The Bridesmaid

Chapters Twenty-Seven and Twenty-Eight

Hey everyone! Sorry for my last short update, but it was either a short chapter or wait a few more days for a little longer one. I’m glad so many people like this story! Keep reading and remember to Vote, Comment, and Fan! Also, make sure to check out my other stories and tell me what you think of them. Love you all! –MKate

Chapter Twenty-Seven:

JANE

                  The night of the Business Associates Banquet had finally come. It was strange getting ready all alone in my house without Cynthia there. She was extremely happy in her marriage, though. We saw each other everyday at the store and she had a glow about her that she had not had before. Grant was treating her well.

                  I was dressed in a royal blue evening gown that was entirely uncomfortable, but made me look amazing. As I waited for Dexter to pick me up, I fiddled around the house, my mind racing. I was nervous to see Finn at the banquet. I had had no contact with him for a while and I wondered if things between us were still as intense. I still really liked him; I knew that for sure. I hoped that he still had feelings for me and could look past the banquet/Dexter situation. I suddenly heard the doorbell ring and I knew it was Dexter.

                  “Hey, Dex! You look great,” I said politely as we walked toward his car. I suddenly felt like a high school girl going to a dance with an awkward guy.

                  “Um, thanks. You, um, look good, too,” he mumbled. He was clearly nervous.

                  The car ride to the convention center was painfully silent. Dexter tapped his fingers on the steering wheel while I sat, motionless. I was silently rejoicing when we arrived at our destination. Dexter would loosen up when we talked with other people inside. At least, I hoped he would.

                  “Jane! Hey!” I heard my name being called across the banquet hall. I looked up to see Cynthia and Grant sitting at a round table. Everything was elaborately decorated, and the room was slightly dimmed.

                  “Cynthia! Grant! It’s so good to see you guys. I miss you a lot,” I confessed. It was true. I had been slightly lonely since Cynthia’s marriage.

                  “I miss you too! If only you could find someone like Grant to be with forever…” Cynthia started, but her voice trailed off awkwardly. She knew how sensitive the topic of relationships was with me. I had told her my situation with Finn. She was not pleased with how he treated me, but she had not had any contact with him either. Grant spoke to Finn regularly, but if they spoke of me, he never told me.

                  “Well,” I said, changing the subject. “Grant, this is Dexter. He works at the store with Cynthia and I.”

                  “Nice to meet you, mate,” Grant said with a smile, but I couldn’t help but notice that he kept looking behind me, toward the back wall of the banquet room. I turned suddenly and saw Finn a couple hundred feet away from me. My heart started to pound. What would I say to him? How would he act toward me? The questions whizzing through my mind were endless. Finn slowly approached and I prepared myself for the worst. Would he ignore me completely? I would be devastated if he did.

                  “Jane. Nice to see you,” Finn said indifferently as he approached the table. “I’m Finn. And who might you be?” he asked Dexter politely, when in reality, he knew exactly who Dexter was- the source of our estrangement.

                  “Um, Dexter, um. Nice to, um, meet you,” Dexter replied nervously. He kept twitching his fingers. It took all the strength I had not to reach down and hold them still, keeping him from acting like an awkward five-year-old. Finn nodded in return to his strange greeting.