Marriage Matters - By Cynthia Ellingsen Page 0,158
remembered their walk back from the restaurant. The way Ben had kissed her at the door.
“What do you mean, immature?” he demanded.
Chloe glared at him. “Remember our date? The one you used to test the waters?”
Ben opened his mouth as though to speak but closed it just as quickly.
“Maybe my engagement was a farce.” She took a step closer to him. “But at least it was honest. I went after what I wanted instead of cowering in the corner. Who would have guessed that a Casanova like you could have been such a chicken?”
Ben looked pained. “Chloe, I—”
“I came over here to tell you that I broke off my engagement.” She held up her left hand, as though to prove it. He stared at her finger, his eyes wide. “Maybe I’ll have to wait the rest of my life for the person I’m supposed to be with but that’s fine. I’ll wait. I don’t care how long it takes.”
The air in the room seemed to crackle between them. “Good,” he said, letting out a breath. “I am so glad to hear you say that.”
“Well, great.” Chloe’s voice dripped with sarcasm. “Thanks so much for the support.”
“Geoff with a G wasn’t right for you,” he said. “You would have been miserable.”
“Then it all worked out.” Chloe gave a little shrug. “My family still loves me and now, maybe I have my best friend back.”
“Definitely.” Ben’s eyes sparkled. “I . . .”
“You what?” Chloe asked. They stood there in silence for a moment, watching each other. Finally, she said, “I feel like I’m waiting for something, here. Like an apology.”
“I’m sorry,” he said, running his hands through his hair. “I was jealous. I didn’t want to lose you to that guy.”
“To be honest,” she told him. “I didn’t see you fight so hard to keep me.” Walking toward the door, she reached for the handle. “By the way, you better not be doing anything on December 27th.”
Chloe already knew that he was. Sally had told her that Ben was planning to go out to Colorado and stay with his brother during the wedding. He said it would have been “physically impossible for him to stay in town and not show up to object.”
“Actually,” Ben said, “I was planning on visiting my brother.”
“Cancel it,” Chloe said. “You’re coming with me to the wedding.” At the sudden silence in the room, she turned to look at him. “I’m sorry, but you owe me.”
“I know.” Ben nodded. “I’m just . . . I’m really happy that you asked.”
Seventy-six
It was tradition for Chloe, June, Kristine and Kevin to attend church together on Christmas Eve. June always marched down the aisle with her head held high, decked out in the most dramatic red suit she could find. She sang the holy carols loud and off-key and each year, ended the evening with a full heart.
Except for this year.
Even though it was the first Christmas with Charley by her side, June felt as though her family had gotten smaller. That afternoon, Kevin called the house and asked if he could come to the ceremony with them. Kristine held up her hand before June could even ask the question. “No.” Her face was drawn. “Tell him I’m sorry, but I really need this time.”
June had been tempted to ignore her daughter’s wishes. To tell Kevin he was always welcome as a member of her family. But she didn’t dare. If there was any hope of the two reconciling, it was clearly going to have to be at her daughter’s pace.
Still, June’s heart ached at the thought of leaving her son-in-law all alone on Christmas. Yes, he had missed more than one holiday in the past, thanks to a delayed flight or the typical travel nonsense, but to actually be in town and denied the opportunity to be with his wife and daughter? That just broke June’s heart.
After church, June laid out her usual spread of Christmas Eve goodies on the dining room table. Meatballs from the corner deli, served in a sweet sauce. Sugar cookies from that bakery down the street. A bowl of holiday popcorn, fresh and crunchy from Garrett’s. Crackers and cheese, chilled cocktail shrimp and, for health, a veggie tray.
Once the snacks were set out, she turned on Christmas music. Settling into her chair in the parlor, she watched Kristine, Chloe and Charley sip on mulled wine and admire the holiday decorations.
“It’s so festive in here,” Kristine said, her voice quiet.