"I see you've been spending more time with Sarah," Mike said.
"Yeah? Well, she is the maid of honor and I'm the best man. We're kind of thrown together, you know?"
"I understand that. But Sarah's a sweet girl. Please don't hurt her," Mike said, waving to another relative. The thought of anyone hurting Sarah, least of all him, caused his fists to clench and his blood to heat in his veins.
Just then, Ashley ran up to Mike and threw her arms around him. Her normally flawless make up was smeared with tears.
"What is it," Mike asked. "Hey, look at me. What's the matter?"
"It's Sarah and Harper," Ashley sobbed. "There's been an accident."
Jay's blood turned to ice and a panic he'd never known gripped him.
LIGHT WAS the first thing Sarah saw. Blinding white light. She wondered if this was heaven. As her eyes adjusted, though, she was able to make out shapes. Another blink and she could see familiar figures. Mike was holding Ashley close to his chest. When Sarah turned her head, she saw Jay holding her hand. Worry lines creased his forehead. He looked up when she flexed her fingers.
"Sarah," he said, relief evident in his eyes.
"What happened," Sarah croaked. Her voice was rough and her throat raw.
Everyone exchanged a glance.
"There was an accident," Mike finally said. "You're basically fine, but we were waiting for you to wake up."
A memory of a car coming at Harper's car came back to her. Where was Harper now?
"Harper," Sarah asked.
"I'm so sorry, Sarah," Jay started. "But Harper didn't make it. She died in the ambulance.
Ashley turned her face into Mike's chest and cried. No, it couldn't be true.
"No, that can't be right. She cant be...dead. She just can't be." Tears began to spill from her eyes. An ache grew in her chest. she was sure it would never go away.
Jay cupped her hand in both of his. Although her vision grew blurry, she was positive she saw tears glistening in his eyes.
JAY AWOKE WITH a start. He'd fallen asleep in the chair next to Sarah's bed.
Sarah was out of her bed and digging through her room. "Where is it? It has to be here!"
"What are you looking for," Jay asked.
Sarah didn't respond to him. "Where is it. Where is it? I can't have lost it."
Jay stood and caught Sarah by the shoulders as she whirled around. Tears streaked her cheeks. "What on Earth has you so riled up?"
"My drawing pad. It was in my bag when...when...earlier."
"Oh, sweetie. After they rescued you and Harper, the car caught fire. Anything inside was lost."
"No, you're lying," Sarah said, shaking her head. She twisted free of his grip and continued frantically searching the room.
"Sweetie, it's gone," Jay said softly. "I wouldn't lie to you."
"Yeah, right. Isn't that all men like you do? Seduce women with beatiful lies and then let them crash to the floor."
"What do you mean, men like me," Jay said.
"Men like you...players, womanizers. You use women to feel good about yourself , then leave them in the dust."
"Is that really how little you think of me," Jay asked.
