Before You Say I Do

Chapter Nine

I stand on the balcony of the apartment, looking over the town. My cell phone was in my hand, waiting for me to press that small green button. It took me about fifteen minutes to convince myself that I needed to do this not only for myself, but for him. And so, in some of the dumbest moments of my life, I call him.

Adam answers on the first ring like I knew he would. Well, actually that's a lie. I knew he would answer instantly if he didn't delete me from his phone, which he obviously didn't.

“Juliana?” he asks, sounding more confused than ever. I was speechless for a moment, not knowing what to say. “did you have a reason to call or what?”

the slight harshness in his voice snapped me out of whatever trance I was in, “um, yeah. I just wanted to congratulate you on the wedding. I'm glad that you and Stephanie worked things out.”

There was a small awkward pause between us. Remind me again why I did this? “oh.” Adam says, sounding disappointed, “thanks.”

“yeah, so...that was all. I guess I'll let you get back to whatever you were doing.”

I start to hang up but he stops me, “wait, Julie?”

“mhmm?”

“you're in Italy, correct?”

“um...yes, I am. Weddings, it seems, can happen anywhere and they still want my cakes.”

he chuckles but there's no feeling behind it. “can we meet up for coffee later or something?”

that was the last thing I expected him to say or ask. The guy who left me brokenhearted and was now getting married wanted to meet up with me? “I guess.”

“so, Tonsca? Say, four o'clock?” Tonsca was one of the many places Adam made sure I went to before I left Italy. They had, according to him, the best hot chocolate in the city. And he was right, it was delicious.

“yeah. That works.”

“great! See you then.” and before I could say anything in reply he hung up.

“see you then.” I whisper and shut my phone. Now I had about four hours to find the perfect outfit for this messed up situation. The only person I knew who could help me with this was, or should be, on a romantic day in Italy with her husband. So I was on my own for this and became worried sick

~~

After some contemplating on if I should wear pants or a dress, I decided on the pants. And then it took me about another hour or so to finally come to the decision of a dark blue shirt to go with it. By the time I was complete, it was 3:45. I was cutting it close, but I must admit that I wasn't too worried about being on time for this one.

When I walk into the small cafe I didn't spot Adam anywhere in sight. I take a seat in the back corner at a little table by the window. It's where Adam and I always sat when we came here and for some reason I just automatically walked to it. The waitress asked me what I wanted and I chose the hot chocolate like usual.

That's when Adam walked in. If I didn't know better I would say his whole body lightened up when he saw me. But that's just crazy. This is the guy that's getting married, and it's not to me.

The waitress walks away with my order written down and Adam walks up to the table, taking a seat across from me.

Neither of us said anything for a couple of minutes and the woman comes back with my drink. That's when Adam spoke, though it wasn't to me, it was to the waitress, “I'll have the same.” he says and she nods, walking back to the kitchen.