DAWN PAIGE GREY Young Adult Romance

Chapter 28 - Making Things Right

 What was he thinking? Why was he even thinking? It was Dawn he loved. It was Dawn he was going to marry. He had loved her from the moment he first saw her. This thing with Annie was just a fleeting moment. A moment that should never have happened and now needed to be forgotten. If he was right in the head he would not throw away the years of loving Dawn for a moment that should never have happened.

Was it his fault that things had gone wrong between Chris and Annie? He didn’t even know that Chris fancied her.  He’d never said a word. Damn! How could he have been so blind? Chris was his best friend. It was thanks to him that he met and fell in love with Dawn. He had to find Chris and fix things and he had to apologise to Annie. More importantly he had to make things right with Dawn. 

Luke dug his phone out of his pocket and dialled Chris’s number.

“Hey Chris, can we meet for a drink soonest?”

“I’m not really in the mood right now Luke.”

“Chris, I just want to apologise.”

“For what?” 

“All the commotion at the lunch table.”

“What commotion? It must’ve happened after I left. What did you do?”

“Got into an argument with Dawn. She said I couldn’t keep my eyes off Annie all through lunch.”

Chris was quiet for a long time and didn’t respond.

“Chris are you still there?”

“I want the truth Luke. Do you … is there something between you and Annie? Now that you mentioned it I did notice the way you kept looking at her and how she looked at you.” 

Silence crackled on Luke’s phone. He didn’t know how to answer that.

“Luke … what the hell is going on? Are you the guy Annie is keen on? Dammit Luke, answer me. Why the hell are you marrying my sister if you’re interested in Annie?”

“I’m not interested in Annie. It was a stupid mistake. I love Dawn and I am going to marry her tomorrow. I hope you’ll still be my best man.”

“What mistake? What did you do?”

“We kissed.”

“What? You kissed Annie knowing you’re going to marry my sister.  Luke, you knew I liked Annie. Maybe you should get yourself another Best Man.”

“Chris, please don’t change your mind. Not now, not at the last minute. You are my best friend I need you there. Look it was a big mistake. I never realised you were that keen on Annie. She never said anything.”

“I suggest you shut up Luke, you’re digging yourself deeper. I’m not going to be your Best Man and if Dawn marries you she is crazy.”

Chris disconnected the call.

“Chris, Chris wait.”

Luke tried to call him back but his call was rejected twice.

‘What the hell am I going to do now? No best man and I think I just lost my best friend.’ His thoughts raced around in his head as he stared at his phone.

***

Dawn picked up her phone on the first ring. “Yes Luke. What do you want?”

“I want to apologise to Annie for causing such problems between her and you and I need to see you as soon as possible please Dawn.”

“Luke, Dad said it would be best if we don’t see each other till the wedding tomorrow. I agree with him.”

“Does that mean you’re still going to marry me tomorrow?”

“I guess you’ll just have to wait and see.”

“Dawn I do love you. I’m really sorry. I was a fool and hope you can forgive me. It’s you I want to spend the rest of my life with. I loved you from the first moment I saw you. Please marry me tomorrow.”

“Luke, stop. Don’t say anything else. We both need a breathing space. I don’t want to talk to you again until I see you tomorrow.”

“So I will see you tomorrow then? You will marry me?”

“Tomorrow Luke. I’m hanging up now. Please don’t call again.”

Two minutes later Luke called again.

“Luke I asked you not to call again.”

“Dawn I need to make things right with Annie too. Is she with you? Please can I speak to her? I don’t know how else to get hold of her.”

Without saying a word, Dawn handed her phone over to Annie.

“Hello,” she said tentatively. Her heart was racing and she was aware that Dawn was watching her every expression. She quickly clicked the phone over to speaker so Dawn could hear too. She didn’t want to keep anything hidden from her now.

“Annie, I want to apologise for my behaviour. I was stupid and foolish. I am so sorry if I upset you in any way. I do love Dawn and I intend marrying her tomorrow, if she will still have me. I’m really sorry Annie, about everything. I hope you will forgive me in time.”

“Thanks Luke. I accept your apology.”

“Annie, Chris really likes you. Maybe you should give him a chance. I’m really sorry I sort of messed things up between you two.”

“Thanks Luke, I’ll see what happens in the future.”

“I’m really sorry Annie.”

“Okay, Okay Luke, Annie gets the picture.” Dawn shouted.

“You’ve got me on speaker phone Annie?”

“Yes Luke, I heard every word.” Dawn shouted.

Annie handed back the phone without saying another word to Luke.

“Goodbye Luke.” Dawn disconnected the call and switched off her phone.