The Rebound

The Wedding Gift

Tiana

Kylie’s big day is just around the corner. We arrived at the airport a good 30 minutes ago and we’re en route to the breathtaking Arbor Resort and Spa in Napa Valley... where she would be tying the knot with Stan. I was super happy and excited for her… but I was also nervous as heck. I was finally going to have to see Bryan.

He tried to talk to me again on Monday but I successfully avoided him. He visited me at work in the afternoon… but I asked the receptionist to tell him that I was in a meeting and couldn’t be disturbed. He waited for a long time. A really long time. I had to stay late in the office… because he wouldn’t leave. And I really didn’t want to face him. I had to ask security to call me when he left, just so I could leave. I knew he left for New York on Tuesday, so I didn’t have to avoid him since then. He and Stan were having a party with their side of the family. He kept calling me though and I never answered. He left a lot of voice messages and text messages… all full of apologies and asking me for another chance.

I’d be lying if I say that I wasn’t moved by his apologies… because I was. I think I know him well enough to know that his apologies were sincere. I knew he regretted having s*x with Valerie. But I just can’t bring myself to forgive him… more so, to forget what I saw that night in Vegas. Every time I recall it, I get riled up.

I guess that’s why I’ve been avoiding him… because I really didn’t know how to deal with him just yet. As much as I hate to admit it, I still loved him. I couldn’t even bear to box up the stuff he left in my room. I tried, but I just ended up bawling… I couldn’t move them.

But tonight, I know I’d have to face him. He and Stan were flying in this evening. And I really don’t know what to tell him. To top it off, tomorrow… I’d have to face his parents and his sister, Kay too. And I really love them. I’ve always had a great relationship with them. They’ve always welcomed me into their family. Kay was like a little sister to me. So I don’t really know how to face them. Heck, I don’t even know if Bryan told them yet that we’ve broken up. And then… there’s Valerie.

I let out a loud sigh as I think about the predicament I’m in.

“You okay, Ti?” Kylie says as she reaches out across the backseat of our hotel transfer, to hold my hand.

“Yup. I’m just a little tired.” I tell her, forcing a small smile on my face.

As much as I wanted to tell Kylie about everything I was feeling, like I usually do… I couldn’t. I mean, it is her big day. I know she wouldn’t mind… but I don’t want to ruin it for her. I want this weekend to be about her and Stan.

Our transfer finally drives us to the hotel where we had to check-in. Arbor Resort and Spa is huge. We’ve been here before… Bryan and I tagged along with Stan and Kylie when they were doing their ocular for the wedding. Kylie and Stan’s ceremony will take place in this beautiful outdoor space that had a spectacular view of their vineyard. And their reception would be in this grand glass tent by the pool. They also had some beautiful, private cottages around the resort…but they were uber expensive. All of their wedding guests, including us, would be housed in this hotel. I was supposed to share a room with Bryan. Thankfully when I called earlier this week, they were still able to book me a room for myself.

“Hi! We’re checking into two one-bedroom suites for the Matthew’s wedding.” Kylie tells the concierge as she hands her our IDs.

“Hold on, let me pull up your booking for you.” The concierge, Gina – it says on her nameplate, tells us.

She types our names into her computer. After a few minutes, she looks up at us with a smile, “Hmmm… I have your names here… but Ms. Williams is booked into the Harvest cottage and Ms. Walsh is booked into the Garden cottage.”

“Oh… we’re not, there must be a mistake.” Kylie tells her.

“It’s not. It was just upgraded earlier this week.” Gina smiles at us. “Ms. William’s booking has a note that it’s a wedding gift from a Mr. Bryce Andrews… and Ms. Walsh is booked into the cottage with Mr. Andrews.”

Kylie and I look at each other… both of us with a shocked look on our faces. Her eyebrows were arched at me, she was questioning me. I shrugged my shoulders in response… because I honestly had no knowledge about this. In fact, I haven’t even spoken to Bryce since he took me home last Sunday. Well, except for the time that I texted him to ask him if he got home safe after taking me home. We exchanged a few flirty and dirty text messages… then we said our goodnights. And that was it! I haven’t heard from him ever since.

And frankly, I was too busy between work, trying to avoid Bryan, crying over Bryan and helping Kylie with wedding stuff… that Bryce never crossed my mind. Well, he did a couple of times… when I was reminded of our little weekend rendezvous. But I just never got around to calling or texting him. I wasn’t even sure if he was really coming to the wedding… well, now I guess he is. And I realize that it’s just going to make this weekend even more complicated for me.

“The Harvest cottage is pretty close by. I suggest walking there… the path is really beautiful.” Gina tells Kylie as she hands her the keys. She then turns to me and hands me my keys. “The Garden cottage is a bit further off… I’ll ask someone to take you there.”

I smiled to myself. Of course, Bryce would pick a secluded cottage for us.

“I think I’ll go with her to the Harvest cottage first. But could you just have my bags brought to the Garden cottage please? Thank you.” I tell Gina.

“Of course, Ms. Walsh. Well, I do hope you enjoy your stay at the Arbor.” Gina says as she gives us a wide smile.

Kylie and I start walking to her cottage. Gina was right… the path was beautiful. It was lined with trees and flowers. But I was the only one noticing it. Kylie’s eyes were glued to her phone for a few minutes… before she shoves it to my face and says, “That’s a pretty expensive wedding gift to someone you’ve never met, Tiana.”

I look at her phone. My hand moves to cover my mouth that was now hanging open. Wow. $1,750 a night! I knew he was rich, but that’s crazy.

“I swear I didn’t know, Ky. I wasn’t even sure he was coming.” I tell her as I grab her hand.

“Well, know we know that he is. So, what are you going to tell Bryan?” She asks me.

“I honestly haven’t thought about it yet.” I tell her.

We walk in silence before we finally reach the Harvest Cottage that Bryce booked for her and Stan. It was huge. Kylie and I let out gasps as we explored the beautiful two-bedroom cottage. It had a modern farmhouse feel to it. And outside, it had its own mini lap pool. I blushed remembering how Bryce pleasured me by the pool.

“Tiana! Please do thank Bryce for Stan and me. This cottage is beautiful.” She says, as she dips her hand in the pool.

Kylie looked so happy. I stepped back inside the cottage to get some privacy… I decided to give Bryce a call to thank him.

“Hey you. Kylie and I are in Arbor already. Thank you for upgrading our accommodations. It’s beautiful. Kylie and Stan send their thanks.” I tell him as he answered the phone.

“Hi Beautiful. I miss you. And you’re welcome.”

I felt a tug inside of me when he said that he missed me. I found myself smiling.

“You miss me? I thought you forgot about me… you never got in touch.” I tell him as I was nervously biting my fingernail. I know that made me sound needy when he clearly said we were just friends. But I sure as hell expected him to get in touch somehow. I mean, he did f**k me the entire weekend.

“I know. I’m sorry, darling. Things are just crazy busy at work. Which reminds me, I think I’ll just make it in time for the wedding in the afternoon.” He explains. “Sorry Tiana. I was hoping we could squeeze in a quickie before the wedding, but I still have to attend to an important client early tomorrow morning.” He adds teasing.

I giggled. “That’s fine, Bryce. Given your absence the entire week, I really wasn’t expecting you to come.”

“Hey. That’s not fair, Tiana. You never got in touch either.” He argued.

I know! I could have and I didn’t… because I was busy dealing with my emotions for Bryan. So I really didn’t understand myself as well. I didn’t know why I was pressuring him about not getting in touch with me… when clearly I wasn’t thinking about him. But hearing his voice again… made me feel something… like I needed him. I was so confused.

“Well, yeah…” I said timidly.

“Hey c’mon… can we just forget about it? I’ve been looking forward to spending time with you all week.” Bryce said.

“Of course. Me too. I’ll see you tomorrow, Bryce.” I tell him, before we ended the call. I wasn’t sure if I meant it though.

“Was that Bryce?” Kylie says as she enters the French doors coming the pool.

“Yup. He says that you're welcome. He’s coming just in time for your wedding.” I tell her quietly.

“So what are you going to tell Bryan and his family?” She asks, as she heats up some water in the kitchen.

“I really don’t know, Ky.” I tell her, as I take a seat in the dining table. I prop up my legs close to my chest, hugging it… resting my chin on my knees. I know I said I wouldn’t unload my problems to Kylie this week…but I really needed to talk to someone. And she’s the only one who knows about Bryce and me.

“When I asked him to come with me to your wedding… I was so angry at Bryan. I wanted Bryce to be like a slap his face...”

“And now?” Kylie asks me as she puts a cup of coffee in front of me. She takes the seat across from me, drinking her own cup of coffee.

“Now… I don’t really know. I mean, I’m still angry at Bryan for what he did. But…” I paused, trying to gather my thoughts.

“But now you’re worried what Bryan will think… what his family will think. And you don’t want to just use Bryce... because you think you feel something for him too?” Kylie says, trying in to fill in the blanks for me.

I nod. She gets me… she always does. Sometimes, I think she knows what I’m thinking even before I realize that I’m thinking about it.

“So what are you going to, Ti? I mean, Bryan will be here in a few hours.”

“I hate Bryan. I wouldn’t have to deal with this if he didn’t screw Valerie.” I was getting riled up. I could feel my face getting warm. “I mean, why should I have to worry about what he thinks… or what his family thinks… he’s the one who ruined things between us.” I grabbed my hair from both sides of my head… feeling frustrated and helpless.

“That’s right, Tiana.  It's not your fault. And you’re single now…well, ignoring the fact that you’re still married to Bryce… so you really don’t need to answer to anyone if you want to date Bryce… or any other man for that matter.” Kylie says. “But… please tell Bryan tonight that Bryce is coming. Just so he can prepare himself… and his family… for when Bryce comes on Saturday. I don't want my wedding to be a disaster, please.”

“I know, Ky. I wouldn’t want to make a scene at your wedding.” I smile at her.

We both laugh. We’re probably both imagining a dramatic scene from one of our K-Dramas where two guys fight over a girl.

“Thanks Ky.” I smiled at her. “Sorry for all the drama. This weekend is supposed to be about you and Stan.”

“It’s okay, Ti! I’m always here for you. You know that.” She gets up and gives me a hug.

We spent the day talking to their wedding planner… ironing out some last minute changes. Then, Kylie and I headed over to the spa to get a much-needed massage and to get our nails ready for the wedding.

By the time we're done, Stan had called Kylie. Saying that he and Bryan had already arrived at the airport and they were en route to Arbor. We were all going to meet up for dinner. 

“I think I’ll go to my cottage and get myself ready, Ky. Get changed… and prepare myself emotionally, that is.” I tell her.

She gives me a hug. “Okay Ti! You can do this. Don’t worry Stan and I will be there for you. I’m not marrying him tomorrow if he teams up with Bryan. Fighting!”

I giggled. Fighting is the term they use in K-dramas when they want to encourage someone. “Thanks Ky! I’ll see you guys for dinner. Oh and please don’t tell Bryan where I’m staying.”