Had To Be You (11 page)

“You’ll figure it out.” He hugged her close one more time before he released her and drew in a shaky breath, managing a smile—or at least something that resembled one.

“Call me as soon as you get home?” she asked. “Let me know you got back okay?”

“Of course.”

Hesitating, she lifted a hand to discreetly swipe at her eye, and then leaned up to give him one last kiss before turning away. She paused to greet some other new students gathered on the dorm steps, and after some initial reluctance, was drawn into the conversation.

Matt lingered another moment, maybe hoping to catch her eye one more time, even if just to smile or wave or exchange a glance. Finally he climbed into the driver’s seat of his brother’s truck, checking the rearview mirror before starting up the engine. He would need to stop for gas. It would be a much longer ride on the way home.

By the time Rory finally looked back, he was already gone.

***

The tiny brass bell above the door chimed as she stepped out of the crowded clothing boutique. Sipping an iced coffee, she perused the items folded on the table outside in the shade of the awning. It was the annual Memorial Day weekend boat regatta, parade, and sidewalk sale, and she was in dire need of some more appropriate summer attire outside her basic black PR girl style. She’d packed in anticipation of Jonathan’s play opening and private cocktail reception, and needed something a little more J. Crew than J. Mendel.

Moving to continue down the street, she emerged from the cool shade and into a warm bath of sunlight. The sea breeze carried the faint scent of lilacs in bloom all over the town square. Scanning all the white-tipped boats crowded into the harbor, Rory imagined he must be out there somewhere. Matt was always loyal to the things he loved.

With her coffee in hand, she paused next to browse at the used book shop. Opening one old leather-bound novel, she reflexively lifted it to her nose. Along with the lilacs and salt air, this had to be one of her top five favorite scents.

As she happened to glance up over the open binding, her gaze narrowed, noticing a vaguely familiar couple emerge from the local artisan gallery on the corner. Rory’s mouth dropped as soon as she realized one of them was actually quite
intimately
familiar to her. And if that was Matt, she had to assume the other must be Amanda.

Her eyes darted around nervously, desperate for cover as she ducked down behind the book (as if it might shield her) wondering how obvious it would look if she simply dove into the hydrangea bushes outside the Sweetwater Taffy shop next door. Before she could make a move, however, he spotted her.

“Rory?”

“Oh…hey,” she called back, placing the book down. She tried for a casual, detached tone, but it came out slightly strangled.

Matt touched his hand to the elbow of his companion to get her attention. Even that hurt to see. He said something to her, and Amanda turned.

All this time, Rory had been trying make her out to be some kind of wicked witch nemesis, and wasn’t entirely prepared to be faced with someone more like Dorothy.

She had dark, glossy hair, somewhat delicate features, with high cheekbones and a narrow sculpted nose. It gave her an almost fragile quality, especially with her slim figure, but her arms were nicely toned. (If it came to blows, however, Rory was still pretty sure she could take her.)

On closer inspection, Amanda looked almost nothing like what she’d expected her to look like—only that wasn’t entirely accurate, because Rory never expected her at all.

When they walked over, for a terrifyingly brief moment she actually thought she might throw up.

“Amanda,” Matt said, glancing at her. “This is my friend, Rory.”

She tightened her smile in place, trying not to be hurt, wondering why there was a sudden need for these generic labels. There was just the tiniest flicker of response in Amanda’s eyes, something quick but kind of odd. Then it was gone.

“Hello.”

She extended her hand and Rory kept it brief, noticing several delicate link bracelets on her wrist. She wondered if any had been gifts from Matt. She refused to acknowledge the sparkle of diamond on her finger which had most definitely been his gift to her.

“It’s nice to meet you,” she lied.

“You, too.”

While Amanda seemed to stare at her a little longer than necessary, Matt did his best not to make direct eye contact with either one of them.

“What are you up to today?” he asked, though it sounded like he felt obligated to say something.

“Just a little shopping. And you?”

“Same,” he said.

His discomfort was so obvious—not to mention kind of humorous—it almost helped to ease hers.

“You know, I believe we’ve actually met before,” Amanda finally said. Her soft, even-toned voice held the slight inflection of a regional accent.

“I’m sorry, we have?” Rory was pretty sure she would’ve remembered that.

“Yes, but don’t feel bad,” she explained with a serene smile that instantly tested Rory’s patience. “It was very brief, one time last summer. I just never forget a face, that’s all. It was the night of Matt’s bar opening last July. I tagged along with some family friends who were invited.” She turned her eyes up towards him. “That was actually the first night we met, as well.”

Rory’s lips parted on an empty response. She needed a few seconds to absorb this, her mind beginning to race backwards, as if Amanda’s words had touched off the rewind function of her memory.

Slowly, she turned to stare at Matt, her expression darkening as she lowered her voice. “Is that right?”

He was definitely averting his eyes now, almost turning his whole body away.

“We should probably get moving along here, right?” he said to Amanda.

Rory finally realized he was maybe more nervous than she was, and now she had a good idea as to why. That not only sparked some resolve and determination in her, it set off a slow burn of irritation as well.

“I suppose we should,” Amanda agreed before glancing over to explain—even though Rory was really perfectly happy not knowing. “We’re shopping for bridesmaids’ gifts. I love all these little shops here in town because you can find such unique handmade things. Like these sea-glass necklaces.” She motioned towards the display table on the sidewalk behind her. “But I was hoping to get something they could wear with their dresses and don’t know if these are quite right for a formal occasion.” She turned towards Matt, tilting her head. “What do you think, hon?”

Rory lifted her iced coffee to take another sip as she focused on him as well, waiting expectantly with one eyebrow arched.

Matt chuckled uneasily, scratching at his temple. “Me? Um, well…” His voice changed as abruptly as the direction of his words. “Hey, did I mention Rory’s house is right on the same street as my parents’ house?”

“Oh, really?” Amanda gave her a precise, overly polite smile. “You were neighbors, then?”

“That’s one word for it.”

“And, look at the time!” Matt glanced at his cell phone and back to Amanda. “Don’t you have to be at that thing?”

“Yes, but I really wanted to get this done today.” Amanda folded her arms across her chest, the glints from sun bouncing off her ring with the movement. Rory was determined not to look directly at it, as if it might turn her to stone. “It’s one of the last things on my list.” She once again offered information that wasn’t asked for. “My parents are throwing a party to sort of kick off the wedding festivities, give the families a chance to get better acquainted. I was hoping to give the gifts then.”

“Your parents live here in town?” Rory figured she had to at least pretend she was interested.

“They have a summer house off Rock Harbor Road. I’ve spent vacations here in the past, and obviously spend a lot of time here now.” Amanda reached out to slide her arm around his waist in a brief hug before she continued. “Now that my father is semi-retired, almost the whole family was able to be here together for this month before the wedding. My brother will be here soon. He just finished finals.”

“Oh, so, you’re
summer people
.” Rory drew out the words with purpose. “I did not realize that.”

She almost felt Matt’s sharp, quick gaze prick her skin, but just smiled innocently.

“Yes, and I have so many people on my side coming in from out of state, I think we’ve booked all the local bed and breakfasts and motels.”

“Hey, I couldn’t even get a room at my own mother’s house this weekend,” she joked.

“And so where are you staying?” Amanda asked.

“Well, I’m staying with Kevin and Danny,” she replied tentatively, her glance darting between them.

Amanda’s expression went blank, though her face seemed to cloud over. “Is that right?” She shot him a mildly accusatory look. “You would think you’d remember to tell me your brothers had guests, Matt.”

“I didn’t mention that?” He rubbed a hand over his hair in a display of forgetfulness so faked that Rory had to catch herself from laughing.

“Now I feel bad.” Amanda’s voice lowered. “Of course, you should come to the party with them.”

Matt dove in, laughing it off somewhat nervously. “Oh, Rory hasn’t been home in a long time and she’s only in town another day or so. I’m sure she wants to spend time with her own family and—”

“Actually, I’ve decided to stay on a while,” she cut in, raising her voice to speak over him, “to take some much needed vacation time. And I do love parties.”

He tilted his head towards her with a fixed, forced smile, almost muttering through clenched teeth. “Don’t you think that’s a bit of an overstatement?”

“Nope,” she assured him with bright confidence. “Live for them.”

“Then it’s settled,” Amanda decided. “You’ll have to come.” She glanced at the time on her wristwatch. “And I, unfortunately, have to run now. I’ll see you later, hon?”

Matt rested his hand on her shoulder as she leaned up to kiss him goodbye.

Rory swiftly turned her head to look away, pretending there was something of significant interest in the window of the post office across the street, and tried her best to ignore the sharp, sickening stab to her gut.

“It was nice meeting you.” Amanda stepped away off the curb, waving over her shoulder as she crossed the street to a small white convertible parked under a shady tree.

“Oh, you, too,” Rory called out.

Giving Matt a pointed look, she abruptly turned to head in the other direction. He waited until Amanda had safely driven off down the street before he quickly jogged after her, like she knew he would.

“Rory, wait up—you didn’t mention anything last night about staying longer.”

“It was sort of a last minute decision. But, don’t worry. I’m not going to wear out my welcome at Danny and Kevin’s, or infringe in any way upon your special time. I can go back and stay at my mom’s house.”

“Well, I didn’t mean it like that.” Matt seemed taken aback, his tone slightly more conciliatory. “They love having you there. Danny is very big on entertaining. I mean, have you seen the embroidered hand towels in the guest bathroom? It’s not like Eileen, or even Kevin, helped pick those out,” he joked. “Don’t deny the man his small pleasures in life.”

“Well, it would seem that you’re getting in touch with your feminine side as well.”

He dropped his head with a wry chuckle of laughter, murmuring almost to himself. “Yeah…I was waiting for that. Let’s hear it. Come on, get it all out.”

“I just never knew you to be one for shopping, that’s all,” she continued too casually. Even if she forfeited any right to feel hurt or jealous, she was bothered by the information Amanda just revealed. She knew that they started dating sometime last summer after she left town, but
still
—Rory didn’t realize her spot in his bed wasn’t even cold yet. “Especially on a day like today, when practically everyone in town is out there on their boats. I’m just surprised.”

“Perhaps I’ve matured.” He glanced over to watch her face. “Did you ever think of that?”

“Matured, huh?” She narrowed her eyes, appearing to consider this. “Funny how, in your twenty-four or so odd years—and I do mean odd—you seemed to cram all that maturing into the last six months or so.”

“And what exactly is that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing.” Rory glanced off into the distance. Being aware of the fact she gave up her right to feel this way didn’t stop her from owning it. “It’s just my understanding that you decided you’re too mature for a bachelor party, as well.”

Matt almost skidded to a stop on the sidewalk, letting out an incredulous laugh.

“And you’re giving me a hard time about not wanting a bachelor party? You, Rory Finn—Fearless Leader of the Angry Feminists? That is hilarious.
Really
.”

“All I’m saying,” she continued, “is that while little girls were fantasizing about long white gowns and flowers and four-tiered cakes, you were busy dreaming of that time-honored tradition of male-bonding and bacchanalia, beer and bad snacks. It’s something you’ve probably been looking forward to since you were just out of diapers. Knowing you? Maybe even while you were still in diapers,” she added with some sarcasm. “And now, suddenly, you don’t want that?”

“Well, gee,” he said carefully, although not so innocently, “some might refer to that concept as changing one’s mind. Ever heard of it?”

She bristled, instantly on the defensive. “And what is that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing.” He shook his head. “Maybe I just decided that I, for one, don’t require a bachelor party. Maybe I decided that I already had plenty of time to sow those wild oats, as it were, and one more night is not going to make them any more sowed!” He frowned, hesitating as he amended his word choice uncertainly. “Or sown.”

“Yeah, and that sounds like you talking,” she drawled sardonically, tossing her empty coffee cup into a nearby trash receptacle. “Seems to me like your fiancée doesn’t really need to be shopping for necklaces and baubles, when it’s obvious she’s already wearing your family jewels on a string.”