“This wedding. Any idea how formal it is? I’m trying to decide if I need to squeeze a shopping trip in, or if I can wear something I already have.”
“Colin told me to just wear a dark suit, with a tie.”
“And you’re in the wedding, right?”
“Yep.”
“Hmm. Then I’m probably fine. Which is good, because I’d rather face a firing squad than go shopping.”
David laughed.
“I’m serious. Rebecca and Sara dragged me shopping a couple of weeks ago, and while it was fun, I’m not in a hurry to repeat the experience. What if...do you think I could wear the dress I wore to Ben and Rebecca’s wedding? Or is that too much?”
A slow smile curved his lips and his mouth went dry. She looked amazing in that dress. “I’m sure that would be perfect.”
“Not too much? You’re sure?”
“If it’s up to me, I’m sure. You’re—that dress is—I mean...” David stopped and huffed out a breath. “You’ll be the most beautiful woman there.”
“I’m...not sure how to respond to that.”
He winced. What had Ji said about taking it slow and giving Jen time to realize he was serious? It’d take time for Jen to get past the self-hatred that depression can cause. He needed to remember that. “That’s okay.” Time to change the subject. “How was the rest of your day?”
“This is getting to be a habit. What brings you here tonight?” Jackson tucked a bookmark into the thick tome he was reading and set it aside.
David shrugged and slid into the booth opposite his friend. “Nothing else sounded interesting. Some of the gang from work was headed downtown. I guess there’s a big pub crawl going on for Valentine’s weekend. Jen said Rebecca and Sara had made plans with Amy? So I figured I’d see if you were here. And you are. No Ben?”
Jackson chuckled. “He and Zach are probably going to show up. Paige is actually out with the girls. She put her second-in-command in charge tonight. He said we can order off the menu if we want to eat.”
David laughed. “That seems fair. Especially if he’s not used to running the kitchen on a Friday night. Do we have a menu?”
“Supposedly one of the servers will be by. I wasn’t in a hurry. Hungry?”
“If Ben and Zach are coming, we can wait. Or at least I can. How’s the wedding prep going? You’re getting closer by the day.”
“By definition.” Jackson’s smile took the sting out of his words. “I think we’re set. I have plane tickets and hotel reservations for the honeymoon, my tux is rented, and our rings will be ready to pick up next week. Beyond that, I just have to show up, right?”
“Don’t look at me. Sounds good though. Maybe you should double check with Paige?”
“Probably should. Though, all things considered, she’s been pretty low key about the whole thing. I was expecting more drama. But then, Paige isn’t one for drama to begin with.” Jackson shifted and frowned over at the expediting shelf where servers picked up food and carried it to the diners. “Maybe I should go grab us some menus. Or at least let someone know we could use some water.”
“David? Hey, man.” Zach slid into the booth next to him with a grin. Ben took the seat next to Jackson. “I come bearing menus and a promise that someone will be right with us.”
“Guess that answers that.” Jackson reached for the leather folder. “Do you know, I don’t think I’ve ordered off the menu more than twice?”
“That’s two times more than me.” David chuckled and flipped the second menu open, angling it so Zach could also see. “What’s good?”
“Everything. Paige doesn’t put up with food that doesn’t taste good. Plus, she changes the menu seasonally, so I doubt very much having eaten here before will be any help in choosing what to order.” Jackson shrugged. “That said, you really can’t go wrong.”
“I can attest to that, having actually ordered off the menu a few times.” Ben craned his neck to see the menu that Jackson was holding. “So, Zach, you said you needed to talk to us. What’s up?”
David grimaced. “Is this a former-roommate thing? I can go.”
“Don’t be silly. You’re part of the group, especially now that you and Jen are officially dating.”
“What? When did that happen? Congrats, man.” Ben reached across the table to punch David’s shoulder. “And how did you find that out before me?”
“Not being married, I still listen when Amy talks instead of just giving a default ‘yes, Dear’ when there’s silence?”
Jackson and David laughed while Ben sputtered. “I listen just fine, thank you very much.”
“Mmhmm. Which is how I know something that Amy only knows because Rebecca told her. Got it.” Zach nodded, his expression facetious.
“Whatever. You were saying, Zach?” Ben crossed his arms.
David hunched his shoulders. “I really don’t mind.”
Zach elbowed his ribs. “Stop. You’re fine. Here’s the thing—”
A server appeared at their table with water glasses and a pitcher. “Hi, sorry, we’re slammed tonight, but I promised Paige I’d keep you happy. What can I get you?”
Zach visibly relaxed as they went around the table and ordered. What was the problem? David drummed his fingers on his leg. From Zach’s body language it was serious. Should he offer to leave again? No, twice was enough. They were straightforward enough that they would’ve said yes if they’d really wanted him to go.
The server disappeared and Zach drew in a deep breath. “Like I was saying, when I moved downtown, I’m not sure I completely thought it through.”
Ben frowned. “What do you mean? Are you and Amy having trouble?”
“Not like that, no. But I didn’t think about what it would be like to live so close to her. We share a wall, for crying out loud. I’m tempted to call her dad and have him put a lock on the outside of my apartment door, so she can lock me in after we say goodnight. Except...I’m not completely convinced she would.” Zach dipped his head and reached up to massage his neck. “Amy wants this big Christmas wedding. It’s her dream. I guess I’m fine with that, provided we stay within a rational budget. Her parents seem pretty reasonable about what they’ll allow her to spend on it. But I don’t know how we’re going to last that long when we’re already practically living together.”
Ben reached for his water. “That’s tough. I’m not going to be any help, you know that’s one of the reasons we decided to elope. I’ll admit it also got us out of the three-ring circus Becca’s mom was trying to plan, but I don’t know what we would’ve done if Bec had wanted the circus.”
“Paige has always only wanted a small wedding. We were only holding off on setting a date because we hadn’t known each other as long as some couples. Honestly, the two of you have been friends for so long, and then dated...a long engagement doesn’t make much sense.”
Zach scoffed. “Try telling Amy that. You have any advice, David?”
“Me? I just started dating someone for the first time in a long time. I’m not sure I could even offer dating advice at this point.” David frowned. “Although, I do have sisters. One went for the huge American wedding extravaganza and the other did a smaller, more traditional wedding, which at our church means it was part of the Sunday service and then a whole bunch of food afterward.”
Zach leaned forward. “And?”
David shrugged. “They both ended up with the same result: a marriage.”
Jackson and Ben chuckled.
“No, don’t laugh. That’s potentially helpful.” Zach leaned back as the server brought plates over and put them on the table. “Maybe I need to remind her of what our end goal is.”
“What’s that?” David unrolled the napkin holding his silverware and laid it in his lap.
“A marriage that starts out on the right foot because we’ve been true to Jesus and His calling throughout our courtship.” Zach pulled his glass closer, but didn’t take a sip.
Jackson aimed his fork at Zach. “Can�
��t you have that and a big wedding?”
Zach shook his head. “Not if I’m still living in her building from now until Christmas. It’s only been two months—not even two full months—and we’ve almost messed up three times. Ten more months is just asking for trouble.”
“This was the best idea.” Amy scooted down so the bubbles of the hot tub covered her shoulders. “How did I not know your town house community had a hot tub and that you could reserve it?”
Rebecca grinned. “I didn’t even know. Ben is, apparently, one of those people who read the manuals. So when he moved in, he read through all the various home owner-y things I had laying around, including the home owner’s association book. Two phone calls later, I had a reservation for tonight and the beginnings of a girl’s night idea.”
“Yay for Ben.” Jen flicked water at Rebecca. “But boo on you. You’ve lived here how long? Sara and I could’ve been relaxing in splendor if you took the time to read.”
“Ooh, good point. Uncool, Rebecca. Very uncool. Didn’t you have to sign something saying you agreed to the HOA regs when you bought the house?” Sara laid her head back and stretched her legs out.
Rebecca shrugged. “Yeah, but the realtor gave me the high points and I figured if I needed to know anything, I could look it up then. And yes, now I realize that was short sighted. I’m sorry.”
“You’re forgiven. This time.” Jen crossed her arms over her midsection under the water. It was ridiculous to worry about what she looked like in her bathing suit when the only people here were her friends. Female friends, at that. And yet she still wished for a giant t-shirt to hide in. At least the rapidly bubbling water was hard to see through. “How’s the wedding planning going?”
“Mine’s done.” Rebecca grinned. “And can I just say thank you, Jesus, for that. I don’t know how the two of you are able to stand making decision after decision after decision without wanting to chuck it all and elope.”
Paige rolled her eyes. “It’s not that bad. We’re set. At this point we have a few weeks of breathing room before we have to start picking things up the week of the big day.”
“It’ll be here before you know it. I can’t wait.” Rebecca wiggled in her seat. “The bridesmaid dresses you chose are gorgeous.”
Amy wrinkled her nose. “I haven’t done much with ours yet. Christmas seems so far off, there’s plenty of time.”
“I’m not sure that’s true. I read some blog posts this week about venues booking up eighteen months in advance.”
Jen frowned at Sara. “Why are you reading wedding blogs?”
Sara lifted a shoulder. “Things are going really well with Luc. It never hurts to have an eye on the industry, right?”
Jen clamped her lips together. She wasn’t going to launch into a lecture about how her friend barely knew the guy. Even if they’d been together nearly two months now, he was rarely in town. Long distance dating didn’t give you a chance to discover flaws.
Amy sighed. “Yeah, I guess.”
“What’s wrong? It seems to me you should be more excited about marrying the man of your dreams.” Rebecca leaned toward Amy, her gaze intent. “Are you two having problems?”
“No. Not really.”
Jen arched a brow. “That sounds like ‘kind of’.”
Amy looked away and took several deep breaths.
“Hey, what’s going on? Maybe we can help?” Rebecca reached over and rubbed Amy’s shoulder.
“It’s really hard now that he lives next door. We walk to and from school together, eat dinner at one of our apartments and...there’s no one who’d know, you know, if maybe he didn’t go back across the hall. Or I didn’t.” Amy’s tongue darted between her lips. “And nothing’s happened, but it gets harder to do the right thing every time. You must think I’m horrible.”
“I don’t see what the big deal is. You’re engaged and it’s just sex. Why not move in together and be done with the craziness?” Sara reached behind her for the bottle of water she’d stashed there when they’d first climbed into the hot tub.
Jen’s mouth dropped open. She and Sara had had this conversation before, but to be so frank about it? In front of everyone? “Sara. She and Zach are trying to do the right thing.”
“Whatever. It’s not ‘the right thing’.” Sara made air quotes. “It’s an antiquated and unrealistic expectation that has no place in today’s world. Seriously, how old were people when they got married in the Bible? Twelve? Thirteen? Anyone can be abstinent that long. And it’s not like you’re out sleeping with every guy you see. You’re engaged, for crying out loud. That’s close enough to married to count.”
For several minutes, the only sound was the bubbling of the jets.
Paige cleared her throat. “So, you’re not planning to wait until you’re married?”
“Pfft. That ship sailed a long time ago. And it’s no big deal, as long as you love the guy and he loves you. My personal rule is that there’s no one else at the same time, but as long as everyone’s on the same page...” Sara shrugged.
“Seriously?” Jen’s stomach twisted. She’d known Sara wasn’t committed to abstinence, but to be so casual about it? She’d been sure her friend would, at a minimum, hold out for being engaged. “So...you and Luc?”
Sara nodded. “Yeah, last weekend. It’s been over a month. Guys expect it. You realize that, don’t you?”
“Jackson doesn’t.”
“Ben never did, either. Even though I know he—well, we both—struggled. It was important to us.”
“Zach’s in that camp, too. Honestly, he’s been the stronger one of the two of us. If it was just up to me, I don’t know what would’ve happened.”
Sara shook her head. “I don’t understand you people. I already know Jen’s ready to die a shriveled old maid if someone doesn’t snap her up. Why can’t you see it’s unrealistic? God designed our bodies for this.”
“Inside marriage.” Jen bristled. She couldn’t keep quiet anymore. Even if she didn’t have a fiancé, she’d dated and been tempted. “As a mirror of the intimacy that’s supposed to exist between Christ and the church. Not something for us to toss around, willy nilly. If that makes me a shriveled old maid, then so be it. But if you’re sleeping with multiple people outside of marriage, then I think we all know what word that makes you.”
“You believe that if you want. Your thought process is old fashioned. Maybe it works for you. But there are a lot of Christians who understand the reality of the situation. Anyway, you were asking for advice, I gave you my opinion. What right do you have to judge me for it, anyway? Isn’t that just as big a sin as sex?” Sara shrugged.
“No. Pointing out where another believer isn’t following what Christ—what the Bible—says, isn’t judging. Not in the way you mean, at least. It’s iron sharpening iron and speaking the truth in order to try and keep sister in Christ from stumbling. I’m sorry you feel judged, but maybe that’s just the Holy Spirit activating your conscience.” Jen crossed her arms.
“Whatever.” Sara sniffed and turned pointedly away from Jen, looking at Amy. “If you’re really going to stick to something that outdated and unnecessary then you should just go ahead and get married now.”
Amy frowned. “Didn’t you ever dream of your wedding day? Don’t you want that moment in the spotlight? The big frilly dress? The party where all eyes are on you?”
“Can’t you make that happen faster?” Jen rubbed her fingers together. They were starting to wrinkle up. “Or could you do a small ceremony and then have a fancy party later?”
“I guess. Maybe...maybe Zach and I need to consider that.” Amy sighed and pushed herself out of the hot tub, perching on the edge.
“It’s kind of the same idea Sara had, just flipped.” Jen chuckled.
Rebecca laughed. “You have a point. And I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m getting pruney. What do you say we move this party back to my house and dig out the ice cream?”
Jen pressed her hand to her s
tomach to quell the butterflies. These were David’s friends, not people that she’d known first. Meeting new people was always an iffy proposition, but to go to their wedding? Why had she agreed to this?
David slipped his arm around her waist and leaned close. “You look beautiful. Colin and Rachel are good people, smart. They’re going to love you.”
His words sent tingles down her spine. Okay. She could do this. She managed a weak smile. “You look great, too. By the way.”
“Thanks.” David steered them toward the small chapel where the wedding was going to be. It was in the middle of a quaint, historic part of Annapolis. Jen looked around as they crossed the short walkway and up the stairs of the little church. She could see getting married somewhere like this. He pulled open the door and held it for her.
Jen stepped through and stopped. What an adorable place. A red carpet runner went up the short aisle between the wooden pews. Stained glass windows made graceful arches down each outer wall. And the pulpit...so much carved wood and an enormous rose window. It was like a little glimpse of what church in heaven must be like. “Where is everyone?”
David paused and glanced at his watch. “We’re a little early, let’s head down and see what we see. I know it’s going to be a small wedding.”
As he spoke, a man entered the church through a side door. He stopped when he saw them, then grinned. “David.”
“Colin. I was just beginning to wonder if we’d gotten the wrong place.” David’s hand in the small of her back was warm, comforting. “This is Jen. Jen, meet the groom, Colin.”
Colin made quick work of the space between them and extended his hand. “Pleasure to meet you. Thanks for coming. It’ll be nice to have someone here who isn’t part of the wedding.”
Jen’s eyebrows shot up. “I’m the only guest?”
Colin grinned at David. “I said it was small.”
A Handful of Hope Page 12
