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27
TEDDY
TWO DAYS LATER
“This looks like a great place to propose,” Sutton suggests, giving the tiny convenience store a deliberate, lengthy perusal.
I roll my eyes at what has become her favorite inside joke. Any time—and I do mean,any time—we’re at some random location, Sutton makes a point to say that same sentence.
“That might have been too subtle, dear,” the elderly woman in line behind us tells Sutton. “Back when we were dating, I dropped my late husband off at the jewelry store and told him I’d be back in an hour.”
Sutton doesn’t muffle her laugh before turning back around. “I appreciate the advice, ma’am. We’re already engaged, though. I was just joking.”
The lady casts a suspicious look at Sutton’s bare ring finger, then gives me an unimpressed look. I pay for the waters Sutton insisted we stop for before hitting New York traffic, and we head outside into the humid heat.
“You took your ring off too soon,” I tell Sutton.
“I didn’t want to forget,” she replies.
We agreed to keep our engagement under wraps. At least through this weekend—my ex and her stepsister’s wedding.
I haven’t seen or spoken to Ellie since the dinner in London during Sutton’s tour. It underscores just how long ago our relationship was. She and Sutton talk more regularly, especially in the recent months leading up to the wedding. Sutton seems to believe she’s truly fine with us, but a certain way to change that would probably be to announce our engagement now.
Ellie is getting married at a fancy hotel on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. It takes nearly an hour to drive the few miles from the convenience store. I’m not surprised by the choice of venue. I’ve never had any regrets about my decision to break up with Ellie. But the swanky surroundings serve as another confirmation. I want the small outdoor wedding Sutton and I have discussed.
As soon as I pull up in front of the hotel, a doorman and a valet appear, taking the car keys and our bags.
“Wow. Look at this place,” Sutton says as we walk inside, looking around the marble lobby with awe.
I glance over at her. “You know I saw the places where you stay on tour, right?”
She laughs and shoves my arm. “Shut up. I’m trying to get psyched up, okay?”
I grab her hand and squeeze it. I know she’s nervous about seeing Ellie. About Ellie seeing ustogether, together.
“Okay.”
We round the corner, and Ellie is right there, talking with a tall, middle-aged woman who I’m guessing must be involved in planning the wedding. She’s got a no-nonsense look about her and a thick binder tucked under one arm.
Ellie excuses herself when she sees me and Sutton.
“Hey!” Sutton greets as Ellie approaches us.
I squeeze her hand once and then drop it.
“Hey, Sutton. Teddy.” Ellie’s voice is less enthusiastic, but not unfriendly. “Trip go okay?”
“Yeah. It was really nice, actually,” Sutton replies.
I smile, and Ellie catches it.
She looks confused. “How long was the flight from LA?”
“Oh. We drove actually,” Sutton says.
“Youdrove? FromWisconsin? Why?”
Sutton shrugs. “There were some stops we wanted to make.” She glances around the lobby. “Where is Eric?”
