“Oh... Congratulations.” To say that I was shocked was to say nothing. Was Matt engaged? Was she his fiancée? She wasn’t his type. At all. Hannah was sweet and cute, but all of his girls from the high school were gorgeous, curvaceous, and bright. But what did I know about him and his life after graduation? Maybe that was what he wanted and what he needed. “When will the wedding be?”

“Well... We were together for almost a year before he proposed to me two months ago. We talked about it a lot, and we decided to hold the wedding on the second weekend of May. So it will be in 11 months already. I can’t wait, honestly!” She turned her head to Matt, he turned to her, and they kissed. It was quick, more like a peck on the lips, but so tender. I felt uneasy. I remembered about Sean and how happy I was after he proposed to me. Shit!

“At least you have 11 months to prepare the wedding of your dreams. That’s a good reason to wait, isn’t it?” I wasn’t interested in her answer, but I thought it would be rude if I will be silent after she expressed her happiness to me.

“Of course! Actually, I wanted to wait to ask this, but as soon as I saw you, I had a feeling that I will be friends with you. So, am I right that you’re a photographer?”

“Yeah. Why?”

“Do you do weddings?”

“Yep. I worked at a lot of weddings and took photos of too many love stories. I love to see couples in love.”

“I guess we found our wedding photographer.” Hannah clapped her hands before her chest, happy smile on her lips, while her gaze was switching between my mom, Matt, and me.

“Oh my, Hannah! It’s a brilliant idea! Lea could also make your love story. That way, you will see her work before the wedding and will be able to discuss details about the venue, the dresses, and decorations. Lea, isn’t it great? You said you would work from time to time.”

I felt my lips stretching into grimace instead of a smile. I wasn’t happy about the idea of being their wedding photographer. I wasn’t thrilled to be anyone’s wedding photographer in all my honesty. I needed time before I will be able to think about weddings positively. In the past six months, I refused any offer to be a photographer at the wedding. It was still all too painful.

“Yeah, okay.” I nodded my head, hoping that I won’t look desperate.

“What’s your usual rate for the wedding and the love story?” Hannah was too much. Yeah, she was nice, but she was too bad at reading people. She didn’t see my growing annoyance or my discomfort.

“The love story will be a gift, but if you’ll excuse me, I will tell you all about my rates any other time. I am just tired... It was a long day, I woke up very early, and I need to sleep.”

I stood up and was ready to leave this room for good. But it might bring other complications to my life. My mother could think that my escape was due to my feelings for Matt. Truth be told, it wasn’t the case. It was all because I decided to break up with Sean. Even if I couldn’t imagine myself being his wife, it didn’t mean that I wasn’t in love with him anymore. After I left him, I wasn’t with any man at all. Not even on a simple date.

“Mom, sorry, but I want to go to sleep. If it’s okay, of course.”

“Yeah, honey, I am sure you’re exhausted. Sleep well!” I walked to her and kissed her cheek. When I looked back at her, she was smiling. Good, she didn’t notice anything.

“Hannah, it was nice to meet you. I am looking forward to working with you and bringing you the best photos of your magical day. And I am sure too that we will get along well.” I smiled and waved my hand, walking straight to the exit. There I stopped and finally looked at Matt. He was surprisingly silent this whole time. His gaze was serious when our eyes met. What was he thinking? I had any idea, and now I wasn’t sure that I wanted to know it either. “Night, Matt.”

I didn’t wait for his answer. I turned around and walked in the direction of my bedroom. I hopped into the quick shower, changed into my PJs, and plopped myself on the bed. It was comfortable, soft, and pleasant to the touch. I buried myself under the blanket. The noises from the living room were still heard, but it wasn’t annoying. Besides, I was exhausted, so I drifted to sleep in 10 minutes or even less.

The next few days went in a blur. I was starting to get used to my life at Harris’s house little by little. Mother, George, and Matt weren’t home a lot. Most of the time, I was left on my own. I was starting my day doing laps in the indoor pool. I felt good after it, even if all of my muscles were sore. Before I left Chicago, I made a list of books that I wanted to read. So I decided it will be useful to start my new life by completing this list for good.

Indeed George Harris apologized to me for his words, the morning after his outburst. He was trying damn hard for me to open up at least a little to him. He was a wise man and even kind, but only when he was sober. I wasn’t ready to put my guard down around him. I needed time.

Mom was often out of town. I didn’t see her for two days the day after I came back. For me, it was the sign that her work will always be between us. It was too important to her. But I can’t say that she gave up. I talked with her as soon as she was back from her trip. Our talk lasted a few hours. This time I told her everything about my life in Chicago. We ended up crying when I was finishing my story with my run-in into Sean with his new girlfriend. I fell asleep in her arms that night, and it honestly felt good.

I didn’t see Matt much these days. He was busy with his work and also he was spending time with his fiancée. He was happy with her, and I made a mental notice that maybe he changed. He just wanted to be happy, and Hannah was the one doing it for him. When he was back home, we barely talked. I didn’t want to be his friend; the old acquaintance will be much more suitable for us. So I was kind of avoiding him, and I was successful with that.

Thank God, it was Saturday, and I finally had a chance to meet with Jess. She was busy all these days, and I missed her terribly. I thought that I would see her the next day I will be back, but it was the long five days before we were able to set the date. I talked with her a lot over the phone, but you know, it’s always better to talk face to face with your friends.

“Lea, I will be at Harris’s in 20 minutes. Are you ready?” I heard Jess’s voice through the speakerphone. I was standing in the middle of my room in my lingerie only. I still had been having a hard time choosing the dress for our girl’s night.

“So, so.”

“Lea! I told you we’re going to the bar. I told you to look your best. Joshua Walker will be there too.”

“Joshua? God, I didn’t see him for several years! Don’t tell me, you’re trying to set me up with him?! It didn’t work back then, and it won’t work now.”

“He was our friend in the first place. Yeah, he was not so secretly in love with you, but it’s not the case. He will be there tonight as your friend.”

“Fine. What bar we’re going exactly?”

“Full Moon.”

“Really?”

“It’s a good place, don’t be such a sucker. Go, put yourself in a beautiful dress and be ready. See you.”

After she ended the call, I stared at myself in the mirror. I put makeup on already. My brown hair was down sprawling over my shoulders in curls; this way, my blond ombre looked incredibly good. All that I needed to do was to choose the dress. But I hesitated. Since my breakup with Sean, I didn’t go out at all. I wasn’t feeling that I need it. I was in my shell, and I was comfortable like that. I guess it was the time for me to crack it. I sighed and took a dress.

It was a knee-length strapless dress. This dress was highlighting every curve, showing the right amount of my cleavage. It was in black, so I chose beige stilettoes to light up my image. I looked myself over. I was starting to look like my old-self – beautiful and sexy, and honestly, it felt good.

I had 5 minutes before Jess will be here, so I decided to go to the living room and to wait for her. I took my purse, put my phone inside, and left the room. I heard the voices before I entered the room. Today all of my neighbors were at home, mom asked me to join them for dinner, but I politely refused. I was excited to spend the time with my best friend since elementary school, so my mother understood.

When I walked into the living room, I heard a low whistle and felt my cheeks blushing. I didn’t expect this reaction from George Harris at all. He was sitting with my mother on the couch. They were watching the news. As soon as I was in the room, their attention switched to me. I arched my brow, looking at them. Mom looked me up and down, and I saw a satisfied grin forming on her lips.

“Lea, you look wonderful! Maybe too revealing for my liking, but you have what to show, so why hide it, right?”

“Your daughter is gorgeous, just like you, Olivia.” George smiled at me and turned to my mother. He reached with his hand and hugged her to him, planting a kiss on her temple. It was a nice view. I could say honestly. I was happy for my mother even if I had my doubts about this man beside her.

“Thanks, to both of you. Jess will be here any minute so that I will wait for her outside.”

“Suit yourself. Jess is always welcome here. She’s Hannah’s friend as well, so she often spends her time in this house.” My mother snuggled closer to George while smiling at me.

“See? You know more about my best friend than me. I had a lot to catch up with her. So, for tonight I want her all to myself. Not sure that it will be possible, though.”

“Why?”

“She said Joshua would be with us too, it kind of turn off for me.” I pouted my lips, just like I was doing as a child. Mom started laughing because of it.

“God, Lea, you’re grown-up woman, but now this face of yours reminded me a lot about your childhood. Are we talking about Joshua Walker? He also was your best friend... Oh, I remember it now, he was utterly and unrequitedly in love with you.”

“Thanks for the reminder, mom. It’s nice of you to remember a little something about my life.” Why I didn’t shut up? I should have stayed quiet. Mom’s smile faded; she bit her lower lip. “Sorry, mom. I will wait for Jess outside.”

I turned on my heels abruptly, taking a step forward, and only then I noticed that someone was standing just behind me. It was Matt. Our eyes locked, without blinking, without averting. I was the first who let my eyes go down. I looked him over, roaming my eyes over his broad chest, over his torso and down to his legs. He was wearing blue jeans and a simple white t-shirt. This t-shirt was hugging his every muscle and every biceps, giving me a perfect idea about his six-packed abs. Damn him! Matt looked deliciously hot, I must admit it. He was impressive with his physic back in school, but now he was a definition of sex. Shit, what was I thinking?! But when I looked him back in the eyes, I froze. While I was doing my ogling, he did exactly the same. What I saw in his eyes couldn’t be the truth. Just no. I shook my head slightly before a smile appeared on my lips.

“Hey, Matt. I was just going outside to wait for Jess.” I walked past him to the front door, without waiting for him to say something. When the door was almost closed, I heard his voice.

“Where are you going?”

“To some bar in the city. She said something about “Full Moon”, but I am not so sure.”

“Good choice.” I tilted my head to the side, he wasn’t moving, rooted to the spot and staring at me.

“Wha... What’s your plan for tonight? Going out or staying at home?”

“Home. Hannah will be here soon.”

“Oh... Have a nice evening then.” Why did I sound so disappointed?

“You too.”

Neither of us moved. We were standing in silence and just looking at each other in the eyes. Matt was the first, who turned around and walked upstairs, leaving me in total confusion. What was it? The air between us was so thick, so you could easily cut it with a knife. Why? And what was the meaning of this look in his eyes? I thought that I saw his eyes darken, but I was a hundred percent sure, that I was mistaken. After my first night at this house and introduction to his fiancée, he was acting very distant with me. Polite, but nothing more. I was okay with it. But actually, what was I thinking, ogling him as I did? He was engaged, and he was spending his free time with his fiancée. What was the point of thinking about how sexy he looked?

I heard the honk of the car, and it gave me a chance to shake my thoughts. It was Jess. A broad smile lightened up my face, and I walked to her car. I opened the front door, climbed inside of her Prius, and only then, I had a chance to see my best friend. Yeah, she visited me a few times in Chicago, but it was before I left Sean. It was eight months since we saw each other in person. I could say that I was delighted to see her.