She reached out and grabbed my hand, shaking it slightly as she pulled me into a slight embrace. “Hello,” she whispered in my ear. I whispered my greeting back, working to control my reaction to her closeness, as I always did.

“I’m glad you came.”

I pulled back slightly, not wanting the pounding of my heart to give my feelings away. “You know I can never say no to you.”

“But that’s exactly what you did.”

I glanced down, not wanting her to read the truth in my eyes. “It was too soon. I wasn’t ready…”

“To share your life with me, I know. But I can’t sit on the sidelines like you. I don’t want to watch life pass me by, I need to take part.”

“I don’t want that for you either.” I leaned closer, placing one last kiss on her cheek as I walked away, keeping my head down to avoid the empathetic glances from our friends.

You give your hand to me
Then you say hello
I can hardly speak
My heart is beating so
And anyone can tell
You think you know me well
But you don't know me

I sat on the side of the bed, hoping if my exhaustion was complete enough the dreams wouldn’t be quite so haunting. The images of Catherine that plagued my dreams nightly would often dance before my eyes during our working hours.

The glistening lip gloss was definitely my downfall. I often found myself staring at her lips, imagining what it would be like to kiss the shine away, to just hold her in my arms until we both drifted asleep.

With a sigh, I lay back in the bed, closing my eyes and knowing that the images of my friend would soon be encompassing my thoughts.

No, you don't know the one
Who dreams of you at night
And longs to kiss your lips
And longs to hold you tight
Oh I'm just a friend
That's all I've ever been
'Cause you don't know me

I leaned back in my chair, watching her through the parade of people walking around the corridors in the lab. She stretched her back, leaning to the right and then the left before going back to work at the layout table, conveniently located across the hall from my office.

I caught the sparkle from her ring finger and could feel my heart breaking. I didn’t take the chance, instead telling myself that it wasn’t serious. She couldn’t possibly be serious with anyone like that.

She smiled, waving her hand my direction then turning it slightly, her finger gesturing me to join her in the room. Pushing my thoughts aside, I set my pen on the desk and pushed back, walking the short distance to her side.

“How are you?”

I stared at her, my eyebrow quirking up in question. “I’m fine.”

“You sure that’s the story you want to stick with? You’ve been quiet… ever since…” She held up her hand, her thumb playing with the diamond ring.

I averted my eyes, not wanting to take part in the conversation she was trying to start.

“Gil…” she paused and I looked at her. “I wish….”

“What do you wish?” I hoped the glimmer of hope I heard in my own voice wasn’t as obvious to her.

“That you had said yes when I asked.”

I never knew
The art of making love
Though my heart aches
With love for you
Afraid and shy
I've let my chance to go by
The chance that you might
Love me, too

I walked out of the church, head down as I heard the door close behind me. The trip to my car was cut short by the sound of my name being called. I turned, watching as Catherine ran to me, her dress pulled up slightly.

“Where are you going?”

I shrugged, not wanting to voice my answer.

“Work?”

“I’m not scheduled.”

“But you’re going there anyway.”

I didn’t say anything.

“Gil… why don’t you stay a little longer? I didn’t even get a dance with you.”

“I don’t want to be in the way.”

A sad smile graced her face as she stepped closer to me, her hand grabbing mine and pulling me back towards the small church. “You’ll never be in the way, haven’t you learned that by now?”

“I guess not. It’s just… it’s not the same.”

“I thought you weren’t going to let this change us?”

“I'm still missing you, nothing's changed.” I pulled my hand out of hers’ letting her slip away from me. “You should go back in there, everyone’s here for you.”

“But you won’t come with me.”

“I can’t.” It hadn’t been a question, but I needed to answer her anyway. “This is your day, go and enjoy it.”

“Gil…”

“Catherine?”

We both turned at the calling of her name, my heart breaking just a little more as I saw the tuxedo clad man run across the parking lot.

“What’s going on?”

“Nothing.” I shook my head to emphasize my words. “I was just leaving.”

“So soon?”

I glanced at Catherine, both of us easily interpreting the true meaning behind the words. “I’ve got some things I need to do at work.”

I watched as he reached out, shaking my hand before grasping Catherine’s, pulling her next to him in a possessive embrace.

“Thanks for coming. I know how much it meant to Catherine.”

I remained silent watching as he kissed the rings on Catherine’s hand.

“Good-bye, Gil.”

Her whispered words floated in the air as I watched Eddie pull Catherine back to their wedding reception.

You give your hand to me
And then you say good-bye
I watch you walk away
Beside the lucky guy
You'll never never know
The one who loves you so
Well, you don't know me