A Love Story by Jean C. Joachim

Author:Jean C. Joachim
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Romance, General, Fiction
ISBN: 9781618850829
Publisher: Secret Cravings Publishing
Published: 2011-10-08T07:00:00+00:00

* * * *

Callie bounced into the house joyously happy, bubbling over with energy, talking about how great they looked, how pregnant Susie was and John seemed taller than she remembered. Before Mac could respond, she became busy in the kitchen, cooking dinner and making plans, talking non-stop to Mac who barely focused on her words.

Mac paced. The last person he wanted to meet was Kyle’s best friend. He didn’t know how he’d measure up in John’s eyes. Though not insecure about himself generally, this situation made him wonder if John thought him good enough for Callie, brave enough, even though he wasn’t in the military, and smart enough. He hoped John would accept him marrying Kyle’s girl, stealing her from his memory. Mac didn’t like being examined, put under a microscope, being looked over and compared. He kept telling himself he wasn’t a replacement, a stand-in, they were in love and belonged together. Even Callie couldn’t hold a torch for a dead guy forever.

About half an hour before John and Susie were due to arrive, Mac cornered Callie.

“Sit down. Stop running around. I need to talk to you.”

“What is it?” Callie asked, sitting on the edge of the sofa.

“What do you want me to do with these people? This guy was Kyle’s best friend. Is he going to hate me because I’m marrying his best friend’s girl?”

“Is that why you’ve been so tense? John is not a hating type of guy.”

“But he is going to compare me to his friend?”

“Probably, a little. But he would never say anything.”

“Great.”

“I’m sorry. It’s not a contest, Mac. You have nothing to feel insecure about. You’re terrific and you love me, what more could anyone want?” she said squeezing his hand.

“I’m not convinced.”

“But you’re my choice, Mac. John respects me, respects my decisions. He loves me…like a sister and he will honor the choice I made.”

“Callie, I think you are being naïve,” Mac said.

The doorbell rang, Callie ran to the door in a split second. Everything was ready - dinner was warming, the table was set, drinks were poured, wine was breathing and Mac couldn’t keep his hands or feet still, he moved about the room, putting his hands in his pockets, then taking them out again.

Callie made the introductions. John and Mac were a little stiff, but Mac put his hand out right away, breaking the ice between them a little. The girls disappeared into the kitchen buzzing like bees about dresses and pregnancy. Mac and John left holding beers searched for conversation.

“So you’re expecting?” Mac asked.

“The baby is due in May. It’s a boy,” John revealed.

“Congratulations. Where will you be when the baby comes?”

“Hopefully right there. Now I’m on leave, but I’ll be deployed in three weeks. From there I can’t say where I’m going, it’s classified,” John said.

“Will you be in danger?”

“Hope not,” John said, without much conviction.

When the women returned, John took Callie by the arm and pulled her aside.

“Callie, can I speak to you in private?”

“Let’s go in here,” she said, leading him into the bedroom and leaving Susie and Mac in the living room.

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