Until Then (Cornerstone Book 2)

by Noorman, Krista

  “Whoa!” he exclaimed.

  She nodded, her chin resting on his chest.

  Their eyes held, and the mood slowly shifted.

  Simon’s gaze fell to her lips, and her heart skipped a beat.

  She tentatively laid her hand on his chest and slid it ever so slowly to rest on the side of his neck, scared she might spook him.

  He tilted his head toward her, leaning closer and closer, still staring at her mouth.

  She licked her lips, and his eyes met hers.

  His breath was coming quicker as he moved in. He had barely brushed his lips against hers when the sound of Maggie’s door opening caused him to jerk his head away. He watched her walk into the kitchen and grab a drink from the fridge.

  Michelle glanced over at her, and she gave them half a smile, then disappeared into her room again.

  Simon chuckled nervously. “Sorry about that.” He lowered his arm and shifted her off of his chest.

  She sat up straight and clasped her hands together in her lap. “You don’t have to be sorry, Simon.” She wished she could tell what he was thinking, but he was unreadable.

  He stared down at his knees for a few seconds, then looked straight into her eyes. “You’re my best friend, Chelle. Let’s not go there.”

  Her heart felt heavy. Not at all what she wanted to hear. “But what if I want to?”

  Simon shook his head. “I really don’t wanna mess this up. I couldn’t bear losing your friendship if things didn’t work out.”

  She nodded sadly.

  “I think I’m gonna go,” he spoke softly. “Are we OK?”

  “Yeah.” She smiled a little.

  “Are you sure?” He laid his hand over hers and squeezed.

  “We’re OK,” she assured him. “Now, get outta here.”

  He stood and kissed her on the top of the head, then left with a casual wave, the door softly clicking behind him.

  Michelle sat staring at the door for several long minutes, her heart still racing. It was the closest they had ever come to taking their friendship to the next level.

  But maybe he was right. He was like family to her at this point, more than her actual family ever was, and she didn’t want to risk losing that. Not ever.

  But that almost kiss moment had given her a glimmer of hope she would cling to for dear life.

  9

  “We’re engaged!” Maggie announced as she burst through the apartment door with Ben following close behind.

  “No way!” Michelle looked up from her spot at the kitchen table and dropped her fork of lasagna with a clink.

  Maggie walked toward her with outstretched hand, beaming as bright as the marquise cut diamond on her ring finger.

  Michelle checked out the rock. “Wow! It’s beautiful.”

  “Already?” Simon asked from his place across the table. “Isn’t that a little fast?”

  Maggie shot him a dirty look.

  “When you’re with the right person, you just know,” Ben piped in.

  Simon looked over at Michelle and rolled his eyes.

  The animosity between Simon and Ben was palpable. From day one, the two of them had never gotten along. Maggie’s dislike of Simon may have rubbed off on Ben, because he never gave the guy a chance. And Michelle could almost feel Simon tense up whenever Ben walked into the room.

  Michelle stood and hugged Maggie. “Congratulations, Mags. It’s what you’ve always wanted.”

  Maggie squeezed her tightly. “I know. God’s timing, right?”

  “Right.” Michelle had learned a lot over the past four years about God’s timing, but she still struggled to understand why things happened the way they did sometimes. She wrestled with letting go of control and letting go of her past, which haunted her.

  She released her hold on Maggie and reluctantly hugged Ben. “Congratulations.”

  “Thanks, Michelle.” Ben grinned at her when they parted, then took Maggie’s hand.

  Michelle still did not trust Ben. No matter how happy he seemed with Maggie, he reminded her too much of the guys she had known in high school. She wanted it to work out for Maggie’s sake. She wanted to believe he had grown up and changed in the last four years, but she still saw him as the guy she made out with at the roller rink, the guy who constantly broke her roommate’s heart. Even now, she still held her breath a little whenever Maggie left with him, afraid her roommate might come home brokenhearted again.

  “We should celebrate,” Michelle declared, trying to be supportive. “Wanna go get some dessert or something?”

  Maggie glanced over at Ben. They seemed to have an unspoken conversation going on with their eyes. “We’re gonna go share the good news with our parents, but I had to come tell you.”

  “I’m glad you did. Have fun, you two.”

  When the newly engaged couple had gone, Michelle looked over at Simon, who was sulking. “I’m happy for her. She’s been waiting a long time for this.”

  Simon didn’t respond.

  “I knew they wouldn’t wait too long to get engaged,” she continued. “They’ve known each other since high school.”

  “Yeah, well, she can do much better.” He sounded bitter.

  “You don’t even know him, Simon.”

  “I’ve been around him enough to know he’s not good enough for her.”

  “What does that mean?” She completely agreed, but she wanted to know why he felt so strongly about it.

  “Nothing.”

  “I really wanna know.”

  “Whatever.” He stood suddenly and left his half-eaten plate of food behind.

  “That’s such a copout. What’s your problem with him?”

  “Just a feeling.”

  “Oh, come on. It’s gotta be more than that. You seriously don’t like him, and I wanna know why.”

  Simon turned to face her. “I don’t like the way he looks at you.”

  “What?” Michelle eyes widened in surprise.

  “I’m not kidding. He’s always checking you out when Maggie’s not looking.”

  Michelle stomach churned nervously, remembering the night at the roller rink.

  “That guy is hot for you, so I don’t know why he’s asking Maggie to marry him.”

  “Because he loves her.” It came out as more of a question than a statement.

  “Well, he sure doesn’t act like a man in love with his fiancée.”

  She didn’t know what to say. He was right, of course. She already knew it, and he had seen it. If only Maggie could see it, too.

  “I’m gonna go.”

  “Simon.”

  He walked to her and hugged her close. “Sorry. Just forget what I said. I’m exhausted from shooting that wedding last night. I hope Maggie will be very happy. You can tell her I said that.”

  She soaked in his warmth. She liked that Simon was bothered by the way Ben looked at her. Was he jealous? She wished she knew.

  “Are you gonna go to Uncle Pete’s with me next weekend for Fourth of July?” He continued to hold her.

  “Of course.” She spoke into his neck.

  “Good.” He kissed the top of her head, then walked to the door. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”

  “OK. Goodnight.”

  “Night.”

  Michelle scanned the church pews for Janice. Their usual pew was taken, and she had no idea if Janice was even there. In a church of Calvary’s size, it wasn’t always easy to find people. Just as she was about to head upstairs to the balcony seating, she spotted Janice on the opposite side of the sanctuary seated in the middle of a row talking with a nice-looking guy. There was just enough room for her to squeeze in if she hurried over.

  She greeted Janice with a wave.

  “Oh, hi!”

  “Is there room for me?”

  “Sure. Sure.” Janice scooted closer to the guy and made a little extra room.

  Michelle apologized as she crawled past the half a dozen people on the end. She couldn’t help but bump into their legs, and sh
e accidentally stepped on one man’s toes. “Sorry.”

  “Hey, how are you?” Janice asked as Michelle took her seat.

  “Pretty good. How are you?”

  Janice had the same happy expression on her face that she always seemed to have. “I’m alive and praising God for it.” Her positivity made Michelle smile. “This is my cousin, Jeremy.” She motioned to the young man sitting next to her.

  “Nice to meet you.” Jeremy held his hand out to Michelle.

  Michelle shook it. “You, too.”

  “Jeremy’s going to Cornerstone. He’ll be a junior in the fall.” Janice had a peculiar look in her eyes, like she was up to something.

  “Oh, you look kind of familiar,” Michelle said. “I’m sure I saw you around campus.”

  Jeremy laughed a little. “Probably not, since I’m a transfer student.”

  “Oh.” She chuckled. “Well, you still look familiar.”

  “I have that kind of face, I guess.”

  When he smiled at her, she realized what was so familiar about him. He looked a little like Sean with his dark hair, the shape of his face, and blue eyes. His eyes weren’t as blue as Sean’s, though. Nobody’s eyes were as blue as Sean’s.

  The music began to play, and they stood for the opening worship songs.

  Janice elbowed her and subtly tilted her head in Jeremy’s direction. She had that look in her eyes again.

  Michelle suddenly understood. Janice was trying to find her a man. She gave her friend a disapproving look.

  Janice shrugged. “Worth a try,” she whispered.

  Michelle giggled.

  “So, how did your interview go?” Janice asked.

  “I got the job.”

  “You did? That’s awesome!” Janice hugged her. “I’ve been praying you would.”

  “It’s not the dream job or anything, but it’s a place to start, I guess.”

  “What’s the job again?”

  “Customer relations at an investment firm.”

  “That sounds important.”

  Michelle shook her head. “It’s not. I’m a glorified receptionist.”

  Janice patted her on the hand. “God can use you in whatever job he sees fit to give you.”

  If only she had a clear vision of what she was supposed to be doing with her life, maybe she wouldn’t second-guess every decision. Day after day, the all-important degree with Bachelor of Arts Psychology printed in bold script stared at her from its place on the corner of her desk. It taunted her. Especially now that she had been hired at this new job. Receptionist? Really? Four long years to end up answering phone calls and taking messages?

  Everyone seemed to have grand plans and great jobs lined up. Simon was now working with a photographer in Grand Rapids, learning the business firsthand. Maggie was second shooting weddings with some area photographers and had started making plans to open her own photography business back in her hometown. Wes landed a job as an assistant youth pastor at a church in Ohio, fairly close to Emma, who would soon be graduating from Cedarville with her teaching degree.

  Even Sean had a great job. Oh, how the thought of him still scattered butterflies around in her stomach. She tried not to think of him any more. After Sean married that girl, he went to work for his father-in-law’s construction company, and now lived happily in the suburbs somewhere. At least that’s what Simon had told her. So it seemed that God had worked everything out for him, too.

  It felt like she was the only one without a real purpose.

  “What is God’s purpose for your life?” Pastor Dobson’s words suddenly captured Michelle’s full attention. “For the next few weeks, that is exactly what we’ll be talking about.”

  Michelle smiled to herself. God’s timing really was so perfect.

  10

  On a warm July evening, Ben’s parents threw an engagement party for their son and his new fiancée at their home on Gun Lake. They had a nicely landscaped yard with a huge patio area perfect for hosting parties. Strings of bare, round bulbs hung between the trees and under the patio roof, illuminating the tables set up with food. The yard was overflowing with people, many from their church. There was so much happiness over this impending union.

  Maggie led Michelle around, introducing her to this person and that. “This is Michelle, my maid of honor.”

  When it came to Maggie’s bridal party, she had plenty of close friends to choose from. Michelle had never been in a wedding before, and being chosen as maid of honor over Maggie’s best friends, Kay and Brooke, was an unexpected, yet pleasant surprise. The maid of honor title made her feel truly important.

  “I can’t believe you and Ben are getting married.” Kay embraced Maggie, then glanced over at Michelle. “You would not believe what a huge crush our girl had on Ben back in high school.”

  “Oh, I believe it.” Michelle laughed.

  “Are you happy?” Brooke asked the bride-to-be.

  Maggie was beaming. “So happy.”

  “Where’s that fiancé of yours?” asked Kay. “I haven’t seen him in forever.”

  Maggie glanced around the yard. “He’s mingling somewhere.”

  “I’ll go find him,” Michelle offered. “You girls stay here and catch up.”

  She wandered along the perimeter of the yard, scanning the small groups of guests, until she spotted Ben standing amidst a group of girls. Michelle took note of the way Ben hung closer to one of them, resting his hand on her lower back as they talked. They all seemed to hang on his every word and cracked up laughing as she approached their group.

  Ben dropped his hand as soon as he spotted Michelle.

  “Your fiancée is looking for you,” she announced.

  “Ok. Tell her I’ll be right there.”

  “Aren’t you gonna introduce me to your friends?” Michelle put him on the spot.

  “Oh, yeah. Of course. This is Maggie’s roommate, Michelle. She’s the maid of honor.” He didn’t bother to tell Michelle who the girls were.

  She shook her head as she walked across the yard.

  When she returned to Maggie, a thirty-something couple had joined their little group.

  “Michelle, this is Pastor Jon, my high school youth pastor, and his wife, Fran.”

  “Nice to meet you.” Michelle shook their hands.

  “P.J. is marrying us,” Maggie announced with glee just as Ben arrived.

  “Ben.” Pastor Jon extended his hand.

  “Hey, P.J.” Ben shook his hand.

  Pastor Jon grabbed his forearm and pulled him forward, twisting his arm around behind his back.

  Ben cried out in pain.

  Michelle stepped back in surprise and glanced over at Maggie, who was laughing with the rest of the group.

  Noticing Michelle’s confused expression, Maggie moved over and put an arm around her. “Don’t worry. They’re always like this.”

  Pastor Jon twisted harder, but Ben fought back, whirling his body in the opposite direction. The men stumbled toward Maggie and Michelle, who separated just in time to avoid being hit. The guys wrestled across the yard until they were just behind Michelle again. The girls had gone back to chatting amongst themselves, but Michelle watched the wrestlers. As Pastor Jon finally let up on Ben, he kept a grip on his hand and patted him on the back. Then she heard him say in a quiet voice, “If you do anything to hurt her, you’re gonna have to answer to me.”

  As the party continued on after sunset, Michelle grew more comfortable with Maggie’s friends. They were a wonderful, close-knit group, this church family of hers, and she envied the unity they all shared. She knew it was wrong to be jealous, but she couldn’t help feeling sad for having grown up where she did, how she did. If only she’d had a supportive group like this, things in her life might have been very different.

  Despite the happy mood of the party, Michelle didn’t feel much like celebrating. She couldn’t stop thinking about making out with Ben at rollerskating freshman year. She kept remembering Simon telling her that Ben
was always checking her out. And she didn’t like the way Ben’s hand had been on that girl’s back or the guilty way he had dropped it when she walked up.

  She glanced across the yard and saw Ben once again with the same group of girls. Maggie told her they were some of his friends from high school and college. The girls all seemed to be there with other guys, but that didn’t stop Ben from flirting with them — especially that one girl in particular.

  Maggie didn’t seem to notice, or maybe she didn’t want to notice.

  Michelle wished she could give Ben the benefit of the doubt, because Maggie was completely in love with him. She knew that. And she wanted to be happy for them, but she had a very bad feeling.

  Toward the end of the night, that bad feeling was confirmed.

  While Maggie and her friends were off singing old favorite youth group songs together, Michelle noticed Ben standing with the girl he’d had his hand on just outside the glow of the patio lights. He leaned close and said something to her, then guided her around to the unlit side of the house.

  Nuh-uh. No way!

  Michelle moved quietly across the lawn so as not to draw attention to herself. She walked toward the dark side of the house and rounded the corner. Nobody was there, so she moved stealthily along the edge and peeked around the next corner just in time to see Ben leaning in close, about to make his move, his lips millimeters from the girl’s.

  Michelle cleared her throat, and they both jumped.

  “At your engagement party, Ben. Really? That’s classy.”

  “It’s not what it looks like.”

  “Save it.” She was fuming.

  “Ben was just being a good friend,” the girl declared.

  Michelle stared at her stone-faced.

  “Her dad just died,” Ben explained.

  She glared at him.

  He glared back.

  “I’m … gonna go.” The girl scurried away with her head down. “Thanks again, Ben.”

  “Seriously? A dead father. That’s the story you’re going with?”