Page 48 of Marrying Chrissy

Chrissy had tried to convince her to go ahead and interview for the positions open at the country club. Just because Wyatt worked there didn’t mean Emma couldn’t work there as well. Besides, clearly there was no longer a connection between him and Chrissy, which ought to make things easier.

Emma must have been able to sense what Chrissy was feeling. She shook her head. “It’s not at the country club. There’s a new gym opening in town. Remember when we used to watch America Ninja Warrior?” Chrissy nodded. “Well, this place has a bunch of those obstacles. They teach classes, have open gym, things like that. Anyway, they were hiring people to work the front desk, keep track of sign-ups for classes, and to help with billing. They hired me almost immediately!”

“That’s great, Emma.” Chrissy never would’ve pegged her sister to work for a gym. Then again, there was a lot about the last year that reminded her to expect the unexpected. “And they are okay with you having a flexible schedule?”

“Yes, they are very supportive. I was assured it would be no big deal if I had to take a day off here and there for health reasons.” Emma clasped her hands together and bit her lower lip like she did when she got nervous. “I think this is going to be a good move for me. Don’t you?”

“Of course I do.” Chrissy smiled. “Congratulations! Mom is going to be so excited when you tell her. We should do something to celebrate.”

“Like what?”

“I don’t know. Go see a movie in the theater? Order dinner and have it delivered?”

They talked about several options and finally decided to wait and see what Mom thought once she was home from work. The sisters settled onto the couch where Chrissy propped her feet up on the coffee table and stared at the clock on the wall.

“I take it you haven’t seen Wyatt.”

Chrissy sighed and shook her head. “It was silly of me to think that he’d keep coming by the shop and that things would go back to normal again. I’m not even sure I’d want normal.” She gasped as memory after memory flooded her mind. “I miss him, Emma.” Fresh tears spilled onto her cheeks. “And I’m going to put this horrible damper on our celebration tonight if I can’t get myself under control.”

Emma chuckled as she gave her a hug. “I’m just sorry you’re so sad. I wish I could make things better. Maybe if I had won a lifetime supply of chocolate…”

Chrissy hiccuped. “Just tell me it’s going to be okay, and that this will get better.”

“It is, and it really will.”

Chrissy took a deep breath and nodded slowly. Whoever said that a clean break was best should’ve warned people how much it hurt.

Emma sat up quickly and reached for a small package on the side table. “I almost forgot. This came for you today.” She gave her a small smile before getting up and giving Chrissy some space.

There was no name in the upper left-hand corner, and the address wasn’t familiar. Curious, she tore open one end and pulled out a CD in a paper sleeve with a folded note that read:

Chrissy,

I wanted to make sure you got a copy of the pictures from the reunion. I hope you like them and look forward to seeing you again.

Blessings,

Lucy

Chrissy stared at the disc for several moments. She was tempted to stuff it back in the padded envelope, but curiosity got the better of her. She carried it to the computer they shared and slid the CD into the drive.

The computer loaded the CD. Chrissy highlighted the folder and told the computer to display them as a slideshow.

Many of the photos were of people she either didn’t know or barely recognized. Then there were pictures of the volleyball games and scavenger hunt. An image of Wyatt hitting the ball made Chrissy smile a little. Moments later, there was another picture of them with the four kids during the scavenger hunt. She hadn’t even realized Lucy had been nearby at the time.

Chrissy was caught up in watching the computer flip through images until one of her and Wyatt made her pause the slideshow. They were holding hands on the beach. Chrissy was laughing at something he’d said, but it was the way he was looking at her that made her heart skip a beat.

If she were looking at an image of another couple, and the man had that same expression, she’d swear he was in love. But there’s no way that was true, right?

Her heart twisted as she studied her own expression in the picture. That time on the beach with Wyatt had been incredible. It was like a fairy tale that was too good to be true, except she couldn’t stop thinking about the handsome prince and the way it’d felt to be held in his arms.

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