“You’d better be. Look at you two,” Nina said.
“There’s only eleven years between us,” Hayley said, jumping in. “Not that I think there’s anything wrong with a bigger age difference.”
“Nor do I,” Jenna said, glancing over at Maria who was still chatting with Kyle.
“Alright,” Nina said, picking up her glass. “No more debating our ages. None of that matters because...” Nina lifted her glass while Hayley and Jenna both took the hint and raised their own. Maria and Kyle stopped talking as Nina spoke, and they both reached for their own glasses. “Somehow, in a world full of billions of people, we’ve managed to meet someone who makes us happy, who’s worth taking a risk for. What are the odds?”
Maria smiled as she met Nina’s eyes. “I will definitely drink to that,” she said.
“Cheers,” they all said, clinking their glasses together.
Hayley caught Jenna’s gaze, giving her a warm smile and reaching for her hand under the table, interlacing their fingers. What were the odds?
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Copyright © 2019
Chapter One
Sam felt the woman beside her lean into her, swaying slightly on her bar stool as she lifted her orange cocktail to her lips, the umbrella bumping into her nose as she tried to get the straw under control.
Sam turned when she realized the woman was trying to talk to her.
“I’m sorry, what did you say?” Sam asked, taking in the blond beside her, a pink sash draped over her skimpy black dress that read Maid of Dishonor.
“I said, I’ve never seen you before. What’s your name?”
“Sam... Santoro,” she said, raising her voice so this woman could hear her over the house music that filled the bar. “You?”
“Rachel Dixon. I work with Michelle. So, how do you know her?”
“We were best friends in high school.”
“Oh okay. So, you’re not in the real estate business then.”
“Nope,” Sam said, reaching for her bottle of beer and bringing it to her lips.
Sam was back in the States after traveling for the last ten years, and she couldn’t believe this was how she was spending her first night on American soil. She was at some trendy bar in New York City for her best friend’s bachelorette party. Well, best friend was a bit of a stretch. She hadn’t seen Michelle in ten years, and if it weren’t for Facebook, Michelle wouldn’t have been able to track her down to invite her.
“So, that’s why I don’t recognize you. You might be the only person here who’s not in the business. Well, except for Michelle’s cousin... What you do?”
“I’m a photographer.”
“Really? You’re not the woman that’s doing the wedding, are you?” Rachel asked as she finished her drink, the umbrella nearly taking out her eye this time.
“No. I’m a travel photographer.”
“Wow. So you’ve been all over?”
Sam nodded. “Yeah. Pretty much. I spent the last six months exploring Southeast Asia.”
“Oh my God. That’s amazing.”
“It’s a fun job.”
“I’m going to go to the bar. Can I get you a drink? I’d love to hear more about all the places you’ve been.”
“No, thanks. I’m fine,” Sam said, lifting her bottle to see that it was half full. She watched Rachel try to get down from her bar stool gracefully, but she had to grab onto the table to keep herself upright.
Sam glanced down at her watch to find out that it was a few minutes past midnight. She had no idea what time it was. She’d landed in JFK this morning, and she felt like she’d been awake for days. Her eyes were burning, and she wasn’t up for making conversation with complete strangers.
Michelle even seemed like a stranger, but that had to be expected. They’d never made the effort to stay in touch, and Sam was surprised to get a Facebook friend request from her a year ago which was quickly followed by an invitation to her wedding and her bachelorette party.
Sam had no intention of going to either of them or coming back to the United States, but that was a year ago, and a lot had changed since then.
Tomorrow she’d be going back to her hometown in New Jersey, and Sam wasn’t sure how she felt about it. She’d left when she was nineteen, not knowing that she’d stay on the road for the next ten years. She’d just wanted to get away. She hadn’t even planned on becoming a travel photographer.
Nothing about her life so far had been planned. Every decision she’d made had been an impulsive one, even deciding to attend Michelle’s wedding.
Her eyes met Michelle’s from across the table, and Sam knew she was several drinks behind everyone else as the waitress brought over another tray of shots.
“Tequila!” Michelle cheered, and Sam slid off her bar stool to find the restrooms. She didn’t do shots. Not anymore anyway. She was nearly thirty, and she swore her shot drinking days were behind her. She couldn’t handle them anymore.
Sam wondered what else had changed in the last ten years. Michelle had gone from dreaming of being an actress to becoming one of the best realtors in the state, and Sam was willing to bet that almost everyone she went to high school with still lived in the area. There was nothing wrong with that, but it had never been her style. She wanted to see what else was out there, and for the last ten years, she’d spent time in some of the most beautiful places on Earth, documenting her travels through her camera lens.
On the way back from the restrooms, Sam debated sneaking out, but she ended up at the bar instead, ordering herself a whiskey. She’d drank too much beer, and she knew this would be her last drink before she headed back to her hotel.
Spending the night with a bunch of strangers was hard enough, but now that they were all loaded, Sam knew she wouldn’t last much longer. She’d already had to introduce herself to the same woman three times, and Rachel was dramatically waving her back over.
“So,” Michelle said, linking arms with her on the way back to their table. “What do you think of my friends?”
“I think that they all seem really happy for you,” Sam said, carefully wording her answer, “And they’re a lot of fun.”
“They certainly are. We work so hard all year, and then as soon as we’re let out, we go a bit crazy.”
“I’d hate to see your Christmas parties.”
“You really would. Every year there’s a karaoke machine... And there’s only about three of us that should be allowed anywhere near it.”
Sam smiled. It really was like talking to a stranger. Michelle looked much the same. Her hair was shorter, and her teeth were whiter, but she still looked like the Michelle she remembered. Their easy banter was gone though.
Maybe she was the one who had changed though. Either way, Sam didn’t think she’d be meeting her for drinks after the wedding was over. Sam would probably have left by then anyway.
The only people she was looking forward to seeing were her mother, her sister, Natalie, and her brother-in-law, Zach. She wasn’t going to be getting her old yearbook out from underneath her bed and tracking down her former classmates.
She’d spend some time catching up with her family, and then she’d be back on her way. Somewhere warm. Maybe Spain.
Chapter Two
Laura Bailey left her camera bag down on an empty kitchen chair and took a seat, giving the father of the bride what she hoped was a reassuring smile. She’d seen enough nervous fathers to know the signs. They always insisted on bringing her a cup of coffee while she waited for the bride to finish getting ready. They liked to reminisce, sharing a few stories about what his daughter was like as a child. Laura just sipped her coffee and let him talk.
“This isn’t your first wedding is it?” he asked her.
“No. I’ve done hundreds,” Laura said, bringing her mug to her
lips.
Laura had done hundreds of weddings. She wasn’t exaggerating. She’d done about two a week for the last four years. Laura never thought she’d become a wedding photographer. Ten years ago, she’d had dreams of being one of the best portrait photographers in the world, and she spent years developing her style, but getting a divorce was expensive, and she needed a reliable way of paying the bills.
From the outside, it probably looked like Laura had a mid-life crisis four years ago. She’d asked her husband Anthony for a divorce. She’d just turned forty, and all of their friends thought they were happy. Even Anthony was shocked when she brought it up, but she’d hid from herself for long enough.
That was four years ago. She thought she’d have her life sorted by now, that she wouldn’t be doing weddings anymore, but she needed to buy a house. She couldn’t spend anymore time in the house they’d lived in together for twenty years. She needed a change and that meant working hard, saving everything she could to buy her own place.
“It must be a very rewarding job,” the father of the bride said. “Being there for the happiest day of person’s life.”
Laura sipped her coffee while she thought of a polite response. Her wedding day was definitely not the happiest day of her life. Maybe it was at the time, when she’d only been on this planet for twenty years. Looking back, it hardly seemed like a day worth remembering.
“It’s an honor to be involved,” Laura said with a smile. “The photos that I’ll get here this morning are actually my favorite part of the day... Capturing the bride in her home, getting her hair done... Speaking of which, I better go see if I’m allowed in yet. Thank you for the coffee,” Laura said as she stood up, slinging her camera bag over her shoulder.
“You’re welcome.”
Laura paused before she left the kitchen. “Could I get a few candid ones of you, here in the kitchen?”
“Sure,” he said with a smile, his hands moving to fix his tie.
Laura should have thought to ask him sooner. Sometimes the parents were reluctant to have their photos taken, but he seemed like he would enjoy it.
“My wife had the same blond hair as you do,” he said, meeting her eyes as Laura brought her camera up to her eyes. “It always reminded me of the color of straw.”
Laura knew that his wife had passed away last year, and she couldn’t even begin to imagine how hard today was going to be for them.
“Just try and act natural,” Laura said as she pressed the shutter, taking a few shots of him sitting down before getting him to stand beside the window with his suit jacket on. “That’s great. Thanks. I’m going to head upstairs and check on Michelle.”
Laura climbed the stairs and knocked on the open door where five women were shuffling around in lavender dresses while Michelle sat down in front of the makeup artist who was taking a step back to admire her work.
“You all look beautiful,” Laura said as she stepped into the room. “Is it okay if I get some candid photos?”
“Of course,” Michelle said as she closed her eyes and the makeup artist touched up her eyeshadow.
“Just pretend I’m not here.”
It was only ten o’clock in the morning, and Laura had a long day ahead of her, but she was used to it. She’d have another photographer working with her at the church who she’d hired almost two years ago. They made a good team, and Laura never had to worry about her.
“Alright,” Laura said, glancing down at her camera to see how the last few photos turned out. “I’ll wait outside and get a few photos with you in front of the house when you’re ready.”
Chapter Three
Sam pushed open the door to the ballroom and realized that tonight was probably going to be worse than the bachelorette party. She surveyed the room, looking for a familiar face, but other than Michelle’s she didn’t see one.
She went over to the bar and ordered herself a whiskey on the rocks. She didn’t even want to be here tonight, but she almost felt like she had to show her face when she was home. She’d skipped the ceremony at the church this morning and arrived at the hotel as the plates were being cleared from the tables and the band was getting set up on stage.
Sam ran her hands down the front of her teal dress as she waited for the bartender to prepare her drink. She was used to being surrounded by people she didn’t know, but it was different when she was traveling. That was part of it. Experiencing that feeling in her hometown just made her feel like an outcast.
She spent some time walking around town with her sister, Natalie, earlier today. It was like a time capsule. A few businesses had changed names, but everything felt exactly the same as it had ten years ago. That tattoo shop where she’d had ‘Wanderlust’ done was still there. The bar she’d been too young to drink in ten years ago looked the same, from the outside anyway.
“Here you go,” the bartender said as he placed her tumbler on a navy napkin. “Open bar,” he said when she’d started to open her clutch.
“Thanks,” Sam said, bringing the glass to her lips and taking a sip.
A woman beside her ordered a white wine, and Sam turned when she thought she recognized the voice, her heart rate accelerating as she took in her blond hair. Time stood still as her pulse pounded in her ears.
Sam knew she’d see her again eventually. It was a small town, but she didn’t think it would be here, at Michelle’s wedding.
“Laura?”
The noise in the room fell away as the woman turned, tucking a lock of her blond hair behind her ear, and Sam met those piercing blue eyes for the first time in ten years.
“Sam?”
That voice. Sam didn’t think she’d ever meet anyone again who had such a sultry, smooth voice. Their eyes locked, and Sam forgot to speak for a moment while she swallowed the lump in her throat.
It was probably a bit dramatic to say that Laura was the love of her life when they were never really a couple, but that was the only way she could describe the woman standing just a few feet away from her.
“What are you doing here?” Laura asked as she picked up her glass of wine.
Sam could see the shock in her eyes, and she couldn’t blame her. Sam had left without a word all those years ago.
“I’m Michelle’s best friend,” Sam said, surprised at how steady her voice was. “Or at least I was… In high school. So, you know her too? Or the groom?”
“I was the photographer today.”
Sam only noticed now that Laura was wearing all black, the sleeves of her blazer rolled up to her forearms.
“You’re doing wedding photography now?” Sam asked, taking another drink.
“Sam, I don’t think I can do this with you… Small talk.”
Sam bit her lip, darting her eyes away. “Okay, look. I won’t be in town long.” Her voice betrayed her this time, quivering as she tried to speak without giving away how difficult this was for her.
She wasn’t going to lash out at Laura. This wasn’t the time or the place, but she knew what Laura meant. Talking, seeing each other even, standing across from one another… It was so hard after all these years.
“So, you can forget you ever saw me,” Sam said in a rush as she brought her tumbler to her lips, downing the last of the amber colored liquor and heading for the door.
That might have been a tiny bit dramatic, but Sam wasn’t going to lose it in front of her. She had to get out of there, and she’d just blurted out the first words that came to her mind.
Sam didn’t look back as she strode through the lobby and got into one of the three taxis that were outside. She gave the driver the address to her mother’s home as she ran a shaky hand over her face.
She’d made a mess of that, but things were always messy with Laura. She looked stunning though. Sam had always loved her professional look. She knew how to wear a blazer.
The way she felt when she was around Laura was just another item to add to the long list of things that hadn’t changed. She still made her heart race and her palms sw
eaty, and her voice…
Sam almost let herself go back to a time when Laura had melted into her arms, when she would have kissed her back with so much passion. They’d been great together, in those moments of madness, when they both forgot that Laura was married.
Sam shook her head, blinking back the tears that threatened to fall. She’d always been so good at keeping people at arm’s length. Everyone except Laura. Those blue eyes always seemed to know what was going on with her, and Sam couldn’t miss how cold they’d been tonight.
Chapter Four
“I thought you’d be too tired to come out tonight?” Kate asked as the waiter left to get their drinks.
Laura tousled her hair. “Normally I would be but…” Laura had sent her friend a text to see if she wanted to go out, and of course she was up for it. She always was.
“Are you okay?” Kate asked, tilting her head.
Laura met her best friend’s eyes. If she was going to tell anyone, it would be Kate.
“Do you remember when I asked Anthony for a divorce? And you asked me when I realized that I was gay?”
Kate nodded. “Yeah. Of course. That woman you were mentoring. She kissed you, right?”
“Yeah, but I mean, I knew I was gay before I met her, but she just…”
“Nothing happened though, right?” Kate asked as the waiter brought them two glasses of white wine.
“No. We never slept together if that’s what you mean. She didn’t think I’d ever leave Anthony… And I guess she got tired of waiting, so she just left. I had no idea she would leave without saying anything. Anyway,” Laura said with a sigh as she reached for her glass, “I saw her tonight. She was at the wedding I was shooting.”
“What? Did you talk to her?”
“Yes… No.” Laura traced her finger along the rim of her glass. “I blew her off. I was just so shocked, you know? I haven’t seen her in ten years, and there she was.”
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