The Reception

Julia Hanson was preparing for her best friend's wedding when her phone rang. She'd have prefered ignoring the call, but seeing that it was the bride-to-be, she answered quickly and prayed that nothing bad had happened.

"What is it, Bree?" she asked, sliding out of her jeans as she spoke.

"Julia!" she heard Bree exclaim from the other end of the line. "You won't believe who owns the vineyard."

Julia remembered when her friend had secured the vineyard for the wedding and reception, but she never heard mention of an owner, as Bree had booked the place online. It must have been interesting for Bree to go out of her way and call on her wedding day.

"Just tell me, Bree," Julia insisted as she finished undressing and found her bridesmaid's dress in the closet. "You have loads of preparing to do, and I need to finish getting changed into this stupid dress."

"It's not stupid, it's beautiful," Bree complained. "As for the guy, think-- mmm-- eight years ago. Summer after senior year of high school."

Julia nearly dropped her dress.

"No fucking way," she breathed over the phone. "How do you know? You're lying." It couldn't be. He'd joined the marines and she hadn't heard a word from him since the day he left.

"I'm not kidding! Connor and I had to meet with the owner before the ceremony today and I couldn't believe it either. Adam Banks... God, Julia. What will you say?" Bree stopped talking then, probably to let the information sink into Julia's head. The truth was, Julia had no idea what she would say. Everything had happened so fast with her and Adam. Would he even remember her?

"I need to get ready," Julia said finally. "I have to look perfect for your wedding."

Bree laughed a little, but there was something she wasn't saying. Julia knew that laugh.

"All right, then," was all her best friend said, though. "See you at the vineyard!" And she hung up, leaving Julia wondering what yet she had to find out about her past love.

Lover, more like, she thought to herself bitterly, remembering how suddenly he'd left. It was hardly true, though. Sure, what they had was laced with many a passionate night, but there had been something real between them, something that had taken Julia years to get over.

She thought about this as she dressed herself, and after she had finished doing her hair and makeup, she was still thinking about it. Feelings she had nigh forgotten resurfaced, and she had to remind herself that it had been eight years since they last spoke. For all she knew, Adam could be an entirely new man now. He probably didn't remember her anyway.

By the time she was ready to leave for Bree's wedding, Julia had decided just to forget she even knew he was alive. She didn't figure she'd see him there as it was, so there was no use in getting herself worked into a knot over something that had happened almost a decade ago. This was Julia's plan as she climbed into her car and left for the vineyard.

Despite having to make an emergency stop to pick up napkins on the way, Julia arrived at the wedding in perfect time. She'd figured Bree would forget something, so she had added an extra hour into her preparation plans. When she was parked and inside, ready to walk to the front with some friend of the groom, she shot a quick wink in Bree's direction to wish her luck.

Perhaps, she thought, I'll have my own luck one of these days.

The wedding went perfectly, as to be expected. Connor and Bree were now happily married, and Julia was ready for the reception. After everyone wished the newlyweds good fortune, the much-anticipated reception began. Food was served first, then cake, and after that the dancing and drinking was to begin.