Page 48 of The Jellybean Dilemma

My legs were practically noodles when I was given a bottle of water and donned my fluffy, oversized robe. Mandy appeared with a glazed-over look on her face that probably matched mine, and we giggled at each other. Next, we enjoyed mani/pedis in adjacent chairs, complete with delicious mimosas to sip on. I couldn’t remember a more relaxing morning.

Greg picked us up in the Town Car, and I forgot to be mad at him for a second. I grinned before I caught myself, my heart leaping at the sight of him. I pushed the joy away, telling Mandy to take the front since she hadn’t had much time with Greg. She chattered the entire way home while I stared out of the window.

I caught Greg’s eyes in the rearview mirror just once, a sight I was all too familiar with. A pang shot through my chest that this would be ending soon. I didn’t feel like glaring at him anymore, but I was a far cry from the lovesick woman I’d been at the beginning of this trip.

When we got back to their house, I said I was so relaxed from the massage I wanted a nap. I holed up in my room for the rest of the afternoon taking the easy way out. I caught up with Derek and Avery, then actually laid down for a bit until it was time to get ready for the rehearsal dinner.

My phone dinged as I started doing my makeup. Greg and I were supposed to meet the rest of the family for the dinner but didn’t need to attend the rehearsal since we weren’t in the wedding party. Mandy’s text was to me and Greg, saying Erin had arrived, along with, ‘Thank you’ and a thousand exclamation marks. I smiled while I finished getting ready, enjoying being the hero. Though, Greg really deserved the credit.

A light tap sounded on the bathroom door, Greg’s deep voice echoing through the wooden barrier. “Almost ready?”

I’d wanted to leave a little early to be positive everything was all set. One last glance in the mirror assured me I’d put on all my finishing touches, so I pulled open the door, only to suck in a breath at how amazing Greg looked.

The bright blue button-down shirt clung to his sculpted torso, his black slacks emphasized his long legs, and a black belt accentuated his trim waist. His sandy brown hair was artfully tousled. I smelled the peppermint on his breath from here. How was I supposed to be okay sitting next to him all night?

His lips parted as he stared at me. “Wow, Rhonda, you are gorgeous.”

I preened at his words, happy to have the same effect on him. My off-the-shoulder black dress tapered in at the waist then flared out again. The hem hit just above my knee. It was elegant, classy in its simplicity, and the shape flattered me. My dark hair was down, in loose curls that cascaded to my shoulders. “Thanks.”

“You have—” He frowned, reaching out to touch a piece of my hair. I felt a gentle tug, then he carefully let go. “One of your curls was being unruly, but it’s better now. Shall we?”

Sure, as soon as the butterflies in my stomach get the memo that we aren’t doing this anymore. Traitors.

We headed down the stairs, and he took a deep breath. Then he started talking. “So, Carrie and I dated through most of high school. I thought she was it for me.”

I gaped at him as he continued, giving me more details without me even asking.

“She moved here when I was in the tenth grade, but it took a while before I found the courage to ask her out.” He told me about dating her, the different things they’d done together, how close he’d felt to her.

I soaked up every word, stunned he was simply telling me all this. I’d never heard this much about his past. Ever. Once we were in the car, he glanced at me anxiously, as if making sure I really wanted to hear this.

I gave him my softest smile, nodding. “Please, don’t stop.”

So, he kept going. “I started college up here, at Northern University, just to be close to her. When she graduated and broke up with me, I was devastated.” He paused, and his voice got quieter. “I guess when she caught a glimpse of her future tied to me, she thought I was holding her down.”

“That’s awful.” My heart went out to him.

He drove in silence for a few minutes. “It’s one of my biggest fears, that I’ll be the one to hold someone back, be the thing that keeps them from reaching their potential, the brick that makes them drown.”

Past comments floated through my head. That he could afford to pay for lunch, that maybe I’d choose him if we were on the same level. He wasn’t only judging me in those moments, he was judging himself, and he’d always come up lacking.

I knew firsthand what those inner voices could do. How they could snuff out even the brightest hope and stir up every insecurity. Guilt hit me, knowing my judgment of his motives hadn’t helped. I wasn’t always the easiest to get along with, hadn’t given him the benefit of the doubt.

The need to reassure him welled up in me, and I said, “Greg, you were always the bright spot in my day. Whenever I was down, I could count on you being there with a smile or a joke. Whenever my parents ignored me, you listened. When Papa died and no one bought me jellybeans, you did.” I rested my hand on his forearm. “You don’t drag people down, you lift them up. I’ve always admired that about you.” I gave his arm a quick squeeze, then returned to my side of the car.

We were stopped at a red light, and he stared at me so long that the light turned green. People behind him began honking.

He blinked as if startled, then whispered, “Thank you.” And we started down the road once more.

Silence sat between us as a third passenger for the rest of the drive, but it wasn’t exactly uncomfortable. I filled in some gaps of who Greg was, shifted my view of him. I wasn’t excusing his accusations or the way he jumped to conclusions, but it helped to know he wasn’t just judging me.

When we pulled into Raymond’s, there was a difference between us. Where I’d thought the door to anything involving us was firmly shut and barred, now I wasn’t so sure. Daylight filtered in along the edges as if it had cracked open.

He came around to offer me his arm, and I took it, grateful for the support in my high heels again.

Carrie greeted us as soon as we stepped in, not even waiting for us to take off our coats. “Oh, thank God, you’re here. Dad is on his way, but he had car issues and he won’t answer the phone now that he’s driving. One of our cooks didn’t show up tonight, and the other is still new.” Panick underlined every word. “We have a full house, plus your party will arrive any minute.”

“Let’s go see what our options are.” I glanced at Greg, handing him my coat. “Don’t say anything to Mandy until I come back.” No need to worry her if we don’t have to.

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