Second Chance After the Divorce

Chapter 2

Amelia

“It’s your little sister’s wedding you are planning to ditch..” Karl, my best friend chided me when I spoke about my plan of skipping Angela’s wedding.

“I know but I don’t want to go back there..” I said, sipping on my fruit punch. “Did she have to go marry his best friend? Is there no other man left in the entire world for Angela?”

With a huff, he pulled my chair close to his. “Look, it’s been three years. He’s moved on. He has built his own family. You should too..”

“You know I have tried. But it’s hard when you have loved a guy your whole life, had beautiful memories with him, and then ended up being divorced..” I threw him a glare which made him nod his head understandingly.

“Do you want me to go with you?” He reached out to hold my hand.

“Will you?” I asked him anxiously.

“You know I would do anything for you, Angela..” Karl shrugged.

“Please come with me..” I begged him.

He pulled me into a brotherly hug, “Sure, sweetheart. I will go with you..”

“I would have come with you guys if not for the stupid board meeting..” Julia, my other best friend, and Karl’s girlfriend said pouting.

I smiled at her, “I know and It’s okay, Jules but I would love it if you could join us.”

“I will try to if my work gets done earlier..” She assured. Karl and Julia were friends I made when I came to California to make a living. All three of us worked together until I got a better offer at Holy Cross Hospital as a senior surgeon but I decided to keep in touch with them and we have come this far. They are the only ones here who know my past.

They are all that I have now. Of course, I had my family and friends back home who love me a lot but it has been three years since I left New York. Many of my friends were Noah’s friends too. Noah was my childhood best friend, high school sweetheart, and then my husband of three years but then he broke my heart and we divorced.

None of my friends or family members mentioned to me about Noah anymore. He had become an off-limit topic. I stopped following him on social media but if my guesses were right he should be married to Tory now since they have a child together. The thought sent a harsh pang straight to my heart.

2 weeks later:

“I can’t believe I am getting married tomorrow..” My little sister, Angela paced around her room as we got ready for the rehearsal dinner. I don’t know why she was so nervous when I should be the one to do so. Nobody talked to me about it but I was sure I would encounter Noah since he was the best man.

“Hey, stop fretting, girl..” I held her shoulder to stop her from pacing around. “You will make the most beautiful bride to ever walk on this planet..”

“Only after you..” I don’t think she thought about what she said but immediately regretted it. “I’m sorry, I-I..”

“Don’t worry. It’s okay..” The last thing I wanted to talk about was my wedding day. It was tragically over and there was no use discussing it. “Moreover, I was the most beautiful bride. No denial about it..”

That made her smile, “Of course, you were. Hey, you have no idea how happy we are all to have you here. I doubted if you would attend my wedding. To be frank, I had Gemma as my backup bridesmaid.”

With a kiss on her cheek, I held her hand, "I wouldn't miss my little sister's wedding for anything.."

Her eyes welled up which she quickly blocked away. Together we walked down to the living room where my whole family was waiting for us girls including Karl. It didn’t come as a surprise to see him already gelled with my parents and siblings.

From all the attention he was getting from them, I could say my family thought we were together but I was not going to correct them, not until the wedding was over.

“Hey, you!!” Karl trudged towards me and took my hand in his. I didn’t miss the secretive glances that were exchanged around us. Karl knew what he was doing and I was going to go with his flow.

Noah was going to be there at the wedding, probably with his wife and child. And I didn’t want to look like a sad divorced single woman in front of him. If he had moved on, then I wanted to show him that I moved on too, even though I was still stuck where he left me three years ago.

“You look gorgeous..” Karl pecked my cheek and there was nothing s****l about it. It was one such kiss that my brothers often did but no one had to know about it.

“Thanks. You look good yourself..” I gave him a sweet smile before we walked to our cars. As we did, Angela pulled me to her. “Is something going on between you two?”

“Maybe..” I smirked.

“Really? Mom’s going to plan another wedding already..” She squealed, hugging me, “I am so happy for you..”

My parents displayed their happiness and approval from the wide smiles on their faces and the interest they were showing in getting to know more about Karl. It would break their heart to know that he had a girlfriend back in California. It made me feel silly and immature to lie to my family about something like that but at least I won’t be regarded with pity for the rest of the ceremony I stayed here.