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The rest of the room gave similar greetings, and the chatter loosened some of the tension at the back of my neck. But then it came back tenfold when Clara pursed her lips and circled back to the wedding talk.
“So, um, Layla,” she began, looking a little nervous. “Any chance you’d be willing to be a bridesmaid for the eighth time in May?”
I gaped at her. “Wait, really?”
“If you’re burned out on the bridesmaid thing I won’t be offended,” she said quickly. “I know, it’s bad timing after what we just talked about, but I had these made for you and Lyndi so I could ask you today.”
She reached into her purse and pulled out two boxes, handing me one. I grinned and took it, opening the box to reveal a delicate gold necklace with a circular pendant. It had an L engraved on it, and there was a note tucked inside. Unfolding it, I hummed at the sweetness of the words inside.
Layla, I’m thankful for you. Will you be my bridesmaid?
I blinked up at my cousin, touched. “Of course, I will.”
“Ah, yay!” She moved around the corner of the island to hug me, and Zac stepped aside to give us room. Then she pulled back and looked at him with a quirked brow. “If you marry her before May, she won’t be a bridesmaid before she’s a bride again.”
Zac shook his head with a laugh and jammed his hands in his pockets, but he didn’t have time to reply because Grayson and his parents finally joined us in the kitchen. The introductions began all over again, starting with my mom, and I watched as Grayson quickly became the star of the show.
While my mom and aunts surrounded him and asked what he wanted to eat from the spread we’d laid out on the island, I was finally introduced to Zac’s parents.
His mom, Vivian, wrapped me in a warm hug before I had a chance to stress about whether or not I should hug her or hold out my hand. “It’s so nice to finally meet you, Layla. I’ve heard so many good things.”
“Same here,” I said. “You’re apparently the world’s best grandma.”
She beamed. “A title I’m happy to accept.”
Thoughts of my mom eventually wrestling her for that title flitted through my mind, but of course, I didn’t speak on them. It was a little early for that kind of thing, despite the way my cousin had just prodded at Zac. I didn’t know what he would have said in response to that since he hadn’t had a chance, but I hoped whatever it was would have been good.
Zac then introduced me to his dad, and after we hugged, I realized Jo and Trevor weren’t here.
I looked around, then frowned up at Zac. “Wait, where’s your sister?”
“She’s with Trevor’s family, but they’ll be here later.”
“They’re doing appetizers and a small plate over there, and then more food and dessert over here,” Vivian explained. “She was worried I’d be mad since I’m only in town for a few days, but I don’t mind. We had breakfast with them this morning and we absolutely adore Trevor. Right, dear?”
Zac’s dad, Peter, winced. “Easy, Viv. I wouldn’t say Iadorethe guy, but he seems nice enough.”
Zac flared his eyes at me in a way that promised more to that little story, and I couldn’t wait to hear it. Not only that, but I wanted to see if I needed to do damage control after the wedding talk. He seemed okay with it, and things had been going so well lately, but I didn’t want him to be freaking out internally.
After a little more mingling with my family in the kitchen, I pulled him onto the screened-in porch so we could have a second alone. The chilly fall air had me wrapping my arms around myself and rubbing my hands over my long-sleeved shirt to warm up.
“Our families are getting along great,” he said as he closed the door behind him.
We turned to the window and smiled at Grayson where he sat at the table with our moms, happily snacking. I’d made sure there was absolutely nothing with nuts on tonight’s menu, including the cheese ball we usually made, as it was covered with almond shavings.
“Yes, they are,” I replied, taking a seat and crossing one leg over the other. “And I’m sorry you walked in on that conversation earlier … and for what my cousin said. I’m not saying it’s not true—what I said, anyway—but I don’t want you to think I’m trying to rush the blending of our families or something.”
“You, rush? Nah, I didn’t think that.”
“Good.”
He came over and sat next to me, patting my leg and then leaving his hand there. “But I’m not sorry I overheard it.”
My heart raced as I stared into the depths of his brown eyes. “You’re not?”
“Nope. Like I said, it’s good to know.”
I reached for his hand and threaded our fingers together, reveling in how perfectly they fit. I kept my eyes on the empty spot on my left ring finger as I imagined a ring on it and what that would feel like. Knowing that finally, after being a bridesmaid in so many weddings lately, I’d finally be able to say it was my turn.
