My Always One

Chapter Five

Sami

Less than one year ago

I can't stop myself from looking at the gorgeous diamond on my left hand. Under the dim lighting of the bar, I wiggle my finger near the candle in the middle of our table.

“Yes, it's beautiful," my friend Linda says before leaning closer, the way she does when she's been drinking.

The truth is that we've all been drinking.

Today, I broke the news of my engagement to Linda, Marcy, and Ashley, all friends of mine from work. I've been at this advertising agency for nearly four years, and when I started, Linda was my godsend, Marcy has the sweetest and most curious disposition, and Ashley started a year after me, and during the week and even on weekends, we've all been inseparable. When I announced my news this morning at work, I had no idea that Linda would call my sisters and arrange an impromptu engagement party.

Ashley lifts her hand in the air. “Another bottle of Moscato," she shouts toward the bar.

Millie, my younger sister, shakes her head. “No, I have to drive back to Johnson." She waves her hand over her nearly empty glass. “I need water."

“No water, wine," Linda says loudly. “Think of it as a miracle, water into wine. And an even greater miracle, Sami here is engaged."

As everyone laughs, including me, I work to fake a pout. “It's not a miracle. It's my forever."

Ashley lifts her glass. “To forever."

“Forever," Marcy says, emptying her glass and wiggling it in the air for more.

Linda tilts her head with a dreamy expression. “Tell us again how Jackson proposed."

I take a deep breath. “On one knee."

“Tell everyone where you were," Millie chimes in.

“We were out to dinner at Sheffield's."

“The country club," Linda adds. “Where he's a member."

“Yeah," I reply, not wanting to flaunt Jackson's money or his position. My fiancé—oh, that was fun to think—just made partner at a big law firm in Grand Rapids. It is all part of his plan—partner at the firm, wife, house, and family. I just am having a tough time believing that I am now a part of that plan. Not only a part. I will be his wife. He will be my husband.

“Do you have a date set?"

“No, Jack doesn't want a long engagement."

“Are we all going to be your bridesmaids?" Ashley asks.

“Who is your maid or matron of honor," Jane, my older sister asks.

“She'll pick me," Millie says with a grin. “I've always been her favorite sister."

“I think she should pick me," Jane replies. “After all, I'm the oldest."

Before I could respond, a deep voice spoke from behind me.

“I think she should pick me."

The entire table turns, mouths agape at the man possessing the voice. I don't need to turn. I'd know that voice anywhere, as well as the firm lips that land on my cheek at the same moment a strong hand lands on my shoulder. “After all, I'm her best friend." He squeezes my shoulder. “Congratulations, Sami."

Nearly spilling my glass of wine, I set it on the table and stand in time to be met with a broad hard chest. I wrap my arms around Marshal's waist and lay my head against that solid torso. When I look up, I blink as his blue eyes shimmer in the bar's illumination. “Why are you here?"

“Because I got a text telling me that my best friend is engaged."

“I texted you yesterday, and you didn't reply."

“So, I'm a shitty best friend."

“No, you're not." I say, my words slurring just a bit.

“Pull up a chair." Jane's direction is repeated by affirmations around the rest of the table.

When I turn, I see my sister's knowing grin. “You told him we were here?" I accuse.

Jane smiles and leans back, lifting her hands. “I did it. I'm guilty as charged."

In the time I've been looking at my older sister, Marshal has pulled up a chair right next to mine. Within seconds, one of the waitresses is at his side, taking his order and probably giving him her phone number. Once she walks away, I turn and lower my voice. With each word, I lean closer and closer, working to keep his blue orbs in focus. “I thought you were upset."

“Upset that my best friend found her forever? Never."

Inhaling, I'm filled with a sense of relief that I hadn't realized I needed. “Thank you."

“So am I going to be your man of honor?"

“Do they do that?" Ashley asks.

“I can do whatever I want," I say. “I'm the bride."

“What is that show?" Linda asks before answering her own question. “Bridezilla."

I lean back, feeling Marsh's arm on the back of my chair and sigh. “I've been imagining this feeling my whole life." I shake my head. “I mean, I have wanted it all, not just forever. I want the friends and career. I want a best friend." I squeeze Marshal's knee. “And I want the always." I look at Jane. “You know, like Mom and Dad. And you and Tony." I turn to Millie. “You'll get it one day."

“I'm not worried." She smiles at Marshal. “After all, I know of one guy who's still available."

My younger sister is probably one of the only women in this bar who has no chance of waking in his bed. My sisters and his brother aren't part of our understanding; that was for friends. Siblings are totally and completely off-limits. After all, we all grew up together like stair steps: Jane was the oldest, then Marcus, Marshal's brother, only a few months older than my brother, Byron, and then Marshal and me, and finally Millie.

It would just be weird.

“He's taken," I say as everyone looks my way.

When I turn to Marshal, I smile. “Remember, you told me who you'll end up with?"

“I did?"

“Yeah, right before graduation."

“Who?" Linda asks.

It's as if a light bulb illuminates and Marshal's baby blues open wide. “Sami's right. There's only one person in my forever and it's me."

“Oh," comes from everyone.

“It's okay," he reassures. “That way I can share my attention with everyone."

“I'm free," Linda says with a smirk.

“Nope," I answer. “Friends are off-limits as well as siblings."

“So you're saying as long as I'm friends with you, Marshal is off-limits?"

I know where this is going. “That's our understanding."

“Well, Sami," Linda says, “it's been nice."

We all laugh.

As the night goes on, food continues to be delivered to our table. First there were onion rings and then nachos. The last delivery was a large pizza. It wasn't until we started to disperse that I questioned the tab.

“It's all taken care of," Marshal says.

In the past four years, our financial status has improved.

Marshal's old truck is replaced with a shiny, sleek sports car. My old Camry is now a midsize SUV, and my living arrangement has improved. I have an upscale condo near the river. Marshal also has his own place, high in the sky in a newer building not far from the museum. It's all the rage with coffee shops, delis, and cafes that serve tofu.

“Let me drive you home," he says, plucking my key fob from my hand.

“No." I sway a bit. “I can't leave my car here."

“I'll leave my car. I'll drive you home and Uber back for my car." Marshal lifts his chin toward Jane. “I'll get her home. I promise."

“Thanks, Marsh."

I lower my brow and attempt a scowl. “Did she tell you to come because I was drunk?"

“She mentioned you were celebrating and not eating."

My fist goes to my hip. “Are you, Marshal Michaels, teaming up with Bossy Jane?" It was what we called her when we were kids. Being four years older than us, she felt it was her right to be Mom whenever Mom wasn't about.

Marshal pulls me close, tucking me against him. “The only Anderson on my team is and will always be you, Samantha Ann."

I lean back and stare at his blurry profile. “You used my whole name. I'm in trouble."

“No, you're not in trouble."

It isn't until Marshal has me back in my condo that I ask him what's been on my mind since he didn't return my text message. “You don't like Jack, do you?"

“He's not my forever. He's yours."

I reach out and take Marshal's hand. “I don't want to lose you. I still love you."

“Always and forever?"

I nod. “I just want the other kind of love too. You know the one that takes your breath away and twists your stomach, the one that makes you fall asleep with a smile and wake with one?"

“Honey, if you found that, I will never stand in your way. Just know that whether you're celebrating your fiftieth anniversary or you need a shoulder, I'm here."

“I know that. I'm here for you too."

I slowly fall to my side and close my eyes, thinking of Jackson, of my friends, of my engagement ring, and how he proposed in front of the entire dining room full of patrons at Sheffield's. My world warms as a blanket comes down over me and firm lips leave a soft kiss on my forehead.

“Do you need an alarm?" Marshal asks.

“My phone—it's always..."

“Let me know when we're going bridesmaid-dress shopping."

I don't see him with my eyes closed, but my cheeks rise as I curl my lips into a smile, and I drift off to sleep.