Can't Let Go - By Michelle Brewer Page 0,3

flower petals scattered all around it, the sunset reflecting off the ocean surface serving as the perfect backdrop. There were no chairs, as the only guests would be standing at the alter beside the bride and groom.

It was all so simple—so incredibly romantic, Abby thought. It was the perfect setting for Hayley’s wedding.

They were greeted by a pretty woman with dark black hair down to her waist. She offered instructions to the small group—splitting the men up from the women and sending them in different directions. The separation was momentary, though—lasting just long enough for the girls to receive their flowers and the boys to get in position.

“This is it, Hayl,” Abby said quietly as they stood side by side, waiting to hear the faint sounds of music that would signal their cue. “You nervous?”

“Not even in the slightest.” And Abby knew she was telling the truth.

Hayley didn’t feel even the faintest hesitation to say goodbye to life as she’d known it. She wasn’t afraid to leave her family behind. She wasn’t afraid to start a new life with the man that she loved.

Abby had never admired her friend more than she did in that moment.

And then the music started and Abby smiled excitedly, suddenly leaning forward and embracing her friend, a strange sadness washing over her. She couldn’t help but feel as though everything was going to change. “I love you, Hayley Lawrence.”

“Last time you’ll be able to call me that,” her friend whispered, her voice barely higher than a whisper.

As Abby pulled away, she met Hayley’s eyes. While Hayley may not have felt anxious, there was a certain undeniable sorrow in her eyes—the knowledge that she was letting go of everything she was certain of obviously weighing heavily on her. The decision may have been easy to make, and she may not have been afraid of it, but that didn’t mean that Hayley wasn’t mourning what she was losing.

“Go on—I’ll be just a minute.” She urged, and Abby held her friend’s eyes for just a moment longer, trying to convey to her that, as far as Abby was concerned, Hayley was making the right choice. And nothing would ever change that.

More than ever, in that moment, Abby could understand her best friend’s decision.

Abby exited the small room, stepping into the sand with her plain yellow heels, her admiration of the strength of her friend soaring. She took a deep breath before she made her way toward the flower-petal path, where she paused for just a brief moment.

Her eyes caught Logan’s and a fleeting glimpse of their future flashed across her eyes. She saw Logan waiting for her at the end of an aisle, smiling at her as he was now, knowing that their whole lives were ahead of them. A life of happiness, with children, and a home full of warmth and laughter.

It felt so real as she took her first steps down the aisle-way.

But the glimpse lasted only a moment and she was brought back to the present, her feet carrying her down the path. She held a small bouquet of orchids in front of her and a slight breeze ruffled the edges of her dress. Abby finally came to rest at the end of the path, standing just outside the archway beneath which her best friend would recite her vows. Blake caught her eyes and she nearly laughed at his expression—he was actually giddy with excitement.

Abby shifted her gaze to Logan then, smiling warmly at him. His eyes roamed over her appreciatively, his own heart soaring at the image of her. Still, after so long, he couldn’t believe that she was his—that she’d chosen him out of everyone else. This beautiful goddess of a woman, who had not even the vaguest hint of how beautiful she was—and she loved him.

When their eyes met, he saw all of her hopes and dreams buried deep inside them.

And each of them included him.

It was at this moment that he felt something wrench inside him—some pain, deep within him. Logan was all too aware that Abby would have to make sacrifices in order to have that future—and that was something he was unwilling to ask her to do.

A future with him would cost her the future she deserved.

Something sharp and painful flooded through his chest then, and he was suddenly overcome with the urge to run.

But, of course, he couldn’t.

He was here for Blake and Hayley.

A moment later, both he and Abby’s eyes were trained on the figure in white,