November, 2012
"That's him." Patrick pointed to Ethan.
Lauren raised an eyebrow. "Not bad, Doctor Cross."
Ethan sat in a chair nearby. He was good looking, she gave him that. Although he was sitting, she guessed he was around half a foot taller than her. If that were true, it earned him bonus points. Lauren liked them tall. Dark haired, with a dash of grey around the temples, he definitely did something for her. Older than she usually went for.
She chewed her lower lip, looking at him, wondering what colour his eyes were.
"He's a nice guy. Got burned badly in his divorce, but that was some time ago. He needs someone to love, Lauren. If you're not interested, that's fine, too. It just seemed that you are both in the same boat."
Lauren nodded. Ethan was looking around, adjusting his tie as if he were nervous. She realised that he didn't really know anyone but Patrick, and her heart went out to him. He must have felt like the odd one out.
"Lauren?"
She jumped. "Sorry. What were you saying?"
He grinned, and nodded towards Ethan. "Just don't break his heart."
"That's a bit of an ask for me."
"You said yourself that you want your happy ending. Today I marry the woman I love, and who I plan on loving for the rest of my life. That's what you deserve too, whether it's Ethan or any other man. Cassie, Sophie, and I love you. We want you to be happy."
"Thank you. I love all of you too."
"I know that I can never replace your brother, but if you need me in that way I'm here for you."
She hugged him. "Thanks, Patrick."
"Now, I just have to wait for my bride to come out. Do I look alright?"
Lauren looked him over, smiling as she did so. "It would be impossible for you to look bad. I can't wait to see Cassie. I bet she looks amazing."
"She could come down that aisle in track pants and I would think she looked beautiful."
Lauren sat down next to Ethan. "Lauren Burrows." She held out her hand for him to shake. His hand was warm, the handshake firm, and she shivered looking at those beautiful pale-blue eyes of his. This was one attractive man.
He smiled. "Cassie's friend?"
"More like sister-in-law."
"Ahhh, Patrick told me about you." He blushed. "I didn't mean that to come out like it sounded. Ethan Stone."
She grinned. "That's alright. Patrick probably has lots of stories about me. I need a wine. Want one?"
"Not just yet, but thanks."
She made her way to a nearby table. There were drinks and she hesitated before picking one up. Lauren looked back over her shoulder at Ethan. He smiled at her, and she smiled back before picking up a glass of juice and walking back.
"No wine?"
Lauren shrugged. "I think I'll wait until after the ceremony. It's so exciting. I can't wait to see Cassie."
"She'll be beautiful, I'm sure. Patrick is very lucky."
"You're good friends with him, aren't you?"
Ethan nodded. "He's like a son to me. It's good to see him so happy. He just always seemed so lost."
"He needed Cassie, that's why. Two souls destined to be together."
"Do you believe in all that?"
"Maybe. I don't know. All I know is that those two belong to each other."
"That's such a beautiful thought. There's something to be said for a good love story."
She looked at him. He was looking towards Patrick. "I'm no good with love stories—at least, not with my own," she said.
"Well, Lauren Burrows, that makes two of us." He shifted his gaze back to her, and she couldn't help but smile. "You know," he continued, "I'm pretty sure Patrick is trying to set us up."
"I think so too," she said, laughing.
"He means well. I've been alone for so long, I wouldn't remember what to do with a woman."
"I'm sure it's like that whole riding a bicycle thing. Once you've done it, you'll never forget."
Ethan laughed. "Maybe you're right."
"Oh, I know I'm right. It's just a matter of proving it to you." She winked, and Ethan laughed.
"Is that an offer, Miss Burrows?"
"Maybe later," she stammered. Her mouth had run away with her again.
"We could discuss that later. I'm just going to go and check on Patrick, he was busy with his parents when I arrived. I'll be back."
She nodded. For the first time, flirting was proving too much for her. Maybe she needed a drink after all.
Ethan made his way over to Patrick. He stood fiddling with his cufflinks and looking at his watch every few seconds.
"Patrick, relax. This is the happiest day of your life, and your bride will be here very soon."
Patrick grinned. "My bride. That is weird, but sounds so good."
"At least she can't be too late for the wedding," Ethan said laughing.
"If she is, I'll go upstairs and carry her out. I've waited my whole life for this woman. She won't keep me waiting today."
"That friend of hers is a bit full on."
"Lauren? Yeah, she is very excitable, but she has a good heart, and she's cute."
"I noticed."
Ethan turned to look back at Lauren. She was lovely, and there was such a lonely vibe about her. He knew that feeling. Her blonde hair was tied up in a bun on her head, but ringlets escaped down the sides and he had this impossible urge to curl them around his fingers.
When she held her hand out to shake he'd noticed that her nails were perfectly manicured with pink nail polish. She clearly took good care of herself.
"She's a good woman. She needs to find a good man. Lauren's been through a lot."
"You're trying to set us up, aren't you?"
Patrick laughed. "Is it that obvious?"
"We'll see what happens. If she is interested, you might just succeed."
He laughed as Patrick raised an eyebrow at that. "Good luck, Patrick. You and Cassie deserve all the happiness in the world."
He sat back down beside Lauren. "Is he alright?" she asked.
"A little nervous, but he'll be fine. Today has been a long time coming, I think."
Lauren's expression changed to one of sadness. "Are you alright?"
The tears were welling up in her eyes. "I'm fine."
Something wasn't right. Cassie hadn't even walked out yet, so it wasn't emotion over seeing her.
"I apologise for being forward, Lauren, but I can see you're not fine."
She sighed. "I promised myself I wouldn't do this. I'm sorry, Ethan. It's hard not to think of Mark, my brother. He loved Cassie so much, and this was what he wanted. I never told her, but I have an engagement ring at home that he bought her. He never gave it to her, the cancer diagnosis came first." She stared at him. "I didn't mean to tell anyone that. You mustn't say anything."
"Have you had that bottled up all this time?"
Lauren nodded. "I don't even know why I'm telling you now. What a big mouth."
"It must be something you needed to get out. I'm glad you told me. I can keep a secret."
"Thanks. I appreciate it."
He went to the table, returning with a handful of paper napkins. "Here, you might need these."
"Thank you." She sniffed.
"You're welcome. I'm sure today will be emotional for everyone involved."
Patrick wiped away tears as the ceremony started, and Ethan watched his friend intently. There was so much love between Patrick and Cassie; that much was evident. Patrick had waited a long time for this moment, never giving up on the hope they would be together some day. Cassie struggled to hold back the tears too.
Ethan thought back to his own wedding vows; what a joke they had been. Catherine divorcing him had left him bitter and resentful, and there was still a part of him that was cynical about the whole thing.
"Isn't it lovely?" Lauren whispered.
Ethan met her eyes. There was so much hope in them, he couldn't bear to look. She was excited to see her friends marry, that much was obvious.
"It's very lovely." He reassured her with a smile, and she went back to looking at Cassie and Patrick with a faraway look in her eyes.
I wish I could see it the way she does.
Patrick and Cassie exchanged vows, and he applauded as they stood together as man and wife. He smiled at Patrick's obvious relief that they were married.
He moved forward to shake Patrick's hand and kiss Cassie's cheek, bumping into Lauren doing the same thing. She laughed. "Sorry."
"Nothing to be sorry about."
"Now everyone," Patrick said, "lunch is inside. Cassie and I are having some photos done so you all go and eat, and we'll join you shortly for cake."
"Cake is the best part," said Lauren brightly.
Ethan laughed. "I'm in agreement with you there. Shall we?"
He offered her his arm, and she grinned, taking it. "Sounds good to me."
Escorting a woman felt good. Lauren was some years younger than him, and beautiful to say the least. How was such a woman single?
Sophie soon appeared and distracted her grandparents. Ethan and Lauren sat together on the couch in the corner having filled their plates.
"Wine?" Ethan asked.
"Sounds great," Lauren replied, grinning.
He returned with two glasses in one hand, the wine bottle in the other. "I hope you're going to eat before you drink this,” he said, pouring a glass of wine.
She laughed. "Are you trying to keep me sober, Doctor Stone?"
"No, just looking out for you."
Her face fell. "They've told you I drink too much."
He looked at her curiously. "Who? No one has said any such thing. Wine on an empty stomach can be unpleasant, especially if you're like me and it goes straight to your head."
"So you don't drink a lot, I gather."
Ethan shook his head. "Not often. It's not much fun drinking alone."
"You're not alone today, and that's very expensive wine."
He laughed. "Yes it is, and I'm sure we can drink this between us."
Lauren smiled. She really was very pretty.
He took a deep breath, and poured the wine. It was pleasant enough talking to her. She was an office manager, and sounded like she knew more than she let on. Ethan suspected she downplayed any ability that she had.
When the bottle was finished, he went to get another. Lauren grabbed hold of his hand. "Maybe we switch to orange juice."
He nodded. "That's probably a good idea."
She smiled. "See? You're not the only one that can look out for someone else."
"You're very sweet."
"I try my best." She winked at him, and at that moment, full of confidence from the wine, he wanted nothing more than to kiss her. From the look on her face, the feeling wasn't his alone.