“Yeah she was friendly. Threw me for a loop too. She actually apologized and was glad I stopped by.”
Another brief pause.
“I know right? I had to make sure I’d gone to the right shop. Hey, do you think you all can do me a favor? I know your wife-to-be has a lot on her plate tonight and I’ll see you later back at my place, but do you think Julie might be able to give Annie a quick call? I don’t want her to say anything about meobviously, but when I left, she looked pretty hurt. I just want to make sure she’s okay.”
Josh slowed to turn into his parents’ driveway, shutting the engine off so he could talk.
“No, I didn’t do anything to her. I barely said two words. She talked; I listened. I thanked her, gave her the check, asked her if I’d see her at the wedding and left.”
His friend was questioning what more they could possibly do.
“Just call. They’re friends and women, they’ll think of something to talk about. Maybe she can vent some of that wedding frustration or that you’re being a jerk. Heck I don’t know, I just want to be sure she’s doing alright.”
Brian agreed that he’d talk to Julie and they’d check on Annie.
“Thanks bud. I have to get showered for the rehearsal. See you later.”
Feeling fairly good about things, Josh found the house key, dumped his duffle bag in the hall outside the bathroom in his parent’s house and turned on the steaming water. He was house sitting while his mom and dad were off on a two month long pre-retirement vacation.
Josh studied his clean-shaven face, hoping like hell things would go according to some sort of plan tomorrow. Not that he had one. Did he need one? Probably.
“Fingers crossed we don’t screw this up.”
Chapter Three
Saturday morning.
Wedding day.
Dooms day for Annie’s heart and her love life. Or at least that’s how she felt.
She was seriously contemplating her role as best friend. After yesterday’s debacle with Josh, she was hesitant to even want to put herself through having to see him again. And poor Julie, she’d already made numerous phone calls bright and early that morning, waking Annie from a restless sleep to vent about the groom, the DJ complaining that he would be late to the reception, and of course to check on her friend after the incoherent blubbering tirade from Annie the night before.
Annie had already reassured Julie multiple times that the cake was ready to go, and it would be there on time and in one piece. She would make sure it happened because Annie was a professional if nothing else.
Annie’s only dilemma that morning was whether to send a delivery crew to set up the cake in her place. The last twenty-four hours had proven to be almost more than she could deal with. She wanted to believe her friend would understand if she missed the most important day in Julie’s life and biggest wedding their little town had seen in years.
The problem was, she could not in good conscience, not be there for her best friend. So, she would do as everyone would expect of her, suck up her pride, put a smile on her face, and take that cake to the park. Then she would be at the church to straighten Julie’s train, as she prepared to go for the most important walk of her life.
Hopefully she wouldn’t be expected to have a date because anyone other than one specific guy would just be the wrong date.
***
Resembling a big bundle of nerves, Josh stood at the front of the packed church between the groomsmen and the even more jittery groom. Both men were shaking so much if anyone looked closely enough, they might be confused as to which guy was the one getting hitched. Julie was seconds away from her famed walk down the aisle and all he could think about was not seeing Annie seated anywhere in the pews. He knew for a fact because he had gone over every single seat in the place more than once with radar precision. She simply was not there. He never would have guessed she would not show up at all, not that he could blame her.
Maybe she really didn’t want what he thought she did? His heart broke just a little.
Unfortunately, he was in no position to have a mental breakdown or do anything about it at the moment. They were in the middle of a wedding and he had a job to do. The doors creaked and a beautiful blushing bride escorted by her dad, came down the aisle toward her groom. Josh turned, taking his place as best man, trying to shake off the dread. The next half hour was not about him. After the ceremony he would worryabout whether his “though love” theory had screwed up his chances of working things out with Annie.
***
With his back to the crowd, Josh missed the moment when Annie slipped quietly into the last pew after she had accompanied the bride to the double doors of the sanctuary and waiting guests. She straightened her train as Julie’s father lead her away to her future husband. The spot in the back afforded Annie the quick getaway she needed after the ceremony to make one last check on the cake before everyone arrived at the reception.
Unfortunately for her, the spot she had chosen also afforded her the heartbreaking view of how wonderful Josh looked in his tux, even from behind. She knew without a doubt the front view would be too much for her heart to handle. She couldn’t even imagine how hard it would have been to stand across from him during the vows and she sent up a silent prayer she’d only been the baker.
Twenty minutes and several tears later, the wedding was a beautiful success and her best friend looked so happy. Brian and Julie said their I do’s and the whole church cheered as the preacher announced them husband and wife. Annie wanted to hang around for
their walk out of the church together but that also meant the wedding party would follow suit and she wanted to avoid Josh if she could, so she decided that was the best time to sneak out. Maybe while the entire church stood, no one would notice her leave…
