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She glances at Joel, waiting for him to say more. I do, too. But he doesn’t.
Natalie clears her throat. “I think I’ll go get coffee. I spotted a vending machine outside.”
That’s what she says, but I know she just wants to leave Joel and me alone to talk. Still, Joel doesn’t say a word after she’s gone. I decide to speak first.
“I’m sorry,” I tell him as sincerely as I can. “I should have told you I was going out with Claire. I should have asked for your permission, actually. But believe me, it was never my intention to hurt you or make a fool out of you. I guess I was scared that you’d lose your faith in me, that I’d lose my best friend.”
Joel remains silent.
“In the end, it seems that’s what happened, but I want you to know that even if you don’t see me as your best friend anymore, I will always be your friend. I’ll always be here if you need me.”
Joel turns his head to look at me. Finally, he speaks.
“Do you love Claire?”
I nod. “I do.”
I may not have told her yet, probably because all this time, I’ve been feeling like I’m not allowed to, but I know I do.
“I love Claire,” I tell Joel. “I realized it at the Christmas party seven years ago.”
“And yet you never called me,” Claire says as she steps into the room.
I glance at her forehead, where there’s a bandage now instead of the bleeding cut.
Joel stands up and puts his arms around her. “Claire! I was so worried about you.”
“I’m fine,” she tells him. Then she turns back to me. “So you’ve loved me for the past seven years but you only tell me now?”
I shrug. “I spent a good portion of those years trying to convince myself not to, I think.”
“Because you didn’t want to lose your best friend?” Claire asks.
I nod.
“See,” she tells Joel. “He loves me. And still he tried to give me up for you. For seven years. Don’t you think he’s suffered enough?”
Joel doesn’t answer.
“And what about me? Don’t you think I deserve to be happy just like you?” Claire asks him.
He holds her hand. “You know, when I heard of the accident and I was thinking of you, I realized all I want is for you to be alive and happy. So if Ryker makes you happy, I won’t stand in your way.”
Claire’s face lights up. I feel a huge weight disappear from my chest as well.
“Thank you!” Claire hugs him. “I knew you’d understand.”
Joel pulls away and touches her cheek. “When have I ever been able to refuse you?”
She smiles. “You raised me well, you know. You raised me to be strong and independent and to fight for what I believe. That’s why I knew you’d understand.”
Joel kisses the top of her head. Then he looks at me.
“Promise you’ll take good care of my little sister?”
“I promise,” I tell him.
He lets Claire go. She runs to me and I throw my arms around her.
“I’m so glad you’re okay,” I whisper in her ear.
“I’m glad everything’s okay,” she replies.
“Ryker?” Joel calls my attention.
I lift my head.
“Here. Catch.”
He takes something out of his pocket and tosses it at me. I catch it with one hand. I open my hand and realize it’s the watch he gave me.
“Don’t lose it,” he reminds me.
I put it on. “I won’t.”
Not the watch. Not Claire. I swear I’ll treasure them both.
Just then, Natalie comes back, a cup of coffee in her hand. I guess she did go to the vending machine.
“Claire.” She gives her a hug. “Are you okay?”
“I’ve never felt better,” she replies.
Natalie’s eyebrows furrow as she looks at Claire, then me, then Joel.
“What did I miss?”
“Just everything falling into place,” Claire answers.
She touches Claire’s arm and smiles. “I’m so happy for you.”
She gives me the same smile.
“And you.”
“Thank you,” I say.
She places her hand on Joel’s cheek.
“And I’m so proud of you.”
He blushes as he nods.
“And you know what?” Natalie asks. “Now I’m sure that our wedding will be the best ever.”Chapter Twenty-FiveClaire
It is the best wedding I’ve ever been to.
The ceremony was held just a few feet from the shore against a sky painted golden by the perfect sunset. Nat looked like a princess in her gown. Joel looked handsome, though not as handsome as his best man. Of course, I looked gorgeous in my yellow dress, too. It was a short and simple ceremony, but Joel and Nat’s vows made me cry. I’ll never forget them.
Now, the party is in full swing. There’s no program. Just eating and drinking and dancing barefoot in a large tent on the beach. Ryker and I have already danced a few times, so I’m just catching my breath while he gets us a fresh round of drinks.
