Fixable.
If only.
Still, when the weekend comes, I drive over to her place. I’m not sure what I’ll do or say to her when I get there.
On an impulse, I buy a bunch of roses from a roadside florist. Then, after waiting in the car for far too long, I finally call her number.
She doesn’t answer. I try again, and it’s the same thing.
I take a deep breath. She doesn’t want to talk to me.
I call Laurie.
“Hey, Landon,” she says warmly. There’s laughter in her voice. She sounds happy, and it cheers me a little.
“Hey,” I reply. In the background, I can hear voices and music. “Is this a bad time?”
She giggles. “No, not really.”
“Okay.” I pause. “I was trying to reach Rachel…”
“I guessed.” She pauses. “She’s here.”
“Where? At your parents’?”
“Yes. It’s my engagement party.”
I’m only slightly taken aback. “Congratulations to you and Brett.”
She laughs again, and the sound is filled with a happiness that makes me both glad and envious. “I didn’t say it was Brett.”
I chuckle. “You didn’t have to. I can hear it in your voice.”
There’s a pause. “You should come,” she says suddenly. “If you want to, anyway.”
“Is she…” I’m not sure what I want to ask. “I’d love to come.”
“So…do that?” She switches to her no-nonsense voice. “I think it’s time you two talked, anyway.”
After ending the call, she texts me the address. I stare at the words on my screen. Am I ready to do this?
Is Rachel ready?
I don’t know.
But I can’t keep waiting, because I’m no longer sure what I’m waiting for.
All I know is that I love her.
I have loved her for a long time, even when I didn’t know the words to say it.
The drive takes almost an hour, and by the time I get to Laurie’s parents’ place, I’ve almost talked myself into going back.
It’s an outdoor party with tents and flowers and music. I get out of the car then realize I’ve forgotten the flowers. I reach for the bunch, but then decide on just one, a single rose. Carefully, I place it inside my jacket before walking down the drive.
Laurie is dancing with Brett, laughing happily
. She doesn’t see me, and I stay at the edge of the party, happy for her, and for Brett.