Three Times He Made Me Wait The Bride He Lost

He changed into his slippers, glanced over, and asked offhandedly, "What's the delivery for?"

"Just mailing some things."

"Oh."

He didn't press. He held out a cup to me.

"This place makes a good smoothie. Want to try it?"

I took it and looked down at the label.

Mango smoothie. 2/2 cups.

It wasn't bought for me. Lisa wanted one, and the extra cup had simply ended up in my hand.

I set it on the coffee table without drinking it.

Eugene frowned slightly. "Why aren't you drinking it? Don't you girls love this stuff?"

I stood up, my voice flat. "I'm allergic to mango."

He looked at me, his mouth opening, but no words came out.

Somewhere along the way he'd forgotten what I liked. He only remembered what Lisa liked.

I turned and went back to the bedroom.

His voice followed me, but I couldn't make it out, and I didn't want to.

I'd just lain down on the bed when my phone lit up. A message from Mom.

【The family has it all arranged. When are you coming back?】

【Flight's tomorrow.】

Before sleep, he suddenly wrapped his arms around me from behind, chin tucked into the curve of my shoulder, his voice muffled. "Amelia, are you still angry?"

I lay with my back to him, eyes open.

"No. Go to sleep."

His kiss landed on the back of my neck, warm and familiar. "Once the conference is over, we'll have the wedding. All right?"

I didn't answer.

After a while his breathing evened out, his arm draped over my waist.

The next morning.

He came out of the kitchen carrying tomato-and-egg noodles. I was the one who'd taught him to make them.

He pulled the chair out for me, considerate, and gave a small smile. "What are you standing there for? Sit."

I sat down and ate the noodles quietly.

They tasted a little better than before, the seasoning just right.

He took a few bites, then set his chopsticks down, his gaze settling on my face.

"Amelia, why don't we just hold the wedding here in Seaport City? All our friends are here, it'd be easier…"

"The noodles are going to clump."

I lifted a bite with my chopsticks and lowered my head to keep eating.

He watched me, his lips moving, but in the end he said nothing more.

He knew I was still angry. But he was certain I couldn't live without him.

As long as he coaxed me a little, I'd forgive him eventually.

Every time before, that was how it went.

After breakfast, he mentioned it offhandedly. "Lisa wants to go to Capital City a couple of days early to look around. Do you want to come along?"

I paused, then shook my head. "I'll pass."

He seemed to sense something. He reached out to hold me, and I turned aside to avoid it.

"Go pack your bags."

His hand stalled in midair for a moment, then drew back awkwardly, and he turned and went into the bedroom.

A moment later his voice came from inside. "Amelia, where's that gray tie of mine?"

"Third drawer on the right side of the closet. Have a look."

He pulled the drawer open, and his movement stopped short. It was more than half empty.

He came out and stood in the bedroom doorway, his voice not quite natural. "Amelia, where are your clothes?"

I kept scrolling on my phone, head down. "Threw them out."

"Doesn't the place feel a lot emptier? Did you do a big cleanout?"

I didn't answer. Instead I asked, "Did you find everything?"

He stared at me, his lips parting, just about to speak, when the doorbell rang.

I went over and opened the door.

Lisa stood there dragging her suitcase. She turned sideways to squeeze in, walked straight over to Eugene, and looped her arm through his as if it were the most natural thing.

"Eugene, time to head out."

Eugene instinctively shifted half a step to the side, away from her hand.