Page 79 of The Wedding Situation Romance

“And after the big vow renewal,” Ashley says, and they pause again to look at each other with a smile before giving me the rest of the puzzle in unison. “We are going to sell the vacation home.”

“Oh,” I respond because I’m not really sure how else to respond. I’m not under the impression either of them is hurting for money. And I don’t really see why selling a vacation home is anything a right home about. That is until Ashley‘s next sentence.

“And all the profits we get, we want to donate to We Still Do,” she says, and for a moment, I have no idea how to respond. I am simply sitting there, clasping my wine glass in my hand somewhere between the table and my mouth, my lips parted and my eyes unblinking.

“You what?” I ask because at this point, I’m not sure that I heard them right.

“We are going to put some funds into seeing to it that the hurricane damage is taken care of,” Michael explains. “And after that, the home should honestly triple in value. Considering when we bought it and the rate we bought it at. And then we are goingto sell it, and any profit that we make off of it we are donating to your nonprofit.”

“But… why?” I stutter because I don’t know what else to say. A vacation home in Manhattan. Regardless of when they bought it or what they bought it for; chances are that home is going to run several million. The idea of zeros like that being behind the charity that I put my heart into has me on the verge of tears.

Ashley reaches across the table in response, clasping my hand in hers. “Because you save marriages. Because you believe in love more than the people who supposedly feel it. Because if it wasn’t for you, we would’ve made the biggest mistake of our lives. Giving up on the most important relationship either of us has ever known.”

And with that I do cry because what a wild thing.

We finish our glasses of wine and the couple leaves. As I lock the door behind them and tend to the diffuser and the lights, I still can’t believe what just happened. Granted the two of them definitely have a lot to work out, the idea of them being so generous towards the nonprofit as a gift for their success is mind-boggling.

Obviously, I am not an eggs in one basket type of person, so I don’t fully invest in the idea of it. But like anything else relating to love, I do put hope in it. I hope that things work out, not just so that I can have the money. But at the end of the day, there’s nothing that I love more than seeing people who truly love each other finding a way to stay together.

Now, if only I could figure that out in my own life.

Chapter 33

Quinn

“I am goingto need you to pinch me,” I say as we get out of the car.

Because I thought Myrtle was elaborate. Okay, I thought all of the weddings thus far were elaborate, from the American Sistine to the wooded fairy tale. But Drew’s wedding is next level.

“I could do other things to you if you’re looking for a little invigoration,” he says, but I choose to ignore him.

“So this is what fifty K looks like,” I say as I take in the grandeur of the White Rose Ballroom.

“Actually, this is what close to eighty K looks like,” Reid says. “Because after hiring a band that is literally booked out for the next year and a half, plus the ice swan, the Dom Perignon fountains at every single table, not to mention the fact that every guest couple has been given a luxury car to rent for the duration of the wedding, it’s celebrity level status for sure.”

“That is…wild,” I say, shaking my head.

“I couldn’t agree more.”

But I think the thing that is the most amazing to me is the orchestra, which too will be here all weekend. Like Bridgerton, they’re playing modern songs with 1800’s vibes.

“This is…” I trail off.

But instead of saying something snarky like he usually would, Reid simply smiles at me and holds out his arm for me to take hold of. “I’m glad you like it,” he says.

“You have no idea,” I shake my head as we make our way through the gates.

“You think the Duke would be impressed?” he asks.

“Are you kidding me?” I ask. “I think the Duke would shit himself,” I say, and Reid laughs. “By the way? The salmon isn’t so bad…” I tell him, but Reid still makes a face. I know he’s not a fan; he’s made that much clear. And the fact that he has to wear it at both the welcome party and the wedding day is no doubt making him inwardly cringe.

But for someone who hates weddings, Reid is a surprisingly good best man. From the sound of it, the bachelor party went well last night. And by well, I mean every man is actually present tonight. A couple of them look a bit green around the gills, but hey they’re all here. An impressive feat, for sure.

Not only that, but everything else is going smoothly as well. And the venue is ridiculous.

We go through the rehearsal and I can’t help but smile watching him in his salmon button down as he passes off the rings (or pretends to) and stands with an almost pride as he watches Drew tear up and Cassidy laugh and fan her face.

If it’s this emotional just at the rehearsal dinner, I can’t imagine how tomorrow is going to be. I make a note to forfeit the fake lashes I considered wearing and opt for waterproof mascara and no eyeliner. All weddings make me cry. But a wedding where two people are so beautiful and obviously right for each other? And the groom is close to someone I care about? Yeah. I’m going to be stuffing tissues down my dress for this.