This Changes Everything by Jennifer Ashley Page 0,32
hug it out.
Calandra looks amazing. Her blue eyes glow, and she’s relaxed, happy. The way she leans into Ryan means the rest of us had been right. They were meant for each other.
I quickly embrace Ryan and start joking with the two of them so I won’t weep. I’m so happy to see Calandra and very sad for myself, but I hold it together.
Calandra links arms with me and we wander toward the open green, while Ryan totes the basket into the house. The yard is filled with people, mostly McLaughlins, including Zach’s Great Aunt Mary. The slender young woman Ben keeps staring at must be Erin Dixon, the temp Zach has told me about.
“So … you and Zach.” Calandra turns me around as soon as we’re out of earshot of the rest of the party. “Tell me everything.”
“Nothing to tell.” I shrug. “We’ve been out a few times.”
“Look me in the eye when you say that.”
I raise my head and meet her wise gaze. I slump. “I’ve fallen in love with him.” The words wrench out of me, and I know each one is true. “What am I going to do? It’s stupid. Our only connection is we knew each other as kids. Briefly. He has his own life. I have to get on with mine.”
Calandra’s smile vanishes as she feels my misery. “Oh, honey.” She gathers me into a hug, this woman who’s been my friend for ages. “There’s more going on, isn’t there? Tell me.”
I find comfort crying on her shoulder and don’t want to raise my head. Calandra takes hold of my arms and forces us apart. “People will stare. Stand up straight and tell me everything.”
She’s right, and I do. When I’m finished, wiping my eyes on a tissue she hands me, Calandra says sternly, “Go talk to Zach.”
I shake my head. “I know it will be over when I do. I thought maybe I could have this day to enjoy myself, and then tell him.”
“Nope. For one, you’re not enjoying yourself. You’re sobbing into a soggy tissue. Second, it’s not fair to Zach. I bet you were just going to wave at him today without saying a word, and then vanish. Easier for you, sure. But not for the rest of us.”
“Easier?” I wipe my eyes and let anger push away my sadness. “It won’t be easy to say good-bye to Zach, or to walk away from him. Believe me.”
“Why don’t you ask his opinion? Let me tell you something, honey, if you give Zach the cold shoulder, he’ll tell Ryan all about it, and then Ryan will be up in my face for letting my best friend dump his brother. I don’t want to start my marriage fighting about you two.”
“You don’t need to.” I draw myself up, smoothing my hair into place. “This is between Zach and me. No one else.”
“Then make it between you two.” Calandra softens. “Sweetie, if you hadn’t been a hard-ass with me, I wouldn’t be married to Ryan and so much in love. I mean crazy in love. I’m so happy I could scream. And I have, according to Ryan.” She grins, eyes alight. Any moroseness or fear she showed before the wedding has vanished. “So I’m going to be a hard-ass on you. Go. Talk to Zach. Now.”
She points at the house, finger rigid. I sigh. I don’t want to face Zach, but I know she’s right. If I’m not up front with him, I’ll regret it the rest of my life.
I seize Calandra in another hug, pointing finger and all, and kiss her cheek. “Wish me luck,” I whisper.
“You won’t need it,” she assures me, and I wish I can believe her.
I turn on my heel and march toward the charming, welcoming house.
Zach
I watch Abby arrive and almost immediately be enveloped by Calandra—I figure the two will want some time to hug, talk for a year, whatever.
Out of the corner of my eye I see her walk away with Calandra toward the grassy part of the yard where I spent my young years playing football with my brothers—it’s where I learned the art of the tackle and intercepting the long pass.
Calandra and Abby disappear for a bit, then reemerge. Abby starts toward the house, determination in every stride.
I make a vague excuse to Austin and my buddies and head to intercept her before anyone else can.
“Hey there,” I say when I reach her. “Glad you could make it.”
I never spoke a truer word. Seeing Abby