Chapter 22 Blurring the Line
twenty-two
Blurring the Line
I’m actually relieved when Michael calls.
He's not mad at me. He barely mentions the jump.
Mostly, he talks about getting ready for med school.
He's hoping the Army will let him go to the University of Washington via a military scholarship, but likely he'll be across the country at the Uniformed Services University in Maryland.
In the meantime, he's still at Fort Bliss as part of something called rear D or rear Detachment, because the rest of his unit is deployed.
It's nice to have someone to talk to. Communication with Jacob, even via email, is always sporadic. My roommates have busy social lives, and Kendra is in full wedding planning mode. I relax and let my friendship with Michael grow. It’s not like I’m going to see him again anytime.
The invitation comes on embossed stationery with gold writing, no picture. I’m invited to the whole thing—rehearsal dinner, wedding, reception. I barely know Michael’s sister Kandice. To be honest, I barely know Michael.
I don't mention the invitation to Michael, but he brings it up casually a couple of weeks before the date. “Don’t worry about the RSVP for my sister’s wedding,” he says. “I already told Mom you’d be there.”
It annoys me that he just assumes I’ll be there. I’m not sure how to tell him that. I’m quiet long enough for him to notice.
“You are going to be there, aren’t you?”
I take a breath, trying to figure out how to let him down easy. “I don’t want to intrude. I barely know your sister."
Michael laughs, “You don't have to know Kandice. You’re coming as a favor to me. My family already knows you, and they like you. It will take a ton of pressure off me. I don't have time to come up with a date on my own.”
The word date has me tongue–tied. “But the rehearsal dinner...isn’t that usually a family thing? Or an attendant thing.”
“I actually tried to get them to let you be a bridesmaid. Mom wasn’t going for it. I’d much rather walk down the aisle with you than with my cousin.”
I can feel things moving in a direction I'm not comfortable with. I struggle to put on the brakes. “I have to work on the day of the rehearsal. And it’s in Seattle. That's a long drive. I don’t know if I’ll make it.”
“Can’t you get it off?”
“I don’t think so.”
“It's okay if you just come to the wedding and reception. It's at the most exclusive country club in Seattle, one my grandparents have belonged to for years. The gardens are beautiful, and the food will be fantastic. I promise it will be fun.”
“I don't know Michael.”
“Please, Jess. I'll owe you. Whatever you need. Anything, anytime."
But it's what I owe him that gets to me. He paid for me to go skydiving and he's still talking to me even though I told him I didn't like him that way. "Okay, I'll be there. I’m excited to see this place.”
"Just the place?" he asks.
"It will be fun to see your family again too," I add.
"Not exactly what I was fishing for, but I'll take it. See you soon, Jess, and thank you."
When I hang up the phone, I sit for a long time, trying to analyze my feelings for Michael—realizing I have feelings for Michael. I’m working to convince myself that I'm only going to the wedding as a favor for a friend. I can still keep him at arm's length.
I can't tell him I'm excited to see him too.