Strapless

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

It does not dishonor others, it is not

self-seeking, it is not easily angered,

it keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil but

rejoices with the truth.

It always protects, always trusts,

always hopes, always perseveres."

1 Corinthians 13:4-7, The Holy Bible

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 1

 

"[W]hen you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible."

When Harry Met Sally, Nora Ephron

 

At Lenox Square Mall, I see someone up ahead that looks vaguely like Ryan. Then again, I see his face in every man I pass these days, or so it seems.

As I get closer, I see that the man's resemblance to Ryan is uncanny. But it can't be him. Ryan has no reason to be in Atlanta ever again. His movie finished filming long ago and I, well, I'm not a part of his life now.

Passing by the bench that the familiar-looking guy is sitting on, I hear a guy call out. "Carly!"

It IS him. I'd know that voice anywhere. I whirl around.

"Ryan! Hi, what are you doing here?"

"I was at Hartsfield and decided to come here during my layover. It's... it's special to me."

"The mall? Why?"

"Because I was sitting right here on this same bench when you collapsed. That's when I fell, too. Carly, there's no one else. There's never been anyone else since I met you. But what are you doing here? It's a work day."

I look up into his chocolate brown eyes incredulously. Does he honestly mean that in all the months since we broke up that he hasn't dated anyone else?

Suddenly, a memory of the last time he and I were both at the mall rushes to me. I DO remember seeing him that day. How could I have missed him?

Snapping out of it, I reply, "It's Cassidy's birthday this weekend, and I had to buy her a gift. I don't know why I keep coming here for presents for her, but..." I say, laughing, and he joins in, knowing fully well about my luck in finding Cassidy's graduation gift.

"Ryan, I..."

"No, let me speak, please. I let you do all the talking when we fought. I didn't say enough. And I know now that by not saying enough, even though you didn't want me to, I was letting you down. I should have fought for you, for us."

"Ryan, I'm sorry. It was me. It was my fault. you were trying to tell me there was no one else then, but I wouldn't listen. I was so hurt, but I realized later that by not trusting you, and trusting what we had, I was hurting you, too."

"Carly, you were right to be hurt. I DID lie to you. But I never cheated."

"I know, I do know that now. I just couldn't see how to trust you."