*Audrey's dress is on the side*
Chapter 5
Sunday passed pretty quickly. Ann took me out to find the “perfect wedding dress” which ended up being an ivory beaded empire waist corset sheath silhouette Chiffon wedding dress. It was nice, and fit me perfectly. Ann loved it, I think even more than I did. She and I decided to go to the mall; she wanted to look at a few things, while I was looking for Alec. He was sitting at our table at the café.
I looked at Ann with pleading eyes. “Can I just go talk to him for a moment?” I asked.
She nodded. “Okay, give him this,” she said handing me an envelope.
“What is it?” I asked turning it over.
“An invitation,” she smiled before walking off.
I shrugged and practically skipped to Alec. He stood up to hug me before I sat down.
“Hey,” I smiled as we took our seats.
“Hey, beautiful. You look happy,” he noted.
I nodded and handed him the invitation biting my inner cheek.
“Let me guess, a wedding invitation?” he asked.
I nodded. “Ann said to give it to you. I got my dress today.”
“You like it?” he asked.
I bobbed my head. “Yes it is so extremely pretty. It’s an ivory beaded empire waist corset sheath silhouette Chiffon wedding dress,” I said proudly.
“So you’re okay with…everything?” he asked.
“I figured I might as well enjoy my wedding…even though it’s not really the groom of my choice,” I said with an awkward smile.
“I still can’t believe that jerk,” Seth said hitting the table. “How can he just take you, without any question?”
I shrugged. “It’s just the way it is.”
Seth pushed the coffee on the table to me. “I got this for you,” he said. “I drank a couple sips of it.”
“Thank you,” I smiled taking a small sip of the hot liquid.
“Oh look who it is Jack, its little Miss Audrey Kempt,” Alec’s friend Jared said pulling up a chair. Jack did the same. “Aren’t you getting some from Jace Goldman?”
“Back off Jared,” Alec warned.
“You know, Alec, she is hot. Too bad I didn’t try to go after you,” Jack said leaned closer to me.
“Both of you go,” Alec snapped. “Leave her alone.”
“Why?” Jared asked sliding an arm towards me.
Jack took my coffee and drank a sip of it.
I jumped up, the chair smacking the linoleum. “I should go fine Ann.”
Alec glared at his friends before standing up and walking around to me. “I am so sorry about them, Audrey. I’ll walk with you ‘till you find her.”
I nodded. “Okay,” I said.
He leaned in to kiss me but I dodged it and met his eyes with sorrow. “I can’t…if we share anything more than friendly hugs I won’t be able to see you anymore.”
He sighed, while his friends snickered. “That bites,” he said.
“Is that because you can’t bite her?” asked Jared.
“Shut up,” Alec said punching Jared’s arm.
Jared rubbed his arm. “Ouch!”
Alec put an arm around my shoulders and we started walking away to find Ann.
It took a bit but we finally found her at a small wedding boutique filled with wedding-like things…except for the dresses. Ann smiled widely at me as she walked over carrying a basket.
“I love weddings,” she smiled. “Hello Alec.”
“Hi, Mrs. Goldman,” he waved.
“Oh dear please, call me Ann,” she said. “Oh excuse me for just a moment let me go pay for all of this and then we will head home.”
“She’s the one who got Mr. Goldman to let me continue hanging out with you,” I said touching Alec’s arm. “He wanted me to just cut all ties with you.”
“Does this mean we can’t even be alone together?” Alec asked.
I nodded. “Unfortunately.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t say anything before all of this. I really have liked you this entire time Audrey,” Alec said. “Audrey…I can’t do this.”
“What?” I asked.
“I don’t know if I can be around you…not when I can barely even touch you,” Alec said his eyes on the floor under our feet.
“You can touch me,” I said taking his hand. “See you’re touching me right now.”
“You know what I mean,” he replied.
“But…”
“I can’t Audrey, not after knowing how you feel,” Alec said pulling his hand away. “I’m really sorry.”
“No,” I said with the shake of my head. “No you can’t just…you can’t. Alec you’re my best friend. I can’t lose you…especially not now.”
“Audrey, I don’t want to sit around and watch you two…watch it happen,” Alec said backing up. “I’m sorry. I’ve got to go. I’ll see—goodbye Audrey.”
“No, Alec, come on. Don’t just…don’t,” I said walking towards him.
“I’m sorry, really I am,” he said turning and walking away.
“Alec!” I called.
Some people looked at me, some whispered. I felt the tears coming so I ran. I ran out of the mall into the parking lot. Ann and I had taken her silver four door ford focus, which she had the keys to. Since that was locked I decided to just run. Running was what I usually did to clear my head. I ended up at a park about half a mile from the mall. I panted my way to the water fountain and drank a few sips before walking to sit on a bench. I allowed the tears to come out then. People weren’t really here; they were probably out eating lunch.
After about an hour, Ann pulled up and got out to walk to me. “What happened sweetie?” She asked sitting beside me and putting her arm around my shoulders.
“Alec…he…broke up with me,” I said, even though the words sounded weird.
“Why would he do that?” she asked.
“Because of this!” I exclaimed. “Because of the wedding. He…we finally told each other how we really feel…apparently it took this for it to happen.”
“I’m sorry you feel this way,” she said rubbing my back.
“How were you when this happened to you?” I asked.
“I was honored. I loved Thomas, from a distance. I met him—officially—at the market one day and we just…clicked,” she shrugged.
I sighed. “I don’t even know Jace,” I said.
“Maybe you should give him a shot,” she suggested.
“I…was going to…but…he…” I trailed off not wanted to remind her.
“He stopped though, and apologized. It may not fully make up for it, but he does really want you in this family. I am willing to do everything in my power to make you more comfortable with us, I just need you to tell me what that is,” she told me.
I nodded. “I don’t know. I just…I don’t know how someone can be okay with this.”
“Sweetie, let’s go home and talk there,” she said looking over at the growing crowd of children and their parents.
I nodded and stood up with her. We walked to the car and headed back to the Goldman Estate.
When we got inside Jace bounded down the stairs. “Did you find a dress?” he asked eyeing the bag for the gown.
“Yes, but you cannot see it,” Ann said turning away and heading up the left staircase.
“What about the bride’s made dresses?” he asked.
“Long floor-length blue silk,” I said with a tight smile.
He put his hands on my waist and kissed my cheek. I had decided last night I would be good and just…go with it best I could…I did have my limit of course.
“What’s wrong?” He asked eyeing my face.
“What do you mean?”
“Your eyes are red…like you’ve been crying. What happened?” he asked.
“Alec…he and I…we aren’t friends anymore,” I said looking down.
“I’m sorry,” he said kissing my check again. “Why not?”
I sighed. “He said that he couldn’t be around me…not after he and I admitted our feelings and…while we are…”
Jace nodded. “I can’t say I blame him. I wouldn’t be able to be around you if you were with someone else.”
I hiccupped feeling the tears about to start again. He wrapped his arms around me in a tight hug. He smelled like cinnamon. His arms were strong and capable. “I think I could actually get used to this,” my internal voice said. “No! No! No! I love Alec, not Jace.”
I pulled back abruptly. “I…should…”
“Sorry,” he said. “I was just trying to—“
“I know,” I nodded taking a step back.
“Are you going to school tomorrow?” he asked.
Shit. Tomorrow. Monday. Ugh! “Uh, yeah. I guess so.”
“You don’t have to,” he said.
“Yes I do. Um, I’m going to go and…get my stuff ready for tomorrow,” I said heading to the stairs.
“I’ll go get you when dinner is ready,” Jace called after me.