Can't Let Go - By Michelle Brewer Page 0,34

much for churches. Logan had suggested something outside, since they had both loved nature, and Abby had agreed without hesitation. And so the ceremony was to be held in the cemetery, near the trees.

People were already seated when they arrived—those who hadn’t been able to attend the viewing, or those who just wanted to help. Abby recognized some of the people from the day before—and some of the people she’d called from home. She suddenly felt her cheeks redden as she glanced down at her outfit.

“Everybody’s going to think I’m crazy.”

“Well—you won’t be alone.” She looked over at him, confused. “After last night, I had to do a bit of shopping of my own. And by shopping, I mean rummaging through several boxes that had been tucked away in storage for far too long.”

“What did you do, Logan?” His eyes sparkled again and he shrugged his shoulders, opening his door and letting himself out. He began to walk around the truck as if to let her out, but she pushed the door open and jumped out of the vehicle before he made it to her side. “What did you do?” She noticed now for the first time that he was wearing his aged-leather jacket and, beneath that, a pair of dark blue jeans.

“Blake knew how much I hated suits. He would never have expected me to wear one.” He shrugged again. “But I couldn’t exactly come in jeans and a t-shirt.” He paused then. “At least not any t-shirt.” And then he held his jacket open, revealing to her the tuxedo t-shirt he wore beneath it.

And Abby laughed.

It felt as if it was the first time she’d laughed in ages, the heaviness in her chest lightening as the air rushed through her. She laughed until there were tears in her eyes and she was nearly falling over, Logan joining in.

“You remember?” He asked as her laughter finally settled down. Abby nodded, memories flooding over her.

“Of course I remember.” How could she not?

Blake and Logan had, on their first date with the girls, promised them an evening they would never forget. They had told them to dress in their best and meet them at some fancy restaurant. Only, when they arrived, the boys had taken them across the street for a candle-light dinner they had prepared on their own. And both were dressed in tuxedo t-shirts.

That night marked the first time Abby and Logan had kissed.

“Well, Miss Abigail Lewis, may I have the honor of being your escort for today’s festivities?” Logan asked as he offered her his arm.

“You know what?” Her eyes still glimmered with tears, a mixture of both happiness and sadness now. “I’d have no other.”

She smiled as she slid her arm through his.

“We’re going to cause quite a scene.” He murmured.

“That’s exactly what Hayley would want.” And in that moment, Abby found some peace.

She imagined her best friend looking down at her from wherever she was now and she heard Hayley’s laughter mingling with her own. And she knew that, no matter what, Hayley would always be with her. She would always be a part of her—she would always hold a spot in Abby’s heart. And even if Hayley was gone—she would still live on, because never would a day go by that Abby didn’t think of her. They were family—in the most important way.

A few people she’d grown up with looked up as she and Logan approached and she watched as they leaned over, whispering to one another. But she stared straight ahead, a small smile on her face. For the first time in a very long time, she didn’t care what they were thinking. She didn’t care what she looked like.

They took their seats in the front row, sitting side by side, the only family their friends had. Blake’s father had left his mother before Blake had been born. His mother had died just after they’d graduated high school. He and Logan had known each other since junior high—a friendship that was just as strong as Abby and Hayley’s. She remembered Hayley’s wedding—remembered her friend’s declaration. “You, Logan, and Blake—you’re all I care about. You’re the only family I need.”

More and more people began to arrive, a few coming up and talking to Logan and Abby, but most giving them their space.

A few times, Abby cried throughout the ceremony. When a breeze rustled the leaves and a chill settled over her, she felt Logan’s jacket fall around her shoulders. And when the caskets were lowered