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Dad was out of the car first, extending a hand to help Beth climb out. “Who was that guy?” he asked.
“A wedding guest.” I tried to sound vague.
Beth emerged from the car beaming. “That was Adam, wasn’t it?” she squealed. “I knew he’d come for you.”
“That makes one of us,” I muttered. “Here’s your bouquet.” I handed her the flowers. “You look beautiful, by the way.”
“I thought your mom said you broke up?” Dad demanded.
Beth gasped. “Nobody told me that!”
“Maybe we should talk about this later,” I suggested, opening the chalet’s door. “Don’t want to distract from the wedding.”
“Don’t hold back on my account,” Beth countered. “Are you dating or not?”
“I...” We hadn’t gotten to that part. Nor had I asked him about DiseCon, which he obviously wasn’t attending.
I’d wondered on the cruise if I’d misread his email, and he’d intended to tell Cassiesheshould go, but he couldn’t. But then why hadn’t he insisted he would come to the wedding when I gave him the choice?
I should have asked him about Cassie and the conference. Not a couple minutes ago, but all the way back on the ship. It would have been embarrassing to admit I’d snooped on his computer, but he might have had a perfectly good explanation for the whole thing.
“I hope so,” I finally admitted. “But I don’t know for sure. We have to clear some things up.”
Beth gave me a side hug, careful not to crush the front of her dress. “Don’t let what happened with Westin keep you from being happy.”
“That’s not what’s—” Before I could continue, Beth’s wedding planner waved us over to line up with the rest of the wedding party. I tried to look serene as I moved behind the flower girl, ring bearer, and two bridesmaids, but inside, my thoughts were in turmoil.
What if Ihadoverreacted to something innocent with Adam because of Westin?
Adam had been extremely trustworthy. On my request, he hadn’t been overly friendly at the hospital when we had encountered each other before the cruise. He’d been respectful of my personal space, waiting for me to initiate physical contact and kissing. He’d let me hobble off when I insisted I could make it alone after my fall down the stairs, despite his obvious concern. He’d even offered to quit his job if it would make me comfortable.
He’d come all the way from Philadelphia to attend a stranger’s wedding, something he’d normally avoid as much as food-borne illness. When I’d told him he didn’t have to come with me to the wedding, he might have just been respecting what he thought I wanted one more time. I had no evidence he’d rather be with Cassie Croft.
As the music started, signaling the beginning of the procession, realization washed over me like a gentle wave. The fact that he was here when I needed him was proof I could depend on him.
If he was willing to make such a journey for me, then he deserved my honesty in return. I’d explain what happened and confess to snooping in his emails, even though the thought alone made me cringe in embarrassment. But I’d survived a tough conversation with Mom, and I could face my fears with Adam, too.
And if he wanted me to be his girlfriend again, I wouldn’t hesitate to say yes.
A bit dazed by my encounter with Jenna, I followed the signs to an outdoor garden with benches and an arbor arranged like a chapel, then informed one of the ushers I was with the bride’s family.
“Just you? No date?” The usher, a man around my own age, looked from side to side for my invisible companion.
“Not with me. I’m Adam Donaldson,” I supplied, in case he wanted to check my name against a guest list.
“Oh, Jenna’s boyfriend.” He offered me a hand. “I’m Michael, Jenna’s cousin.”
“Hi, Michael,” I said, accepting his hand. Jenna and I hadn’t had a chance to discuss if I was her date or not, but if I was known to her family as her boyfriend, I wasn’t going to refute that.
He walked with me up the aisle. “The family has a seat for you here.”
Me, a stranger to the bride and groom, seated in the front row? I’d planned to just hide out in the back of the crowd, but what could I say?
Michael sat me next to his wife, Lisa, who was holding onto a small child. “Excuse me, there’s another guest.” He rushed back to the entrance.
Lisa and I greeted each other, and I waved at Keith, who buried his face in his mother’s neck. My early gambits at being social were having mixed results.
Another woman approached us. “Grace, this is Adam,” Lisa introduced me. “Adam, this is Grace, Jenna’s mom.”
