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“It looks beautiful, darling.” Deenie hooked her arm through Caitie’s as they walked over to the lit-up Christmas tree. It had pride of place in the ornate hallway of the hotel, towering over everything. Caitie had flown back into California the previous night, and Deenie had driven up first thing in the morning to meet her. With only one day left until the wedding, the hotel was in chaos. Staff were carrying in deliveries of flowers and food, decorations and furniture. Everywhere they walked they had to dodge another piece of wedding décor.
“Well it will be,” Caitie said, crossing her fingers behind her back for good luck. “As soon as we have it all in the right place.” She was beyond tired after all of her cross country flights. She couldn’t wait to be based in one place. Maybe then her muscles would like her again.
“We’re so proud of you, and Lucas and Ember are so thankful. I can’t believe my little girl managed to do all of this.”
It was just the two of them there, mother and daughter. The rest of the crowd would be arriving later to attend the rehearsal dinner, before the craziness started the following morning. Caitie was thankful to have her mom there to help, while Ember and Lucas prepared themselves back in Angel Sands.
This was finally happening. Caitie’s veins fizzed with anticipation. Could she really pull this off? She couldn’t help but feel like everything was finally coming together. Her career, her brother’s wedding… and Breck. Her chest felt full of it all.
“Do you think they’ll like it?” Caitie asked her mom. It was exactly how she’d want her own wedding, and this hotel was perfect for the theme Ember and Lucas had chosen. The tree was swathed with deep burgundy ribbons and ivory pearls, lights twinkling in the branches. The color was matched wherever they went, with the flowers that spilled out of oversized vases, on the seat covers the staff were already fixing in the ballroom, and the berries on the garlands overhanging every door.
No detail was left out. If Lucas and Ember wanted a Christmas wedding, that was what they were going to get. She only hoped they liked it as much as she did.
“They’re going to love it. It’s so elegant and sophisticated. When Lucas said they wanted a Christmas theme, I imagined waving Santas and stuffed reindeers, but this…” Deenie waved her arm around. “This is magnificent.”
“I don’t do waving Santas,” Caitie said, fin
ally letting a smile curl her lips. “I’m all about glamor.”
“Yes you are.” They sat down at the table closest to the tree. The staff had brought drinks and pastries out earlier for them. Deenie stirred her green tea, still smiling at Caitie. “So tell me, how’s it going? It feels like it’s been a long time since we got to have a chat. How are you?”
“I’m fine. Well, I will be when the wedding is over.” Caitie took a sip of her coffee, followed by a bite of the pastry. It was warm and full of cinnamon. She couldn’t help but smile at the thought of it. She and Breck could finally relax and tell people about their relationship, instead of keeping things on the downlow to avoid drama. It felt stupid, keeping something so important from her mom, but she wasn’t going to steal the spotlight from her brother. Not on his big day.
And then there was Lucas’s stupid ‘bro code.’ It was going to take some sweet talking from Breck to show he wasn’t taking advantage of Lucas’s sister.
“You’re glowing. All lit up like that tree.” Her mom inclined her head toward the giant fir.
Caitie felt warmth rushing through her. “It’s been a good year for me. The contract, the wedding, it’s all come together beautifully.” And Brecken Miller, the star on top of her own tree.
“I hear you’re looking at apartments in L.A.,” her mom said, taking another sip of tea. There was a twinkle in her eye.
Caitie tipped her head to the side. “Who told you?”
“Harper, when I tried calling you last week. And I’m sure you can guess what my response was.”
“Hell has finally frozen over?”
Deenie laughed. “Yeah, something like that. So what gives? I thought you were New York through and through.”
“It feels like the right time. With the new contract, and Harper getting some studio work, it seems like a good plan.”
“I don’t have to tell you how pleased I am. As much as we love visiting you in New York, it’s going to be wonderful having you a few hours down the road.”
Caitie looked down, a small spike of shame shooting through her. She never had as much time for her family as she’d wanted. “It’s going to be great,” she agreed.
Guests began to trickle in throughout the afternoon. Ember and her family and friends arrived at three. Caitie was waiting for her in the lobby, and as the bellhops whisked their luggage straight to their rooms, she walked over to them with a smile, hugging Ember tight.
“How are you feeling?” she asked her.
“Nervous,” Ember admitted. Her dark hair was shiny beneath the glow of the chandeliers. “But not as nervous as I’d be if you hadn’t swooped in to save us.” She lifted her head to look around, taking in the elegantly festive décor, her lips curling into a smile. “It looks amazing,” she said, hugging Caitie again. “I can’t tell you how grateful I am. I owe you big time.”
“It’s been a pleasure,” Caitie said. Her throat felt thick with emotion. All the craziness and the cross country flights were worth it to see her sister-in-law-to-be’s face. “When you get settled, why don’t we all meet in the atrium? I’ll arrange for some drinks and we can go through the itinerary together, make sure there’s nothing we’ve missed. After that you can start greeting your guests, and I’ll make sure everything’s ready for the rehearsal dinner.”
Half an hour later, Caitie was looking out the glass walls of the atrium when Ember arrived. Next to her was her mom, Laura, and her sister, Chelsea. Brooke and Ally, Ember’s close childhood friends, were right behind.
Along with Rachel Foss, Ember’s work friend, who’d be walking down the aisle on Breck’s arm.
Caitie tried to keep the smile painted on her lips.
