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“Where do they live?”
Shit. “I actually haven’t been to their house yet, but they live in Clarity.”
“I’m surprised we haven’t run into them, then.”
I laughed. “They live in Clarity, but I don’t think they’re going to the kind of parties you do, Mom.”
The curtain in the dressing room slid aside, and Ellie came out, followed by the seamstress. She stood on the little pedestal, looking radiant. “It’s gorgeous, El.”
“Thank you. As long as I don’t do anything drastic, the final fitting won’t need anything.”
Her dress was a ball gown, with a full skirt like a cake topper. Off the shoulder neckline and so many sparkling beads sheshimmered under the lights of the shop. On the actual day when the wedding was outside? She would glitter.
“I’m glad you’re happy,” I told her. “Really.”
She turned, giant skirt swishing. “I am happy. I wish you were happy too.”
Regardless of what the St. James pack and I did together, being here with everyone and the hold on my mind and heart loosening, I felt better. I shouldn’t have stayed away so long. “I think I’m getting there.”
One of her friends peeked into the room and shrieked. The whole place was filled with exclamations and laughter, and I just smiled. This was nice.
Mom came over and sat next to me. “I’ll hide over here with you.”
“Good call.”
“You seem lighter than when we talk on the phone.”
Shaking my head, I watched Ellie twirl in her gown while a friend filmed it. “Have you ever done something, and you didn’t realize how much it affected you until later?”
“Pretty sure that’s part of being alive,” Mom said. “We can’t see what’s right in front of us until it’s shoved into focus or far too late.”
“I didn’t realize how alone I was.” I looked over at her. “And it seems silly that I didn’t notice it. But now…”
She reached over and took my hand out of my lap. “Sometimes we have to do something for ourselves. Even if it doesn’t make sense, and even if it doesn’t work out the way we hoped. Whatever happens now, you needed that time, Isolde. We missed you, and we’re so happy you’re back, but this wasn’t the place for you to heal. Maybe now it will be.”
I blinked away tears. “Thank you.”
“Now,” she straightened, and I smiled at the shift. Mom was in planner mode. “Do you have plans with those handsome men? Or can you help me today?”
“What are you doing?”
“What am Inotdoing? Finalizing flowers and place settings. Ellie gave me all the details she doesn’t care about. I’ll have you back in time for the bonfire tonight.”
“Bonfire?”
Mom smiled. “Warren’s idea. Something for the bridal party to do all together before they disperse. Until the actual bachelor and bachelorette parties, of course. Figured it could be fun.”
A bonfire was agreatidea. I hadn’t had a chance to set foot on the beach yet. And spending time with Mom might help me clear my head. “I can help. The guys will be fine. Tell me what you need.”
I completely forgot what spending a day with my mother while she was in full planner mode was like. A sight to behold, but exhausting. By the time her driver pulled back up in front of the mansion and the sun was blazing a path to the horizon, the only thing I wanted was to relax on the beach in front of the bonfire.
But we’d taken care of necessary details. Not everything, but enough that my mother felt infinitely less stressed, and I wouldn’t feel bad about lying low for the next week while there weren’t any ‘official’ wedding events.
The suite was empty, so I flopped back onto the freshly made bed, closing my eyes for a second. I was out of practice being around people.
My phone chirped, and I fished it out of my purse.
OCEAN
