So, so lucky.
Because loving Tolliver Stone was easy.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
"You know, weddings aren't usually my thing," I said, staring out at all the people dancing, eating, chatting, and generally having a wonderful time, "but you really managed to pull this off."
"Wepulled it off," Stacia replied and held her fist out to me.
"What's that?"
"Just bump it."
"I don't think so," I said.
"Freya, come on."
Stacia raised her brows, fist still lifted.
"Fine." I rolled my eyes, tapping my fist to hers which made her whoop. "But only because it's Mom's day, and you really did knock it out of the park."
"Thank you." Her whole face sparkled when she smiled like she was now. "And again, I couldn't have done this without you."
"I'm pretty sure you could have."
"Hey, you made some of those party favors too, sis."
I gave a quiet sigh at that. "Yes, the imperfect ones."
"Please, sis, they're all perfect. I made sure of it."
"Stacia, we've talked about this. I thought we agreed to stick to real names only. 'Sis' sounds too happy family. Don't you agree?"
"Totally," she said.
I nodded.
"I got you. It's all good, queen."
Stacia liked to call everyone that, so I didn't object. I thought of it as her way of giving each person she met an imaginary crown. And who wouldn't want that?
The outdoor space was green and lush. Glancing up, I took in the white tent and draped fabric above our heads. The pink, white, and gold flower arrangements that served as centerpieces for each table were understated but lovely. And I saw a lot of smiling faces as well as several flower crowns resting on guests' heads.
"Looks like the crowns are a hit," I commented.
"Mmm"—Stacia reached over to adjust mine, made sure my hair fell right too, before leaning back—"yes, I think people like them. You look gorgeous by the way."
"Thank you. You look beautiful too—but you know that already," I said.
"Believe it or not, I don't. It's always nice to hear the good, so thanks."
Stacia, I was learning, was one of those beautiful people who genuinely didn't know that they were beautiful. It was a sad thing really. I wanted her to see herself as everyone else did. But it wasn't like she had low self-esteem. She wasn't totally unaware. She simply had self-doubts like every person I'd ever met—including myself.
"Why do we do that?" I asked.
"What?" she said.
"Need other people to tell us we're awesome."
