They’d spent every moment of the past few months together. Determined to move slowly, he’d gotten a small apartment in New Haven and commenced his courtship of the woman he loved.
They’d gone out to dinner, to the movies, had picnics in the park and ridden a tandem bicycle on the boardwalk at Virginia Beach. He’d held her hand and kissed her chastely on their first few dates, and then they’d had marathon make out sessions on her couch while the television played in the background. He’d taken more cold showers that first month than his entire adolescence but it had been worth it.
He’d been determined to show Mara that he was with her for her. No other reason. And as time progressed and they got to know each other all over again, they’d fallen into love a second time. A love that was deep and true because it had the kind of roots that only come from heartache and forgiveness.
Over the past few months, he’d also had a chance to learn new things about all of his friends. It was interesting that the guys he’d known for years had sides he’d never seen before. Matt was still not fond of talking but when Trent was having a hard day and just needed someone who got it,
his friend was always up for hanging out or playing a game of pool at a local bar. And now when his mind was all twisted up, Mara understood because he wasn’t shutting her out. She just kissed him on the nose, reminding him of what he was coming back to. With her gentle love and encouragement, he had fewer bad days and more fantastic days.
“Stop staring at your future bride like that. There are children here,” Jackson teased, appearing at his left side.
Trent laughed.
He’d become particularly close to Jackson lately since his friend had also experienced the death of a woman he loved. He’d lost his first wife in a car accident when their children were just babies. An accident he’d blamed himself for. Talking to someone who understood about death and loss and guilt was invaluable.
Trent knew how lucky he was to have friends that he could tell anything to. More than anything in his bank account, his friends were priceless.
Sophia stood up and ran after one of her children. His brother sat at the same table bouncing Travis on his knee. The second DNA test he’d ordered had proven that James was Travis’ father. James and Avery had been in counseling ever since. He saw James and Travis at his parent’s house but he didn’t visit them at home, something James understood. He was willing to be civil to Avery on holidays for his family’s sake but they would never be friends again. He was okay with that.
His gaze settled on his parents who looked slightly uncomfortable sitting at a table with Mara’s extremely friendly and outgoing extended family. They had wanted them to have the engagement party in New York at some exclusive venue or another, something Trent had immediately dismissed. All he wanted was his friends and family right here, in the city that he was proud to call home, surrounded by his family both born and earned.
He looked up to see Mara waving at him. He turned to Jackson. “Looks like it’s showtime. I have to go.”
He joined her at the front of the room. Mara looked up from the notecards she held, her eyes bright. She held the microphone toward him. “Are you ready?”
He took the microphone and tapped it. The noise in the room subsided and everyone turned toward them.
“Welcome, everyone. Thank you for coming to celebrate my engagement to the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known.”
A soft murmur went through the crowd and he saw his mother and Mara’s exchange approving glances. At his side Mara beamed, her cheeks flushed with pleasure. He turned back to the crowd.
“I want to tell you a story about the day we met.”
THE END