AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“If this is about the rehearsal dinner, I should—”
“It’s not,” Rose said. At his hurt expression, she softened her tone. “I won’t make any decisions about that without you, I promise.”
Max’s eyebrows lowered in suspicion, but something in her face must have told him not to argue. After giving a quick nod, he settled back in his chair and pointedly picked up a menu from a local establishment.
Rose headed outside with Carissa on her heels. The air was stifling, and the blinding heat made her second-guess whether that was the time or place for the conversation, but she needed advice, and she wasn’t sure where else to turn.
“So.” Carissa leaned against the building. “What’s up?”
“What would happen if we canceled the wedding?” Rose asked in a rush, afraid if she didn’t ask right then, she would never again find the nerve.
Carissa’s eyes widened. “You can’t be serious.” When Rose didn’t immediately respond, she touched her arm. “Rose? What’s going on? Is it cold feet or…?”
“I wish it was cold feet.” It had taken all of her energy to force the question out. Her back slid down the brick wall of the building until she landed on the sidewalk. Wrapping her arms around her knees, she shook her head. “I don’t know if I can go through with it.”
After a moment of hesitation, Carissa knelt in front of her. “Talk to me. What’s going on?”
Rose wasn’t sure where to begin. “It feels like everything that could go wrong has gone wrong.”
“The accident was bad,” Carissa said. “But Steven’s recovering, and I suspect he’ll be back on his feet in no time.”
“But that’s just it.” Rose raised her head. “He’s so focused on getting back to normal, he isn’t taking care of himself like he needs to.”
“How do you mean?”
“He had a heart attack.” For once, the words didn’t get stuck in her throat. “He could have died. But he’s more focused on his spine and the ability to walk, which I get. It’s easier to see the broken parts of ourselves when they’re on the outside. It’s harder to comprehend when something is wrong inside.”
Carissa was quiet. “That sounds like you’re talking about more than just his heart.”
“I suppose I am.” Wiping the tears from her eyes, Rose bit her lip. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to burden you with this. But I don’t have anyone else to talk to.”
“Hey, don’t apologize. You’re not the first bride who has had second thoughts.” Carissa pursed her lips. “Though you are the first to stump me.”
Rose groaned. “That’s not what I needed to hear.”
“I know.” Carissa stood up and brushed off her pantsuit. “Have you tried discussing this with him?”
“Several times. He either blows me off or gives me empty platitudes about how he’s ‘trying.’” Her throat constricted. “It makes me feel like he sees me as a pest instead of someone who genuinely cares about his well-being.”
A throbbing in her head became more pronounced the more she stewed over how Steven had treated her concerns. He’d vacillated between blowing them off and snapping at her for pushing him.
Carissa held out her hand. “Come on. It’s doing you no good to sit and stew in that anger. Let’s go for a walk.”
“But what about Max?”
“He’ll probably still be poring over his menus when we get back.”
They walked through the parking lot and crossed the street. Then Carissa led the way to a small park with a few trails.
“We won’t go far,” Carissa said. “But it’s cooler beneath the trees, and sometimes, being in nature helps me process my thoughts.”
As they walked deeper into the woods, the tightness in Rose’s chest loosened. But she had no idea what she was going to do. No matter how much she might try to deny it, canceling the wedding would send a message. And it might also spell the end of her relationship.
“Have you ever been married?” Rose asked suddenly.
The question appeared to catch Carissa off guard, as she stumbled. Regaining her balance, she turned to Rose with a wary expression.
“I was up until five years ago.”
