“That's just the movies.”
After our talk, we called Maggie to the back room and we chose a gorgeous combination of deep purple calla lilies and red roses wrapped in silver satin ribbon for Amy's bouquet, and a smaller version for the bridesmaids. Amy seemed pleased, and much more relaxed. Maybe she'd just needed to freak out at me. I was okay with that.
We said our goodbyes out on the street. “I’m so sorry I was a bitch in there. It's just a lot to deal with,” she said.
I pulled her into a hug. “I love you. You know that, right?” Despite the permanent off-putting smell of New York, I could still draw in the sweet fragrance of her shampoo, which brought me back to the days when we were roommates and I'd walk into the bathroom after her shower only to discover that she'd used all of the hot water. There was something so comforting about that smell.
“I know. And I love you, too. I promise I'll be less of a pain next time I see you.”
“When will that be?”
She shrugged. “I don't know. I have to go out of town for a work thing next week and Luke's parents want us to go with them to their house on the shore of Maryland. I'll have to look at my calendar.”
I donned my requisite sisterly smile. “Okay. We'll figure something out.”
“Eamon's coming to see you, soon. Right?”
“He is.” It was the sole bright spot right now.
“Cool. I'm sure you're looking forward to that. Maybe Luke and I can have you guys over for dinner after he gets into town. That would be fun. Luke's actually a bit of a fan. Although he's a total music geek to begin with.”
“I didn't know that.”
“Yep.” She nodded then looked at her phone. “I should go grab my train.” In a flash she kissed me on the cheek. “Love you. Talk to you later.”
I stood there on the sidewalk and watched her walk away, her blonde hair swinging back and forth. I decided to soak up the anxiousness that came over me when she left. I had to get used to it. There was so much more of it ahead.
I opted to walk back to my apartment, relishing the cold damp air and the sense that winter was coming. Before we knew it, Thanksgiving would be here, and then the wedding. Hopefully Eamon and I would still be in one piece by then. I not only didn't want to go to my sister's wedding by myself, I wanted to make something in my life work.
As soon as I keyed into my apartment and threw down my stuff, I pulled up Facebook on my computer and prepared myself to write a message to Aunt Lucy. I had about fifty false starts before I decided on the most direct approach.
Aunt Lucy,
I'm writing because Amy is getting married right before Christmas. You should get an invitation soon, although I'm not sure when she's sending them. As you know, every bride needs something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue. Amy would really like to wear our mother's pearls as her something old. As far as I know, Grandma Price has them. Is it possible for you to play intermediary with getting it for Amy? That would be a huge help to me. If you need me to speak to Grandma directly, I will do it, but I thought I'd start with you since you see her more regularly. I hope all is well with you.
Love, Katherine
I didn't particularly feel a lot of love for my Aunt Lucy, but warmth seemed like the way to go for now. I shut down my laptop and did the only thing I could do. Poured myself a glass of wine, made myself a quick dinner, and curled up in bed with a book, waiting for Eamon to call.
Like clockwork, he rang at eleven. “Only two more days,” he said right away.
“Crazy, isn't it?” I snuggled up under the covers in my very non-sexy pajamas. After the day I'd had with my sister, I was not in the mood for an iPhone booty call.
“It's actually less than forty-eight hours. I should get to your place Sunday morning.”
“Sunday morning? Wow. I thought you were flying in from San Francisco. Don't you have a show Saturday night?” I started mentally going through the list of all of the stuff I needed to do—laundry, shopping, shaving.
“I had my road manager get me a seat on the red eye. I didn't want to stay in SF and get up in the morning. I'd rather just land and get to your place right away.”
I still couldn't believe this was happening. All these weeks of talking, and the waiting was about to be over. “Sounds perfect. I can't wait.”
Chapter Eleven
At ten on Sunday morning,Eamon showed up at my apartment dressed as the man in black. Black bomber jacket, black jeans, charcoal wool scarf wound around his neck. His dark hair was pushed back from his face, showing off his now-feral beard. His eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled. I could see how excited he was to be here. This unbelievable man was happy to see me.
“Hi.” I didn't know what else to say. I was so painfully aware of what we both wanted first from each other—everything we stopped short of doing at the Four Seasons.
He carefully set down a battered acoustic guitar case along the wall just inside the door. His canvas duffel didn't get the same treatment, forcefully flung across the floor. “I hope you had the sense not to make any plans today. We are not leaving this apartment.” His voice was rough and my head dizzied with the possibilities.
