—Lana Parker, from a book review posted onLana’s Loves
I dump a bag of ice into a silver tub stocked with wine and champagne, double-checking to make sure we have enough booze for all our expected guests. Seth brings over another bag of ice, dumping it into a cooler stashed behind the rented bar.
He comes over, sliding his arm around my waist as I straighten the napkins and cups resting on the bar top. He nuzzles into my neck, gently pulling me a few steps away. “Everything looks great. It’s going to be great.” His lips nip at my pulse point.
I can’t help but relax into him, my head falling back against his shoulder. “I just need everything tonight to be perfect.”
He spins me around, dipping me back into a breathtaking kiss.
“On second thought, let’s cancel and spend the night in bed.” I loop my arms around his neck and jump into his arms.
He catches me easily, a sparkling grin on his gorgeous face. “There will be plenty of time for that later.” He plants one more loud kiss on me before setting me back on the ground. “But first, we have an anniversary to celebrate.”
Because we needed an excuse for a party, we’re marking the one-year anniversary of my blog’s going public, which is also conveniently one year since Seth and I got back together, officially.
After our final articles were published on theAlways Take Fountainwebsite, Seth and I both quit. He started his new job at theTimeswhile I focused on growing my blog, doing a lot of freelance writing on the side to actually make money and pay the bills.
Seth moved into my house a month later. Honestly, I’m surprised we made it that long, but Seth wanted to finish up some work on the place he was renting before giving his notice. It took some time for it to feel more likeourhouse than my house, but Seth had no problem making himself right at home, and I had no problem welcoming him into my humble abode.
Tonight’s party is being hosted in our backyard. The whole space has been strung with fairy lights, and between them and the golden hour of sunset, the whole place is glowing. There are a few high-top cocktail tables scattered around, but overall the setup is pretty simple.
Our guests arrive in a few small clumps. TheATFcrew, whom I still make a point of seeing as often as I can. Coreyand Tessa and I meet up usually once a week, and the rest of the gang turns out for monthly trivia nights.
Seth’s family has come into town for both the occasion and an LA vacation. We’ve spent the week showing them all the sights and low-key trying to convince all of them to make the move to the West Coast. Seth and I spent Christmas back home in Connecticut and the entire Carson family embraced me with open arms once again. Seth’s mom, Linda, wraps me in a big hug the minute she arrives this evening, whispering in my ear how proud she is of me.
My mom walks in next. I haven’t seen her in over two years, though we’ve been talking more regularly. It’s still a work in progress, but now that I’ve accepted her for who she is, it’s much easier for the two of us to communicate. I was afraid she wouldn’t deign to travel for something as silly as a blog anniversary party, but when I told her it was important to me that she be here, she booked her travel plans right away.
May shows up last, a little breathless, pulling me away from the backyard gathering and into the kitchen. “Sorry I’m late.”
“No problem, did you get the goods?”
She hands me a paper-wrapped bushel before gesturing to the fridge. “The cake is in there.”
I pull her into a hug. “Thank you. Are you ready for this?”
“I think the better question is, areyouready for this?”
“You both better be ready for this.” Seth wraps an arm around my waist while giving May a high five. “I think it’s time.”
May gives me a last hand squeeze before heading out to the backyard.
I remove the bouquet of sunflowers from its paper wrapping, taking Seth’s hand and moving to the back door, where we can easily hear May’s speech.
“I know you all thought you were coming here today to celebrate the success of Lana’s blog. Which is well earned and certainly deserving of some festivity.” May catches my eye through the window and grins. “But that’s actually not what we’re here to celebrate. This isn’t a party.” She pauses dramatically, milking the attention for all it’s worth. “It’s a wedding.”
Her words take a second to sink in, but when they do, everyone freaks out, cheers and shrieks echoing all around my tiny yard.
May hits play on her phone and the soft chords of “Here Comes the Sun” pipe out of a small speaker.
Seth and I walk down the “aisle” together, hands linked, smiles wide. We take our places in front of May. I hand my flowers to Tessa, who’s already crying, and turn to face Seth.
His blue eyes meet mine, sparkling in the thousands of lights strung up around us.
And I’mhome.
