Champagne Toast (33 page)

“
Chloe, I
’
m flattered.  Seriously.  But, I
’
m not sure if I
should
and it
’
s
not about the money
…”
I raise my eyebrows at her, hoping she
’
ll understand the meaning behind those cryptic words.  She nods.

“
I had a feeling you would say that.  Evan is fine with it, don
’
t worry
.” 
My heart starts to pound in my chest just from the sound of his name.  He
’
s
fine
with it?  What the hell?

“Oh, okay,”
I have to look away from Chloe, afraid she
’
ll see the disappointment in my face.  The last thing I need is for her to report back to Patrick how upset I still am after all this time.  I
’d be mortified —
especially if Evan is
fine
with it.  Asshole.

“
He
’
s seeing someone, so don
’
t stress over it
.”
That
’
s the last straw. 

“
Don
’
t worry, I wasn
’
t,
”
I say sarcastically.

Chloe looks disappointed when I fire back at her.  Why is that?  Was she hoping for a big ol
’
happy reunion for the four of us?  If so, she can think again.  Clearly, Evan
’
s moved on while I sit here and fight with the memories of him that consume my every
thought.  Damn him.  Why did I
let him walk away?  He told me he wouldn
’
t back down.  And now, it
’
s been two years and no phone calls, no emails, nothing.  It
’
s like we never existed. Until now.  Chloe
’
s bringing it all back.  The pain, the happiness, everything.  Anxiety builds in my chest and I realize that I can
’
t say no to her.  I have to see him.

“
I would be happy to photograph your wedding, Chloe,
”
I say, pulling myself together.

“
Really?
”
she squeals, hopping up and down in her cute little Ugg boots.  A tank top, short shorts and Ugg boots.  Makes no sense to me whatsoever
, but
Chloe pulls it off.  Before I know it, the exuberant bride-to-be is tackling me.  She g
iggles as she squeezes me tight.
“
Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!
”

“
You
’
re welcome,
”
I say, grabbing a napkin and writing down my personal information.
“
Here
’
s my email address and phone number.  I
’
m guessing you didn
’
t have them since you came all the way down here just to ask me.
”

“
Thanks,
”
she blushes,
“
I figured it
’
d be better to ask you in person.  I
’
ll be in touch with the exact details, but please mark your calendar for Saturday, December 1st.

“
Will do,
” I reply.
“
I really should get back to work now.  Traffic is going to start to pick up and there
’
s a lot of stuff that needs to get done.
”

“
Sure,
”
she repli
es, putting her Dolce and Gabban
a bag over her shoulder.
“
Thanks so much, Kate.  I know you
’
ll do a fantastic job.
”

“
I appreciate the opportunity,
”
I say in a moment of emotional weakness.
“
Thank you
.” 
Giving her a genuine smile, I tie my apron around my waist and make my way behind the bar.  Chloe waves as she walks out the door
,
and I
’
m left wondering what the hell I just got myself into.

***

An hour later, Bree shows up late for her shift, looking ecstatic.
I wish I could feel that way again.

“
Just the woman I
’
m dying to see,
”
she says, walking towards me with determination, shoving a bright pink flier in my hand.

“
What is this?
”
I frown as I read the text.
“
What is Blue Door Art Gallery and Studio?
”

“
It
’
s a local gallery here in town on Central Street, not far from your place.
They
’
re hosting an exhibition for new photographers to discover new talent.  You have to submit samples of your work for judging and then you
’
ll find out if you
’
re chosen to be a part of it.
”

“
I don
’
t know, Bree
. . . ”

“
You can
’
t be serious, Kate.  This is exciting.  And it
’
s two minutes from here.  This is how you can get your photography discovered, s
tart getting hired by magazines . . . y
ou have to start somewhere.
”

“
I know, I know, I
’
m just not sure I
’
m ready.  Maybe I can start taking some shots and do the next one,
”
I say, dodging her eye contact.  But, she
’
s awfully persistent.

“
Whatever, Kate.  I
’
m tired of the excuses.  You need to do this and I won
’
t take no for answer.  You
’
re wasting your talent
,
keeping all your photos holed up in your apartment for no one to see
.” 
Bree places a hand on my shoulder and gives me a reassuring smile.
“
It
’
s time, my friend.  No regrets, remember?
”

Secretly, I
’
ve always wanted to do something like this, I just never had the guts.  But, now holding this flier in my hand, fresh off my conversation with Chloe, I
’
m seeing things differently.  Chloe wants me to capture the beauty of her wedding day.  She could afford to hire
anyone
and she wants me to do it.  And now, Bree is standing in front of me, practically turning red from excitement about the idea of me submitting my work.  Maybe she
’
s right.  Maybe it
is
time.  Time I stopped being so afraid to fail.  Time I put my heart and soul into something for
me, for my future.

Looking Bree dead in the eye, I say with purpose,
“
I
’
ll do it.
”

Evan

October 20, 2012

My intercom beeps
,
as I
’
m preparing dinner for Chelsea and myself.  We
’
ve been dating for a few months now and I like her a lot.  She
’
s a nice girl and I genuinely enjoy her company.  We see live bands a few times a month and we
’
re never short on things to talk about since we have so m
uch in common.  But, that spark . . .
that gravitational pull that you feel with someone who drives you crazy?  Nope, not feeling that.

I wipe my hands with the kitchen towel and press the button.
“
Yeah?
”

“
It
’
s me, Evan,
”
I hear Chelsea
’
s sweet voice and buzz her up.  Minutes later, she
’
s in my apartment, watching me chop vegetables as she sips a glass of wine.

“
How was your day, Chels?
”
I ask as I chop.

“
It was nice.  I went shopping with my Mom,
”
she says.  She
’
s been dropping hints like crazy about her folks.
She finds a way to bring them up constantly.  I know passive aggressive behavior when I see it.  She wants me to meet them.  And for some reason, I
’
m avoiding it like the plague.  I love spending time with her, and the sex is decent, but meeting the parents is a really big step; one I
’m honestly not ready to make
.  Funny, how I was dying for Kate to introduce me to her folks.  I never did meet them, even though I wanted to.

“
That sounds nice.  Hope you didn
’
t get into too much trouble
.” 
I wink as I scrape the onions and peppers into the frying pan.  Steam rushes into the air as they hit the hot steel.

“
You know us, crazy suburban girls on the warpath
.” 
She giggles, sipping her wine again, her cheeks blushing.
“
What did you do today?
”

“
I got measured for my best man tux with Patrick
.” 
I raise my eyebrows as I stir the marinara sauce bubbling on the stove.

“
Ooh, exciting,
”
she says as she hops up on the counter.
“
Let me try
.” 
She points to the sauce.  Picking up the wooden spoon, I scoop a small amount of sauce and blow on it so it won
’
t burn her.  She smiles wide, appreciating the gesture.  I gently place the spoon right in front of her lips and she carefully takes the marinara into her adorable mouth.

“
Yum,
”
she says, licking the marinara from her lips,
“
I had no idea you were such a good cook.
”

“
I
’
m not
.” 
I laugh, walking to the recycling bin and pulling out the empty jar from the grocery store.  Chelsea giggles as I place it back among the other jars and cans.

“
Oh well, at least you
’
re honest
.” 
She laughs.
“
Honesty is always better than cooking ability
.”
She
’
s right.
I am honest . . .
about most things. 

“
So, is Patrick getting nervous?
”
she asks, swinging her legs playfully as she watches me cook.

“
Not really.  He
’
s been in love with this girl for ages.  I think he
’
s ready for her to be his wife, instead of the crazed Bridezilla she seems to be right now.
”

“
Planning a wedding is a ton of work, I don
’
t blame her for getting nuts.  I
’
m sure I
’
ll be the same when it happens to me
.” 

Silence.

That
’
s another thing
. . .
she keeps hinting about commitment, marriage, all of that stuff.  And, I
’
m getting the distinct impression that we
’
re in two very different places. 
But, I like her . . .
a lot, it
’
s just a little much to be discussing marriage after three months of casual dating.
Especially when Kate refuses to leave my brain.

I quickly finish preparing the rest of our meal and we take a seat at the kitchen table.

“
This is delicious,
”
Chelsea says between bites.

“
Thanks,
”
I reply with a smile,
“
so, did you hear that Ellie Goulding is coming to the Aragon Ballroom?
”
As soon as I ask it, I realize this question is going to affect her.  In my head, I
’
m just bringing up one of her favorite singers.  But, it
’
s three months from now.  Girls love to make plans far in advance.  To them, it means the dude is serious about them.
And maybe that
’
s true.  But, I really wish I could go back and not say anything at all.