Chapter Twenty-Seven

Ava was having the time of her life, dragging Mia around to lingerie stores, and shopping for cruise wear for the two of them. Noah had promised they would go on a cruise after the wedding celebrations were over.

Noah said “Since the grandparents are already babysitting, another week or two away would be just the thing for us as a second honeymoon.”

Ava snorted “Well, since our first ‘honeymoon‘ was spent writing final exams at university, and with me throwing up at regular intervals with morning sickness, it’s about time we had a real honeymoon.” Noah had confided to Rob in an email he hoped they didn’t return from their honeymoon pregnant yet again.

Ava was so excited she hardly noticed Mia’s flagging enthusiasm. Mia had hardly bought anything and Ava was carrying about twenty bags of “must-have” stuff for a cruise. Mia’s face was drawn, and pale, and her feet dragged, even as her shoulders sagged and cried out for a respite from the power shopping.

As they finally sat down at a Starbuck’s, to give their aching feet a break, Ava looked at Mia, and said, “Okay, Chick, out with it. I know you too well, and this isn’t just pre-wedding jitters, is it?”

Mia insisted everything was just peachy, but she did confide she had written to Rob and was worried she hadn’t had a reply. “Can you ask Noah if he has heard from him? I’m worried he’s been kidnapped, or killed or something.”

Ava looked Mia straight in the eye. “Are you sure you’re not carrying a torch for Rob? Are you sure you really want to marry Colby? Are you sure you’re not marrying Colby out of spite?

“Whoa, slow down with the ‘are you sure’. I guess I don’t really know the answer to any of those questions. I decided to tell Rob I was getting married, and I just got worried when he didn’t reply, no more than I’d worry if Noah were away, because he’s a friend.”

Always irrepressible, and wading in where politeness often gave way to intrusiveness, Ava began again…

“Are you sure Colby is the one? Is he good in bed? Can you see yourself pregnant with his kids? Do you love him? Can you honestly say you don’t love Rob? You can’t be emailing Rob after you get married, just to stay friends. It’s not fair to Rob and it’s not fair to Colby.”

Mia looked long and hard at her best friend. Without a word, she stood, and walked out the door.

Hours later, with Colby, Noah and Ava frantic she hadn’t returned, and worried she had either been mugged, or worse, Mia walked into her friends’ suite at the hotel, smiling broadly.

“I’ve been walking and thinking. Sorry if you were worried, but I sat in the church for a long time too. I’m sure now. I’m ready for the wedding,” she said, kissing Colby warmly.