"Thank you. I will," May said, feeling pleased and gratified.
And then she glanced across the desk at Owen, sitting opposite. He looked as if he wanted to say something, but had decided against it.
So May decided to take the initiative herself.
"I’m sorry for what happened earlier,” she said, blushing crimson, knowing he knew exactly which ‘earlier’ she meant.
“That’s no problem,” he muttered.
“I misunderstood you. I – I’m sorry. So I’d like to make a suggestion.”
“What’s that?” Now Owen sounded surprised.
“Why don't we take a walk down to Dan's Bar before we head home?" she asked. "We could have a drink and a bite to eat. Maybe a burger."
Suddenly, May was craving a burger. And she didn't even care that Dan would be there, looking wounded, in that bar. She found she could think of the handsome bar owner in a more balanced way, without the angst of the unspoken crush that had haunted her until now.
Owen's expression brightened.
"That sounds great, May. A - a friendly drink."
"Exactly," she nodded. "A friendly drink."
She stood up, feeling comforted and encouraged that things were back to being the same between them.
The same, and yet different.
A door had been opened.
There was no rush. There was lots of time. Things were nice the way they were. In a small town, it was good that things stayed the same. But at any time she wanted, May knew she could take a step through that door. And maybe it would be a good decision.
Maybe it would lead to better things.
She headed out with Owen, walking beside him and feeling happy, and as they reached the main street, her phone began ringing.
It was Kerry, and she felt another surge of worry as she thought about the wedding, and what she might have to face.
"Hey, sis!" Kerry sounded bright and breezy. "Just got in. Brandon will be back in a few minutes from work, so I thought I'd give you a call and have a quick chat about the wedding."
"Yes?" May said. She didn't like the tone of Kerry's voice at all.
"There's a big decision that I haven't told you about yet. Maid of honor."
May swallowed hard. This was it. The moment where her sister would say she was going to give her the task, and while May would be truly honored, she would then want to explode from the stress and the time demands this job would bring.
"Yes?" she asked.
"I don't want to disappoint you. But my friend from school, Helena Jones, has been in touch a few times over the past weeks, and she's been so super-helpful and reminded me about our friendship. Plus, she'd gone through a tough time recently herself. So I thought I'd ask her to be the maid of honor, and I wanted to check with you that you won't be hurt, or mad at me."
May felt relief cascade through her. This was the right choice for everyone.
"I'm not hurt or mad at all. I think that's a very good idea and it will be wonderful for Helena. I'll be a bridesmaid," she smiled.
"For sure. My most special bridesmaid! I just wish Lauren could be one, too."
It was rarely that Kerry spoke about Lauren, but in that moment, May realized that didn't mean her sister didn't think about her. There was a wealth of emotion in her voice.
And it gave May the courage to tell her what she hadn't yet.