married happily to Christian, you’ll look back on this, and laugh . I took a deep breath and dried my face before returning to my friends.
As I snuggled up with the teddy bear Christian had won me at the carnival two years ago, I reached into my back pocket, pulled out my phone and texted him.
Me + U nxt wknd? Miss you! Xoxo
He responded back as I was drifting to sleep.
Sure. Still up 4 camping?
I sighed. He knew I hated camping, but at least we’d be alone together. I replied, telling him I’d go, and then, before I could stop myself, I entered Grant’s number into my contacts before scrubbing it off my hand, thankful Ava or Trish hadn’t seen it yet and questioned me. I wasn’t going to call him; I kept it there in case of a technical emergency.
Yeah, even I didn’t buy that lie.
The weekend flew by in a blur. I didn’t get to see Christian at all, and I really missed him. I needed some alone time with him and was already counting down the days until we went camping that weekend.
As I sat down at my desk and pulled on my headset Monday morning, I smiled. There, front and center in front of my monitor, was a beautiful bouquet of white, yellow, and pink daisies arranged in a green vase shaped like a water pitcher. The fragrance emanated to my nose, and I leaned in to inhale deeply. The card attached was so sweet I almost melted.
J—
Even when you’re not around, you make my world a better place. I missed you this weekend. Don’t stress about the job, you’re great at everything.
Love, Christian
I replaced the card in the little envelope and sat, strumming my fingers on the desk. Christian had bought me flowers exactly three times in our relationship: once on our first date, once after prom when I caught him kissing that slut Abbi Morris, and last year after our blowout fight about his recreational drug use. I wanted to believe this was simply a sweet gesture because he felt bad about missing our weekend together, but I just couldn’t.
I sighed, moving the flowers to the side of the desk so I could see the screen. I shook the feeling off and gave him the benefit of the doubt. He’d given me no reason to doubt his sincerity. I leaned in, inhaling their sweet scent once more. They really were beautiful. Christian was home now, so maybe I’d surprise him and head over later tonight with a homemade dessert. Anything I made was from scratch, and Christian could never get enough. Maybe I’d whip up a strawberry rhubarb pie. My Gamma had taught me to bake several of her award-winning pies and cakes over the years, and Christian was her number one fan.
It was then I noticed the piece of green sea glass propped up against my monitor. I picked it up and rubbed the smooth stone between my fingers, wondering where it had come from. It was beautiful, about the size of a half dollar and smooth all around,
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