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Eight Years, Passing Through
At my best friend Sage's company's annual party, Asher won the grand prize—a couples' island getaway. The host held up the microphone and teased, "Looks like our Asher just won himself a little slice of paradise! Who's the lucky plus-one?" The entire room's eyes swiveled toward me on instinct, chanting my name. "Lena! Lena!" My heart raced. I smiled and gazed at him. Yet he acted as if he hadn't heard a thing, looking straight at the female assistant seated below. His tone was casual and easygoing. "Give it to Tessa. She's been assisting on several marathon surgeries lately. She needs the break more than I do." The female assistant Tessa's face flushed red instantly, but the flicker of triumph in her eyes didn't escape me. The colleagues paused for a beat, then someone whistled and egged things on, lifting the atmosphere right back up. My best friend Sage leaned close to my ear, her voice low but simmering with rage she couldn't quite contain. "What the hell is he thinking? Didn't we all agree we'd get married together on Martha's Vineyard this year?" I smiled, forced the sting at the back of my eyes down, and straightened her collar for her. "Our promise still stands." I will go to the island. I will wear the wedding dress. If Asher doesn't want to be the man standing beside me, then it won't be him. ... Asher stepped down from the stage, his stride unhurried. As he passed Tessa's seat, he paused, as natural as could be. He handed her the envelope containing the vacation voucher, a casual smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Here, take it." Tessa's eyes lit up at once. Surprised and thrilled, she pressed her pretty lips together and accepted the envelope with both hands. As if what she was receiving wasn't just a prize voucher but a weighty honor. The next second, she sprang to her feet, voice crisp, tone bright and bold. "Thanks, Dr. Hays! Guess standing through those seven-hour surgeries with yo......