Heather Burch - One Lavender Ribbon

Adrienne imagined small children stepping into the freshly painted school. What would it be like to watch little faces and happy eyes study the murals painted especially for them?

“Will, this really is wonderful,” she said. “Congratulations.”

His eyes locked on hers again. And once more, her heart stopped beating.

She swallowed hard, suddenly aware of her disheveled appearance and annoyed with herself for being aware. She’d already been dressed to paint, having planned to work on her house. She hadn’t changed when she got the call from Sammie.

Will pulled half of his lower lip into his mouth. A soft curve lit the opposite side of his face, and for one more flash, she was the only person in the universe. “I’m glad you’re coming along.”

“Well . . . ” She rolled her eyes. “I did have some extremely urgent things I was going to do for myself . But suddenly, I feel inspired.”

A bad day painting was better than a good day wallowing in self-pity. But it wasn’t a bad day painting. It had, in fact, been a great morale booster. She’d worked, scrubbed, and cleaned along with all the people who had joined in Will’s quest. She’d steered clear of him for most of the day, making the entire thing tolerable on the heart level. Adrienne returned home feeling good, really good about how she’d spent her day.

By nightfall, she and Sammie were swapping stories about the school project. “It’s going to be on the local news.”

“That’s great. Maybe even more people will be inspired.” Adrienne said.

Sammie nodded, rubbing her elbow. “Boy, I hate getting old. My elbow’s on fire.”

“Well, I never saw you take a break all day. I’ll get us some iced tea.” Adrienne disappeared into the kitchen.

Sammie eyed her. “Are you saying this wound is self-inflicted?”

“I’m just saying I have aspirin if you want it.”

“Nah.” Sammie waved a hand dismissively. “I’ll rub some castor oil on it when I get home.”

Sammie and her home remedies. “Castor oil. Yuck,” Adrienne said as she handed Sammie a tea. Sweat had already accumulated along the side of the glass. When she flipped her mop of red hair out of the way and took a drink, some of the condensation gathered and ran along her hand.

“This is really good.”

“Sun tea.” Adrienne had finally gotten used to the humidity and the fact that even inside, water rapidly condensed on a glass.

“I noticed Ryan painting near you a lot. I think Will noticed it too. Wonder what he thought of that?” Her friend took another long drink.

“I can’t care what Will thought.”

“So, you and Ryan?”

But Adrienne was already shaking her head. “No.”

Sammie gauged her with narrowed eyes.

The scrutiny was unbearable. “There’s just nothing there.”

“Hmm.” She poked her elbow and winced.

Adrienne shrugged. “I almost wish there were. But I just don’t feel for him like—”

“Like you do for Will?”

“I was going to say like I should.” Adrienne reached for a cork coaster and placed her tea on the coffee table.

“So, it’s not Will that you’re in love with?”

Adrienne made a pouty face. “Actually, I do love Will. Okay, I said it. I love him, I love him, I love him.” She paused, letting the words fall to the ground and die. “But it doesn’t change anything.”

“Honey.” Sammie tilted toward her, long red hair tumbling forward. “It changes everything.”

“I don’t see how.”

Sammie leaned back, stretching her arms out at her sides and resting them on the couch pillows. “Tell me something: Why did you break it off with Will?”

No psychoanalysis, please . It wasn’t something she could explain in an instant.

“So you wouldn’t get hurt, right?” Sammie filled in for her, tipping the palm of one hand up toward the ceiling.

“To super simplify it, yes, I guess.” Adrienne didn’t want to talk about this. She’d redirected the subject a dozen times with Sammie, and she could do it again.

“But you failed. You’re already hurt. You’re in love with him, Adrienne. Don’t you think that deserves a chance? Isn’t it worth fighting for?”

But Adrienne didn’t want to fight. She simply wanted to exist and enjoy life and not have to watch her back. She couldn’t blame Sammie for what she was trying to do, In fact, she loved her for it. But it was a dead issue. She wouldn’t risk the betrayal. And that’s exactly what it was. A betrayal.

Slowly, she shook her head. “Is it worth it? Probably to most people.” She stood up from her chair and moved toward the edge of the room.

Sammie turned on the couch to keep her in view.

“But not to me.” Adrienne went into the kitchen for a few minutes, then returned with a glass of water and two aspirin.

Sammie sighed and took them from her.

It was a setup. Adrienne knew it. She’d sensed it coming and knew exactly how she would respond. Sara was on the other end of the telephone line, bubbling about the wedding plans and the honeymoon and all the fun that accompanied the special day. Sara had lost seven pounds, which she was now spouting off about. She talked about cutting down on red meat and blah, blah, blah. Adrienne brushed a hand through her hair, the recipient of her own disgust. Why couldn’t she just put her feelings aside and be happy for the two without feeling sorry for herself?

“Anyway,” Sara crooned, “I need you to come with me and Pops and Will. We’re going to have brunch at the Naples Elite Beach Resort. We need to finalize everything for the rehearsal, ceremony, and reception.” Sara continued her spiel about healthy eating.

Adrienne leaned her head against the living room wall. She’d go, of course. She had to. She wouldn’t disappoint Pops and Sara for anything. It was just so hard to be around Will. Of course, it was hard not to be around him, as well. Though over two months had passed since the birthday party, Adrienne still found herself thinking about him on a daily basis. She heaved an angry breath forcing him from her thoughts. Again.

“Are you all right, dear?” Sara asked, evidently concerned.

“Oh.” She snapped to attention, not wanting the older woman to know how uncomfortable these situations made her. “Yes, great. I would love to go along. I’ve heard so much about the brunch at the Naples Elite.”

“We’ll pick you up Saturday morning around ten.”

“Oh, this Saturday,” she scrambled. “I have some errands to do, so I’ll just meet you there.”

“All right,” Sara replied. “Thank you again, Adrienne.”

But she didn’t feel deserving of thanks or appreciation of any kind.

She just felt trapped.

By the time Saturday morning arrived, Will had changed his mind three times about what he would wear to brunch. After trying a dress shirt and linen pants once more, he opted for a polo shirt and jeans. Adrienne seemed to always comment on how good he looked in jeans. This is stupid, he told himself . As if a magic pair of pants is going to make her fall in love with you.

The host escorted them to their table, but Will wasn’t hungry. His stomach was a tight wad of nerves that made food seem repulsive. He sat so that he could watch the door. When she entered, his heart started pounding.

A filmy white sundress floated around her hips. Tall wedge sandals elongated her legs, highlighting the muscle tone in her slender calves. Her skin was a little darker, and the dark hair that feathered across her shoulders moved as she stepped. She was stunning.

Adrienne reached the table and hugged Pops first, then Sara. Turning to Will, she stepped around the table and gave him a courtesy hug as well. He breathed deeply, her scent, her life force—everything about her surged into his system.