“Princess. It’s okay. I promise.” James knew without a doubt that he would go to the ends of the earth to make sure Anna was okay. “Besides with me out of your hair, you’ll have plenty of time to finish organising this wedding of ours.” James smiled, snaking his arm around her waist.

“My god! I haven’t even started,” Anna confessed. James was sent spinning into a state of shock. He thought for sure that between Anna, Kathryn, and Diana this wedding would be all finalised by now.

“What?” James exclaimed, sharper than he had intended. He felt as though Anna had stabbed him in the heart. For no reason at all a jolt of amazement and loss shot through him.

“Honestly, I haven’t even started. I haven’t picked out a dress, or flowers, or a cake, or even the colour theme. We haven’t even set a date yet! There was no rush to organise invitations and a reception. I just haven’t gotten there yet,” Anna confessed timidly.

“I’m starting to wonder whether or not you actually want to be married or if you just want to stay engaged forever. Because really, I thought I made myself perfectly clear, Anna. I want to marry you! I don’t want to just be engaged. For me being engaged is just a means to an end. It’s a stepping stone. But it looks like you don’t even want to take the next step.” All of James’s hurt and frustration gushed out.

“How can you even think that? I want to marry you. More than you can possibly imagine. That’s all I’ve ever wanted. From the first moment you asked me out I’ve wanted to marry you. And maybe even before that. But right now, I don’t want to fight with you. Please don’t do this. Please, James,” Anna begged.

As much as James knew that now wasn’t the time to pick a fight, he couldn’t help himself. “No! Let’s do this now. If you want to marry me as much as you claim, then tell me why the hell you haven’t started planning yet?” James was so angry and he was taking it out on Anna. He was using her to work out his frustrations and it didn’t seem to matter that he knew it was cruel, the horrible, hurtful words just kept coming.

“If you really want to know, the truth is I don’t want a big wedding. I never have. I wasn’t one of those young prissy fifteen years old girls who planned their wedding down to the last detail. I just need some time to decide exactly what it is that I want. This is supposed to be the most memorable and magical day of our lives. I want it to be perfect.” Anna eyes were heavy with unshed tears.

James felt like an arse. He could see the gut-wrenching pain and relentless fears reflected in Anna’s wide eyes. Knowing he was responsible for the misery he softened instantly. “So, what do you want?”

“That’s the thing, I don’t know,” Anna confessed as the dam broke and the tears trickled down her cheeks.

“Well, I guess you have four weeks to figure it out, don’t you? I think you should go. I have a flight to catch so I better get moving.” James jumped to his feet, pulling Anna up with him before he unceremoniously walked her to the door. “I guess I’ll see you when I get back,” he snapped coldly, slamming the door in her face.

James’s fury had more than doubled as he stormed through the house. He couldn’t understand what the hell Anna was up to. She had him spinning, and not just off his axis. More like a tornado sweeping through his life. First she had left him, saying that he deserved better, then after all of the mess had finally settled down she still hadn’t even begun planning their wedding, something she claimed meant more to her than anything. Every moment they spent together Anna kept assuring him that she loved him. It baffled him.

“Where’s Anna?” Michael asked.

“She left,” James snapped.

“What? Where did she go?”

“I don’t know. Home, I guess.” James was already storming up the stairs two at a time.

“James! What did you do?”

“Nothing! If Anna doesn’t want to marry me, then she shouldn’t waste her time coming to the airport,” James growled, slamming his bedroom door in his father’s face.

“James, you truly are an idiot. That girl loves you. And you sent her packing—moments before you leave the country. Have you even thought about what you’ve done? Go and apologise. You only have fifteen minutes before we have to leave,” Michael commanded, forcing his way into his snarly son’s bedroom.

“No, Dad. If she doesn’t want to marry me, I’m not going to chase her. I’ve done enough chasing. I’m over it,” James shouted.

“Bullshit!” Michael countered.

“Leave it alone, Dad,” James warned.

“James, stop being so damn pig-headed. Pull your head out of your arse and own up to the fact that you fucked up,” Michael spoke to the closed door.

James’s childish temper tantrums meant they were late arriving at the airport to meet the others. Joel had already melted into panic mode. He was convinced James was going to be a no show. Diana and Michael strode over purposely and joined the rest of the group preparing to head out. In the years since James had made his first Australian team, Diana and Michael had become great friends with some of the other parents. They had a common understanding. They all knew the day to day pressures their children faced, and they would all support each other no matter the outcome. James stood back from the others, his bad mood still radiating from every pore. His silence only drew more attention to him.

“Where’s Anna?” Ian asked, confused.

“I have no idea what the hell Anna’s doing,” James voice fractured the silence.

Ian turned to the rest of the squad members and chuckled. “Someone got out of the wrong side of the bed this morning! Or the wrong bed!”

A few hours later James sat lifelessly on the plane. He still hadn’t spoken a word. He was letting it eat away at him. Why had he left things with Anna like that? He’d been hurt. But that was no excuse. He was still so angry that he wouldn’t let himself accept that he might have made a mistake. By the time he got off the plane, James still hadn’t calmed. He was still ropable. If anything, the more time he spent stewing on their argument and the more times he twisted it around and around in his mind the more he became convinced he was right.

Chapter 11

Anna

Anna had never felt so lost and alone in her entire life. The hopelessness and hurt was palpable. Never had words cut her so deeply and left such deep, ugly scars. She knew without a doubt that she loved James with everything she was, so it was a complete mystery as to why she hadn’t even made a start on her wedding plans. It was every girl’s dream to have the perfect wedding, but for some reason she just couldn’t get into it. It just wasn’t her. But losing James was something else entirely.

She spent the day walking around her apartment in a daze. Every time the phone rang Anna couldn’t help but jump, hoping and praying that it was James so she could apologise. She was desperate to apologise for everything she said and everything that she didn’t say. But still, he didn’t call.

“I can’t spend the next four weeks traipsing around feeling sorry for myself. I’m going to plan this damn wedding before he gets home if it kills me. Then I’m going to drag his ass to the church.” Anna tried pumping herself up. Then she got on the phone all afternoon. Her first phone call was to Renee. With her help this wedding could be organised and ready to go in five short weeks. Renee knew James’s family and friends. She knew who he would want there and who he wouldn’t. And Renee knew how Anna could make this a very special day for both of them.

An hour later Renee had taken charge and was in full planning mode. They had so much to organise in so little time. Renee handed Anna a list. She was calling caterers and churches, florists and car hire. By two o’clock that afternoon, with both women totally exhausted mentally and physically, they headed into Anna’s nightmare. Anna had to face the dreaded bridal store. She had to find a dress. It needed to be perfect. Classy yet sexy. Understated but elegant. Anna was a simple girl with simple tastes. And even though it was her wedding day, she needed to feel like she was still in there somewhere.