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Melanie couldn’t help scoffing. “Since when did Lawrence drink froufrou drinks?” she asked.
Richelle placed a hand on her arm, and Melanie faced her. “Mel, you say you’ve moved on. That you gave him answers and closure. And that you yourself got closure, as well. So what do you expect?”
“You seriously don’t think there’s a part of him doing this for my benefit?”
“Why would he need to? You dumped him nine months ago. As you’ve said all day, he’s single and free to date whomever he wants. I suggest you do the same. Roy told me that Edward is interested....”
“You’re joking, right?” Melanie asked. She had picked up Edward’s glaring interest, but he was totally not her type.
“Why not?” Richelle challenged. “He seems nice enough. A little awkward, yeah, but certainly a nice guy.”
“This isn’t about me dating anyone else. I’m not about to get caught up in some island romance. Unlike Lawrence, it seems.”
“Seriously, Mel—why do you care?”
Melanie swallowed. “Because—because he’s flaunting the fact that he’s moved on in front of me. Don’t you think he should exercise a little tact?”
“Is that what bothers you?” Richelle asked. “That he’s flaunting someone new in front of you? Or are you really bothered by the fact that you’re not with him right now?” She raised an eyebrow, an exclamation point on her question.
Melanie tried to tamp down on the unsettled feeling in her stomach, on the sensation of bile rising in her throat. She knew she had no right, after all it was she who had let him go.
It was just that seeing him move on so quickly... She didn’t like it.
The show was over, and people were now going up to the warriors and posing for pictures with them.
“I know you better than you know yourself sometimes,” Richelle said. “And you know as well as I do you didn’t dump Lawrence because you didn’t love him. You dumped him because you couldn’t stand the idea of getting hurt one day. But you can’t expect a guy you’ve dumped to worry about how you might react to the fact that he’s met someone new. If you’re upset because you still love him, then why don’t you fight for him?”
Melanie tightened her jaw as she looked at Richelle. “It’s over.”
“Then get over it.”
Richelle’s blunt response left Melanie stunned. Her stomach twisting painfully, she couldn’t think of a thing to say.
“Sorry, Melanie,” Roy said, getting to his feet and taking Richelle’s hand. “I’d like to borrow my fiancée, if you don’t mind.”
“Of course.” Melanie forced a smile.
Roy helped Richelle to her feet, and the two walked off wrapped around each other toward the shoreline.
A lump formed in Melanie’s throat as she watched Richelle and Roy. Perhaps she was coming down with something.
Yeah, right, she said to herself. The only thing she had come down with was a case of the blues.
She dared a glance behind her again, and saw that Lawrence, Shemar and the women were walking away from the beach.
Yeah, she had the blues all right. And perhaps a major case of jealousy.
As Melanie got up, a feeling of defeat came over her. One that didn’t make sense. She’d dumped Lawrence, and even when they’d spoken today, she hadn’t thought of asking for his forgiveness so that they could reconcile. So why, as Richelle had asked her, did she care?
She turned from looking in Lawrence’s direction and felt a spate of alarm when she saw that Edward was walking toward her, a huge smile on his face.
“Hey, Melanie,” he said, adjusting his glasses as he reached her. “It’s a beautiful night, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, it is.”
He glanced up. “Have you ever seen so many stars?”
“No.” Melanie looked at the sky. “It’s incredible.”
He was still grinning when his eyes met hers again. “The night is young. Feel like taking a walk on the beach with me?”
“Actually, I’m not feeling well.” Which wasn’t a lie. “I think I’d better rest up, since tomorrow will be a busy day.”
“You’re getting sick?” Edward asked, concern in his expression.
“Probably still the jet lag,” Melanie said to allay his concern. “I’m sure I’ll feel better after a good night’s rest. But thanks, anyway.”
“Oh, sure.” Edward sounded disappointed. “Maybe another time.”
Melanie didn’t reply to his suggestion, just offered him a smile. “Good night, Edward.”
Then she turned and headed toward the path that led to the main lobby, her eyes frantically searching. When she didn’t see Lawrence on the lit path, she then surveyed the darkened areas.
She didn’t see him anywhere.
And she began to feel an enormous ache in her heart. Because as she made her way toward the lobby, she couldn’t help wondering if one of those women had offered to spend more time with Lawrence tonight.
And if he had said yes.
Chapter 6
The next day was busy with the final details before the wedding. One of Roy’s cousins was going to act as the photographer, and Roy had made arrangements with a local videographer to capture the event. The wedding planner from the resort went through all these details with the bride, groom, maid of honor and best man.
How many Fijian touches did they want for the wedding, if any? Did they approve of the stretch of beach allocated for the special event? Was the reception menu okay?
Melanie was intrigued when the wedding planner mentioned the option of the bride and groom wearing traditional Fijian tapa wedding costumes. These special wedding garments would have to be made on the day of the ceremony, mere hours before the event. Formed from the bark of a mulberry tree and hand painted, the tapa costumes would be all raw fiber, and wrapped around the bride and the groom, creating the look of long and full skirts on both. Though charming and definitely a uniquely Fijian touch, Richelle and Roy had passed on that idea. Roy wanted to wear the tuxedo he’d brought, and Richelle wasn’t going to pass up the opportunity to wear the designer gown she’d purchased from an upscale fashion house in New York.
Late in the afternoon, the bridal party had a fitting to make sure none of their outfits required adjustments. Then came discussions about the choir that would sing during the bridal procession. And on went the last-minute planning, with Richelle and Roy approving every aspect for their special day.
After a day that was spent finalizing the details, the wedding party got together for a lovely dinner at one of the resort’s famed restaurants. It was an opportunity to spend some quality time together as a group before the big day, and was followed by the wedding rehearsal.
Richelle was overcome with emotion for much of the day, and Melanie couldn’t help remembering how jittery she had been on her own wedding day months earlier.
“And lastly,” Roy said, now that everything had come to a conclusion, “I’d like to thank you all for being here to make our day that much more special. I know Fiji was a far trek, and I appreciate you committing the time to be here. It wouldn’t be the same for Richelle and me without you all.”
Richelle had been dabbing at her eyes during Roy’s thank-you speech to the wedding party, and now she pushed her chair back, uttered an “Excuse me” and headed in the direction of the restrooms.
Melanie quickly got up from her own chair and followed her friend. By the time Richelle was shouldering the restroom door open, she was crying.
“Hey,” Melanie said as she stepped into the bathroom behind her. “What is it, hon?”
Richelle lifted a thick paper towel from a basket on the sink. She wiped at her eyes before speaking. “I just... Is this really happening? Am I really getting married?”
Melanie walked toward her. “Yes, this is really happening. You’re marrying the man of your dreams. Don’t you worry about a thing, okay?”
“I’m not making a mistake, am I?” Richelle asked.
“A mistake?” Melanie gaped at her. Then she placed her hands on her shoulders. “No, honey. Of course you’re not making a mistake. Not at all. You and I both know that Roy is the one.”
Richelle sniffled. “Everything happened so easily. I can’t help thinking that the other shoe is going to drop...and that I’m going to be devastated.”
“No, no, no, no.” Melanie shook her head. “Don’t you go thinking like that. If there’s one thing I’m absolutely sure of, it’s that that man loves you. He’d do anything for you. Don’t start doubting your love.”
Richelle blew her nose, then said, “But you did. You doubted Lawrence’s love for you.”
Melanie exhaled sharply. “I know. And perhaps that doesn’t make me the best person to give you this pep talk now. But from the outside looking in, I can tell that Roy is the real deal.”
“I told you the same thing about Lawrence,” Richelle said. “But you didn’t listen to me.”
Melanie’s stomach twisted as she remembered how Richelle had tried to convince her to go through with her wedding, but she hadn’t been swayed. There had been a huge part of her that regretted not listening to her dear friend.
“And now Lawrence is here, and I don’t know. Is it a good sign? A bad sign? Your wedding didn’t happen, and now the guy you were supposed to marry is here in Fiji. Maybe Roy’s going to stand me up and my marriage won’t happen, either.”
As Richelle began to cry now, Melanie pulled her into an embrace. “Are you kidding me? Roy stand you up? There is zero chance of that happening. Lawrence being here isn’t a good sign or a bad sign where your wedding is concerned.” Melanie paused. “You said something about fate...and maybe you’re right.”
Richelle eased back to look at Melanie, her eyes wide. “You really think so?”
Again, Melanie felt her stomach tightening. She had run from Lawrence months ago, but seeing him again, she knew he was still in her heart. “I don’t know,” she said honestly. “I do know that I’ve been hoping to see him all day. Last night, you called me on my claim that I’d gotten closure, and you were right. I was lying. To myself, mostly. All I keep thinking about is how Lawrence was with that woman, and now I haven’t seen him all day.” She paused. Swallowed. She hadn’t wanted to burden Richelle with her thoughts, not on the eve of her wedding. “Maybe it’s too late for me and Lawrence, but you and Roy...that’s an entirely different story. He adores you. Absolutely. And in your heart, you know that. Seriously, sweetie, you have nothing to worry about.”
Richelle dabbed at her eyes again, but the edges of her lips began to curl. “You’re sure?”
“Of course I’m sure. And there’s one thing you ought to know by now, I wouldn’t lie to you.”
Satisfied with that, Richelle nodded and finally smiled. “I do know that.” She breathed in deeply. “Okay. I can do this.”
“Girl, you didn’t drag me on a plane—and heck, a seaplane—to not do it.”
That elicited a chuckle from Richelle. “That’s for sure. Okay, I’m going to do this.”
“You’re going to do this.”
“And it’s gonna be great.”
“It’s gonna be amazing. And you’re going to be happy forever. I’m absolutely certain of that.”
Richelle threw her arms around Melanie’s neck. “Thanks, Mel. Thanks so much.”
As Richelle eased back, Melanie couldn’t help thinking about the advice she’d just given her friend and wondering why she hadn’t been able to apply it to her own life.
Instead, she had let Lawrence go.
There was a sudden knock on the bathroom door, then Roy called out, “Everything okay in there?”
“I’m fine,” Richelle said. She glanced at herself in the mirror, fluffed her hair and then went to the door. Melanie watched Roy pull Richelle into his arms the moment she went through the door.
“I was worried,” Roy said.
“I’m sorry, baby,” Richelle said. “I just needed a moment.”
Roy glanced at Melanie as she exited the bathroom, too, and his gaze held hers a beat too long. Then he said to Richelle, “Don’t scare me like that again.”
Melanie knew exactly what he feared. That like Melanie had done, Richelle was contemplating not walking down the aisle.
“Everything’s fine,” Melanie told him, offering him a reassuring smile. Then she continued on, leaving the two of them alone.
And not just for their sake, but because she needed to be alone with her thoughts of Lawrence.
Melanie drew in a shaky breath as she remembered a few days earlier when she had first set eyes on him in Fiji. As her eyes had traveled up that magnificent body... Good Lord, what a shock! And while she had been absolutely stunned to see him—mortified, actually—her body had also been electrified. It had been as if she had touched a live wire.
Even as she’d tried to get away from him, the one thing she hadn’t been able to escape was how utterly incredible he looked. One glimpse of him had been enough for her to realize just how much she had missed him.
She had talked to Richelle about closure. She had told herself for nine months that she had dodged a bullet by not marrying Lawrence. But now, as she sauntered back into the restaurant, hugging her torso, all she felt was conflicted and uncertain.
Melanie recognized herself in the Richelle who had been sobbing in the bathroom. The difference was, Richelle was going to go through with her wedding. She wasn’t running scared. She trusted her love for Roy.
Why hadn’t Melanie been able to trust Lawrence’s love?
She was far from convinced that she’d made the right decision. In fact, she couldn’t stop thinking that she’d made the biggest mistake ever when she’d let Lawrence go.
Chapter 7
Melanie didn’t see Lawrence at all the rest of that day, but she spent much of the night dreaming about making love to him, and awoke in a state of arousal. Quickly, she glanced at the other side of the bed, and found it empty. For which she was glad. She didn’t want to think that she’d done anything to embarrass herself with Richelle there to bear witness.
She glanced around the room, and then saw that Richelle was standing on the patio overlooking the ocean. Melanie got out of bed and went outside to join her.
“Hey,” Melanie said brightly, shading her eyes from the sun with one hand. “Morning.”
Richelle didn’t face her. She continued to look forward at the vast turquoise waters. “You stand here, being still, taking the time to see what’s around you, and you realize you are one small part of a big world. A beautiful world.” She faced Melanie. “How can you be afraid in a place like this? Everything is calm, peaceful. It’s stunning, isn’t it?”
“If ever there was a description of paradise, this is it,” Melanie said.
“It’s a perfect day.” Richelle sniffled and reached for Melanie’s hand. “Absolutely perfect.”
“Yes, it is. It couldn’t be more perfect.”
“My wedding day.” Richelle sighed contentedly. “It’s finally here.”
“You ready?”
“Absolutely.” Richelle beamed. “I’ll never be more ready.”
A surge of emotion washed over Melanie as she remembered the contrast of how she had felt on the morning of her wedding. Crippled by fear.
Melanie squeezed Richelle’s hand. “Then let’s go do this.”
* * *
As Melanie, Richelle and the rest of the official party began to get ready, Melanie was able to push thoughts of Lawrence aside. She was too busy to obsess over him, and it was time for her to be there for Richelle as her maid of honor.
With Richelle’s makeup and hair done and sleeveless princess-style dress on, Melanie’s eyes filled with happy tears. “Wow, Richelle. You look gorgeous. Seriously, you are the most beautiful bride. Ever.”
Richelle’s chest heaved with a shaky breath. “Thanks, Mel.”
Richelle, Melanie and the bridal party were in a special wedding bure, from where the wedding procession would begin. Melanie and Richelle were side by side in front of a standing mirror framed in bamboo wood, staring at their reflections.
“You’re the princess you wanted to be,” Melanie said. “A princess on your fairy-tale day.”
Melanie was wearing a beautiful red dress made of satin that swooped low over her breasts, and hung to the floor. The two other bridesmaids were wearing similar dresses. The gown defined Melanie’s shape, and she found herself thinking that if Lawrence could see her now, he wouldn’t be able to resist her.
“The flowers on my veil don’t seem right,” Richelle said, pulling Melanie from her thoughts.
“Here,” Melanie said, and adjusted the crown of white flowers so that it was symmetrical. “There you go. Better?”
Richelle checked out her reflection, and nodded. “Thank you. I guess we should finally take the official pictures. David has been patiently waiting.”
Moments later, David, the photographer, was taking photos of the bridal party. When Melanie wasn’t in a photo, she stood to the side and watched, not sure she had ever seen Richelle smile so brightly.
While Richelle and Roy had declined to dress in the style of a traditional Fijian bride and groom, they had opted for other touches native to Fiji. Richelle wore a lei of fresh flowers around her neck in addition to the veil adorned with flowers. Soon, the choir would begin singing wedding songs. And Melanie especially couldn’t wait to see Richelle escorted to the beach by Fijian warriors.
“Those pictures are going to be amazing,” Melanie said when they were done. She fussed with the curls hanging at the side of Richelle’s face. “And you’re glowing. Everyone should get married in a place like this. It just seems so right. I look around here and the setting is so romantic, so meant for love.”
Richelle sniffled. Her eyes were moist again. “Do I have everything I need? I have something old, something new, something borrowed—”
“You have everything,” Melanie assured her. “But most importantly, you have your man waiting out there on the beach, thrilled about making you his wife.”
“You’re right. I have the man of my dreams, and I have my best friend here.” She grinned at Melanie. “I have everything I need.”
“Are you ready?” the wedding planner, Maria, asked.
Melanie looked at Richelle, deferring to her. Then Richelle nodded and said, “Yes. Tell them to start the music.”
Moments later, the cheerful sounds of the Fijian choir drifted from the beach to the wedding bures. And the wedding procession began.
Though Melanie had had no idea how a wedding in a tropical location would play out, that moment exceeded every dream she could have had. As she made her way barefoot in the sand toward the beach, her heart skipped a beat as she saw Roy beaming with pride and expectation.
I should have had this moment, she told herself, trying to hold back the sudden urge to cry. I should have had this moment when I got to see Lawrence standing at the altar, excited to see me as his soon-to-be bride.
Somehow, Melanie kept it together as she took her place on the bride’s side of the altar. Once the last bridesmaid made her way down the sand, the sounds of the choir became softer and more romantic, and the guests were beckoned by the wedding planner to stand.
Everyone looked on in anticipation. And after several seconds, the bride emerged. Six men dressed as Fijian warriors, with green skirts made of the leaves of banana plants, carried her to the beach on a bamboo raft. Cell phone cameras began going off. David quickly began to take shot after shot.
It was magical. And when the bride and groom exchanged their personal vows, there wasn’t a dry eye among the guests.
* * *
The wedding was simple, yet beautiful. The music of Fiji enthralled everyone during the wedding and continued to do so at the reception. A band was playing and a smaller choir was singing an array of happy, love-inspired songs as the meal and speeches came to an end.
Roy was at the microphone, addressing the small group of wedding guests. “Honestly, this day would not have been as special without all of you here. So thank you.”
The guests clapped and cheered.
“Now, I don’t know if you all know the story about how Richelle and I got together,” Roy went on, and at the center of the wedding table Richelle playfully groaned.
“I don’t know why he keeps harping on about that,” Richelle said.
But Melanie smiled as she prepared to hear the story for the umpteenth time.
The guests began to laugh.
“You never know when Cupid’s arrow is going to hit you.” Someone cheered. “When I saw that fire in her, even as she gave me a piece of her mind, I was hooked. I knew that I had to get to know her. And thankfully, she allowed me the chance. Because that was it for me. And here we are in Fiji, and I’ve made this incredible woman my wife,” Roy concluded.
There was exuberant applause to Roy’s closing statement. The applause only got louder when he went back to the table, where Richelle rose to meet him, and the two shared a long, passionate kiss.
Richelle and Roy’s love was a testament to the fact that people could find their happy ending. As the wedding party moved to the sand to dance under the stars, Melanie beamed with happiness for her friend.
Just like Richelle had said that morning, the day had been perfect. The skies remained clear and the weather not too hot. But even a torrential downpour would not have soured the mood for Richelle and Roy.
A DJ began to play American love songs, and Richelle and Roy started their first dance to “I Found Love” by BeBe Winans. As they gazed into each other’s eyes under the moonlight, Melanie felt that familiar pang. She had four more days here. Four more days when she certainly couldn’t be the third wheel with Richelle and Roy. Now legally husband and wife, they were going to begin their honeymoon. Melanie knew she wouldn’t see much of them, if any, before she left Fiji.
Another slow song began, and the guests made their way onto the sand dance floor.
“May I have this dance?”
Melanie turned around to see Edward standing there. All day she had been busy with her duties as maid of honor, and had been able to avoid him for the most part. But now, there was no putting him off.
He was a nice guy. There was no real reason to avoid him. “Sure.”
They danced, and he held her close, and on a night like this, Melanie was all too aware that these were not the arms she wanted to be in.
She wanted to be in Lawrence’s arms.
“Thank you, Edward,” Melanie said after that dance. “Will you excuse me?”
Edward seemed surprised, but he didn’t object. “Sure. I’ll be here.”
Melanie first went to the restroom, where she checked out her reflection and touched up her makeup. Here she was, looking beautiful with her hair and makeup done, and in a dress that flattered her figure. This was the day she wanted Lawrence to see her.
With Lawrence on her mind, she exited the restroom and headed toward the beach away from where the wedding celebration was taking place. She wanted some time alone. She began to walk along the water’s edge, pausing to dig her toes into the sand. Behind her, a lively tune was now playing.
Melanie strolled, holding her dress up so the hem wouldn’t get wet. She was doing what Richelle had done that morning before her wedding. Taking time to simply enjoy the environment around her.
Melanie had only been walking alone for a couple minutes when she heard a male voice call out, “Hey.”
That voice... Her pulse began to race. She turned, her eyes searching the stretch of beach. And in the distance, she saw him.
It was Lawrence.
Her heart began to pitter-patter in her chest as he walked toward her.
She stood rooted to the spot. Waited until he caught up to her. And when he did, she looked at him, felt that familiar jolt of white-hot heat when her eyes could fully take in his face.
How did you let this man go? she couldn’t help asking herself.
“Hey,” he said again when he reached her.
“Lawrence.”
“What are you doing out here by yourself?”
“I went for a walk.” She paused. “What are you doing here?”