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Holding her in my arms, I stroke her hair. “Oh, no. What are they going to do?”
She turns, throwing her arms up in the air. “There is no fixing it in time. The carpets are ruined, and the wood floors are bowed.” When she faces me, she adds, “Tealey, it’s a historical hotel. We searched for a year for that location.”
I nod. I remember visiting at least fifty venues. She stepped into that ballroom, and that was that. I go to her again and hug her. “I’m so sorry.”
“Months,” she says. “They said it will take months to fix.” Swiping tears with the back of her hand, she lowers her head. “It’s ruined. My wedding is ruined just like the carpet. The wedding is a month away. Twenty-seven days to be precise.”
She angles on my shoulder to face Cade. One look exchanged between them, and they know; they understand everything that’s not being said. When she moves into his arms, he kisses the top of her head.
Marlow, who has remained silent, crosses the room and grabs a bottle of champagne. “Anybody need a drink?”
“I do,” we all say at once.
Amanda is quick to her feet, pulling glasses from the shelves. As they start pouring drinks from champagne to wine and whiskey, I sit on the couch, leaning forward. Rad comes from the other side of the fireplace where he’d been standing and sits beside me. Resting back, he stretches his arm across the back of the couch behind me.
My stomach twists in concern as my thoughts race through options that can fix this for my friend to make her day as special as she deserves. But I keep coming up blank. I take a moment to fall back, seeking comfort in my proximity to Rad.
We can’t touch the way I’d like, hold hands to silently show we care. A deep-seated bitterness stretches inside my chest that I know I can’t share this news with Cammie because she’s panicking and doesn’t need me shifting any attention off her priorities. And I’m still confused about what to do with Marlow because I know she’ll feel my relationship with Rad would affect the outcome of her arrangement with him. I still haven’t gotten much in the form of details, but Rad’s shown me that I’m important to him, and he’s here how he can be.
I slide my gaze to his, and all I hoped for is felt inside me—safety and that calming comfort I needed. A wave of peace rolls through me, and I say, “I know this is stressful for you, Cammie. You’ve put so much into the planning and dreaming of the day, but remember, it’s about the marriage, and I know Cade would marry you anywhere.”
“We’re going to end up in city hall in front of the justice of the peace.”
Cade moves to sit on a barstool and brings Cammie to stand between his legs. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he says, “But we’d be there together.”
Marlow hands Cammie a glass of wine and Cade a lowball of whiskey. “Lots of famous people have gotten married in a city hall. Like Marilyn Monroe to Joe DiMaggio. Matt Damon and Keira Knightly. Not to each other, of course. Carrie Bradshaw and Big. Or was that at the library?” Rolling her eyes, Marlow laughs. “I don’t know about that one, but getting married at city hall is so romantic and freeing. You show up and confess your love only for each other.” She sighs sweetly.
She rarely shows it, but it’s nice to see Marlow’s soft side. Is she actually a romantic at heart?
“I can’t look on the bright side right now.” Tears free themselves from her lower lids, following in their predecessors’ tracks. “Everything is falling apart.”
My heart hurts for her. “I will help however you need, Cam. We can find an even better location. I promise you.”
She looks up, her face already blotching. “I can’t put more on your plate, Teals. You still need to find an apartment.”
“It’s ok—”
“There’s no rush for Tealey to move,” Rad says. “She can help you. We all can.”
His mom finishes taking a drink and sets her glass on the counter. “I know it’s not how you imagined your day to be, but you’re always welcome to have the wedding here. I’ve hosted many events on the lawn. The weather will be beautiful next month.” Holding her hands up, she smiles. “No pressure from me, but please know that I’m happy to host your big day if you want.”
Cammie’s stifled sniffle has Cade holding her again. Collecting herself, she walks into the kitchen. “Thank you. That’s so generous.” Amanda and Cammie embrace. “We’ll definitely consider it.”
Marlow says, “Wherever it is, we promise to make it the most beautiful wedding ever.” She hands me a glass of wine and Rad his usual bourbon.
