Page 4 of Another June with You

“Yeah, almost eight years.” He became quiet and fiddled with the air conditioner vent. “I thought we might see you at church that day.”

“Uh … I don’t really go there anymore.” This topic always made her uneasy.

“Did you switch churches?”

“It’s a long story.” She wanted nothing more than to change the subject. “Gosh, I don’t think I could wait eight years to get married.”

“Why not?”

She gave him a look. “I mean, that’s a long time to go without being together, if you know what I mean.”

His eyebrows raised. “Oh, I know what you mean.”

“Unless they didn’t wait,” she continued. “In that case, I guess it really wouldn’t matter when they got married, because they’re already enjoying the benefits.”

His eyes widened, and his mouth dropped open a little. “Shannon McGregor, you shock me. What would your mother say if she heard you talking like this?”

“She would agree with me.”

He laughed lightly. “You’re right. She would.”

Her strong, opinionated Italian mother had never been afraid to speak her mind. Shannon was very much like her in that way.

“I mean … could you wait eight years?” Her eyes locked with his, a blush creeping over her cheeks, and she wished she could rewind time and convince her brain to go down a different path. Why had she taken this conversation straight to the gutter?

“If she was the one, I would wait as long as I had to.” His reply came out hushed, and the look in his eyes—a look he had given her hundreds of times during the year they spent together—made her stomach flutter.

The tow truck pulled up then, breaking the spell. Thank God.

After ten years apart, all it took was minutes for her feelings to rush back full force. Mere minutes to undo the years she had spent trying to bury the memories. Because now that he was right in front of her—clearly settled, happy, and in a good place in his life—she couldn’t help but wonder what might’ve been. What might have happened if she’d gone to Virginia with him like he’d asked.

Chapter 2

You made it!” Keely clasped her hands together, her face beaming with joy. She raced to Shannon and hugged her. “We waited for you.”

Shannon’s face heated. “No, you did not.” Horrified, she looked around at the family and friends, mingling and chatting, tables containing nothing but coffee and water. Despite her worry over ruining the event, nobody seemed the least bit upset that there’d been a delay, except maybe the older woman standing next to Chase, wearing a scowl.

Keely patted Micah on the back. “Thanks, Micah.”

“Not a problem. I’m going to say hello to Chase’s parents.” His eyes flicked to Shannon’s before he walked away to Chase’s side.

“Is that Chase’s mom?” Shannon asked of the lady with the scowl, who reminded her of Meryl Streep’s character in The Devil Wears Prada.

“Yeah, and …” Keely scanned the room then pointed to a distinguished gentleman with wavy grey hair, standing next to her parents. “That’s his dad.”

Shannon’s gaze returned to Chase and his mom, who were now chatting with Micah. “You never mentioned Micah was the best man.”

Realization suddenly crossed Keely’s face, and she touched her mouth with her hand. “Oh my gosh, I totally forgot you guys dated in high school. I’m so sorry.”

“It was a long time ago. I was just surprised to see him, that’s all.” Shannon watched him, standing next to Chase, laughing. Micah peered over his shoulder in her direction, and she quickly looked at Keely, whose eyes were shifting back and forth between her and Micah.

Keely’s eyes suddenly lit up and a slow smile spread. “Oh my.”

“What?” Shannon asked.

“You two still have the hots for each other.”

A snort escaped Shannon. “Oh, right. Ten years later.”

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