AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The thought makes me want to cry. My throat is thick and my eyes burn. I blink fast.
“Are you here alone?” Carol asks. “You didn’t bring a date?”
I study her face. “No, I didn’t bring a date.”
“You could have, you know. None of us will hold it against you.”
“You’re David’s family.”
“Honey,” Carol says and turns to me. “I loved my son. And he loved you. You’re the best thing that ever happened to him. But he’s gone. You deserve to keep on living. It’s been five years. None of us are going to be upset if you find love again. In fact, you should.”
I blink at her and my eyes well with tears.
“I was worried you wouldn’t like it,” I admit.
Carol shakes her head. “Holding onto the past doesn’t do anyone any good. And David would have wanted for you to be happy.”
It’s what everyone keeps telling me.
“Well, there’s no one special,” I say. “Not really.”
When I think of Mason, a pang shoots into my chest. Where is he now? What is he doing? His restaurant opened yesterday and I missed it. I didn’t want to impose when I know that it’s not going to work. I can’t give him mixed signals.
But God, I wanted to be there every minute of the night. It drove me crazy.
“When you find someone, know you have the liberty to love again, okay? None of us will stand in your way.”
I don’t know what to say, but Carol cuts the conversation short. “I should find Richard, make sure he’s not getting too deep into that open bar.” She laughs and walks away from me.
I look around. I know everyone but not well enough to join any conversations. When I spot Sam in the corner, I go to him. He twists his hands together so hard, I think his fingers might break.
“How are you holding up?” I ask.
“I think I might die,” Sam admits, and he looks a little green around the gills. “Or I’ll throw up as soon as I’m in front of everyone and look like an idiot.”
“Leave the vomiting to me; I’m doing more than enough for the two of us,” I say. “You’ve got this. You’ve planned this for months, and you have it down to a tee. The only thing you can’t control is how people react, but that’s not up to you to decide, and it’s not your responsibility.”
Sam nods. “I know all this. It’s just so hard to think straight now that I’m here. A part of me wants to cancel the whole thing, tell them I’ve made a mistake.”
“And a part of you wants to get this over and done with once and for all.”
Sam nods and takes a shuddering breath. “Grand gesture or bust.”
“What does Ben say?”
Sam glances at Ben, who isn’t too far off.
“He’s glad we got to this point. But he never puts pressure on me to make any drastic moves. He knows me too well to push me.” Sam laughs nervously. “He knows I’ll just push back.”
“Having someone in your corner who knows you is already a big deal,” I say and squeeze Sam’s arm. “You’re going to be fine. I’m here, and I fully support you.”
Sam offers me an unsteady smile before he clears his throat and walks up to the podium. He taps on the mic to get everyone’s attention.
My stomach turns and I’m nervous on Sam’s behalf. It’s not helping my nausea. But I swallow it down.
“Friends and family,” Sam says. He glances at me, and I nod my encouragement. He looks back at the people he brought together tonight for a reason and smile. “Thank you so much for joining me tonight.”
I cross my metaphorical fingers and wait for the storm to break.
