Free Closer Than A Brother by Hadley Raydeen

muttered.
    “Yeah, sweetheart, I overheard your conversation with Brandi. Don’t worry, Danielle, I won’t shove marriage down your throat.” He walked passed her out of the room without turning back when she called his name.

Chapter Eleven
    “Where is he?” Danielle asked her friends when they met up the next morning to shop.
    “He caught the first flight out,” Jason answered. “He was pretty torn up over the things you said to Brandi.”
    “I don’t understand…We were just talking about marriage. Brandi, you were teasing me about double weddings. Shane and I weren’t at that point. We were just getting to know each other.”
    “You’ve known him since you were kids, Danielle. What is there to get to know, honey?” Brandi interjected.
    “I know, I know, but marriage? Come on.” She laughed nervously when neither of her friends replied. “What? What is the issue? Why am I the bad person here?”
    “Shane had a ring in his pocket last night, Danielle. He was going to pop the question after dinner,” Jason replied frankly. “He is in love with you. He has been for half his life. You think what you had was a joke or a good time but it meant a lot to him.” Jason stuck up for his friend.
    The more he talked the more like a complete bitch she felt. She put a hand to her mouth. She felt tears coming to her eyes. “Why the hell didn’t he say anything?”
    “Because you said it all when you were talking to me, I guess.” Brandi rubbed her friend’s arm. “I’m sorry, honey.”
    “I will call Shane later. We will talk about this and make it right. As for now, let’s get some shopping done for my favorite engaged couple. We have a wedding to take care of! I don’t want to shirk my duties as maid of honor!”
    * * * *
    She tapped Cancel on her phone. “Damn it!” she said through gritted teeth.
    “Is he still not answering?”
    “No he’s not! It has been three weeks!” She smoothed the black dress over her curves. “Is he working?”
    “No, sweetie. He is supposed to be off tonight. This is our rehearsal dinner.”
    “I’m sorry, Brandi. I’m stealing your thunder here.” She offered her best friend a weak smile.
    “Don’t apologize. You’re missing the man you lov—” She quieted when Danielle shot her a warning glace.
    “Watch that L-word Brandi. I just need to talk to him. I have to apologize for the drama that went down on Thanksgiving. I owe him that right?” She was babbling. She was justifying. She didn’t care. Brandi understood. She needed to see Shane to make this feeling in her heart right. It has nothing to do with love and marriage and feelings and craziness. She didn’t need any of that right now. She just had to tell Shane she was sorry. She owed him that much. She couldn’t believe he would miss Jason and Brandi’s rehearsal, dinner. He is the best man, damn it. She raked a hand through her locks—pissed that he would do this.
    “Are you okay?” Brandi asked touching her arm.
    “I’m fine. Let’s stop worrying about me this is all about you, sweetie,” she said, coming to her friend. “This is your time. Let’s get out there and greet your guests and have a couple glasses of champagne and a fabulous dinner.” Okay, I can do this for my best friend. “Your hair looks killer Brandi. Nikki really did your hair up right,” she said trying to exude a positive attitude for her best friend.
    “Thank you.” Brandi eyed Danielle. “He’ll be here. He promised Jason.”
    “I’m not worried too much about him. Like I said, sweetie, this is all about you and Jason, and your big day.” She led her friend to the dining hall to meet her guests.
    * * * *
    He was late. He felt like shit. He wasn’t ready to see Danielle. It had been three weeks since he left New York and now here she is back in South Carolina for Jason and Brandi’s wedding.
    “You’re late, bro, what the hell?” Jason asked coming up behind him, hitting him on the back.
    “I know. I’m