Seven Days

by Charles, Rhoda

So he was still mad. That’s two brothers against their friend. She had to put a stop to this now. “First of all this is Julian we're talking about. Joo-lee-anne. Remember him? Your best friend. The guy who's been like a brother to all of us?”

  “Not like me! I don't go around smooching my sister!” Luke objected and was promptly hushed.

  “Both of you are completely off base here. This is a misunderstanding. It was an accident. He was thanking me for the Rubik’s Cube. He leaned in to kiss my cheek; I didn't know he was going to do that. I turned my head and he planted one on me accidentally.”

  ...and then I kissed him back. Carolyn shoveled a spoonful of cereal into her mouth to make sure she kept that detail to herself.

  “It was all quite innocent actually—” she swallowed, “until Muhammad Ali over here went ballistic. I thought you were going to hit him. What was that about, Rhys? I'd like to know. I've never seen you act like that.”

  Rhys just looked at her as if he had no inkling how to respond to her.

  “Luke? Would you care to explain his actions to me because they seem a little extreme?”

  “Look Carolyn,” Luke started, “I have to ask, is there something going on between you two?”

  She could hardly believe what she was hearing. Was Luke seriously asking her if Julian was cheating on his fiancée with her?

  Luke continued, “I saw you on the porch with him the other night. The two of you looked pretty close. You were huddled in the dark, holding hands. I didn't say anything before, but now that this has happened I feel like I have to ask.”

  They’d gone running the other night and then had come back here to cool down. Julian had been so...lost was the only way to describe it. Sometimes, I just want this he had said to her. She’d thought that he meant a calmer life. Had he meant that he wanted her? Her heart started to pound in her chest. Her brothers were watching her, waiting for her to say something but she could barely admit to herself how the thought of a relationship with Julian made her feel. He was a great guy. Smart, handsome, funny, ambitious. A girl could do worse.

  When she remained quiet, Luke continued to press, “It's for your own protection. We care about you. We don't want you to get hurt. Believe me, it kills me to think that Julian could treat you like this, but if he is then we can't allow that to happen.”

  Finally, Carolyn found her voice, “You have no idea how wrong you both are. I appreciate your concern, but I've got this under control.

  “Listen to me, Julian was going through some basic pre-wedding jitters. What you were spying on, Luke, was me helping him through that. Last night's accidental kiss was completely a separate thing. Do you understand?” She looked pointedly at Rhys. “Now please, I think that Jules can really use a friend now. I think he's scared about taking this big step and now his best man has flipped out on him. Plus, you almost ruined Cera's big night! You should apologize to her, too. Will you please call him and fix this thing before it ruins everything? Please?”

  Rhys relented, “Alright, if you say so. I feel bad about this happening on Cera’s opening. Maybe I did overreact. I will talk to Julian and see what he has to say.”

  “Rhys! He deserves an apology.”

  “Carolyn,” he was using his authoritative don't push me voice and she couldn’t help but back down, “I said I'll talk to him.” She could tell that he was immediately sorry for his harsh tone. He softened it and changed the subject. “You better get ready; you're going to be late for work.”

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Milan was sitting in the dressing room waiting for the attendant to bring her dress. She daydreamed about the wedding and how everything was going to be perfect.

  Last night had put all her fears to rest. Spending the day with Carolyn had ironically put Milan's mind at ease, especially after spending the evening with Julian. He had been completely attentive to her last night at the club. It had felt like old times.

  She had been nervous when she arrived at the James' house yesterday, especially walking into a room full of laughing people. Julian seemed happy to see her though, and he had kept his arm around her the whole night. He was quiet driving home, which was rare, but she found it reassuring. They were comfortable together in companionable silence. There was no need for words.

  Now she was here at her final fitting for her wedding dress. Tomorrow would be her last day of work before the wedding. She would pick up the dress after work, get married in two days, and then she and Julian would take off for their honeymoon in Hawaii and start their life together.

  She didn’t want to wait. Not for any of it—what's taking this girl so long with her dress? And where was her mother? She was 15 minutes late already. Milan checked her watch again as the attendant swept into the room hoisting a large garment bag. A tall girl followed behind.

  “Sabrina, what are you doing here? Where's Mother?”

  “Mum can't make it, but I'm here!” Milan's younger sister gave Milan a quick hug. “This must be your dress. I can't wait to see it ‘Lan!'

  “Then today is your lucky day.”

  The attendant held the dress out splaying the skirt for them to see, “All right Ms. Maynard, are you ready?”

  Milan put the dress on with a little help from the attendant and waited in front of the mirror for the seamstress. Looking at her reflection, she looked like a different woman. She felt regal and beautiful. It was a strapless white gown embroidered with silver flowers on a fitted bodice, which opened up to a full skirt of silk layers. The dress had a small train designed to be pinned up for easier movement at the reception.

  Sabrina fussed around her, smoothing out the train and the veil. Milan watched her sister and wondered about her mother’s absence.

  “So why couldn't Mother make it? You never said.”

  “She had to work. Someone called in sick and they needed her to cover or something like that.”

  “I see,” was all Milan could get out. She had made this appointment ages ago, giving her mother enough time to arrange her schedule to be here. But of course there's nothing like the last minute I'm-needed-somewhere-else excuse. It doesn't matter, Milan thought, she'll see the dress at the wedding like everyone else. “Sabrina, would you please stop fussing!”

  “I'm sorry, it's just that you look so beautiful. The dress is gorgeous, Milan. It really is.”

  Milan looked at her sister, caught by her words. Sabrina was sincere. At least someone is happy for me. Her sister's delight distracted Milan from her disappointment at her mother's absence, and she was happy that she had at least one person to share this time with. In the mirror she studied her reflection and smiled, allowing herself to enjoy the moment.

  “You know, you're right. I do make a beautiful bride!” The two sisters giggled at Milan's declaration. “I'm glad you're here honey, thanks for coming.” Giving into an unusual impulse, Milan hugged her sister and then sent her off to get the seamstress.

  Julian’s first job out of culinary school was the same one he still had. Only now he was about to become the boss. Greg—who was about to retire—had hired him and mentored him. And now he was handing the reins over to him. A few months ago Greg had approached Julian about buying the restaurant. It was a great opportunity that had come at the right time.

  Julian had been getting antsy. His dream had always been to have his own restaurant, but he loved working for Greg and had learned so much from him. He had been thinking of moving on to another place to spread his wings, but he was reluctant to leave the place that had groomed him. Plus, he was getting married soon; he knew he would need to move to the next level. Buying the restaurant from Greg was a solid move for his future, and it accomplished both goals.

  Today the only thing that lay between him and his goals was a pile of papers that needed signing. So, while Milan was at her fitting, Julian was sitting in his favorite booth in the restaurant meeting with his now old boss.

  On the verge of making his dreams reality, Julian hesitated. His hand hovered over the la
st paper that needed his signature. The restaurant business was risky and even though he was getting a great deal on the place, he was putting up most of his savings to buy it. This was a huge step—a moment he wanted to appreciate as it signaled the start of a new phase of his life—but he couldn’t focus on it. His mind kept returning to the events of last night when he’d kissed Carolyn and possibly ruined his friendship with Rhys.

  That conflict had been the only thing on his mind since it happened. Amazingly, Milan hadn't seemed to notice his foul mood on the drive home last night, though he’d barely said a word. She still had no idea that his world had turned upside-down. He had to make things right.

  The page in front of him came back into focus and he dropped his hand and scribbled his name.

  “Julian,” Greg's voice pulled him from his thoughts, “It's been a pleasure doing business with you. You take care of my baby now, you hear?” Greg extended his hand.

  “I will, Sir. Thank you so much for offering her to me. I will love her as much as you have.”

  “I know you will.” Greg handed him the keys, picked up his briefcase and walked out of the restaurant he had built from the ground up, leaving Julian alone with his future in his hands.

  It was a moment he’d worked toward his whole professional life and he couldn't enjoy it. He grabbed his keys, locked up and left.

  ***

  No one was home when he got to the James’ house. He turned back onto Lincoln Drive and drove back into Center City. Man, he’d been on this road so many times in the last few days he could drive it in his sleep. He practically was doing so now, lost as he was in his thoughts.

  Normally, he would just let things work themselves out. That was his way. Time was good for fixing everything, which worked out well for him since he didn't like conflict and avoided confrontation if he could. This thing with Carolyn and Rhys, however, couldn't wait. These relationships were too important to him and he wouldn’t risk letting them slip away.

  Approaching their favorite hangout downtown, he decided to stop in and get a bite to eat since he’d missed lunch. Ragtag’s was slow at this time of day, so when he entered he immediately saw Rhys sitting at the corner of the bar, his back to the door, watching the Phillies game.

  “I should have known I'd find you here,” Julian said as he sat down on the stool next to his lifelong friend. “You know how much gas I just wasted driving around town trying to find you?”

  Rhys spared a glance for Julian, but said nothing.

  “I went by the house, but no one was home...and I kind of just ended up here and there you are,” Julian paused. “Can I get you something? You hungry?”

  Nothing but the back of Rhys’ head.

  Julian looked around searching for a bartender or a menu. The silent treatment was making him anxious. Rhys wasn’t usually the quiet type, so this was not good. Julian didn’t know what his friend was thinking, which was strange because they had always been so close. There had never been a time when they couldn't talk. “Rhys man, come on.”

  Rhys turned around and pegged Julian with an intense glare, “I promised my sister that I would talk to you so that you could explain to me what it was that Cera and I walked in on last night. Do you think you can do that? Do you have an explanation for me, Julian?”

  He didn't. He didn't have one for himself. He had been up half the night trying to figure it out. How do you explain that all at once the laws of the universe aligned with the rhythm of your heart and provided a moment in time where your most secret desires could be fulfilled? How could he explain that a love he had denied himself for all these years would no longer lie dormant? How could he explain to Rhys that he was in love with his sister, yet promised to another? He couldn't.

  “Mmm hmm. I was hoping you'd have more to say than that. You see, Carolyn told me that I misunderstood what I saw, that it was an accident, that you were having pre-wedding jitters. She had a whole lot to say about it. The problem is that I think she believes what she's saying.”

  “It was an accident.”

  Rhys laughed, a short, hard bark of noise. “I know what it was, Julian.”

  “What do you know?” Julian shot back, “You don't know anything.”

  “I’m not an idiot, Jules. You and I both know the score. There was no accident in that kiss! It's a wonder it's taken you this long to admit it, but now is not the time to act on your feelings for Carolyn. It's too late.”

  Julian saw the truth in Rhys’ face. The man knew how he felt about Carolyn. Deep down Julian wasn't surprised. Why had he ever thought he could hide that from Rhys and Luke? He'd kept his feelings at bay for so long that he'd almost convinced himself that he didn't want her, but his heart knew better. He’d kissed her and she had responded. He had not been able to think of much else since.

  He dropped his head into his hands, supporting it with the base of his palms. His fingers rubbed over the short kinks of his newly barbered fade. “What am I going to do?” he groaned.

  It was the most honest sound he’d uttered in a long time. Admitting defeat, he looked to Rhys for guidance because he’d lost the battle against his heart.

  “You're going to marry Milan.”

  Julian knew Rhys was right. There was no way he could not marry Milan at this point. He couldn't do that do her. He loved her, too, but in a different way than he loved Carolyn.

  “I just wish I could be sure about Carolyn. If she hadn't responded to me last night this would be so much easier. I just...I'd never gotten any inclination from her before that she might even ever be interested.”

  The anxious knot he’d carried within since last night tightened in his gut, and suddenly it was so important for Julian to let Rhys know that he had never and would never mistreat Carolyn.

  “I never, ever was anything other than just...Julian with her. You've got to believe me, man. I would never take advantage of our friendship that way by making a move on her unless she wanted it. She was never interested.”

  Rhys took all this in, “I know you wouldn't, which is why we trusted you with her, but whatever it is that you think has changed now, it just doesn't matter,” he paused to emphasize his point. “Julian, it's too late.”

  WEDNESDAY

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Julian sat in his car in the James’ driveway. He had one arm draped over the steering wheel and was tapping the ring on his finger against the leather wrapping, trying to summon the resolve to go inside.

  He knew he’d been avoiding Carolyn—and lucky for him he had the excuses to do so. He’d spent the morning doing errands for the restaurant. He and Milan had met with the agent to sign the insurance papers on the business, and then they hurried off for an appointment with the contractors he had hired to start renovations on the restaurant when they returned from their honeymoon.

  They separated so that Milan could go to her portrait sitting with Luke—Julian’s appointment was later—and he took the time to finish the arrangements for his wedding gift to her. He was renaming the restaurant Milan’s and he’d ordered a new sign made. It was to be installed tomorrow. All he’d have to do was make sure she didn’t go by the restaurant before Friday evening. He planned to show her after the rehearsal dinner.

  Rehearsal dinner. Wedding. There was definitely going to be a wedding. Going ahead with the marriage was the best thing for everyone involved. Even with Rhys being upset with him, Julian had managed to get sound advice from his friend. No more wondering about the possibility of a life with Carolyn. He had blown his chance with her long ago.

  If he had asked her out years ago, he wouldn’t have been wondering about alternative futures days before his wedding to another woman. To Milan. He had to accept that he would never know if there would have been a chance for him and Carolyn. It was a regret he would hold inside forever.

  Julian checked his watch. One hour until his portrait appointment. No time like the present.

  Rhys was in the living room reading the paper when Julian finall
y let himself in. A lifetime of welcome meant Julian hadn’t hesitated to try the handle without ringing the bell first.

  “Was wondering how long it would take you to come inside.” Rhys folded his paper and rested it next to him on the sofa.

  After a moment Julian followed suit. Was it only a few days ago that he and Rhys had spent the morning watching cartoons together on this very couch? Back then, he had been wondering about his relationship with Milan. Now he was trying to maintain his with Carolyn.

  “So are we okay?” he couldn’t stand much more of Rhys’ reticence, “Or do I need to ask Luke to be my Best Man?”

  Rhys grinned finally, breaking the ice, “He may be more pissed at you than I am!”

  Julian cursed, then shook his head in disbelief, “Really?”

  Rhys’ sudden grin faded, “No, he’s fine.”

  They both knew he was lying. Add another relationship to his repair list.

  “I think we’ll all find our way back home,” Rhys continued.

  “OK,” Julian nodded, “That’s good. Real good.” Julian tapped his finger on the paper, which was opened to the want ads. “You looking for a job?”

  “Hm?” Rhy’s eyes dropped to the paper. “Oh, no. I just like to stay up to date on what’s out there,” Rhys stood up, slid the folded paper out from under Julian’s hand, and tossed it into the recycling bin. “I’m heading to Cera’s,” he gave Julian a knowing look. “She’s upstairs. Finish this.”

  “Okay, that’s it,” Luke straightened from his crouch behind the tripod, “Julian will be here soon and you don’t want him to see you in your gown, bad luck and all that.”

  Dutifully Milan hopped off her perch and, in a bundle of white silk, went behind the screen to change. “I can’t wait to see how these pictures turn out,” she said.

  He listened to the sounds of material sliding over itself and couldn’t stop himself from imagining what was happening just out of sight. “The camera loves you. They’ll be great. I’m going to have to get more creative with Julian.”