You'll Say Yes (9 page)

"Are we really discussing this matter, Bianca?" My dad asked.

Ah, finally! One person on my side.

"Come to think of it, you both were apart for seven years. A lot of misunderstanding and miscommunication. How will you solve it with living in separate places?" My mom asked, again.

I rolled my eyes. "Our offices are located on different sides of Seattle, mom."

"Well, then, try to find an apartment in the middle of both work places," she insisted.

I rubbed my temples. "It's not that easy, Mom."

"Why?"

My dad shook his head and looked at Joshua. "What do you think, Joshua?"

He stayed silent and then grinned. "I don't mind."

My eyes widened. "What?"

I gaped at my parents. "Seriously, mom, dad? How could you both agree so easily? Do you guys know how he was when we were in high school?"

Joshua stared at me with a guilty expression on his beautiful face. "Abby, please-"

"NO!" I shouted at them and stood from the couch.

I tried to control my breathing and stormed into my old bedroom. I slammed the door closed and sunk to the floor. My back was pressed to the door. I could feel the tears in my eyes as I begun to sob. I hated this situation. I hated that they thought Joshua was good. They didn't know how miserable I felt in high school; how he treated me.

I hated it! I really hated it!

A soft knock at my door brought me back to the presents. "Abby," Joshua whispered, sounding sad. "Please, can I come in?"

"Just go!" I shouted between my tears.

"No, I won't, Abby. I can stay out here all day. Remember, I can be stubborn just as well as you are."

I wiped away my tears with the back of my hand hastily. I opened the door then turned and walked to my bed. Joshua walked into my room and sat next to me on the bed.

He stroked my hair lovingly while I remained still. "You said earlier that you wanted to know the real me. Well, I can give you that." He sighed and played with the hem of his shirt. "My name is Joshua Anthony Walsh. I'm the only child my parents had. I like to read, watch movies, listen to classic music, and I can play the piano."

I stayed silent.

He took a deep breath. "I moved to Canada with my parents not long after you moved with your mother, but I couldn't forget all of our memories in Long Beach. I asked my father to move back here, hoping I could see you. When your dad told me that you were going to move back here, I was so happy. After high school I went to Harvard and graduated, majoring in Medical. I stayed at the single dorm, I never dated nor seen any girls. My friends called me a freak when I told them I already had the girl of my dreams. I had to punch one of them when I found out he tried to look for you after he saw your picture in my room." He chuckled and sighed. "After I graduated, I tried to look for you again. I know you went to Dartmouth. It didn't surprise me. You are amazing and smart. Jason said you already graduated and decided to work in Seattle. I went to Seattle a couple of weeks after I graduated to look for you. And amazingly, I met you at a small coffee shop."

I turned to look at him. "Coffee shop?" There was only one coffee shop I used to visit and it was near my office. He really did that?

He nodded. "Yes, Abby. I saw you for the first time in seven years. You’re still beautiful as I remembered. At that time, I decided to live close enough to you to get to know you again and to have your love."

"But, I don't understand. You work in Seattle to get close to me? Why now? After seven years?" I asked him in a low voice.

He smiled grimly. "I want to prove to you that I'm not the same guy you knew in high school. I want to prove, I'm worthy of your love."

"Joshua, what you did in high school was a part of who you are. You can't throw that away," I said, again.

He grimaced. "I know, Abby. But, please, believe me when I tell you," He cupped my face with his hands, "I love you. I’ve always loved you and always will."

I sighed.

Slowly, Joshua enveloped me with a tender hug. His amazing scent calmed me once again.

I gulped. "So, about this living arrangement thing?"

Joshua leaned away and looked at me. "We could try. I promise I won't do anything inappropriate to you. Besides, if I tried I think your dad would shoot me where I stand." He chuckled.

I stared at him. "We could start with our date for the reunion."

He nodded. "Of course, Abby. I won't force you."

Maybe we could work this out.

Maybe...

~0~

Joshua went home with a promise to pick me up at seven for the reunion. I left my room and went to the living room. I found my parents on the couch and sat next to them.

"Abby, honey, how do you feel?" My mom asked.

"I've been better," I answered slowly.

She sighed and rubbed my arm. "Please, honey, don't be angry with us. We already saw how much Joshua changed. Why don't you try the same?"

"By living together, mom?" I asked, sternly.

"Well, technically you're engaged, honey, but you don't have take the next step if you're not ready."

I rolled my eyes. "Please, mom..."

"Just try this first, Abby. You can call off the engagement if you both really can't work this out," my dad said.

I shook my head. "I can't believe this."

Stella called me at five pm, telling me she arrived in Long Beach two hours earlier. She was also asking about my dress for tonight and told me shes going to the reunion with Evan, of course.

I showered and dressed.

My gown was a simple black dress. I paired it with black flats. I was not very fond of high heels. I decided to go simple with just semi-curls and pull it up into a barrette. I applied some light makeup before checking myself in the mirror. I smiled, I looked fine and mature enough.

"Abby, Joshua's here," my dad's voice brought me back to reality.

"I'm coming," I replied.

I looked in the mirror as I grabbed my purse, walked out of my room, and went downstairs.

My jaw dropped when my eyes landed on a very handsome Joshua. He wore black trousers, a black coat, and a grey shirt. He smiled when he saw me.

"Wow, Abby. You look beautiful, honey," my dad said.

I blushed. "Thanks, Dad."

"Shall we?" Joshua offered his arm.

I grinned and took his arm. I turned to my dad. "No curfew, Dad?"

My dad rolled his eyes. "You're not seventeen anymore, Abby. Just be careful, alright."

I giggled while Joshua grinned. We walked out the house and to Josh’s car. He opened the passenger door and helped me in. He ran to the driver’s side and got in himself.     He turned on the engine as soon as he sat in the seat and buckled the belt.

He drove swiftly out of my dad’s driveway.

I looked out the window. Long Beach didn't change much and I silently wondered if it ever change or stay that way for the next decades.

We arrived at the school half an hour later. The gathering was held in the gym, very suitable for a high school reunion. Joshua parked his car in the parking lot and opened the passenger door and helped me to my feet. He held my hand as we walked to the gym. We approached the information desk and confirmed our names.

"Joshua Walsh, M.D, huh?" I smirked.

He grinned. "What? Do you have any other idea?"

I shrugged. "I don't know. How about Jason Bourne?"

Joshua raised his eyebrows and burst out laughing. I grinned and put my name tag on.

Joshua held my hand as we entered the gym. Music blasted around the room and a banner ‘Happy Reunion’ hung in the middle of the gym.

"Joshua Walsh? Oh God! It's you," A shriek voice attacked my ears and I saw a blond woman half running and hugged Joshua.

Joshua seemed uncomfortable and pushed the woman lightly. "Linda, it's nice to see you, too." And then he gestured towards me. "You remember Abby, right?"

Linda.

She was one of Joshua's random girls in high school. I guessed, the night had just begun.

I nodded. "Linda."

She studied me and smirked. She turned back to Joshua and gently rubbed his arm. "So, are you still single or still waiting for me?"

I rolled my eyes. Oh, please...

Joshua snatched Linda's hand and grabbed my waist. My eyes widened, but quickly composed myself. "No, I'm here with Abby. She's my date."

Linda raised her eyebrows and turned to me. "Hmm...so, Abby...still Bennett, heh?"

"The one and only," I answered lightly.

"How could that be possible? No man asked you to walk to the altar?" She snickered.

Really? Are we going to continue this game? I looked at Joshua lovingly. Two could play at that game. "Actually, why don't you ask Joshua about that?"

Joshua stared back at me and his eyes seemed unfocused. I gave him my sweetest smile and he cleared his throat. I chuckled internally. "Um...actually Abby and I are in a serious relationship." He smiled back at me. "Shall we, Abby?"

"Of course."

We walked away, leaving the dumbfounded Linda where she stood.

"That was a good move back there," I whispered.

"You too, Ms. Bennett," He whispered back.

"Abby!" A high pitched voice called to me and I turned around to find Stella and Evan standing near the drink table.

I smiled happily and grabbed Joshua's hand. Stella hugged me tightly and Joshua had to release her arm so I could breath.

"I'm so glad you could make it, Abby. Hey, Joshua, how are you?" Stella asked. "You little sneak. You never told me we were childhood friends." Stella hit Joshua's shoulder playfully.

Joshua smiled. "All in good time, Stella. Well, you remember me now, don’t you?" He shook Evan's hand. "Hey, man. It's nice to see you too."

Evan shook Joshua's hand. "Same here, man." Evan was a tall guy and quite good looking, too.

"Hey, Abby," A soft voice called to me and I turned to find Melinda with her fiancée, Brian Compton.

"Melinda!" I said happily and hugged her. I leaned back and smiled. "So, Melinda Compton?"

Melinda giggled. "Soon, though. I'll send you the invitation."

I gestured to Joshua. "Melinda, you remember Joshua Walsh, don’t you?"

She smiled and shook Joshua's hand. "Hi, Joshua. Long time no see. I heard you escaped to Harvard."

Joshua chuckled. "Yes, that is right."

A lot of women glanced in Joshua's direction and I knew instantly they were all his random girls. I sighed internally. Perhaps they wanted to see the girl who captured his heart. We continued to chat and talk in our private bubble until the DJ announced it was time to dance.

Joshua offered his hand. "May I have this dance, Abby?"

I looked back and forth from the dance floor to Joshua's hand. The dance floor was almost full. I grinned sheepishly. "I can't dance."

Joshua chuckled. "Don't worry. I can take care of that."

He took my hand before I could protest. He put his arm around my waist and held my hand. I recognized the song. It was ‘You and Me’ by Lifehouse. What a perfect song! We danced slowly and stared into each other’s eyes. His hazel eyes sparkled with love and devotion. I smiled and leaned my head into his chest. He tightened his hold while we swayed along to the music. From the corner of my eyes, I could see Linda dancing with Scott Baker, but she kept glaring at me.

I sighed and looked at Joshua. "Someone’s jealous."

Joshua looked at me curiously. "Who?"