Page 14 of Impossible Rapids
She could almost hear Mercedes laugh and it made her angry.
Maybe Shawn had meant a-nasty instead of un-nasty. She felt nasty and not herself. He probably thought she was a nasty, awful friend for flirting with him. Well, he had flirted back. She was stirred up and getting more frustrated by the moment.
“Captain Trapper and Brylee will get with you to share all the details of your river rafting trip,” Brandon said into the silence. “Franz, may I speak with you?”
“Of course.” Franz nodded.
“I’ll let you all get back to the … reception.” Brandon finished. Obviously ‘party’ didn’t work.
Julie nodded and stood, hurrying for the door, but Shawn got there first, holding it open for her. She thanked him, not looking at him as she slipped out into the wide entryway.
Cash and Brylee walked out and Shawn shut the door behind them. With diligent effort, Julie focused on the couple in front of them.
Cash held onto Brylee’s hand and looked from Shawn to Julie. “Apologies for surprising you with the change to the reality show. It was Mercedes’s idea.”
Shawn held up a hand. “We deal with and facilitate Mercedes’s ideas all day every day.” He gave Julie a conspiratorial smile that she couldn’t help but return. He was right. “It’s no worries and not on you.”
“Thanks.” Cash released Brylee’s hand to shake Shawn’s. “I’m very sorry for your loss,” he said in a deep, almost gruff voice.
“Thank you.”
Brylee threw her arms around Shawn’s neck, surprising all of them. She gave him a fierce hug that he half-heartedly returned. “I’ll be praying so hard for you. I’m so sorry. We knew you loved Mercedes, but we had no idea—well, I guess no one had any idea …” She trailed off, released Shawn from the hug, and cast a guilty look at Julie.
“It’s all right.” Shawn gave a forced smile, brushing his longish hair back. “I’m glad you’re both healthy and together.”
Julie was grateful too. The last she’d heard, Cash’s cancer treatments were going well and it was predicted he might have years to live instead of months.
“Us too. We’ll see you soon.” Cash nodded to both of them. Brylee gave Julie a quick hug and then they sauntered toward the front doors. Having accomplished their purpose here, they must not want to return to the party out back.
Julie debated running out back, mingling, making certain the relish tray was full, something, anything to avoid … She glanced up and Shawn’s blue eyes were focused on her.
“Julie.” His voice was beautifully husky. If only …
No. He was married to Mercedes. Repeat that again … married.
“I’m sorry,” he continued.
She backed into the wall, pressing her hands against the smooth surface so she wouldn’t mistakenly reach out for him.
“What are you sorry for?” she challenged. Destroying all her dreams? Loving Mercedes? Marrying Mercedes? He didn’t need to apologize to Julie for any of that. In her unselfish moments, she was grateful Shawn and Mercedes had that time to spend together and love each other.
“Not …” He paused and his jaw worked. “Being able to share everything with you.”
“Okay. You can be sorry for that. I can’t believe you and Mercedes got married and didn’t invite me.”
He cracked half a smile. “She wanted you there, wanted to tell you, but …” His gaze was conflicted. “It was the only way.”
She was even more confused and sad that he couldn’t share it with her. She’d always assumed she was in the ‘circle of trust’ with Mercedes and Shawn. Usually because she was the one researching and doing all the legwork to make Mercedes’s ideas work and she was their friend.
She’d been shut out this time in a big way. “I need to … go help with something.”
“Will you be okay doing the river trip with me?” he asked, not letting her walk away.
“Do I have a choice?”
His eyes reflected a moment of hurt, but then he shrugged. “Sure. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to.”
“Oh, ha! That’s the pot calling the kettle black.”