Page 101 of The Wedding Situation Romance

“So you’re saying that even your marriage isn’t good all the time?” I ask and she laughs.

“Of course not. No relationship is. They’re work, all of them. But they’re worth it if you are both willing. Just like every couple that comes through your doors at We Still Do.”

She’s right. And I hate that she’s right. Mostly because it points out something I haven’t been willing to admit for, well, maybe forever. That I believe in happily ever after so much, I refuse to admit that there are ever gray skies.

I turn the conversation back to mini cakes and champagne flavors and center pieces. Today should be about her, not me and my problems. But also, my problems are exhausting. And right now I don’t want to think about what all of this means for me.

If I have been walking through life with rose colored glasses, have I ever seen love for what it is? Marriage for what it is? Do I even know what true love is at all? And more than that, is forever even real?

I leave the bakery feeling distraught. And I hate that. I shouldn’t have to fake happiness during an event like this. Especially when it’s for Allegra and I actually couldn’t be happier for her.

For some reason, I just don’t feel like going home. So I don’t. I go to the office. We are closed but that’s kind of the point. As I walk inside, I lock the door behind me. I go through the rituals, lavender oil in the infuser and dim lighting. I don’t feel like wine, even though that’s normally my go to. Instead, I make myself a cup of chamomile tea. Then I sit in my yellow chair that faces the couch where more couples have sat than I can count, all looking for hope.

I gave them hope.

Somehow, whether it was my ambition or my stats or the infuser or the inspirational quotes on the wall, I was able to give them hope. And yet, I’m sitting here now feeling…a whole lot of…nothing. Uncertainty.

It isn’t until a knock comes to the door causing me to blink that I realize my eyes are teary. Again. Of course they are.

“We’re closed,” I call out, blinking again just for good measure and taking a sip of my tea.

“Quinn? It’s the Overholts,” a woman’s voice calls back and I stand up.

“Ashley. Michael…” I say as I open the door. “What’s going on? Is everything okay?”

“We were about to ask you the same thing,” Ashley says and something about their faces tells me they know something. Obviously, I let them in.

“Sit, please,” I say, gesturing to the aforementioned couch. And I sit in the yellow chair. “What’s going on?” I ask softly.

Both of them are smiling but it’s an odd smile. An empathetic one that borders sympathetic, which I don’t love.

“So we might have heard through the grapevine that you have been having some…financial strains lately.”

I nearly choke on my tea. So much for its calming properties. “What grapevine?” I cough. “Where did you hear that?”

“Well, as you know we see Allegra…” Michael says and I nod. Of course. If the funding is cut, they would have to pay for their sessions in the near future, something I am sure Allegra’s accountant has been transparent about.

“It’s alright, of course,” Ashley says. “We are more than capable of paying for the sessions from here on out.”

“That’s good,” I nod. “And I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be,” Ashley insists. “We understand how hard nonprofits can be. And for that reason…” she stops, smiling between Michael and I. “We would like to donate money to We Still Do.”

“Really?” I ask. “That’s so sweet.”

“Just let us know how much you need to keep your doors open,” Michael says and of course, the blasted tears are back.

“Well…that’s going to be a bit of a problem,” I choke, doing my best not to cry. Again. “Because all of our current donors have pulled out. Honestly, I have no idea what we are going to do.”

“Like I said,” Michael says. “What do you need? I’m sure we can swing it.”

I’m sure we can swing it.

He says it like it’s a small favor. Like he’s going to whip out his wallet and write me a check for a couple thousand dollars and save the day. Oh, if only.

“Don’t be shy,” Ashley smiles. “Like Michael said, we got you. Wewantto do this because of what you’ve done for us,”

“I understand but…”