Danny is waiting for me at the bottom and takes my bag before opening the front door. I step past him and make my way down the steps to the car. It’s the first time I’ve been out of the house in a week. The sun feels nice, making me stop by the car door to breathe in deeply.
He smiles sadly and opens my door. I get in and Sasha gets in the front passenger side of the car. Danny pulls away from the house and I watch the world pass by as we make our way to the spa.
Anna should be there already. My mother and sister, along with Alexander’s mother, have a full day planned. We will get ready at the spa and head to the church for the rehearsal. Then back to the hotel for dinner.
My stomach tightens as the thought of seeing Alexander again plays in my mind. This won’t be like any other encounter we have ever had. I don’t care anymore. There is nothing left tocare for. He’s taken it all.
The car rolls up under the spa canopy, Sasha opens up my door and I get out. She grabs my garment bag from Danny, who jogs slightly ahead of us to open the door. I step in. Anna squeals and runs towards me, hugging me and squeezing me tight. I laugh and step back.
She glares around my shoulder at Danny. “Dick.”
Danny gives her a cocky smile. “Pixie.” And he turns and leaves.
I waggle my finger between them and raise my eyebrow.
“Nope, he’s a grade-A dick.” She tugs my arm, taking me to the counter. “We have hair to remove, wax, fluff and nails to buff. Fuck, men! This is our space.”
I laugh and follow her. The day is full. We go from one room to the next, some nice, some not so nice. We are all seated in a room in our own little group when Alexander’s mother gets a phone call. The boys will be late, so they have to cancel rehearsal. They will meet us at the hotel after five for dinner.
His mother places the call to the church, and I think I’m the only one not bummed about it. I really didn’t want to walk down the aisle and go through the motions of a wedding day. Once will be enough, never mind doing it twice in twenty-four hours.
The day passes, and Anna and I have fun. She teases and makes everyone laugh. Even my mother and sister are relaxed and having a bit of fun. Anna eats the cucumbers off my eyes and threatens to eat Rebekah’s, making her laugh.
We finally hit the stage where they do our make-up and hair. I have mine up in a low bun off my neck. My makeup is simple and natural.
Anna and I share a dressing room. She helps me with my dress and I help her with hers. Once we are dressed, shoes on, purse in hand, we stare at ourselves in the mirror.
“Not bad for two art enthusiasts, hey Izzy?” She laughs, and I smile. We do look pretty good.
We meet the other ladies in the lobby, and Danny is waiting by the car, holding the door open. As we climb in, Anna smiles at him and says, “Dick.”
Before he closes the door, Danny mumbles, “Sexy Pixie.”
I sit back and my mouth forms a big O in shock. “Really?” I say. Her face is pink, and she looks away.
We arrive at the hotel; everyone is getting out and making their way into the lobby. The hotel is grand. Everything is chandeliers and glittering gold. We follow his mother down a hall. She pulls me aside while everyone else goes through the main door to the dining room. She tells me to wait in the sitting room across the hall and that Alexander will be there shortly to escort me into the dining room.
I go in and walk towards the large glass windows overlooking the immaculate hotel grounds, and I sit on the cream sofa watching the fountain bubble in the garden out the window.
I should be shaking, and my stomach should be in knots, but I feel nothing. Ever since I let go of my dreams and came up with the solution to my problem, I'll just go with the flow. Not that having an opinion about my life mattered to anyone.
The door clicks, and I don’t turn to look at him. I can see his reflection in the glass. I focus on the trees beyond.
“Hello, bunny. Did you miss me?” His superior tone only makes my resolve all the more clear.
I stand up and turn to face him. He is so close now that I can smell that vanilla and musk scent, and I can feel the heat from his body. His eyes are a dark gray and he’s smiling his boyish smile.
I look at him and my heart fills with a sadness I can’t really explain. He’s so beautiful that my chest aches to look at him,literally. My chest feels like it’s caving in for what could have been.
He cups my cheek in his warm hand and says, “You look beautiful, Isabella.” He leans in close, kisses my cheek, rubbing his nose along mine as he backs away, and looks me in the eye.
I remain motionless, watching his expression change to one of confusion. I step past him, walk to the door, open it, and step up to the door where the entire organization and all our family are waiting for us.
He grabs my arm and turns me sharply. “Are you not going to say anything? Are you not happy to see me at all?”
I look him in the eyes. “No.” I softly say.
He tilts his head back in surprise. “You’re not happy to see me?”
