Until I Met You

Samantha wouldn’t either, but for very different reasons. She was leaving something precious behind, something with real potential. She couldn’t stomach the idea of not seeing Roman again. He’d said they’d try to figure something out. What would that even look like? She and Timothy couldn’t make a long-distance relationship work and he only lived the next city over. She knew from experience how it would go. In the beginning, they’d talk and text all the time. They’d block out hours for video calls. They’d go so far as planning a visit. Then life would get in the way. Slowly, they’d lose momentum. A missed call here or there, texts gone unanswered, trips cancelled and rescheduled. With so much distance between them, their conversation would be strained. She’d miss their easy banter. Exchanges would be limited to lighthearted text messages, heavy with emojis. Before long, she’d forget his smile and the sound of his voice.

The photographer arrived and proceeded to set up. Samantha sipped her mimosa and snapped out of her funk. The goal was to get through the day. Besides, Roman wasn’t Timothy. It wasn’t fair to compare the two. She wouldn’t appreciate being compared to anyone in his past.

‘Naomi may not make it,’ Jasmine said. She sank her fork into a cube of melon. ‘They have to welcome Anthony’s parents, show them around, get them settled. I wish they would let us know so we can eat. I’m starving.’

Samantha was starving, too. She and Roman had skipped breakfast. Her tea was too cold by the time she’d got to it. She went over to the buffet table and helped herself to fruit salad. The spread was typical hotel continental breakfast fare with the addition of coconut dumplings, Naomi’s favourite dish.

‘So, Jen,’ Jasmine said. ‘You and Chris look so happy together. Want to spill the tea?’

‘I do!’ Jen cried. ‘I’m dying to.’

Samantha quickly filled a bowl with chunks of pineapple, mango and melon and rushed back to the table. She didn’t want to miss this. ‘Go on,’ she said. ‘I need details. Tell me everything.’

‘Is it as good as you’d hoped?’ Jasmine added.

A week of fun in the tropics had bleached Jen’s hair and darkened her freckles. When she spoke of Chris, she got red in the face. ‘Better! He’s so gentle and patient. I thought he’d be shy or I’d have to teach him things, but no …’

As eager as Samantha was to hear about Chris’s hidden talents, she was distracted by her phone. A short text from Roman popped on the screen.

Heads up: Trouble brewing.

Samantha instantly broke into a cold sweat. She stared at her phone trying to decipher the true meaning of the message. What trouble? He could have provided some context. How were they going to make a go at a long-distance thing if he couldn’t communicate properly?

WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? I NEED DETAILS. TELL. ME. EVERYTHING.

The all-caps message was quite an accomplishment, considering her heart was in her throat and her fingers unusually stiff. In any case, the text was never sent. The French doors burst open and this time Maya came tumbling in. ‘It’s official! All hell has broken loose.’

Samantha’s fight or flight reflex kicked in. She hopped to her feet. Her phone slid off her lap and onto the terrazzo tile floor. Jasmine’s fork soon joined it.

Jen clutched her chest. ‘My God! What is it? You nearly gave me a heart attack.’

Samantha now appreciated Roman’s heads-up text, however vague it was.

‘Is it Anthony’s parents?’ Jasmine asked. ‘Did they lose their luggage?’

‘If his mom needs to borrow a dress for the wedding, I packed a few,’ Jen said. ‘Some are loose and forgiving and will fit most people.’

‘What size shoe does she wear?’ Jasmine asked.

‘Who cares?’ Maya shouted. ‘There’s not going to be a wedding!’

‘What?’Samantha, Jasmine and Jen cried out in unison.

Maya crossed the room. She wore a black skintight stretchy mini dress that restricted her movement. Her black hair was slicked back into a tiny bun at the nape of her neck. Her dark brown skin was naturally flawless and she wore very little make-up. She pulled up a chair and joined them at the table, clasping her hands under her chin. She was visibly shaking. Jen got up and poured her a glass of water. She took a few gulps, steadied her breath, and said, ‘This morning Mum summoned me to her bungalow to meet Anthony’s parents. I lost track of time and showed up late—’

Jasmine couldn’t take it anymore. ‘Maya, for God’s sake, get to the part where they cancel the wedding.’

‘All I know is when I finally got there, Naomi was crying, Mum and Mrs Scott were screaming at each other, and Anthony was huddled in a corner with his dad and uncles. Roman was there, too.’

Jen reached for her mimosa. ‘I can’t deal.’

The photographer cleared his throat to grab their attention. ‘I’ll just step aside.’

They waited for the door to close behind him before picking up where they’d left off.

‘I’m confused,’ Jasmine said. ‘Do you think they flew all this way just to contest the wedding?’

‘I have no clue!’ Maya cried. ‘I rushed out of there and ran straight over.’