Page 25 of Ardently Yours

That my family would never approve of me being here in Selah, of my job, my new friends, and my new life. But I can’t say that.

Instead, I say, “Thanks for thinking of me. I’d be happy to do it.”

My phone buzzes. I reach for it, taking it out of my pocket. It’s a call from my sister, Georgiana. I send it to voicemail. Then she texts me.

Georgiana: You can’t run forever, Will. Dad is tripping. Mom misses you, but is too proud to say so. Call me please. I miss you too. Love you.

Me: Can’t talk now. Sorry. Miss you too. Love you too.

Another text comes through… this time, from the ex-fiancée…

Caroline: We could have made this work, Will. How long will you keep ignoring me?

I stare at that last text, all my fears catching up with me… what if coming to Selah was a mistake? What if I should have just stayed and gone through with the engagement?

“Everything okay?” Jay asks me.

I look up from my phone. I quickly rearrange my features and slip my phone back into my pocket.

“I’m good. But what I really want to talk about is what we’re wearing for the wedding?”

I don’t actually care about what suit we’re wearing for the wedding; I know we’ll look good either way. I clean up pretty well and know how to wear a suit.

I care about not making this moment about me, though. I nod and listen to Jay as he explains what tailor he’s using for the wedding, when we’ll go for fittings and the colors we’ll be wearing. For the first time in a long time, I almost forget about everything happening back home.

Chapter Seven

Lizzie

“What?” I exclaim once I hear the news about Edward and Will joining the wedding party. “Well, I guess it’s official then.”

“What’s official?” Jay asks.

“We really have two new members of the crew. Well, three if we’re counting you, Gatsby.”

Jay looks offended. “I thought I was already a member of the crew.”

Nic reaches over and touches his hand. “You are, Jay.”

“Technically,” I say, holding up my finger to make a point. “The crew is just us three girls. The guys make up the extended crew, I guess.”

“Extended crew?” Jay laughs, not really hurt by this revelation after all. “But I was part of the original friend group. We grew up together, Lizzie.”

I laugh too, adding, “Look, just be happy we let you in now, okay?”

“I’ve always wanted to be part of a crew,” says Edward.

Jane smiles, saying, “We are glad to have new members join our sacred space.”

“Do we have room for one more?” I ask, leaning my head on my hand, thinking of George and how he kissed me last night.

“Um,” Jane says, looking from me to Nic.

“Oh no,” Nic says, shaking her head. “Please don’t tell me you mean Officer Wickham.”

“Don’t say it like that. We know him. We’ve known him since we were kids too.”

“Are you interested in giving up my spot?” asks Edward.