He was probably busy with the restaurant.
She’d give herself a month or so. Surely, the spell would end, and she could move forward with her life.
Emily took the card to her desk, where she still had a stack of returned RSVP cards for her wedding. Flipping through each one, the guest numbers flashed before her like an old movie, reminding her of how many people she’d have to call. She’d originally left the stack on her desk because she’d been too emotional to look through them, but now, she felt relief. All these people might have witnessed her marrying someone who, in the end, hadn’t been right for her. She’d dodged a bullet.
THIRTY-ONE
When Emily roused, the summer sun was already beginning to shine outside. She rolled over and checked her phone. 6:45. Not wanting to emerge from the comfort of her cocoon, she opened her social media and browsed Blair’s feed. Her heart squeezed when she saw all the photos.
With expert precision and artistic flair, Blair had posted a reel of incredible shots documenting their trip. Adoration filled her as she played it. Blair had caught Emily and Sienna laughing together by the water, their bare feet on the white sand, a slew of stunning dinners Patrick had cooked for them, the tub of bubbles on their spa day, the candles lit by the swimming pool, their time on the deck drinking cocktails…
But Emily’s favorite was the shot they’d taken at the beginning of their journey—the one of the three of them sitting together on the beach. Blair in the center with her sun hat, Emily on her left, and Sienna on her right. In front of them was the wide, beautiful Gulf in all its glory.
The photos, of course, were the highlight reel of their stay, but they did their job and whisked her away to the best moments of their vacation. Emily, Sienna, and Blair had brought more baggage than their suitcases, and they’d left with bonds thatcould never be broken. With her friends by her side, she’d get through her hard times just as she’d gotten her friends through theirs. This, too, shall pass, and her highlight reel would begin again.
Emily closed the app and climbed out of bed, the photos giving her the energy she needed to start her busy day.
When she opened the bedroom door, the silence was jarring after spending so many days with other people. She already missed her friends and wished she was still with them. She pulled her clothes out of the dryer, folded them, and returned them to her room, before making the bed and folding the nightshirt she’d worn, setting it on the edge. Then she slipped on a pair of jean shorts and a T-shirt and got ready for the day.
She dropped a bagel onto a plate, along with a dollop of cream cheese, and took them to her desk with a cup of coffee. On her laptop, she pulled up the number for the florist and made her first call. The caterer was next, followed by the officiant. She answered their questions and thanked them for their sympathy, although she felt oddly at peace. Will wasn’t the one for her. Then, she called the photographer, the limo driver, and the cake baker. She canceled the rentals of tables, chairs, and linens.
What made it finally feel real was when she called the church to let them know.
“We’re really sorry to hear that,” the woman on the phone said. “I’ll cancel your meeting with the preacher, and if you’ll hold just a second, I’ll patch you through to him.”
“Okay, thank you,” Emily said.
When the preacher came on the line, she explained briefly what had happened.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” he said. “Even when a relationship ends for the right reasons, it hurts. I want you to know that God’s grace is with you, and you don’t walk through this alone.”
“Thank you,” she said, feeling more hopeful than she had in a long time.
Emily peered down at the names of the wedding guests she’d written in her planner; the thought of calling them all felt draining. No one would have expected her and Will to fall apart, and she’d certainly have a lot of questions to answer. This group would definitely be harder on her emotionally. She needed a break before she started that task.
Apartment hunting as a distraction had just crossed her mind when Blair called.
“Checking on you,” she said happily down the line. “How are you this morning?”
“I’m good. I’ve been canceling my wedding. I’ve just got to call my friends and family who were coming, but I might do it later. I think I want to apartment shop to lift my spirits.”
“Ooh, I could help, if you want. We could take my laptop to The Brewing Bloom and grab a coffee. I miss you already.”
“I feel the same way! Coffee sounds perfect.”
Blair squealed. “Want me to call Sienna and see if she’d like to join? She’ll have all the details on real estate.”
“I’ll text her.”
“Okay. What time should we shoot for?”
“How about ten?”
“Perfect. See you soon.”
Emily ended the call and texted Sienna, who immediately said that she’d be there.
Next thing she knew, they were all around a table at their favorite coffee shop.
