The disappointment I expect to hear doesn’t happen, thankfully. “Sure! I’m not worried about you. You’re going to find a great guy who’s crazy about you. I bet he walks into your life when you least expect it.”
I had a great guy who came into my life at the very moment I needed him. I thought we’d be together forever.
So much for the fairy tale romance.
“I want you to come over tomorrow. We’re having the last pool party of the year, and everyone will be there. One last summer blast before we have to close the pool.”
Everyone? I don’t think I can handle seeing Marius yet.
“I don’t know. I’m still fighting whatever that was that made me leave the party early.”
Ava isn’t going to take that lame reason for an answer. I know her far too well. I should have said I have to work this weekend.
“Please? I like hanging out with the guys and their girlfriends, but I like having my best friend around too. Ronan and Kate will be there, as will Kellen and Salem. I haven’t seen Marius much this week, so I don’t know if he’ll be there. He’s been downright surly lately, so probably not.”
“Maybe his girlfriend is giving him a hard time. Perhaps she lost her binky, and he hasn’t bought her a new one.”
My snide comments make Ava laugh. “That was so weird, wasn’t it? Marius never brings anyone to our parties, and then he shows up with that girl. Ronan said he thinks she’s only twenty. Marius is nearly thirty! What is he thinking?”
I don’t answer, but in my mind all I can think is I have no idea what that man thought he was doing. Did he actually think him bringing that beautiful girl with the giant boobs and gorgeous, young face was anything close to the same thing as my having to go out with Rob, the man who worries about choking on food so he cuts everything up into tiny pieces like Ava does for her kids?
“Not sure,” I answer, not wanting to continue talking about Marius and his date.
“Well, I highly doubt he’ll be there, with or without her, so say you’ll come over tomorrow. Matthias is going to be manning the grill. He’s very excited about it too. He’s closing his office door and taking the entire weekend off. We’ve got hot dogs, hamburgers, steaks, shrimp, the works! You just have to come.”
I don’t have the heart to disappoint her a second time she has a party, so I reluctantly agree to go. “Need me to bring anything?”
“Just your bathing suit. We’re swimming until we get pruney. See you at noon!”
“I’ll be there.”
Even if I really don’t want to.
When I walk outonto the patio, I see everyone has arrived already. All except Marius. That’s probably for the best. I have to admit a small part of me had hoped to see him today, but that’slikely just habit. Every time I’ve come to see Ava in the past two years I’ve hoped to see Marius here.
“Eden!” Ava squeals as she hurries over to give me a hug. “Did you bring your bathing suit? You have to get in today. It’s the last official party of summer!”
I lift up my t-shirt to show her my suit. “I’m here and ready to swim!” I say far more enthusiastically than I feel.
“Okay, drop your purse off near the table. I’m in with Matty, and Theo is hanging out with his uncles. Matthias can make you anything you want to eat. We have a ton of food!”
Her excitement for this party is nothing more than her usual happiness to have her friends and family around her, but my stomach is already in knots. It started as I was driving up to the house, and now that I’m here, it’s much worse.
The last time I was here, I had to pretend to be sick. This time, I might not have to lie about it at all.
And if Marius shows up, it’ll be worse. If he shows up with that young girl, I might just throw up all over the patio.
I force myself to smile and make small talk with Matthias, Kellen, and Ronan before saying hi to their girlfriends. It’s all one big happy family and me. Well, one big happy family with one member missing.
Knowing I have to put on my usual act, I jump into the pool and play with Matty and his mom for a while as everyone else drinks and laughs and occasionally joins us in the water. After a while, I forget about my worrying and let myself enjoy the party. Ava is my dearest friend in the world, and her family has always been great to me.
I don’t know how they’re going to feel when they find out the truth. I guess they might not think I’m so great when it all comes out.
Two hours into the party, we’ve all eaten and swam enough for an entire weekend. The boys fall asleep, Theo in his UncleKellen’s arms, and Matty in his usual spot in the stroller. The margaritas are flowing, and we’re all having a great time. I even forget about my worries that Marius will show up and demand to talk to me.
And then what had been a perfectly wonderful day goes to hell in a matter of minutes.
“Marius! I didn’t know if you’d be joining us today,” Matthias announces, and my heart skips a beat.