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As the table erupted with happiness for them, Logan and I drew closer. Approaching Anne Marie, we hugged. “I’m so happy for you two.”
Pulling me into her arms, Anne Marie smiled. “Thank you,” she said, the emotion thick in her tone.
“Let me see this ring,” I said with enthusiasm.
Extending her left hand, a rose gold blue sapphire diamond ring sat around Anne Marie’s engagement finger.
“That is gorgeous,” I sang, clutching my chest. “You picked a good one, Andre. It suits her perfectly.”
Anytime I saw Andre, he always had a smile on his face, but this one held pride. “It reminded me of her eyes,” he admitted. “And I knew it was the one.”
We all sighed. “You’re going to make me cry.”
“I cried,” Anne Marie said. “He got down on one knee and I just lost it,” she said, and my heart filled with love for them.
“I think that’s a cause for a toast,” Jade said, never missing an opportunity to celebrate.
Coming around the table, Logan and I took up the space at the opposite end. Reaching for a mimosa to toast the happy couple on their engagement, I couldn’t help my thoughts from wandering when I looked at Logan. Seeing him here with me, celebrating my friend’s happiness, he seemed to collect some of his own.
Taking my hand in his, it’s warm to the touch, unlike mine. Stroking his thumb over the top, I couldn’t help myself from wondering if Logan and I might celebrate an engagement of our own one day.
As if he understood where my thoughts had wandered, he brought our hands towards his lips as I offered him a slight smile. Watching for my reaction, I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. Staring into his eyes, they remind me how lost I felt without him. Pressing a soft kiss on top of my hand, he smiled, and I swear that smile will forever be embedded in my soul.
???
The hour passes too quickly and before I know it the guys are excusing themselves to take a call. Pushing to his feet, Logan kisses me, telling me he’ll see me soon.
Drawing my bottom lip between my teeth, I nod. Watching him disappear, I turned towards the girls, Taylor’s small grin now turned into a full smile. “What?” I ask, hiding my face in embarrassment.
“Looks like the two of you had a good night.”
Picking up my drink again so I would have something to keep my hands busy, my lips twitch like they’re desperate to smile. “You have no idea,” I sighed.
My phone rings in my pouch and it vibrates my chair. When I pull it out, I see it’s Ashlynne calling.
Finally.
Answering the call, I bring the phone to my ear as my sister’s voice comes over the line. Instead of exchanging pleasantries, Ashlynne gives me bad news about Dad. Hearing that he’s in critical care fighting for his life I suddenly can’t think clearly and there’s this ever-growing hollowness expanding in my chest that hurts more than anything I have ever known.
My chest wrenches violently as a sob breaks free. Ending the call in shock, I’m unable to catch my breath as I lean back in my chair. Giving myself a few minutes to process the news, I work on ceasing the dam of tears by blinking them back before they start spilling from my eyes. Looking at the girls, their smiles have vanished as they both bolt toward me.
“Oh my God Stephanie, what happened?” Taylor asks.
“Who was that?” Jade follows.
“That was my sister letting me know my dad was just in a car accident. He is in critical condition,” I said out loud, as the tears I was working so hard to control betrayed me by bursting free.
“Oh no,” they cried, wrapping their arms around me. “What can we do?” They asked.
“I don’t know,” I whispered, unable to process the news.
“Let’s take you back to our quarters,” Taylor suggests.
“Yeah, I think you should maybe lie down for a bit,” Jade agrees.
Nodding in agreement, I surely look like shit on the way back to the room but I don’t care. Moving from A to B on autopilot, I can’t get the words he’s in critical care out of my head. Just thinking about the words has my tears spilling again.
Before I realize it, we’ve walked back to the room and I’m climbing into bed.
