DAWN PAIGE GREY Young Adult Romance

Chapter 17 - Face to Face

 “Dad …. Are you still there?” Dawn asked as the silence on the other side of the phone continued.

“Dawn, I’m convinced this is just wedding nerves and your stress about walking down the aisle with your sprained ankle.  Come home Dawn and we can sit and thrash this out with Luke, he has been out of his mind worrying about you.”

“Dad, please just give me two days to do some serious thinking.”

“Dawn you really need to come home, you’ll do better thinking here among your family and discussing things with us.”

“Dad, I promise to come home in two days, promise.”

“Fine as long as you don’t make any rash decisions before you talk to your family. Best not to speak to Luke either, the way you are feeling now.”

“Okay Dad, I call you back in two days.”

“Fine, Dawn. I’ll send the chopper for you in two days.”

Dawn sat staring at the phone when Andy walked in wearing just a towel.

“Hey Sweets, would you mind if I used your shower James has decided to fall asleep in the bath.”

Dawn looked up, her eyes moist with tears.

“Ohh dear, what’s wrong Dawn?” Andy said as he sat on the bed next to her and gave her a hug.

“I phoned my father, he is not happy and wants me to come home and talk to the family before I make any decisions. He has given me two days to think before he sends the chopper for me. He doesn’t want me to talk to Luke either until I go home.” Dawn said whilst resting against Andy’s shoulder.

“Dawn, I’m here for you whenever you need to talk about anything, any time day or night.” Andy said giving her a big squeeze.

“Thanks Andy, you’ve been so supportive. I really don’t know what I would’ve done without you.” Dawn said hugging him, “Ooo, you smell of sweat, go shower.” Winking at him and giving him a playful shove off the bed.

As Andy stood up his towel got caught under Dawn’s leg and his bare bottom was something Dawn was not expecting to witness. Dawn was not sure if she was pleasantly surprised or shocked and to hide her embarrassment she gave him a quick slap on his butt. 

Andy jumped and whirled round. Dawn immediately covered her eyes with her hands. Andy laughed and pulled the towel out from under Dawn.

“That slap deserves a payback Sweets. Watch your back Dawnie,” he said laughing as he headed for the bathroom.

Dawn laughed and she actually felt a lot better knowing she had a true friend to lean on.  Now all she had to do was really think things through.  Did she really not want to marry Luke, or was it just wedding nerves as her father had said? Maybe once they were married she wouldn’t have these misgivings and find she really did love Luke after all, or she might even fall in love with him all over again.

Dawn jumped when her phone rang and fumbled with it before answering. Seeing Annie’s name flash on the screen she answered, “Hi Annie, everything alright with your father?”

“Hi Dawn,” Luke responded.

“Luke!” Dawn almost dropped the phone, “Luke, what are you doing with Annie’s phone?”

“I knew it was the only way you would talk to me. You haven’t answered any of my other calls or texts.”

“Luke, I’m sorry. I just need time to think. Please just give me a couple of days, please.”