Ash drew imaginary circles on the wood. “Seeing you again made me realize the glossy election flier with the photo of the perfect-together engaged couple was no more real than two people who had only dated a few months finding themselves pushed to settle down before the primary election. I’m . . . sorry.”
“Me too.” Jenna rubbed her thumb over her fingertips. She didn’t look Ash in the eyes. He wasn’t the only guilty party. “The whole reason I attended your church’s singles group was to make contacts in another part of town. I wasn’t looking for a boyfriend, but a higher-end clientele. When we started dating, my business took off with new customers. The additional income made life easier for once. Only everything blew up after you called off the wedding. My new clients disappeared. I had nothing. I realized I’d made your life, your friends, mine. I had no connections with anyone outside of my family. My faith was so weak.”
“That’s not true. I’ve seen you working with the youth.”
“Before, when I was with you, I wasn’t like the way I am now.” Admitting the truth was almost painful, but a weight lifted off her shoulders. Her heart felt lighter. “You were my catalyst for change. For finding Pastor Dan and his church. For falling in love with God. I can’t believe I’m telling you this, but being dumped at the altar was the best thing that ever happened to me.”
He smiled close-mouthed, a thoughtful gleam in his gaze. “At least something good came of that.”
“Lots of good.” She hoped he heard the sincerity behind her words. “We just had the wrong—misguided—intentions.”
“If I could go back . . .”
“It’s okay.” Lightning flashed, followed immediately by a roar of thunder. She rubbed her arms. Focused on Ash. “You mentioned being friends. That’s one step we skipped the first time.”
“Does that mean there’s going to be a second time?”
Jenna’s chest seized, the beat of her heart seeming to stop. She knew how she wanted to answer. Did she dare?
He held her hand. Tingles exploded from the point of contact.
“Are you willing to give us a second chance? Be friends with the possibility of more? That’s what I want.”
No air remained in her lungs. She drew in a short breath so she could answer. “I want to believe things could be different.”
“They will be. I promise.” He leaned toward her. “I know I’ve apologized, but I want you to know I’ve changed. I regret what I did, and I’ll never do it again.”
Those were the words Jenna needed to hear. Peace settled over her. A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.
“What do you say?” he asked.
Hope filled her heart. This time would be different. “I’m up for a second chance.”
Taking a second chance put a permanent smile on Jenna’s face. Dinners, a movie, texts every day, a video chat before saying good night. She couldn’t have asked for a better start to her and Ash’s friendship.
Watching a DVD together last night had reaffirmed what Jenna knew in her heart—she wanted Ash to be a part of her life again. As a friend . . . as more.
But something stood in the way. The wedding dress hanging in her closest had to go.
Jenna had told Ash not to look back. Her turn. She didn’t need a reminder of the past. Not when she wanted to live in the present and look forward to the future. And she knew exactly who to call to take the dress off her hands.
An hour later, Kerri arrived alone. “Are you sure about this?”
“Positive.” Jenna had never been more certain. “Hanging onto the wedding gown makes no sense. If you don’t like the dress, that’s okay, but I thought since you were looking for one I’d offer it to you.”
“I’m honored. Shocked, really.”
“We’re about the same height, but you’re thinner so you’ll need alterations done. Come on.” Jenna had hung the dress in the bedroom closet. She removed the gown from the cover. “Here you go.”
Kerri gasped. She covered her mouth with her hands. “What a gorgeous dress.”
“Try it on.”
She reached for the dress with a hesitant hand. “I could never afford—”
“Just see if you like the gown.” Jenna headed out of the bedroom. “I’ll wait in the hallway. Let me know if you need anything.”
Several minutes later, Kerri called Jenna into the bedroom. “What do you think?”
“Oh, my. Gorgeous.” A lump burned in Jenna’s throat. Tears stung her eyes. Seeing Kerri wearing the wedding gown felt oh-so-right. “The dress looks better on you than me.”
Kerri wiped her eyes. “It’s perfect, but—”
“The dress is yours.” The words tumbled out of Jenna’s mouth without regret. Full of relief. “My gift to you.”
Kerri’s eyes widened to the size of half-dollars. “Don’t even kid.”
“I’m not.” Jenna grinned at her friend’s shocked expression. “Take the dress. The number of the woman who did my alterations is on the bag. She can take in the waist and bodice.”
Tears streamed down Kerri’s face. Happy ones, based on her smile. “Thank you. This is so much more than I imagined. An answer to my prayers.”