Page 1 of The Do Over
CHAPTER1
HOME TO OREGON FOR A WEDDING.
Sophie knewit was her brother calling before she got out her phone from her back pocket and checked the caller ID. She quickly dropped her last bag into the trunk and closed it before answering the call.
“You know, if you call me ten more times over the next hour, I might just develop wings and get to Oregon ahead of time,” she said, keeping her tone light as she was aware of why he was calling.
She opened the car door and got in.
Andrew’s heavy sigh came from the other end.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I just…I need this to go well and be perfect for Emily, so I’m calling everyone who hasn’t arrived to make sure they are still going to make it. You’re one of the most important ones, being her maid of honor and my only sibling.”
That.
Sophie still couldn’t believe that her brother, who had a fear of commitment as long as she had known, was getting married in two weeks' time. His fiancée, Emily was someone she met last year at an event she attended with Andrew. The three of them hit it off, but Emily was staying in Washington DC while Sophie lived in Miami and her brother was back in Oregon.
Somehow, they managed to stay in touch but she didn’t know that her brother and Emily had begun dating until he told her that they were engaged, three months ago. Then Emily called her a month back, asking if she would be her maid of honor.
“Are you sure she doesn’t have some other close friends who want to be the maid of honor? I don’t want somebody out there holding a grudge against me because a stranger from Miami ended up being the maid of honor for their best friend.” Sophie asked.
“Emily has a lot of friends,” Andrew replied, “but she chose you. And I’m a pretty good judge of character, so I’ll say she did all right. You’re not changing your mind, are you?”
Sophie was already shaking her head before she spoke. “Absolutely not. Like I told your fiancée, I am honored to be her maid of honor. That’s why I’m coming two weeks early to help you with the finishing touches.
Although I’m sure Mom and Dad have everything covered. They did like to fuss over you. That’s why you never left Oregon.”
Andrew laughed at that, and Sophie gave herself a mental high five for successfully lifting the weight off his shoulder, if even for a little while. She turned the key and started the car, dropping the phone on the passenger chair before backing out of her driveway.
The plan was to drive to the airport and then get someone to bring her car back. She’d arrive in Oregon in roughly five hours, settle down, and see her parents before throwing herself into pre-wedding duties. Sophie had also not been home in five years, so she was looking forward to seeing what had changed.
“Well, they’ll be happy to see you after five years,” Andrew said, ending the call after.
Sophie smiled all the way to the airport, songs blasting from her car speakers. She had two bags—one filled with clothes and other miscellaneous items that she would need for the two weeks she would be staying in Oregon.
She didn’t want to stay in her parent's house, as much as she loved them, so she was already researching for places that would be close enough to home that she could be there for any emergencies but far enough that her mom wouldn’t randomly knock on her door.
With the two bags in tow and the airport authorities getting someone to drive her car back home, Sophie was on her way to Oregon.
•••
Sophie saw her brother’s fiancée, Emily, with a big sign board that read Best Maid of Honor and a splitting grin on her face. A suited man was standing beside her.
As soon as their eyes met, Emily dropped the sign and spread her arms out, embracing Sophie when she walked into them.
“I’ve missed you. Thank you for showing up and agreeing to be my maid of honor,” she said, kissing her on the cheek. “I’m sorry we did this on short notice, but Andrew and I didn’t think we should wait long to get married.”
Smiling, Sophie returned the kiss on Emily’s cheek.
“It’s all right. I’m glad you invited me, and I’m honored to be your maid of honor. Whatever you need for the wedding to be perfect in two weeks, you got it. I will be your hands and legs, eyes and ears for the next fourteen days.”
“Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
Emily squealed. “Let’s get going then.”
The suited man took Sophie’s bags and propped them in the trunk while she got into the backseat with Emily. Emily immediately stretched out her left hand, showing off the ring that Andrew got for engagement. Sophie had seen the pictures three months ago, but seeing it in person made it all the better.
Her brother had spared no expense in getting the ring, and it showed that he really loved Emily. Sophie was happy for them.
