LITMIR.BIZ

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you think he should exercise a little tact?”

      “Is that what bothers you?” Richelle asked. “That he’s flaunting someone new in front of you? Or are you really bothered by the fact that you’re not with him right now?” She raised an eyebrow, an exclamation point on her question.

      Melanie tried to tamp down on the unsettled feeling in her stomach, on the sensation of bile rising in her throat. She knew she had no right, after all it was she who had let him go.

      It was just that seeing him move on so quickly... She didn’t like it.

      The show was over, and people were now going up to the warriors and posing for pictures with them.

      “I know you better than you know yourself sometimes,” Richelle said. “And you know as well as I do you didn’t dump Lawrence because you didn’t love him. You dumped him because you couldn’t stand the idea of getting hurt one day. But you can’t expect a guy you’ve dumped to worry about how you might react to the fact that he’s met someone new. If you’re upset because you still love him, then why don’t you fight for him?”

      Melanie tightened her jaw as she looked at Richelle. “It’s over.”

      “Then get over it.”

      Richelle’s blunt response left Melanie stunned. Her stomach twisting painfully, she couldn’t think of a thing to say.

      “Sorry, Melanie,” Roy said, getting to his feet and taking Richelle’s hand. “I’d like to borrow my fiancée, if you don’t mind.”

      “Of course.” Melanie forced a smile.

      Roy helped Richelle to her feet, and the two walked off wrapped around each other toward the shoreline.

      A lump formed in Melanie’s throat as she watched Richelle and Roy. Perhaps she was coming down with something.

      Yeah, right, she said to herself. The only thing she had come down with was a case of the blues.

      She dared a glance behind her again, and saw that Lawrence, Shemar and the women were walking away from the beach.

      Yeah, she had the blues all right. And perhaps a major case of jealousy.

      As Melanie got up, a feeling of defeat came over her. One that didn’t make sense. She’d dumped Lawrence, and even when they’d spoken today, she hadn’t thought of asking for his forgiveness so that they could reconcile. So why, as Richelle had asked her, did she care?

      She turned from looking in Lawrence’s direction and felt a spate of alarm when she saw that Edward was walking toward her, a huge smile on his face.

      “Hey, Melanie,” he said, adjusting his glasses as he reached her. “It’s a beautiful night, isn’t it?”

      “Yeah, it is.”

      He glanced up. “Have you ever seen so many stars?”

      “No.” Melanie looked at the sky. “It’s incredible.”

      He was still grinning when his eyes met hers again. “The night is young. Feel like taking a walk on the beach with me?”

      “Actually, I’m not feeling well.” Which wasn’t a lie. “I think I’d better rest up, since tomorrow will be a busy day.”

      “You’re getting sick?” Edward asked, concern in his expression.

      “Probably still the jet lag,” Melanie said to allay his concern. “I’m sure I’ll feel better after a good night’s rest. But thanks, anyway.”

      “Oh, sure.” Edward sounded disappointed. “Maybe another time.”

      Melanie didn’t reply to his suggestion, just offered him a smile. “Good night, Edward.”

      Then she turned and headed toward the path that led to the main lobby, her eyes frantically searching. When she didn’t see Lawrence on the lit path, she then surveyed the darkened areas.

      She didn’t see him anywhere.

      And she began to feel an enormous ache in her heart. Because as she made her way toward the lobby, she couldn’t help wondering if one of those women had offered to spend more time with Lawrence tonight.

      And if he had said yes.

      Chapter 6

      The next day was busy with the final details before the wedding. One of Roy’s cousins was going to act as the photographer, and Roy had made arrangements with a local videographer to capture the event. The wedding planner from the resort went through all these details with the bride, groom, maid of honor and best man.

      How many Fijian touches did they want for the wedding, if any? Did they approve of the stretch of beach allocated for the special event? Was the reception menu okay?

      Melanie was intrigued when the wedding planner mentioned the option of the bride and groom wearing traditional Fijian tapa wedding costumes. These special wedding garments would have to be made on the day of the ceremony, mere hours before the event. Formed from the bark of a mulberry tree and hand painted, the tapa costumes would be all raw fiber, and wrapped around the bride and the groom, creating the look of long and full skirts on both. Though charming and definitely a uniquely Fijian touch, Richelle and Roy had passed on that idea. Roy wanted to wear the tuxedo he’d brought, and Richelle wasn’t going to pass up the opportunity to wear the designer gown she’d purchased from an upscale fashion house in New York.

      Late in the afternoon, the bridal party had a fitting to make sure none of their outfits required adjustments. Then came discussions about the choir that would sing during the bridal procession. And on went the last-minute planning, with Richelle and Roy approving every aspect for their special day.

      After a day that was spent finalizing the details, the wedding party got together for a lovely dinner at one of the resort’s famed restaurants. It was an opportunity to spend some quality time together as a group before the big day, and was followed by the wedding rehearsal.

      Richelle was overcome with emotion for much of the day, and Melanie couldn’t help remembering how jittery she had been on her own wedding day months earlier.

      “And lastly,” Roy said, now that everything had come to a conclusion, “I’d like to thank you all for being here to make our day that much more special. I know Fiji was a far trek, and I appreciate you committing the time to be here. It wouldn’t be the same for Richelle and me without you all.”

      Richelle had been dabbing at her eyes during Roy’s thank-you speech to the wedding party, and now she pushed her chair back, uttered an “Excuse me” and headed in the direction of the restrooms.

      Melanie quickly got up from her own chair and followed her friend. By the time Richelle was shouldering the restroom door open, she was crying.

      “Hey,” Melanie said as she stepped into the bathroom behind her. “What is it, hon?”

      Richelle lifted a thick paper towel from a basket on the sink. She wiped at her eyes before speaking. “I just... Is this really happening? Am I really getting married?”

      Melanie walked toward her. “Yes, this is really happening. You’re marrying the man of your dreams. Don’t you worry about a thing, okay?”

      “I’m not making a mistake, am I?” Richelle asked.

      “A mistake?” Melanie gaped at her. Then she placed her hands on her shoulders. “No, honey. Of course you’re not making a mistake. Not at all. You and I both know that Roy is the one.”

      Richelle sniffled. “Everything happened so easily. I can’t help thinking that the other shoe is going to drop...and that I’m going to be devastated.”

      “No, no, no, no.” Melanie shook her head. “Don’t you go thinking like that. If there’s one thing I’m absolutely sure of, it’s that that man loves you. He’d do anything for you. Don’t

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