Part 4
As their bodies calmed, Brianna snuggled next to Howie, her head resting on his chest as she played with his chest hair. She’d made up her mind but she still felt a sadness. No matter what she did, someone was going to be hurt. She just hoped she’d be able to make it easier.
Howie was caressing her arm with his fingertips as he watched her. “Are you okay, Bria?” he asked softly. “You’re mighty quiet.”
“Just thinking. We need to get going,” she answered as she started to get up.
“Brianna?” questioned Howie as he caught her arm to stop her.
Looking into his eyes, she saw his doubt but before she could reassure him, there was a knock at the door. “I need to get that. Its probably the driver wondering where I am.”
Howie watched her grab his shirt and head out to the living room before getting up himself.
Opening the door, Brianna was shocked to find Nick leaning against the frame wearing a pair of jeans and jersey, his hair hanging in his eyes and a lopsided grin.
“Hey, ‘Half-Pint’,” smirked Nick as he brushed by her. “Kinda cutting it close aren’t you?”
Closing the door, Brianna said, “I can explain, Nick.”
“You know, there’s a church full of people and a ton of fans and press hanging around outside.” Plopping his long frame down on the couch, he looked up at her, “You’re really sexy in Howie’s shirt but you can’t get married in it.”
That stopped Brianna dead in her tracks.
From the bedroom door, Howie asked, “How did you know?”
“I’m not the dumb blonde everyone thinks. I’ve known since the first time you two met.”
“Why didn’t you say something?” whispered Brianna fighting hard not to cry.
Howie moved to her and put his arms around her pulling her to his chest.
Seeing his best friend on the verge of losing it, Nick knew he had to make sure she was okay. “Brianna, all I’ve ever wanted was for you to be happy. I love you but I’ve never been in love with you….not the way Howie is. I THOUGHT you’d say something, tell me that you and ‘D’ were in love.”
“But you proposed.”
“No, I didn’t,” laughed Nick.
“Yes, you did.”
“No, I gave you a ring for your birthday but I NEVER asked you to marry me.”
“But it was my twenty-third birthday…the promise…”
“We were thirteen for god’s sake.” Then it hit him. “You mean you were actually going to stick to our promise?”
“Well, yeah.”
“What promise?” asked Howie.
“When I was thirteen, I promised Brianna that if we were both still single when we turned twenty-three, I’d give her a huge diamond and we’d get married,” explained Nick. Getting up and moving to Brianna, he caressed her cheek and said, “Brianna, I set you up. I gave you the ring because I could but I left the party on purpose knowing that Howie would never let you take a cab.”
“But management released the story that you two were engaged and a Christmas wedding was planned.”
“Yeah, I didn’t think you two would let it go this far. Brianna, Howie makes you happy, happier than I ever could.”
Howie’s cell phone ran interrupting the three and he answered it. “Hello?...Yeah, they’re both right here….hang on.” Covering the phone, “It’s Kevin. What do you want to do about the church and all the guests?”
Nick looked at Brianna. “If you hurry, you two can still make it.”
“You mean….Howie and me?”
“Why not? You love him, he loves you….you’ve planned this thing the way you want it and everyone’s waiting.”
“But….” Started Brianna and looked back at Howie doubtfully.
Howie smiled softly, “Bria, will you do me the honor of being my bride?”
Tears erupted as she nodded her head ‘yes’.
Putting the phone to his ear again, Howie smiled as he wiped Brianna’s tears and said, “Kevin, tell them to wait. There’s been a slight change but there’s gonna be a wedding….Nick and I’ll explain later…..see you in a few.”
“Nick….I don’t know what to say,” said Brianna moving to hug him.
“You don’t have to say anything, ‘Half-Pint’. Seeing you happy is all I want,” answered Nick as he hugged her tight. Letting go of his best friend, he smiled at Howie and asked, “Need a best man?”
“I got you, bro!” winked Howie.
“Well, let’s go,” crowed Nick. “We’ve got a wedding to go to.”
What a difference an hour made!! She had the man she loved and things were perfect with her best friend. Brianna was on top of the world as she made her way to the church for her wedding.
