Meant to Marry Me: Nashville Country Dreams Part 1 novel Chapter 20

She was sitting on a bench, a confused look on her face, staring at him like she had no idea what was going on. Trent hadn’t been looking for her, though he’d wondered a few times where she was at. Instead, he’d been out looking for Hank who’d just gotten into town a few hours ago and needed a chance to rest and get changed before he headed to the dinner. Still, with Bree sitting there, he’d killed two birds with one stone. Lilly hadn’t had time to go looking for her yet.

“Trent?” Bree said, as he walked over. “Uh… hi.”

“Hi, Bree. How are you?”

“I’m good…. How are you?”

“I’m hanging in there. You’re here for the dinner, right?”

“Yes. I mean… I think so. I was waiting for my college roommate, Lilly, to tell me where to go.” She looked at her phone and shook her head. “Do you know Lilly?”

He laughed. It seemed like such an odd question. Of course he knew Lilly. “Yeah. She’s inside. You wanna come in?”

“Yeah. Sure.” She stood but still looked apprehensive. Hank was almost there now, and he was sure their friend was going to be excited to see Bree, too. When he’d told Hank Bree would be at the wedding, after he’d asked him if he was nuts a few hundred times, Hank had become excited to see her. It’d been too long.

It’d been too long for Trent, too. She was so beautiful, standing there with that lost look on her face, her strawberry blonde hair wavy and glistening in the sun. The dainty bracelets she had on her wrist echoed her fragile exterior, though he knew that was a facade. Clearly, Bree was tough as nails, or she wouldn’t be there. “Are you okay, Bree?”

She scratched her head. “Yeah, I’m just a little confused. I wasn’t expecting to see you. I’m sorry--how do you know Monica?”

Then, it all became crystal clear to him. Trent had wondered why in the world Bree would agree to sing at his wedding, especially that song, which, while he had no proof, he had suspected she’d written for him. Maybe he’d gotten that all wrong. Maybe she hadn't written “Meant to Marry Me” for him at all. He started to answer her, but then, Hank arrived, and as usual, there was no way he could say what he needed to say to Bree.

“Oh, my God! Bree Matthews!” the big man said, launching himself at her. He scooped her up and swung her around. Bree laughed, but it was obvious she didn’t particularly like it. He set her down but didn’t let go. “How are you, gorgeous?”

“I’m great, Hank,” she said once he let her go. “How are you doing?”