Sweet Salvation (28 page)

“Hmm… It’s getting late. We need to go now so we don’t miss our plane.”

“Jared, it was just a silly schoolgirl fantasy…” She stopped when she saw she was speaking to his retreating back. Damn! She should have kept it top secret, but no way did she think he would see her fantasy wedding then as a rejection of him now. Maybe she should remind him that Brad and Jen’s fairytale marriage hadn’t turned out so well.

The drive to the airport was quiet, as was check-in. Stacy was so upset about his reaction that she forgot to be nervous as the plane taxied and lifted off. As they sat in the near empty first-class cabin after takeoff, Stacy couldn’t take it anymore.

“You’re not seriously angry over a childish game I played in middle-school, are you?”

“No, I’m not angry, just disappointed.”

There it was again—disappointment—so much worse than his anger. “But I don’t understand why.” She was past annoyed about his reaction to her scrapbook and she told him so. “People change and often their dreams change with them. It was thirteen years ago and I think you are being silly about this.”

“Is it silly to worry that the woman you love is giving up on her dreams, or trying to filter the information about her past? You didn’t even want me to see this side of you, Stacy. It’s not like you lived in a tenement downtown or your parents were drug addicts or some kind of criminals. You seemed to have had a very typical childhood with loving parents. You had friends and dreams for your future. So it hurts that you tried to withhold that part of your life from me.”

“You don’t understand, Jared. It’s hard for people who haven’t lost someone close to them, but my dreams changed when my parents were taken from me. We were close and I expected them to be a big part of my life, like your parents are for you. Part of my dream wedding was shopping for my wedding dress with my mother, and doing all the wedding planning with her. My daddy was going to walk me down the aisle and dance the father-of-the-bride dance with me to
Butterfly Kisses
. He loved that song and sang it to me as a little girl.”

Her voice broke and she had to swallow against the tears that clogged her throat before she could continue. Looking out the window, she barely saw the endless blue horizon and didn’t take the time to marvel, as she did on their earlier flight, how the plane moved along as if by magic on a huge cottony white carpet. Instead, she thought how different her life was turning out from what she’d imagined at thirteen. Not all of it was bad, quite the opposite since Jared had entered her life, if she’d only just had her parents a while longer.

Her eyes turned back to him and she knew they were once again wet with tears; still it was important that he finally understand how she felt about the wedding. “None of those dreams are going to come true. So, even though I love you with all my heart, Jared, our wedding day is going to be bittersweet without them there.”

“Honey—”

“Please let me finish. I told you this once but I don’t think it stuck, so I’m gonna try telling you again. When I was thirteen and made that scrapbook and all the years leading up to my parents’ death, I wanted to
get
married. Now I just want to
be
married and I want to
be
married to you. The journey isn’t as important as the destination anymore. You are my destination, Jared.”

“I’m also a colossal ass.” He unbuckled their seatbelts and lifted the armrest between them, pulling her against him. “I’m sorry, baby. I need my butt kicked for being so insensitive.” He bent his head to her and kissed her forehead.

She saw anger in his silvery gaze, but knew it was self-directed for a change. She understood why he didn’t like when she belittled and maligned herself—it hurt. She kissed him, wrapping her arms around him tightly. As they held each other, she got a naughty idea.

Her hands at his back slid down and cupped his butt. As he stiffened, she gripped his ass cheeks and squeezed. “No negative self-talk, baby, or I’ll be tannin’ your hide next time.”

He started to shake and then she heard it, the deep laugh rumbling from his chest. She smiled, as he pulled her fully onto his lap.

“You forgive me then, baby?”

“Of course, Jared, haven’t you always forgiven my runaway mouth? How could I not do the same when you cram your size fourteen into your own? But I think I owe you ten for your language this weekend.” She ruined her tease with a giggle against his chest.

“You’re pushing it, Stace.” His hand cupped her chin and lifted her face for his kiss.

“I love you, darlin’,” she breathed when their lips met.

“Love you too, beautiful.”

They were lucky to have roomy first-class seats in a half-empty cabin, because the make-out session that followed would have been much too much for coach.

Marc waved Jared over as he entered the bar area. A few minutes late, Jared had missed choosing the appetizers and drinks for the evening, again. A rule the two of them had since their college days when money was tight and they had to share apps at half-off beer nights or find a bar with happy hour buy-one-get-one-free drafts. Even Marc had been on a strict budget, his dad determined to make him see the value of a dollar. So he too had to watch his pennies.

Times had changed and they could easily afford what they liked, but it was a habit. It was also fun to see who arrived first and for the winner to give the loser shit about it for the rest of the evening. As loser, Jared would have to settle for draft beer and loaded nachos, Marc’s go-to game time food and beverage. If Jared had gotten there first, Marc would have been stuck with loaded cheese fries and Jager shots, or even worse, Jager bombs, which thankfully Jared hadn’t subjected him to since their twenties. Jagermeister, being somewhat bitter, was an acquired taste, which Marc had learned to tolerate over the years.

“That’s three in a row. I’m picking the time and place next time.”

“Not my fault I’m prompt. Craving cheese fries, bud? Is it that time of the month already?”

“Fuck you, Trent.”

Marc laughed good-naturedly. Nothing one said ever ticked off the other. They’d been friends for too long, over three decades. Marc picked up his beer and lifting it in a half-hearted toast said, “So here we are again. I thought we were done going dateless on Friday nights.”

“Yeah, instead of being with my hot little blonde, once again, I’m stuck with your ugly mug.”

“Aww, you’re gonna be bitchy tonight. Should I get you a Midol?”

Jared gave a snort of laughter. “Sorry. I am a bit pissy. It’s just that Stacy left dressed to the nines and it was all I could do to let her walk out the front door.”

“I hear ya, man. You should have seen what Jess was wearing. I had to take a cold shower after she left.”

“I don’t get it. Women like to dress up, even for other women. Men don’t do that. Do you give a shit what I’m wearing?”

Marc’s eyes shifted to the dark suit and tie Jared wore. “I don’t give two shits. I do care about my woman, out on the town, looking like pure sex on two legs.” Shaking his head at his behavior, he was amazed at how much their lives had changed in the past year. “We’re quite a pair, huh?”

“Yeah, aren’t you glad we got engaged so we could spend our evenings with the women we love?” Jared said, scooping a heaping helping of loaded nachos onto his plate. “Kidding aside, I’m hoping a night out with her girls will get Stacy to chill a little. She’s stressing over the year-end analysis at the clinic and working late prepping for her financial review with the board isn’t helping.”

“That sounds like me and Jess.”

“What’s the problem?”

“She’s letting the hospital work her to death. You know how they are. I hardly see her and when I do, she’s exhausted. She won’t even consider coming to work for us at the clinic. Plus, she’s pulling all these extra shifts and doubles lately. She says she’s covering the floor but I think it’s to pay for what she feels is the bride’s responsibility for the wedding. I’ve tried to convince her that I can well afford to pay for everything. The last time I mentioned it, she got angry and had a meltdown.”

“Hm… this sounds familiar, except Stacy had her meltdown at dinner with my parents. She’s gone nuts over all this wedding business too.”

“Maybe we should all just head to the courthouse and forget all the wedding craziness.”

“You sound like Stacy, except she wants to elope to Las Vegas.”

“Smart girl.”

“That would break my mother’s heart.”

“Yah, but wouldn’t it make your bride happy? I wish I knew how to make my bride happy. She’s so moody I asked if she was pregnant.”

“Damn, bro! You didn’t.”

“Yep, she thought I was calling her fat. It was not a good scene. I’m such a fuck-up.”

Jared shook his head. “In order to avoid a meltdown into full-blown bridezilla, I agreed to a judge and a small party afterwards. That means you’re off the hook for the monkey suit.”

“Good for you, man. Now solve my problem.”

“I guarantee it is not a simple problem. If Jess is like Stacy, it’s a deep-seated issue that you’ll have to dig for. Don’t be surprised if you step in it a time or two before you figure it out, like I did.”

“Foot in mouth disease?”

“Major. I asked if it was that time of the month.”

“Oh, man! Even I’m not that stupid.”

“Yeah right, Mr. You’re Moody Are You Pregnant.”

“Touché.”

“So tell me this, why does she want to stay on at the hospital?”

“She says she likes it there.”

“That’s crap! That place burns out nurses fast and nurse managers even faster. The orthopedic floor has been through at least a dozen since we’ve been there. They don’t even last a year on average. I can’t believe she took that job. She was an excellent scrub nurse and seemed to enjoy it so much, a damn sight more than management, I’d imagine.”

“I know that, so does Jessie, but she’s being stubborn. I warned her the place would suck the life out of her, but she was determined to try. She also likes the money. She has this obsession about saving for the wedding. I told her I’d help out, but she keeps pulling extra shifts whenever she talks to her mother about the arrangements.”

“That’s it, bud.”

“What’s it?”

“Her mother… With her father asking for a divorce out of the blue, it probably tweaked her—what with their failed marriage, him running out and leaving them to fend for themselves and all. Stacy said her mother worked two waitress jobs and still didn’t have enough to buy her clothes and school supplies. It couldn’t have given her a good impression on the institution of marriage.”

“Her father asked for a divorce?” Marc was shocked. “Jess never said a word to me about it. When was this?”

“A few days ago, I guess. Uh…” Jared frowned and seemed to be replaying something in his head before he continued. “I don’t remember Stacy telling me this was a big secret. Why would Jess tell her and not you?”

Marc wondered the same thing. It stung that Stacy and Jared knew more about Jessie and her past than he did. Evidently, they saw her more than he did too. It seemed like they slept in the same bed and that was about it.

“So what are you going to do about it?”

“Hell if I know.” He was angry that she was having doubts. It wasn’t the way he wanted them to begin their lives together.

“This all makes a lot of sense. How did you figure it out?”

“You know that saying you can’t see the forest for the trees?” Jared asked. “You’re too close to the situation; distance often give us perspective and makes us see things clearer.”

“A brilliant mind and a freaking philosopher to boot, I knew I let you hang around me for a reason.”

“You’re welcome,” Jared chuckled. “Now it’s my turn; figure out why my bride can’t seem to get along with my mother.”

“That’s a tough one. I thought everyone loved Joanne.”

“Usually they do, but something about her sets Stacy off. I can’t get my head around it.”

“Your mom’s a gem and smart as a whiz. Think of all the work she did for us when we opened the practice. And now, Stacy has taken over and is following in her footsteps.”

“Rrrrr… That’s it. I’m an idiot.”

“What? Clue me in.”

“She was talking about my family’s ‘pedigree’ and how she went to Podunk U. Dammit! She even mentioned Mom’s double masters.”

“So?”

“At dinner on Sunday, I asked Mom to take a look at the new surgery center contracts.”

“Bad move, Jare. And I thought the time of the month crack was a bonehead move.”

“It seems I’m a real fuck-up when it comes to my woman.” Jared leaned back, rubbing his hands across his face in agitation.

“This deal is like her baby, you know. You might as well have told her you didn’t think she could do it by herself.”

“I just wanted to decrease her stress. And by doing it just days after that panic attack, I can just imagine what she was thinking. I didn’t mean to suggest—”

“That she was weak, incompetent, unqualified, and lacking in mental capacity?” Marc laughed at his friend’s frosty glare. “You screwed the pooch, bud. I’ve heard flowers and chocolate will help. Of course, I’ve never had to resort to bribes; my charm and sex appeal work just fine.”

“Remind me why we’re friends. It’s sure not because of all the support and encouragement you give me. I have to scrape off the bullshit to find what little scraps you throw me.”

“Aw, poor thing, did I hurt its itty bitty feewings? Maybe instead of Midol, I can find you a tampon.”

“Said it before, bro, fuck you.”

“Back at you, my man.” Marc answered amiably.

“So, what’s our plan to fix my girl’s low self-esteem and your girl’s doubt?”

“I haven’t got a clue how to fix Jessie, but you, my friend, need to get your mommy to help.”

“Come again?”

“Have the auditors come in early for their annual review.”

“What annual review?”

Marc shook his head sadly and gave an exaggerated sigh. “You never were one for the business end of things, were you? When your mom set up the office, she included a provision for an independent agency to do an annual audit. Move it up on the calendar. It’s due in April but if Stacy is done with the year-end reports, they could do it any time. She gets rave reviews, you heap on praise and admiration, Stace feels valued and voila… Problem solved.”