Page 33 of Hard to Get

“How are wedding plans coming along?” I ask Harrison and Meredith to change the subject. “Everything must be nearly done.” They’re getting married next month.

“Yes, I think we’re mostly ready,” Meredith says. “We just picked the menu for the reception. I’m trying to figure out music so I can let our music guy know.”

“Is your dress ready?”

“Yes! I picked it up last week.”

“I can’t wait to see it.”

“What are you wearing?” she asks. “Do you know yet?”

“I have a new dress. I was going to wear something I already had, but it’s my brother’s first wedding so I figured I should go all out.” I smirk at him.

“First wedding?” He scowls. “What the fuck?”

I crack up. “I’m kidding!”

Meredith is laughing, too. I love her. I love that she loves my brother. They’ve been together for a long time and over the years, I’ve watched my little brother grow up, fall in love, and build a relationship with a woman he loves and respects and trusts. And I know she feels the same. I may be cynical about love and marriage, but when I see them together, I get a little twinge deep down inside me. Not jealousy. Envy? Nah. It’s just, I don’t know… happiness because they’re happy. In a sad way. Whatever.

Harrison grins at me. “You can wear sweats as far as I’m concerned.”

Meredith gives him a look. “As if she’d do that.”

“I do have a nice set of matching joggers and sweatshirt.” I tilt my head. “Pale blue.”

Mom shakes her head. “Pale blue won’t work with the wedding colours.”

We all laugh.

“Are you still bringing Troy as your plus one?” Meredith asks.

“Yes.”

“I love the dress I got,” Mom says. “Mother of the groom.” She beams at Harrison, then her bottom lip trembles and her eyes fill with tears. “Excuse me. I need to… check on something…” She jumps up and darts to the kitchen.

Harrison and I look at each other.

“You’re both making the exact same face,” Meredith says.

“Is she going to be okay?” I ask in a low voice. “I think she really cared about Neil.”

“Ugh. She’s better off without him,” Harrison says.

“I agree. But she’s not good on her own.” Flying shards of glass, limp flower petals, dirty water running down the wall. “Now she’ll be alone at the wedding. I think that’ll bother her.”

I think it’ll more than bother her. I think she’ll be humiliated.

“I know,” Meredith says softly. “She shouldn’t worry about it, but I think she will.”

“Especially because Dad will be there with Wendy.” His new wife. I look at Harrison. “Are you prepared for this?”

He rubs his forehead. “Sort of? I have to talk to Dad before the wedding.”

I run my tongue over my teeth. “Good idea. I’ll try to talk to Mom. And I’ll try to take care of her at the wedding.”

“Thanks.” Harrison grimaces.

Something to look forward to!