Is This Shoulder Taken?

Chapter 13

I heard my cellphone, as I was pouring myself a cup of coffee. I extended my arm to reach it on the kitchen counter. "Hello, Kendall, it's Ava. We miss you, sugarplum! I want you to come to the ranch this weekend and help me plan Andrea's bridal shower."

She called me sugarplum. That's what Momma used to call me. I am so fond of Ava—I was torn whether to say yes or no. How would I handle running into Greyson, or even worse, Savannah?

I agreed to go to the ranch to help plan Andrea's bridal shower. Ava is so sweet, and I didn't want to let her down. I also thought about the fact that I'm the maid if honor. And that usually goes along with the responsibility. Andrea is my friend and I don't begrudge her happiness.

I had to put my feelings for my friend first and not dwell on Greyson's. With all of my emotional turmoil—I wish I hadn't agreed to be her maid of honor. However, I did tell Ava that I would be leaving as soon as we finished all of the planning. She understood.

I arrived at Carrington Ranch on a gorgeous Saturday afternoon. The sun was shining brightly and there was a light breeze. Colton and Andrea's wedding was less than two months away. We really needed to have her shower soon.

As soon as I pulled in the circular gravel driveway, I saw Greyson's black BMW parked in front of the house. My heart was racing so fast, I thought it would jump out of my chest. I had to give myself a mental pep talk that I could face seeing him. I was hoping I wouldn't run into Savannah.

Ava met me at the front door. She had such a warm motherly embrace waiting for me. "There's my girl. It's so good to see you, Kendall. Do you need help with your basket? I can't wait to see the bridal shower items you brought. You are so creative. I loved the favor you sent me a picture of from the craft store."

"Thank you, Ava. I missed you too. I actually had a lot of fun looking at different bridal shower ideas on Pinterest. I can't wait to see your ideas too." I kissed her cheek, as I entered the estate.

"Oh, do you have company, Ava?" The sound of an unfamiliar voice rang in my ears. She sounded sugary sweet and fake! I turned around, and there was Greyson, handsome as ever. He was standing with a woman that had her arm looped through his, who I assumed was Savannah.

She had thick, rich auburn-colored hair. Her eyes were a beautiful emerald green. She had perfectly manicured fingernails and toes. She was slender, nicely dressed, and beautiful. I felt self-conscious of my jeans and top I wore. I wasn't going to the ball. I was here to plan a bridal shower.

I did not like this woman for so many reasons. Seeing her standing so close to Greyson was difficult. Who does she think she is, calling me company? She is very condescending, and beyond arrogant.

"Kendall is not company, Savannah. She is a good friend of our family." Greyson's words sliced through me like a sharp blade, and it hurt so bad. He motioned with his hand for me to meet her. Why didn't he tell her that I was his friend?

"Kendall is more than a family friend, she is like a daughter to me," Ava's voice scolded. She directed her comment at Greyson and narrowed her eyes at him.

Thank you, Ava, for making your son look like an idiot!

"Oh, so you're the Kendall that I've heard about? Well, it's nice to meet you. I'm Savannah Montgomery," she introduced herself and insincerely smiled. She made sure to have no physical contact with me.

She knew who I was when she first saw me. She's playing games, I don't have time for. I don't want to hug, or shake her hand either. I wonder what Greyson told her about me. He looked at me apologetically, his expressive gray eyes filled with confusion.

"I'm sorry that I haven't called, Kendall. I've been very busy helping Savannah. It's been a difficult tragedy." He made a poor excuse he should have kept to himself. I was still enraged at him for not having the decency or manners to call me back. He couldn't be that busy, every waking moment of the day.

I glared directly at him and made a sarcastic comment. "No need to apologize. I guess your cellphone stopped working. Obviously, there wasn't enough of an emergency for you to use my phone number. I've been very busy myself at the art gallery. Business has never been better. If you will excuse us, I'm here to plan a bridal shower." I winked at Greyson and brushed past him.

I was not going to be pitied and made to feel intimidated by that woman with Greyson. I held my head up high and linked arms with Ava. We left the foyer to go plan Andrea's bridal shower and I never acknowledged Savannah's presence any further.

Ava was wringing her hands as she ranted about Savannah. " I do not like that woman. I tolerate her for my son's sake. She hurt him very badly. I love the way you handled meeting her for the first time." She touched my arm. "I know that couldn't have been easy. I thought my son had better sense."

I also thought Greyson had better sense. I guess I was sadly mistaken.

Ava and I planned a wonderful shower between the two of us brainstorming. Andrea will be so surprised. I placed my pen on top of my notepad when we were done planning. I took my last sip of sweet tea, before Greyson entered the kitchen, grabbing a glass out of the cabinet. Ava had just given me a to do list of things for the bridal shower.

I stood to say goodbye. "We accomplished a lot today. It was so good to see you Ava. I love that you call me sugarplum. That's what my momma called me. You make me feel like a daughter, and it means the world to me. Thank you." I went around the table and gave her a hug, with tears in my eyes. She got choked up too.

"What did I miss? Why are you two so emotional?" Greyson darted his eyes between us.

"That is something for a mother and daughter to know. To you—I'm just a friend of the family." I smirked, as I gathered my bridal magazines and placed them in my basket.

He placed the glass on the granite counter top. "Touché, Kendall. That was witty," he chuckled. "I guess I deserved that." He walked toward me and stood face to face. He placed a lock of my hair behind my ear, giving me chills.

I missed him, but I was determined to move on. I was locking my heart and throwing away the key—this time.

He touched my face, tilting my chin to look up at him. "It was nice to see you today," his voice softened. "Will you please forgive me for not calling all of this time?" I shivered from his tone of voice.

I had to cut him off and remove his hand from my chin. "Shouldn't you be assisting Savannah or something? I don't want to hold you up. I'm sorry for her loss. Please give her my condolences. I'm happy your heart made a full recovery, after she broke it so badly." I couldn't help that personal dig. I was so annoyed with him. He's a typical guy!

I gathered my basket filled with bridal shower items. I had saved it from my wedding planning days. I felt a slight pang in my heart, but kept my composure. I blew a kiss to Ava, and didn't dare look at Greyson. I managed to leave Carrington Ranch, knowing I had to come back.

~Votes and/or Comments Appreciated~