Free Love Me Back by Michelle Lynn Page B

it’s like she’s on display for all of us to observe and appreciate.”  Edwards sits down making himself comfortable.  It is hard to believe he is brothers with Bryan.
    “Listen Shawn Edwards, I know your mom and dad.  They wouldn’t like you disrespecting a girl like this.  I suggest you go with your friends.”  Marge looks him square in the eye.
    “Alright, alright Marge.  Calm down.”  He stands up pressing his hands down to the ground.  “Maddy, we can catch up later.  If I am lucky you will be the one I will be escorting to your brother’s funeral on Saturday.”  He winks at me through the mirror.
    “Enough Shawn!”  All the girls scream as well as Jack.
    “Ok, ok.  I’m leaving.”  He backs up still checking me out in the mirror.
    I roll my eyes in disgust but once they meet the right side of the mirror my eyes lock with Gabe’s again. This time I notice him staring at me and when he sees me staring back he moves them across the room towards Jack.
    “Let’s go Edwards.”  Jack grabs the back of his neck leading him out of the store.  “Linds, we will meet up after at Taps?”
    “Yeah baby.  I still have to try on my dress and you cannot be here for that.”  She lovingly looks at Jack.
    I wave good-bye to Gabe and my stomach drops when he winks back at me.  Why does it keep doing that?  
    After Marge finishes pinning me making a zillion little holes in my skin I get my reward and take off the dress.  Changing back into my capris and flip-flops I feel back to normal. 
    I hear loud oohhs and ahhs from the fitting room and I assume Lindsey has her wedding dress on.  I don’t really see what the big deal is. She is going to wear white even though if old rules still prevailed she should wear ivory or something other than white.  She probably spent more than her months salary on this dress that she will wear one day.  I truly don’t see the point in the whole big wedding thing.
    I slowly walk down the hallway following the compliments ringing at the end.  Don’t get me wrong I am sure Lindsey looks beautiful.  She could look drop dead gorgeous in a burlap sack.  Maybe I am just cranky today.  Turning the corner I see Lindsey in a Cinderella style dress.  It’s form fitting through the top and flares out at the waist into layers of tulle and satin.    She was more than gorgeous; she should be a model in a Brides magazine.  It isn’t just her in the dress.  Her smile is pure and honest lighting up her face.  Lindsey is genuinely ecstatic to be marrying my brother.  Her eyes are sparkling not being able to turn herself away from the mirror.  I can’t imagine what is going on in her mind but she isn’t paying attention to all the flattering remarks from behind her.  Her mind is somewhere else.  I never wanted to experience something as much as Lindsey was at that moment.  I desire stirred through me to know what Lindsey was thinking to make her face appear as if her life ended tomorrow she would die happy.
     
    It is a short walk over to Taps after we finished.  I assume we will have lunch and then I can go home and lounge. 
    “So, are you with Gabe?”  A girl’s voice comes up alongside of me as we are walking. 
    I think her name is Caroline.  She is Lindsey’s college roommate or something.
    “Um…No.”  I look her way.  I think she was in the orange dress.  She has short strawberry blonde hair.  She is shorter than me by a couple inches and attractive in that make-up model kind of way.  I would like to see her cosmetic drawer or drawers in this instance.
    “You guys drove together so I figured.”  She raises her shoulders as though it made sense.  “So, you don’t mind if I go after him?”  She asks.
    “No I don’t mind.  Thanks for asking.”  I say even though I want to say different I can’t. 
    “Great, thanks.”  She excitedly skips over to some other girl pointing her thumb my way and then pointing it up letting the girl