Can I handle teaching Calculus 2 here at the same school when she’ll be so close, but completely out of my reach? It’s going to make me sick. Maybe I’ll need to go to Maui, after all.
Does that make me just like my dad? Running away when things get hard?
But if she gets married, is there any other choice?
“Next item,” Christopher says, “the tutoring center with our dynamic duo. Ryan, Claire, how’s it going?”
“Good,” we both say in unison from our opposite sides of the room.
“We’ve just got a few things left,” I say.
“Actually,” Claire pipes up. “I finished everything this morning.”
I widen my eyes at her. “Wait, what?”
She pulls a folder out of her bag, but she doesn’t look at me. She keeps her eyes forward, looking at Christopher, as she explains. “I sent out the survey schedule over the weekend and got it fully staffed. And this morning I created the full curriculum using our Algebra and Pre-Calculus class outlines. So we’re all set.”
“Wonderful!” Christopher says from the podium. “Look at you two. What a great team.”
Yeah. We’re agreatteam. Just look at us, not communicating at all. Claire does all the work behind my back just so we won’t spend time together.
I slump in my seat, realizing that my chance with Claire might as well be over. She’s not just being awkward and pulling away from me—she’s cutting every tie that remained between the two of us. I’ve lost my chance.
She’s getting married.
Christopher shoots me a thumbs-up, completely oblivious to my inner turmoil. He must think I’m thrilled, because it means my tenure won’t be at stake anymore. I have a project to show my college involvement, and I’m now a valuable member of the college.
The problem is that I don’t know if I even care to be here anymore.
CHAPTER 31
Claire
“Oh, Claire. It’s just perfect.”My mom’s voice sounds behind me as I look at my reflection in the mirror of the bridal shop.
It’s early May, just a month from the wedding, and I’m doing the final fitting for my dress. This time, Mom and Julie came along, and it’s Julie’s first time seeing me in the dress. And the dress I ended up choosing… Well, it was my mom’s favorite dress. But that’s fine, because she’s happy.
The last month has passed in a blur. Once Zach decided to set a date, it’s been a mad scramble to get all the vendors lined up. First was the venue. The ceremony will be at our local church, but finding somewhere to have the reception was tricky at this last minute. Thankfully, Julie has connections and found out the Pacific Island Reception Hall had a cancellation on our exact date. It doesn’t have an ocean view, but I was willing to sacrifice some of my desires for the sake of making the wedding happen quickly.
Everything is falling into place. I feel like the universe is telling me that this was the right path all along, even though each decision feels like another weight on my shoulders. But once I accepted my fate, all the puzzle pieces fit right together.
Including this dress. The bridal shop had ten dresses available in stock, and this was one of them.
The one I originally loved—the one I sent to Ryan—was not.
And just like that, the decision was made. Simple.
Mom steps onto the pedestal next to me and wipes away a tear. “It’s perfect.”
I grin at her, my heart happy that she’s happy.
“Not perfect.” The seamstress, a minuscule woman named Olga with a hunchback and permanent scowl, pipes in with her thick Eastern European accent. “Not even close to perfect.”
“What do you mean?” Mom asks. “Look at her!”
“Bunching here.” Olga pinches my side. “Gapping here.” She sticks her finger down my nonexistent cleavage. “You lose weight. Why you lose weight? This supposed to be final fitting. You look perfect before.”
My cheeks heat, and my mom turns to me, her eyes wide. “Claire? Are you trying to lose weight?”
