“Not a wink all night.” Lindsay breathed in his clean, soapy scent and discreetly gave a side glance to take in the details of this mystery man. Dark hair, thick beard, striking blue eyes.
“Are you here for the wedding?”
“I am.” Lindsay exhaled and leaned back in her chair. “I think.”
“You think?” The man chuckled. “That’s an interesting answer. Are you a friend of Justin’s?”
“Yes. No. I don’t know. Maybe.” What was the answer to that question? “I was his friend at one time. I’m not so sure now. We haven’t really spoken much these last couple of years. I’m not even sure why I was invited.”
The man lifted a brow and tugged on his beard. “I’m sorry. I didn’t get your name.”
“I’m Lindsay.” She extended her hand.
“Oh.” The look on his face said it all. He knew who she was, just like everyone attending this wedding would. His expression was one she was going to need to get used to today.
“Yes, I’m that Lindsay, the ex.” She clasped her hands together and took a deep breath. “Surprised to see me here?”
“It’s just....”
“Don’t worry, I think most people assumed I wouldn’t come today, that I wouldn’t be able to show my face.” She had mailed her response card late; it was possible it hadn’t been received in time. Lord knew it wasn’t a decision she had come to lightly.
“I don’t think Justin was sure you were going to come.”
“I almost didn’t, but I think I need to. I need to see the person who is able to make Justin happy in the way I never could. I need to see with my own eyes that this is really who he is and what he truly wants.” Lindsay covered her face with her hands. “Maybe if I see him marry someone else, it will give me closure. Or maybe at the very least, it will give me hope.”
“Hope?”
“Yes. Hope. Hope that I can meet someone and fall in love again. I was with Justin for nine years, and I never saw that we weren’t meant for each other. That the man I was hopelessly in love with saw me as just a friend.”
“You were more than a friend to Justin.”
“That’s what everybody always says. But only because what else are they going to say to the brokenhearted, rejected girl? They don’t know how he really felt.”
“Maybe they don’t, but I do.”
“Oh please, you don’t know, just like the rest of them.” Lindsay eyed the man up and down. “I know all Justin’s friends, and I don’t know you. I’m guessing you’re one of the new friends.”
“I don’t know if I’m new. Granted, I haven’t known him as long as you, but I can tell you he talks about you all the time. You guys have a history and a friendship that he treasures. He misses you very much. I know he’s sorry about the way things happened. I know he wishes he could change it.”
“He can’t.”
“No, he can’t. But it’s possible to start over, start down a new path, rebuild your friendship and continue on together, just in a new way.”
“Oh, please.” Lindsay laughed out loud. “Just what a new marriage needs—a third wheel. The ex reappearing to ‘rebuild the friendship.’” She continued to laugh. “Can you imagine how that would go over with the new wife?”
“Why do you say it like that?” The bearded guy looked almost as if he was offended. Perhaps he was a relative, or perhaps it was because she had said it like a total bitch.
“Honestly? Because I’m jealous. And hurt,” Lindsay admitted. “It’s been almost four years and in that time he’s been able to pick up the pieces, meet someone, find true love, and is now getting married. All I’ve managed to do is gain twenty pounds and go on a few really shitty dates. My life is garbage.” A few tears rose to the surface, and Lindsay quickly reached up to wipe one away.
“Don’t say that. Your life is not garbage. As I understand it, you can play the piano like no one else, you can cook a light and fluffy cheesecake from scratch, you love dogs and volunteer at the shelter, you know all the state capitals and can recite them in alphabetical order, you were a life guard in high school and saved a kid from drowning at the town pool. And, well, look at you, you are very easy on the eyes. Quite beautiful. If anything, maybe I’d say the new wife could be a little jealous of you.”
Lindsay felt herself blush. “Are you hitting on me?”
The man flashed her a big smile. “I’m afraid I’m taken.”
“All the good ones are.” Lindsay sighed before her own face stretched into a smile.
They were both quiet for a few minutes, each lost in a thought of their own.
“Maybe it is possible that I can be his friend again,” Lindsay said, breaking the silence, her gaze drifting as she wondered about the possibility of rekindling the friendship with the man she missed so much. “Provided the new wife isn’t a total monster, of course.”
“Of course. I think we’ve all got our fingers crossed for that one.” Two fingers went up and twisted tightly in the air, making Lindsay once again smile.
“Thank you. You’ve made me feel so much better about today. I’m extremely thankful to have met you here like this. Justin is very lucky to have you as his friend.”
“Right back at you. And hopefully soon, I’ll be seeing more of you, and maybe I can be lucky enough to call you my friend, too.”
“I would like that….” Lindsay froze, realizing her rudeness at never even asking for this sweet man’s name.
“I’m Jeremy.” He winked, and another fabulous smile peeked through his dark beard. “The new wife.”
Thank you for reading!
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The Two-Night One-Night Wedding Page 17