Frankly, she didn’t know the first thing about families or suburban life, but Logan’s family made it appealing. To have a home, community, and neighbors who knew you and supported you, who wouldn’t want that. Maybe even someday she might receive those things for herself.
They ate for a minute in silence, munching on the popcorn. “Logan is going to meet you at the wedding, right? I want you to get ready with me in the bride’s room.”
“Um.” Brooke hadn’t contacted Logan about the wedding plans. Actively avoiding him had become a bit of a dance for her. He had texted her a few times since that evening with his niece, then she ignored him completely and didn’t read anything he wrote. Since then, she figured he was happily dating Shelby, but she still needed him for this one last fake date. Then they could both go their own ways. “I can tell him to meet me there.”
“Great.” Aubrey smiled and waved a piece of popcorn at the screen. “What are we watching anyways?”
Brooke laughed. “You’ve Got Mail. It’s a classic.”
“Oh, Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. I thought we were watching Sleepless in Seattle, and I kept waiting for the funny banter between Meg Ryan and Rosie O’Donnell. I was beginning to be a bit disappointed.”
“You’re in luck.” Brooke stopped the movie and toggled to another streaming service and pulled up Sleepless in Seattle. “I happen to be the proud owner of digital copies of both of the movies. What part did you want to watch specifically?”
“The part about how it’s hard to get married when you’re older.” Aubrey chomped off another bite of her licorice.
“I know the exact spot.” She queued it up. “And frankly I find it eerily true.”
Aubrey whacked her on her arm. “Whatever, you have Logan now.”
“Right,” Brooke muttered. “How could I forget?”
Then she pressed play, and they watched the iconic scene together.
Later that evening, after Aubrey headed home, Brooke mustered up the courage to text Logan about the wedding.
I wanted to double-check that you’re still okay with going to Aubrey and Ian’s wedding on Saturday? I know we haven’t been in contact, and I still owe you, but I need the favor if you’re willing to come.
She sent the message and then walked her empty popcorn bowl to the kitchen. Then she forced herself to gather up the trash and toss everything into the garbage. Anxious energy pumped through her veins, but she didn’t allow herself to check if he had read her message or not. Instead, she focused her attention on cleaning up her apartment. After fluffing her couch pillows, vacuuming the rug, starting the dishwasher, and wiping down the kitchen counters, she still hadn’t heard from Logan.
She wondered if she needed to frantically browse through her contact lists to find a date last minute. Then her phone vibratedin her pocket and her heartrate sputtered. With a tremor in her hand, she dug her phone out.
Of course I’ll be there. Just text me the details. I can’t wait to see you.
Heat flushed her cheeks. What did his text even mean? Did he want to see her so he could fill her in on his new relationship? Or did he genuinely miss her?
I’ll text you the address of the church. You’ll need to meet me there. I have to get there early to get ready with Aubrey, and I won’t be able to see you before the ceremony.
She gnawed on her lip then shuffled her feet as she typed out the address of the church and sent it to him.
No problem. I put in the time off. I won’t even be on call. I don’t have anything else going on. I can’t wait to talk to you. We have a lot to catch up on.
Her stomach dropped. A tickle of sweat ran down her temple. Then she knew the glimmer of hope she held onto dimmed.
Great see you then.
She tossed her phone onto her couch and groaned into her palmed hands. Just until the wedding, she reminded herself, then she’d be free of the idea of them.
CHAPTER 15
Logan double-checked the address of the church on his text thread with Brooke. When he confirmed the church with Gothic Revival architecture was indeed the place he needed to be, he circled until he found a parking garage. His insides did a somersault as he exited his car and straightened his suit jacket. He hadn’t seen Brooke in nearly three weeks, and he missed her and ached to lay eyes on her. Once he did, he planned on convincing her and showing her how much he wanted to be with her, and not Shelby. But chances were slim, she hadn’t responded to any of his text messages. Tonight felt like an olive branch even if it was under false pretenses.
The foyer contained a beautiful array of floral arrangements which made the space drip with the tantalizing aroma of roses and lilacs. An easel had a huge engagement photo of Ian and Aubrey for people to sign in lieu of a book. Logan added his name to the photo then took his seat at the back of the church. He recognized a few doctors from the hospital but didn’t know them personally.
Slowly, the pews filled up. The string quartet at the front of the church played a light melody of a classical song he knew but couldn’t name. Ian took his place at the front of the chapel.The back doors of the chapel swung open, and the people of the wedding party started their way down the aisle. Logan craned his neck in search of a glimpse of Brooke. Justin walked down the aisle first with the woman he escorted then a few more couples from the wedding partied followed, finally Brooke made her appearance on the arm of another groomsman.
His heart nearly stopped at the sight of her. Her hair was half up and half down, curled then twisted into a hairdo he imagined had taken hours to prep. The long silky coral dress hugged her perfectly. Never in his life had Logan been more jealous of the man she held onto as she walked down the aisle. Their eyes locked as she passed his pew. A zing shimmered down his spine.
Without a thought he mouthed, “You look beautiful.”
