Becky tossed her purse on the dining table and I did the same, and we both plopped on the sofa. Then she extended her hand to show me a pair of pearl earrings.

“They’re beautiful. Did you buy it?”

“It was a gift from my sister. I thought it would be perfect with your wedding dress. I overheard you saying that you needed something borrowed.”

“Oh, Becky. I would be honored to borrow them. Thank you so much.” I closed them in my hand.

“You know you can borrow anything of mine. We practically share everything anyway.”

“I know.” I didn’t want to admit it, but my heart was breaking. Becky had been the sister I always wanted and now I was leaving her. “Do you remember the first time we met?”

“How could I forget? I knew the minute you walked into my life that we would be best friends.”

I leaned back and rested my feet on the coffee table. “I had that feeling, too, but I have to admit I was sort of worried.”

“Why?” Becky leaned back, too. We were both facing the kitchen.

“I figured you would either be a good or a bad influence on me.”

Becky laughed. “Well...you were right. Lucky for me, you were a good influence on me so I felt like I had to act proper. Which got me out of many troubles. So, thank you.”

“Proper?” I squealed and moved my legs to where I was now facing her. “Ugh. I sound so boring.”

“Boring is not what you are, or you wouldn’t have attracted the boss’s son, one of the most eligible bachelors. You stole his heart. You’ll have your forever with him and a baby coming soon.”

I rubbed my belly, which seemed to have pooched out somewhat. Though people couldn’t tell by looking, I felt it. I could see the growth. I changed the attention to Becky. “Look at you. You’re changing into a responsible adult with the man of your dreams. We are going to have what we’ve always wanted, but never imagined that we could.”

“Sometimes I think this is all a dream,” Becky sighed. “And if it is, I don’t ever want to wake up from it, Jenna. I’m afraid that everything good will disappear. I’m sorry, but I’m so sad that you’re leaving me.”

Tears blinded my vision. I felt the same way, but I didn’t have the courage to tell her out loud. It would only make it too real, too painful. “I’m not leaving you, okay?” My lips trembled. Oh God! I was going to lose it. “But I’m going to miss you like crazy.” I quickly wiped my tears, but they fell so fast that I couldn’t hide them.

“We’ve been through so much together,” Becky sobbed. “I know you’re not that far away, but this place will never be the same without you. Every time I step inside this apartment and glance toward your room, I’m going to be really sad. I’m sorry to make you feel bad, but I can’t help the way I feel. You’ve been my mentor, my strength, and my hope. I just want you to know that.”

I embraced Becky, but words wouldn’t come right now. I needed to comfort her and me. “Oh, Becky,” I said, still holding on to her as I rubbed her back. “Don’t be sorry. I feel the same way. I just couldn’t say it. You were always the one that could express your feelings better than I ever could. You made me see the goodness in me. And you’ve always helped me through all of my problems as if they were yours. You are my forever sister, Becky. No one could ever replace you, and no one could ever take away what we had, and will still have. Our babies will be friends. They are going to be cousins. We are going to be married into the same family. We’re going to see each other a lot.”

We both pulled away to wipe our tears. “You’re right. There is so much to look forward to.”

“Let’s not make this a sad occasion, but a happy one instead. When one door closes, another one opens, right?”

Becky nodded to agree. “To new beginnings.”

I hugged Becky again and released her when her cell phone rang.

“Shoot. What time is it?” Becky stood up and pulled her phone out of her purse. “Matthew asked me to meet him at Long Beach pier.” Her fingers moved speedily as she texted. “I’m letting him know I’m on my way.”

“It’s so late. Don’t forget we’re picking up my parents at their hotel first before we head to San Diego.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll make this quick. I’m not sure why he wants me there. He wouldn’t say, only that it’s important.” Becky grabbed her sweater and her purse, and turned the doorknob.

“Don’t worry about anything. Drive carefully. If you need to stay late, then it’s fine. You can always sleep in the car since I’ll be driving us there.”

“Okay. Love ya. Bye.” The doorknob jiggled from the other side as Becky made sure she locked the door. Little did she know that she was going to a have a huge surprise.

Chapter 27

Becky

Why Matthew needed me at this late hour was beyond me. He knew I had a long day tomorrow and so did he. What is so urgent? I texted. I walked down the familiar boardwalk to his parent’s yacht. I had only walked several feet when I spotted a man leaning on the lamppost. He was tall with a muscular build. When he turned around, he stole my breath away, and at the very same time I realized it was Matthew. He was sucking on a lollipop, gazing at me with a wicked grin.

“Want a taste, Becca?” he mumbled with the lollipop in his mouth.