She’s beyond stunning. There’s not a word in the English language that encapsulates how beautiful, how otherworldly she looks – and she’s not even wearing her dress yet.
“You don’t think the makeup is too much?” Olivia worries her bottom lip as she examines her reflection in the mirror.
“Absolutely not,” Grace tells her at the same time Petra insists, “No way. And quit doing that to your lip.” Olivia gives her a sheepish grin.
“You want your eyes to pop in photos,” Grace reminds her. “You’re stunning. Don’t change a thing.”
She’s equally stunning, of course. She’s a pro at doing her own makeup, but Olivia convinced her to enjoy getting pampered with the rest of us today. Her eyelashes are always dramatic, long and dark and sweeping against her cheeks when she blinks, and today is no exception. She’s wearing a dusty pink lipstick instead of her usual bold color, which looks gorgeous with the shimmery blush she has on.
Gail, who’s currently busy making sure the vendors all arrive and make it to the appropriate areas, looks just as beautiful. I passed her on my way upstairs.
“Your turn,” Petra tells me, wagging a tube of mascara in my direction. She gestures to the chair Olivia just vacated and I sit, trying to ignore the anxiety churning in my gut.
Noah and I have been up since long before the sun rose, putting finishing touches on bouquets, setting up table arrangements and making sure there are flowers everywhere they’re supposed to be. The pièce de résistance is the flower arch that Olivia and Cam will get married in front of. It’s full of gorgeous white roses and baby blue wisteria that hangs delicately. It’s dreamy, it’s romantic.
It was abitchto put together.
While Petra sets to work on my face, I relax into my seat with my eyes closed and appreciate the fact that I have a few minutes to just sit and do nothing. I don’t regret saying yes to doing the wedding flowers, but it’s been hectic trying to get everything done and also find time to get ready to stand next to my best friend as she says “I do.” I’m exhausted and probably sweatier than a maid of honor should be, but I can’t wait for Olivia to see what Noah and I have come up with.
I only half-listen to the conversations around me as Petra covers my skin in product after product that will hopefully cover the eye bags I’ve been sporting this week. It’s not until I hear Declan’s name that my attention is piqued.
“What do you think?” Grace asks, and I can only assume she’s talking to me.
“Sorry, what were you guys saying?”
“Do you think Declan is going to say yes to Sean?” Olivia asks through what sounds like a mouthful of food. Cam had her favorite lunch delivered for all of us – a Caesar wrap, extra crispy fries and raspberry sparkling lemonade. All from Captain’s, obviously.
“I think he’s going to say yes,” Grace says confidently.
“You really think so?” Shortly after we arrived this morning, I had filled Grace and Olivia in on the conversation I had with Declan last night. The fact that he didn’t immediately accept Sean’s offer has me on edge. Especially when there’s still a job offer in New York on the table.
“What doyouthink?” Olivia asks again.
I hesitate before answering. Do I think Declan is going to say yes? I know that I want him to. God, I want him to plant permanent roots here so badly. I want to hand my heart over with the knowledge that he’s not going to take off and run with it, or leave it behind when he goes.
I don’t know if I can fully give him that last piece of me until I know he isn’t going anywhere. I don’t want to fall victim to geography once again. I want to love someone who will stay. Someone who will choose me.
“I really don’t know,” I finally say. “I hope he does, obviously.”
My admission is met with silence. I peek one eye open and watch in the mirror as Olivia and Grace, who are sitting side-by-side on the small sofa behind us, exchange a look.
“Eyes closed,” Petra scolds. I obey and she continues swiping some kind of shimmery powder across my eyelids.
“Honey,” Olivia says gently. “You know that even if he turns down Sean’s offer, that doesn’t automatically mean he’s going to take off, right?”
No, I don’t know that.
I don’t respond, but my friends know me well. They both get up from the couch and come over to where I’m sitting. Someone rests their hand on my shoulder, but I’m too afraid of getting scolded by Petra again to peek and see who it is.
“I think that man is in love with you,” Olivia says gently, like she’s afraid she’s going to spook me. I try to keep my pulse under control with sheer will, but it’s a lost cause; my heart startsthump thumpingat the idea.
“Iknowthat man is in love with you,” Grace chimes in. “It’s been written all over his face for months. He’s been down bad since day one.”
“That doesn’t mean he’ll stay,” I say quietly. “Love isn’t always enough.”
My friends are quiet for a moment, probably exchanging another look.
“Nathan sucked,” Grace says bluntly, and I’m happy to learn that I don’t flinch anymore at the mention of my ex. It’s been a long timesince we’ve talked about my last – and only – failed relationship. “He strung you along for years knowing he had no intention of staying in Port Myles, thinking so highly of himself that he assumed you’d change your mind and follow him when he left. I know he fucked you up for a while there, but you can’t let what happened with him ruin the good thing you have now.” I feel the weight of another hand settle on my shoulder. “That’s not fair to Declan. Give him the chance to prove you wrong first.”
