“Your mom’s right, you know. You girls always were inseparable. This is life’s way of working out.” He winks at me.
I wonder what they would say about life working out if I told them I was seriously thinking about throwing away the job of my dreams to stay here with the love of my life. How would they handle me living so far away?
“Dance with me?” Mike’s voice is soft and low.
I nod and stand from my seat, allowing him to lead me out onto the makeshift dance floor. We don’t say a word as he holds me in his arms, mine wrapped around his back as we sway to the music. This is the outcome of the choices we’ve made. Although, I worry if I’m making the right one.
When we make it back to the table, Mom and Dad announce that they’re heading home. They’re going to drive halfway and stop to see some friends of theirs, where they’ll spend the night before driving the rest of the way tomorrow. Mike and I walk them to their car and say our goodbyes.
When we make it back to the table, Whit and Aaron are getting ready to cut the cake. I sit with my back against Mike’s chest, his arms around me as I watch my best friend bask in the glow of her happiness. I want that. I want what she has, and I can’t help but think I’ve found it and I’m just too afraid to take a chance and hold onto it.
“Jamie!” Whit screeches when she sees me. I hold my arms open and she falls into them. “I did it.” She smiles. “Can you believe it? I’m married.” She wiggles her fingers in front of my face to prove her point.
Mike and I both laugh at her.
“Woman, we just got married. You’re not supposed to be running off from me already,” Aaron says, wrapping his arms around her from behind. She turns her head and he kisses her softly.
“So when are you leaving for the honeymoon?” I ask.
“We decided to head out tonight, so I won’t be here tomorrow when you go back home.”
“Well, I’m going to need another hug, then.” I step out of Mike’s arms and into hers. “I’m going to miss you so damn much. I’ve liked having you just a short drive away again.”
“Me too, Jamie. It’ll all work out,” she whispers.
I can only pray that she’s right.
“When do y’all come back?” Mike asks them.
“We’re just going to be gone a few days. We’re going to Gatlinburg, so we should be back on Friday.”
“Be safe.” I hug Whitney and then Aaron. “Take care of her.”
“You know I will.”
I turn to look at Mike. “I guess we should get going. I have to pack too.”
His face falls at my words and hot tears burn the back of my eyes. This is all too much. With another round of hugs and goodbyes, Mike and I head toward his parents and his sister to tell them we’re leaving.
“Jamie, will you be at Sunday dinner tomorrow?” his mom asks.
“No, I need to get on the road earlier than usual. I have to get ready for my new job and I have no food in the house, so there’s a lot to do before Monday.”
“We’ll miss you.” She pulls me into a hug and I can’t hold the tears back anymore. She gives me a sympathetic smile when she sees them.
“Baby.” Mike pulls me into his chest. “We’ll see you later,” he tells his family, then leads me to his truck.
The drive to his place is quiet. He holds my hand the entire way, and I’m gripping him so hard I know my nails are digging into his skin, but I can’t bring myself to loosen my grip.
He parks in the garage and comes around to lift me from the truck. Hand in hand, we silently walk into the house, kicking off our shoes at the door. He leads me back to his room, no words spoken as we strip each other of our clothing. He kisses me deeply and I feel wetness on my cheeks. Opening my eyes when he pulls back, I see his are wet as well. Mike climbs into bed and holds the covers back for me, just like he always does. I take my spot next to him and he pulls me into his arms, kissing me. We make love for hours, neither of us willing to lose a single second of this last night together.
“Baby, you have to rest. You have a long drive tomorrow,” he says.
“I know.”
“Rest, I’ve got you. I won’t let you go all night, I promise.”
I nod and let the tears fall. Eventually exhaustion takes over and I fall asleep.