The conversation during dinner jumped around from the wedding to honeymoon plans to the housing market to possible job changes and was distracting enough that Megan was able to ignore both Caleb and Tucker.
She’d chosen a seat between Theresa and Rose and focused on her food while listening to everyone. It was when Theresa leaned on the table and asked Rose a question that Megan paid attention.
“Rose,” Theresa started. “How did you know Henry was The One?”
“What?” Rose looked like a deer in headlights.
“Well, you know, when did you know you wanted to marry Henry?”
“Oh.” Rose took a moment before she answered, clearly perplexed. “Uh, I don’t think I had a moment of knowing. We’ve been together for a while and we love each other and I’m happy, so when he asked, I said yes.”
Megan caught the flash of disappointment on Theresa’s face before she covered it with a smile. “That’s so lovely.” She turned back to chat with Ainsley on her other side.
“You okay, Rose?” Megan leaned in and whispered low enough so only her cousin could hear.
“Nervous, I think.”
“That’s normal. Weddings are long days with a lot going on. It’s overwhelming.”
Rose smiled but her eyes were downcast at her plate. “It’s not the wedding.” She frowned.
There was so much laughter and chatter going on around them, and Rose’s voice so soft Megan had to lean closer to hear her.
“How do you know when someone is The One? Can anyone really ever be completely sure?”
Megan glanced around to see if anyone else had heard. Her eyes met Caleb’s, and the world stopped for a moment – Megan heard nothing and saw no one else for that one long moment, and the pieces of her heart sputtered as his green eyes stared back at her.
She looked away first, knowing if she didn’t, she would collapse.
Megan turned back to Rose. “I wish I knew the answer, but my best guess is that we try to find someone who will love us as we are, who we love as they are, and who we can grow with. Life is both messy and fun, you know? You want someone you can do both parts with.”
Megan had to force herself not to look at Caleb again. She could feel his gaze on her, like a brand. She doubted she’d ever find anyone else who made her feel like he did.
Later. She’d think about that later.
