Page 62 of My Heart Still Beats
Ben Black did a better job of planning a bachelorette party for my best friend than I would have. It’s almost as if he knows Skye better than I do. Old Tessa would have made this about her own tastes. Ben made these festivities perfect for Skye’s tastes.
I can’t help a chuckle at the irony.
“Something funny?” Skye asks.
“No. Just thinking.”
“Whatever you’re thinking about, I’m glad you are,” she says. “I miss your laugh, Tess.”
“I miss it too.”
That’s no lie. Life is so much easier when you’re happy.
That gets another chuckle out of me.
“What is it this time?” Skye asks.
“Nothing.” I look down at my bare feet in the sand. “Maybe it’s just time… Time to heal.”
Skye grabs my free hand. “I’d love for you to heal, Tessa, but you need to do it on your own time.”
“But I want to make this a wonderful evening for you, Skye. You deserve nothing less. I was a brat when—”
She gestures for me to stop. “No, Tess, that was all me. I got so involved in my relationship with Braden that I left you out. That was never my intention, and trust me, it will never happen again.”
“I know that.”
True to her word, Skye has tried to involve me every step of the way. We’ve kept our Saturday morning yoga dates, and she calls me several times a week, texts me daily. Forces me to go out to lunch once or twice a week.
I think I see her more now than I did before Braden.
Still, we were such besties, and I did feel left out.
Now?
All I want is to be left alone.
But this weekend isn’t about me. And certainly not about my need to be alone.
I’ll do well to remember that.
I take another sip of my drink.
“I can’t believe you’re drinking,” Skye says.
“Betsy talked me into it, and I have to admit it’s a delicious cocktail.”
“It is.” Skye takes another sip. I simply smile. “I think we should probably head toward the table. They’ll be bringing our dinner out soon.”
“Wonderful. I’m famished.” Skye finishes her drink quickly, and we walk toward the table that has been set up inside a large cabana.
“What’s on the menu?” Skye asks.
That’s a good question.
“Just wait and see,” I say.
Dinner turns out to be a Jamaican feast, including a colorful array of jerk chicken, pigeon peas, and roasted vegetables.
