Never a Bride: A Short Story Read Online Free PDF

pancakes.”
    “And fatten me up? You don’t like chubby girls. You said so.”
    “I was an idiot. I love you, no matter what you look like. No matter how many cupcakes you want me to taste. Or shows about wedding dresses you want me to watch. I wasn’t as understanding as I should have been.”
    Her heart stretched, aching, wishing she could believe. She didn’t. This passion between them was just that. She’d scratch an itch, and move on with her life. She’d say good-bye on her terms. “I’m sorry I told you to kiss my ass.”
    “I should have done it.” He flipped her over, delivering a loud smooch on each cheek. “I never would’ve left.”
    She squirmed to a sitting position, eye to eye with Jared. She framed his face between her palms. “I’ve missed you.” It was an understatement. He was color to her black and white world, a symphony in silence.
    He kissed her, sweeping away her worries with the brush of his hand over her hip. “I love you.”
    She gritted her teeth, wishing he’d stop saying that, battering at her heart. Kissing his mouth, she stole the words before he could say them again. She rationalized her actions, knowing that come tomorrow she’d have to cauterize the wound all over again.
    “Tonight is for us,” she whispered, forehead to forehead.
    Their touches had a vulnerable edge. They’d never hurt each other before. Sheena questioned her motives, wondering if she’d been wrong. He should have talked to her. Shouldn’t have left her alone. Had she made him an object? In her mind, the wedding was all about celebrating their love.
    “Forgive me?”
    Because she couldn’t, she chose not to answer, absorbing his love as if she were a dehydrated sponge.
    “It’s not that simple, Jared.”
    “You’re still letting the wedding come between us. What will it take for you to understand?”
    A bell sounded in the far off corner of her mind but she kissed Jared instead of paying attention. “I don’t want to talk about our failed wedding. I don’t want to talk about love or forgiveness. I just want to feel you, Jared.” She brought her hand to his warm chest, tracing the vein pulsing at his throat.
    “You don’t want to admit you love me.” He nuzzled her neck. “I won’t hurt you again, Sheena. I promise.”
    She arched, offering her body while protecting her heart. “I don’t want your promises. Not anymore.”
    Jared’s eyes darkened as he lowered his mouth to hers. “Trust me, Sheena. Let me prove my love for you.” He spent the next few hours leaving her speechless.
    When she woke on the couch long after midnight, Jared was gone. No note, though the afghan was pulled to her chin, covering her from head to toe.
    The door was locked, all of the lights off except the one in the hallway – it looked like he’d never been there. The soreness between her legs let her know he hadn’t been a dream. A fantasy created by her broken hearted mind. A mistake, yes. But real.
    Damn him. He hadn’t even let her say good-bye. She cried until eight in the morning, then hopped in the shower, determined to be the best maid of honor ever.

Chapter Four
     
     
    She picked Lisa up at nine sharp. The wedding wasn’t until two that afternoon, so they had plenty of time to handle emergencies, if any should come up. Sheena was prepared for the worst.
    “You’ve been crying,” Lisa said, sliding into the passenger seat after stuffing her bags into the surprisingly spacious Kia hybrid trunk.
    “Got shampoo in my eyes. We need to stop at the corner store and pick up some Visine.”
    “I remember when I needed eye drops every weekend,” Lisa said with a bemused sigh. “But I’m pretty sure you aren’t stoned.”
    Sheena burst into surprised laughter. “That would be no.” Pulling into traffic, she shrugged. “Maybe not a bad idea. But now that you are enceinte , that puts you out of the running for partying like a rock star. Who am I supposed to get into trouble with?”
    “You