A second chance at sunrise

s scanning the familiar faces of Rachel's friends

a

om, his piercing blue

t of electricity run through her veins. She quickly

as he

ally said Jake would o

questions. Why was he l

erself, a deep masculine voic

urned in the direction of the voice, her

his lips. The same lips that had once kissed hers, t

nt, time s

the chatter – everything

i saw w

es of their high school romance, the

flicting emotions: surprise, c

to confront the gh

ive smile as she greeted Jake, h

ged, hating the way

He

ght blue eyes locking onto hers with a

pite the turmoil brewing inside and then mentally scolded

Jake replied, his v

he felt a flush rise to her cheeks. "You look good,"

o say but instead, she echoed his co

accentuating the sharp angles of his face. He stood taller and broader tha

at the corners when he smiled or the way his hair curled slightly at the nape of his neck. It was as if

nd Lexi wondered what had brought Jake to this

d doubts. Was Jake still the same charming, carefree boy she once knew? Or

aking the silence, his eyes genuinel

tomatic, a well-rehear

g for any sign of commitment. "No ring on it yet?"

arriage isn't for me. My career

n, Lexi yearned for a family of her own – laughter-filled

her facade. "Still scared of comm

n her heart. She tried to conceal the pain, but

change the subject although Rachel had

have a kid. She's the

inely this time.

s of the party receded into the backgroun

igh school romance, the laughter, and the tears.

f she'd been lying to herself all along. Did s

ake asked, his eyes holdin

id, wondering why her voi

een drinki

th cocktail. She laughed, brushing Jake's wor

the nanny for too long." He pushed for a bit, his eyes on her face as

kay

ll him back, ask him where he leaves, his phone number, complemen

eyes fixed on Jake's retr

ocktail in one swift motion and asked for a refill. The ba

the liquor burning her

ing feeling in her chest, like a na

blurred. Memories of Jake, their past,

re? Why had he ask

uder, but Lexi's world narrowe

er, concern etched on he

le. "Yeah, just n

but she didn't press.

o the crowd, Lexi's gaze

was

words

ommitment or is it

ssing minute. She downed drink after

d on her face. "Lexi, slow dow

r spilling from her lips. "I'm

d the lights pulsed. Lexi stumbled,

sping her elbow. "Lexi, come o

, staggering toward the b

legs buckled. She felt herse

was Jake's face, his piercing

, no

world w

~ ~ ~

sunlight streaming through the window. She blinked, dis

ed into gear. The wedding!

nd she sat up with a jolt.

s events. Vague memories of drinking and laughter swirled in

epened. This wasn't her hotel room... or wa

dal wave, recogniti

om, in her parents' hous

spent countless nights drea

Jake had once sat on he

to be at the hotel for Rachel's wedding. How

ow she got there, confusion clouding her

eep?" her mom called out

er mom's youthful appearance. "Mom?"

Don't think you can flatter me

er mom looked decades y

in. "I'm supposed to be at her wedding. I was

u saying, Lexi? Get up and get ready for school

he repeated, her voice laced with incr

gument. "Lexi, stop this nonsense. You'

spun out of c

e you saying? This has to be some kind of joke. I'

g Lexi's words. "You're not skippi

ned and left the room,

bed, her mind reeling, an

staring back

ar old self sta

gray strands; the smooth skin, n

tried to recall the events le

ke leave Rachel's party, t

ter that was

ppened?" Lexi whi

how traveled

nd of dream or p