Unforgettable Mistakes - Now Published

Chapter 9

Amy

Matt opens the glass door of the diner for me and his hand falls to the small of my back as we step inside, giving me goosebumps. I immediately spot all four of our friends seated in the back corner booth. Bree's long chestnut brown hair and soft coffee brown eyes light up as they meet mine. I squeal in excitement and run over to them. Bree stands up just in time for me to throw my arms around her, knocking her back onto the booth. She laughs as she returns my hug. "I'm so happy you're here, Bree!" I exclaim.

"I missed you," she replies.

I reluctantly release her and she steps around me to Matt, giving him a hug as well. She's wearing cut off jean shorts with a white sleeveless button-up shirt tied in a knot at her waist. Liz stands up with a sweet smile. She's beautiful with her dark brown wavy hair, green eyes and a few freckles over the bridge of her nose she attempts to hide with make-up. She's always been nice to me, but she wasn't around yet when I felt like I lost everything. Looking back, I have so many regrets, especially with how I treated Bree. I'm grateful she never gave up on me, but then again, nothing about our situation was normal. Plus, it's not like I could change how I felt, just by telling myself to do so.

Liz gives both Matt and me a hug and then steps back as she smooths down her emerald, silky, short-sleeved top. Blake steps up from behind her, as he pushes his sandy brown hair out of his chocolate brown eyes. He hugs me briefly and then turns to Matt with a grin. They shake hands before pulling each other into a one-armed embrace with a firm pat on the back. I glance over at Christian wearing a pale blue t-shirt and jeans. He gives me a polite smile, not the bright one he's known for that makes anyone on the receiving end melt. His bright blue eyes meet mine, as he runs his hand through his messy-styled, light brown hair. "Hi, Amy," he says and nods in greeting. I reply in kind, grateful as Matt steps up and places his hand on my back in support. Then he reaches towards Christian with his free hand, shaking his hand. "Good to see you Matt," Christian states.

"You too," he replies.

I sit down next to Bree, sliding in to the curved dark red leather booth to make room for Matt right next to me. I exhale slowly as Matt sits down, his body heat almost instantly calming my anxiety. You'd think I would be over it all by now and I am, but maybe not in the way everyone thinks. For me, I still have these inadequate feelings that consume me whenever I see Christian. It doesn't really have anything to do with him anymore. I know we were never meant to be. I don't crave him or wish he were mine. What I do wish is that just once I would be enough. I want to be the one the perfect guy takes home to meet his parents. I want to be the girl that same man fights for and the one that the same man would do anything to keep. I don't want to be the sidepiece. I just want to be the one that's more than good enough for a good man.

Matt looks across the table at Blake and asks, "How's Aubrey?"

Blake's face instantly lights up as he talks about his sister. "She's good. She got some of her friends at the home to help her decorate one of the gathering rooms to celebrate Bree and Christian's wedding," he announces.

"It was so sweet," Bree praises, the pride clear in her voice. "She had white streamers everywhere and she made some signs and delicious cupcakes," she explains. She smiles brightly, Christian watching her with complete love and devotion. I want someone to look at me the way he looks at her. Is that really too much for me to ask?

"So, Amy, how did your new internship go this week?" Bree prods, refocusing my attention.

Although, I appreciate her asking, I mumble, "It was fine." Then, I shrug, like it's no big deal, hoping she'll let it slide for now. "What about you, you haven't even really told me about your honeymoon," I remind her.