“That’s some rock. You didn’t have that in Miami.” He moved closer, taking hold of her hand and examining the ring. “I would have remembered something like that. God, Meghna, it’s huge.”
“Oh, it’s just…”
“I should have gotten something sooner,” Karthik said. “But I couldn’t decide for the longest time. I must have looked at over a hundred different rings before I landed on this one.”
He brushed her cheek with a kiss. Her skin tingled. He turned her slightly in his arms so she could meet his eyes.
“Sorry it took so long.”
“It’s fine,” she said softly, more confused than ever. Was anything he’d just said true? Or was it just a story for Eric?
Eric watched both of them, a large grin on his face. “So, when’s the big day?”
“Oh…I don’t…We haven’t…” Meghna stammered.
“Next year,” Karthik cut in smoothly. He ran one of his hands up and down Meghna’s arm. “We’re enjoying this phase and don’t want to rush anything, right, Meghna?”
“Right. That’s right.”
“Well, I’m excited for it,” Eric said. “I haven’t been to an Indian wedding before, but I imagine the food’s a lot better than what we get at these ones.”
Meghna shook her head. “Of course the food’s the first thing you think about.”
“Obviously. What else is there? If I have to sit through another dry chicken or underdressed salad at one of these things…” He shuddered dramatically.
Meghna and Karthik both laughed, following him farther into the restaurant. Seth had said they were doing a small, informal rehearsal dinner with just the wedding party and family, and Meghna was happy to see that they’d stuck to that plan. The room was barely half-full, with only a few tables set for dinner.
“Welcome, everyone,” a woman with a clipboard and a Britney Spears headset said. “If you’re in the wedding party, please join me at the front of the room. If you’re not, please find your name card and take a seat. Dinner will be served in just a moment.” Meghna headed to the front, greeting Mark and the remaining groomsmen she had met at the bachelor party.
“Meghna!” a voice called out. “I’m so happy to finally meet you in person. I mean, I know we met on the phone, but it’s not the same.” Meghna turned around, immediately recognizing Julie from the pictures. Before she could say anything, Julie enveloped her in awarm hug. “Seth talks about youallthe time. I feel like I know you already.”
The sentiment was sweet, but Meghna’s mouth tasted sour. Julie didn’t know her. Not even a little bit. “It’s nice to meet you too,” Meghna responded. “And congratulations.”
Julie smiled, her eyes bright and shining. “Thanks! I can’t wait for tomorrow. Seth told me the two of you cooked up something special for the reception and I’ve been poking around for hints, but he hasn’t shared a peep. He usually shares all of his work with me and I get to read through everything, but not this one! Also, I hope you don’t mind, but I thought it would be fun for you to get ready with me and the rest of the girls tomorrow. You don’t have to, of course, but we’ll have someone there to do hair and makeup and there’ll be a mimosa bar. It’ll probably be a lot more fun than whatever the guys have planned, so please join us. I mean, only if you want.”
“Of course,” Meghna said. In the face of Julie’s warm enthusiasm, she wasn’t sure how else she could respond. At that moment, the wedding planner interrupted, separating them and maneuvering the group into pairs.
Meghna was paired to walk down the aisle with Julie’s maid of honor, which was quite a relief. She’d been a little concerned about the unconventional arrangement, worried that it meant she’d have to walk alone. The idea of walking by herself down the aisle toward Seth had made her sick a month ago. She hadn’t been sure if she’d even be able to do it. But for some reason, the idea didn’t make her that nervous anymore.
The wedding planner instructed them about timing and made them walk through the process of going up and down the aisle. After practicing it a few times, and only messing up once due to Eric’s constant jokes, the wedding planner let them go, announcing that dinner would start soon.
Before heading back to the table, Meghna approached Seth, hoping to check in and clear the air. Since receiving his last rewrittenversion of the song, she and Seth had only spoken a few times. She’d told him how much she liked the new song, and he’d apologized for hanging up on her. Meghna had tried not to apologize in return, but ended up doing it anyway. After that, he’d taken her notes with good grace, making several adjustments to the new song. Things seemed to be back to normal between the two of them, though Meghna wasn’t sure.
“Hey, everything looks great,” she said.
Seth laughed. “Thank our wedding planner. I had nothing to do with it. And nothing to do with the planning.” He scanned the room, and Meghna followed his eyes, looking at the neutral-themed space, the tables covered in beige and taupe, with just a hint of dusty rose.
“Well, it turned out well,” she said. “It almost looks like something out of a bridal magazine. Casual, but elegant. Rustic, but refined.”
He grinned. “I’ll tell Julie you said so.”
“So…How are you feeling about tomorrow?”
“Good. Excited, I think.” He lifted a shoulder. “Maybe a bit nervous?”
“I think that’s normal.”
“Guess you’ll find out for yourself soon,” he said with a laugh. “I saw Karthik made it, but I haven’t gone over and said hi yet. Things all good with you two?”
