Roommate Wanted

Chapter 20

1 Week Later

Karlie's Point of View

Today is Jenny and Elliot's wedding. I tried to focus on being the best "best woman" I could be for Elliot, but the fear of seeing Shelby and her new girlfriend was haunting me. I got to the venue earlier than most of the guests since I was a part of the wedding party, but I knew as soon as the ceremony started I would have to see her. 

"Karlie, you doing ok?" Elliot asked me.

"Yes, please don't worry about me. This is your big day, I should be worried about you." I said.

"Why do you have to be worried about me? I got the girl of my dreams and even convinced her to spend the rest of her life with me. It's ok if you to be a little upset today. It will be the first time you see Shelby since the everything went down with you two." Elliot sympathized.

"I know, but I want to be here for you and focus on the happy part of today!" I said smiling.

I was being sincere. I love Elliot and Jenny and their big day is important to me. So I am going to keep my mind on that, instead of focusing on Shelby.

After we all finished getting ready, Elliot, the groomsmen, and I stood up at the front of the venue, waiting for the bride to come down the aisle. I looked out at the guests to see if I could get a peak at Shelby and her new girlfriend. I spotted them in the 5th row back, Shelby looked beautiful as ever. I couldn't really get a good look at her new girlfriend because the guy in front of her was tall and blocked her from my view. 

After the ceremony, we made our way to the reception hall. I had my duties as "best woman" which kept me occupied, but once the more structured portion of the reception was over, I was free to go find Shelby. I scanned the crowd, looking for Shelby, when another familiar face stood out. It was Sam. Wait, was Sam Shelby's date? I thought she had a wife. I am so confused now.

I walked across the room and approached Sam.

"Hey Sam, long time no see." I said.

"Karlie!" Sam exclaimed and pulled me into a hug.

"So, are you Shelby's date?" I asked.

"Yes, I mean, no. I am her plus one, but not in a date type of way. Her girlfriend couldn't make it and Shelby didn't want to come alone. So I offered to tag along." Sam explained.

"Oh," I responded. "So Shelby really does have a girlfriend then. Where exactly is Shelby?"

"She wasn't feeling well, so she went back to the hotel." Sam explained. "And actually, I can't do this. Shelby told me to act like she had a girlfriend that couldn't make it but that's not the truth."

Sam went on to explain how Shelby was scared by her feelings for Karlie and hurt by the betrayal of Charlie, and all of those emotions were just too much for her to handle. So she fled to Chicago, but after some time she started to realize that she made a mistake. Shelby didn't know how to approach Karlie and explain that she was ashamed by how she handled the situation. But right before Shelby was going to reach out she saw Karlie posted her bedroom furniture for sale online. Shelby assumed that Karlie was done with her.

"No, that's not it at all. It just hurt to see her stuff and I had to move on. I wanted her back, I just couldn't bare that reminder of her and felt like I needed to do that to move on." I explained.

"Have you moved on?" Sam asked.

I thought about it for a moment. I was heartbroken when Shelby left and I am still scared of getting hurt and rejected. But this is the most real thing I have ever felt.

"Honestly, no." I responded.

"Then go tell her, not me." Sam said as she scribbled down the hotel info on a piece of paper with the room number on it.

I ran out to my truck and drove a few blocks to the hotel Shelby was staying at. Thankfully there was a flower shop near by, so I stopped in and grabbed a dozen roses. When I got to the hotel, I bolted up to her room, then paused at the door. I took a few deep breaths, then I knocked on her door.