Free Coming Home to You by Liesel Schmidt Page A

cookies.
    I must admit I feel torn. I’m so happy for Kate and Ray and the life that they’re going to start together. But at the same time, I can’t help but feel something resembling jealousy. Kate is my best friend, and I couldn’t have chosen a better match for her myself. But it somehow seems to drive home what I’ve lost, a fresh reminder that I was once planning a wedding that will never happen. I keep hoping that one of these days I’ll be able to walk past a copy of
Brides
magazine without feeling like I can’t breathe.
    Have you ever felt that way? Have you ever lost anyone?
    This is one of those times that I wish I knew you, knew something more about your life and who you are than what I can gather from the few personally telling things I’ve been able to find.
    You’re quite the mystery, Neil.
    Ray’s big day is tomorrow. Today, actually, if you want to get technical. It’s Friday, and he’s flying out to Atlanta to surprise Kate with a weekend visit. And, of course, a one-point-five carat princess-cut engagement ring. I still sometimes can’t believe that my two best friends fell in love with each other. Isn’t it funny how life works out? Kate would have never met the man of her dreams if I hadn’t lost mine. I guess that’s one way to look at it, right?
    Well, I think I’d better close now. I’m not really tired, but it’s almost one a.m., and I have to work in six hours. I need to at least make an attempt to get some sleep before I have to drag myself into the office.
    Have a good night, and take care, dear Neil. Wherever you are.
    Zoë
    “Kate!” I boomed into the phone, answering it as soon as I had seen her name flash on the screen.
    My eyes traveled to the clock.
    It was noon, and my stomach registered the time with a slight rumble.
    I’d been concentrating so hard on the stack of invoices I was logging into the computer that the morning had whipped by without my noticing it. I sank back into my chair, lazily swiveling to and fro, and let my head rest against the back.
    “Tell me, tell me!” I knew I sounded a bit demanding, but I was so anxious to hear the news that I didn’t care. Not that I had any doubt of her answer, but still. I wanted to know the details of how and when. I wanted to hear what he had said, what she had said. If there had been tears or laughter or any grand gestures of any sort.
    I wanted to hear it all.
    And yet, I didn’t.
    I swallowed the warring emotions as I listened for her reply.
    “I can’t talk long—we have so many calls to make! But I wanted to call you first and tell you before anyone else,” she said, sounding breathless. “Not that you didn’t already know about everything, of course,” Kate laughed.
    “Well, I was your matchmaker, you know,” I said. “And he did have to get my blessing before he asked you.”
    “Naturally.” Kate sounded happier than I’d ever heard her, and I couldn’t help the twinge of jealousy that squeezed in.
    “Anyway,” she said, breaking into my guilty thoughts. “Ray asked me to marry him! And I said yes!”
    “Well, of course you did!” I laughed, regaining my toehold in the happiness of the moment. “So tell me what happened! How did he do it?” I asked.
    “Oh, Zoë, it was just perfect. Really just perfect. Not a big, grand gesture, like you see in all the cheesy movies. Just him and me, and it happened naturally.” Her voice drifted off a bit. “But can I wait and tell you everything when we get into town next weekend? I’ve really got to make a million calls to tell everyone the news, and I don’t want to have to feel so rushed.” Kate paused. “Will you be upset to wait that long?”
    I sighed before answering, playfully baiting her into guilt.
    “I guess I’ll have to,” I moaned.
    “Thank you, Zoë, Patron Saint of Patience and Benevolent Facilitator of Love,” she laughed.
    “Details, lady,” I replied. “When you get here, you owe me details. And sushi.”
    “Yes,