Close to You
Vows and Breakdowns
Disclaimer: I own no one!
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"Randy?" her voice penetrated the thoughts in his mind. Glancing up from the yellow legal pad, he found himself staring into Trish's chocolate brown eyes.
"What?" he snapped, setting his pen down, "What can I do for you?" She sighed. Then, she held up her left hand. He could see a large diamond ring. "Is that…?"
"Yeah, he proposed," Trish murmured, grinning. "How are your preparations coming?" Randy shrugged.
"About as good as can be expected for so early in the prep time." Randy declared. He glanced uncertainly at the pad. "Does red match with black?" Trish looked at him.
"Randall, put the pad down and step away from it. You and I are going out for the night." She said, hoisting him off his feet. Randy shook his head. She was the only person who could forcibly move him. He didn't even let John move him.
"Fine. Why don't we go? Before long, we'll be comparing fabric swatches for the altar and discussing the difference between Kahlua White Russian and Kahlua straight up," Randy babbled. Trish blinked.
"Hon? I HATE Kahlua. You have been working too hard. Has John been helping you?" Trish asked, helping him into her car. Randy nodded.
"As much as I let him," Randy said. "I want things to be perfect, and special," Trish nodded.
"Hon, that doesn't mean go loopy. The next few months will be stressful enough. I'm planning a wedding. You're planning a commitment ceremony." She said. "We're going to need each other. Whom else can I complain to when the baker cancels out on my cake?"
"Who am I going to complain to when the florist runs out of Sunflowers the day before the reception?" Randy murmured. Trish nodded. He sighed. "I love John, but I can't believe I'm going to commit myself to him,"
"Yeah. I feel the same. I love Chris. Yet, marriage seems so permanent," Trish murmured, parking the car in the parking lot of a small bar. "Let's go," Randy nodded. They entered the smoky bar.
"What can I get you?" the bartender asked. Randy sighed.
"Kahlua White Russian," Randy murmured. The bartender nodded, beginning to prepare the drink. He took out a mini notebook and began to write with a black ink pen.
It's amazing the direction Fate takes you in. One freaked out bride pushed us together. I often wonder what would have happened if my original plans had happened. Would we still be avoiding what was so obvious to others? Would the past year as tough as it's been still have been so wonderful? I wake up to you beside me and I know I'll get through the day. I fall asleep to you beside me and I know I'll get through the night. Your smile drags me out of a bad day. If I lost you, I don't know what I would do. I'd go crazy. I once vowed to never fall so deeply in love. I vowed to be cautious. My father had instilled the feeling of contempt for who I am inside me. Before you, I was ashamed of who I was. You opened my eyes and made me see there was nothing wrong with who I was. For that, I am forever grateful. You are the love of my life, and I will never stop loving you.
"What are you doing?" Trish asked. Randy glanced up from the pad.
"Working," he admitted. She took the pad from him and shoved it in her purse. Then, she pursed her lips and touched his shoulder.
"Absolutely NO wedding prep. This is our day to relax," she said. Randy nodded. He took the drink the bartender had set in front of him.
"Congratulations on your engagement." Randy murmured, sipping his drink. He watched Trish mutter something to the bartender. "What did you order?"
"Vodka and orange juice," she replied. "I think we're the two luckiest people alive right now," Randy nodded. He felt lucky.
"What would I do without you?" he asked, downing the rest of his drink. "Bartender, may I get another Kahlua White Russian please?"
Both Trish and Randy seemingly got drunk. The smoky haze of the bar and the alcohol sunk into their brains. Their judgment was tested. The alcohol made them do things they wouldn't usually do.
"Trish?" Randy murmured, glancing at her clad in only her bra. She glanced up from his chest. Her doe eyes seemed to ask what. "I can't do this. We're drunk, we both have people who love us, I can't do this to John,"
Why was he experiencing feelings for his best friend? This was Trish. This was the woman he gossiped with. This was the woman he discussed sex with. He couldn't have romantic feelings for her, and yet, he had come so close to sleeping with her.
"Thank you for stopping us," Trish murmured, slipping one of Randy's oversized t-shirts on. "If that had gotten any farther, I wouldn't have wanted to stop," Randy nodded.
"Trisha, you're my best friend. I love you, simply because you're my best friend. I don't want to lose our friendship," Randy said. Trish nodded. She hid her emotions, never revealing how much his words hurt her.
As much as she tried to deny it, she was still in love with him. She supposed she had never fallen out of love with him. She was just so comfortable with him. He was her best friend, her confidante, the one she turned to for support.
She was expected to watch him pledge his love to another. She was expected to act happy for him while her heart was breaking. She would hug him, and tell him how happy she was that he had finally found that special someone.
Everything she did would all be an act.
Meanwhile, her heart would be breaking.
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I've been suffering through all forms of writer's block, so, I apologize it took me so long to update. Hope you enjoyed it! Thanks, Keira for the chapter title.
-Jen