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didn’t understand the depth of his regret, or his intense sorrow at causing her pain as he’d gotten lost in himself.
    When they’d first met she hadn’t given him a chance, judging him too quickly. Self-absorbed, she’d assumed without even talking to him. “Guess you were right, Sheena.” He had to make it up to her.
    “Are you okay?” The flight attendant, strapped in across from him, asked. “This is some rough wind, but we’ll be fine.”
    The plane dipped, and kept on going down. The flight attendant’s mouth pursed.
    His dad liked to say that what goes around comes around, and Jared wondered if this was his, coming back around.
    He’d taken a chance on making it all come out right but it was too little, too late.
     

Chapter Five
     
     
    Sheena and Mrs. Conner decided not to tell Lisa about Jared, and they presented a united front as they walked inside the dressing room, Lisa’s gown protected in a garment bag. “Got the shoes?”
    “Yes ma’am,” Sheena said, lifting the box so Mrs. Conner could see for herself.
    Lisa, crying, stood by the window, cell phone in hand. “I’m not going to need shoes. How can Mike get married without Jared here?”
    The make-up lady looked at Sheena, understanding in her black-lined eyes. “I’ll go grab a smoke. Back in ten minutes?”
    “Take fifteen,” Sheena answered. “We’ll pay for your time.”
    She escaped, no doubt used to bridal melt downs, and Sheena put the box on the table before walking to Lisa. Mrs. Connor hung up the dress, tears thickening her voice. “Now honey,” she said.
    “No, Mom!” Lisa shook the phone, then tossed it to the chair. “Don’t start. It’s unreasonable to expect Mike to get married when he’s worried about his brother.”
    Sheena took a deep breath. “Are you saying this? Or is Mike saying this?”
    Lisa sniffed, a giant tear cresting down her cheek. “Mike thinks we need to go ahead with the ceremony. His dad offered to step in as best man.”
    Exhaling, and encouraging Lisa to do the same, Sheena nodded. “I think that’s the right thing to do, Lis. I mean, I hate to say it, but Jared’s done this before.”
    Saying the words felt wrong. Sheena just couldn’t imagine him leaving his own brother without a word, not after the family had welcomed him back with open arms after the last fiasco. He loved Mike. Hell, she believed he loved her, too. Maybe for Jared it just wasn’t enough.
    “I know, I know.” Lisa brought her knuckle to her lower lip as if to stop it from trembling. “I don’t understand. How could he do this? Maybe sleeping with you,”
    Mrs. Conner gasped.
    Lisa winced. “Sorry. Forget you heard that, Mom. But maybe he’s out driving around thinking about what a schmuck he is. He doesn’t know what to say to you, so he can’t confront you.”
    “Since when am I that intimidating? I’m the girl next door type, not a ball-breaking Lolita. Besides, I just don’t think he’d let you and Mike down without a word. He seemed so sincere in his apologies – to everyone, not only me.”
    “You are the last person in the world I’d ever dream would come to his defense,” Mrs. Connor said with disbelief.
    “I am not defending him!” Sheena paced the small room. “He’s a jerk of insurmountable proportions. To put this kind of strain on his family puts him to a whole new jack ass level. But,” Sheena made a slicing motion with her hand, “hear me out, Lisa, I believe he will be here in time for the wedding.” What if there was an accident?
    Lisa stopped crying and hiccupped. “Really?”
    Sheena stopped her circuit of the room and faced her best friend. “Really. So, let’s get you made-up, then dressed. You’ve got some vows to say and it’s my job to make sure you don’t fuck it up.”
    Mrs. Connor gasped again and Lisa laughed. “This is why, Sheena, nobody but you could be my maid of honor.” She scrubbed at her red cheeks. “All this crying can’t be good for the