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I stomp off, leaving him standing there, hopefully he’s been knocked down a few pegs and finally gets it through his thick skull that I give no fucks about him.
Luckily the couple seems unfazed by Nate’s unannounced and misguided appearance, and we continue uneventfully.
After gathering all the information we need to continue with the booking, we head out to the wedding ceremony site.
The last wedding it was set up for was mine. Everything has been stored in the shed off to the side for the last year; collecting dust and waiting for the moment when I had finally recovered.
I owe that moment to Jack. I know I made some mistakes, some big ones, but those mistakes led me to Jack. He was never a mistake.
I’m carrying a book of photographs that have been taken of the numerous weddings we’ve hosted. It gives the clients a better idea of what the empty space will look like or what it can look like on the day of their wedding.
Right now the space is just grass and grapevines and flowers, trees and tiny twinkling lights that don’t shine as brightly in the daylight.
“The date you are looking at is totally open,” I tell the couple, knowing that honestly every day for the next twenty years is open. Something I hope to change soon though. I think once I get through this first one, the rest will come more easily.
“We can do a day ceremony or a twilight one. I know it’s hard to picture at twilight, but I have…”
“It’s stunning at twilight,” I hear Jack’s voice call out and I watch him walk out from between a row of grapevines.
I’m smiling so wide my cheeks begin to hurt and when he walks up, I slip my hand into his giving it a quick squeeze before I let go.
“I’ve seen it done a bunch of times and it’s far better than a day wedding. Show them the pictures, Lu,” Jack says, tipping his head in the direction of the book I have tucked under my arm.
As I flip to the pages in the book, Jack walks over to the shed and unlocks it, pulling out a few chairs and setting them up.
We take a seat and the couple begins to thumb through the pictures, commenting and discussing as Jack fills them in on all the benefits to having a twilight wedding.
“The vineyard closes early on wedding days, so your guests will have full access to the property,” I chime in, not that I think I need to sell them on it. They’re both enamored.
“We also have two locations for the reception that will fit your party size. We have a fully restored barn or there’s our restaurant. Like I said, the property will be closed to the public,” I continue, as Jack also joins back in the conversation.
“Personally, if you go for the twilight wedding, the barn pairs well with it. Why don’t we take a look at it? That cool, Lu?” Jack asks and I’m still smiling like an idiot as I watch him so naturally fit into this environment.
Jack and I take them through the barn, but don’t move on to the restaurant as they decide they want the twilight wedding along with the reception in the barn.
It’s a perfect choice for an August wedding and despite the short notice we should be able to pull it off beautifully.
“It was wonderful to meet you both,” Jack says, shaking their hands. “But I have to get back to work; my boss is a bit of a stickler,” he adds, tossing a thumb in my direction and giving me a wink. “I can’t wait to see your wedding. I’m sure it will be stunning.”
The couple thanks Jack for his help and I’m just as grateful as they are. I didn’t realize I needed it, but having someone by my side, helping with these kinds of things, takes the stress off.
Jack just makes everything in my life easier.
“That’s the one you’re going to marry,” the girl says, her face lighting up as she nods her head with certainty. “Not that other guy. You’re perfect together.”
“Thanks,” I reply not sure exactly what to say. “The other guy is my ex and I’m really sorry that he showed up like that. But I’m glad we were able to take you around the property and get things settled for you. Like Jack said, your wedding is going to be stunning.”
“I have no idea why you chose us to be the first wedding at the property, but we are beyond thankful. This is the only place I wanted my wedding and we’ve been holding out and hoping.”
“You can thank Jack for that.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Jack
I’m lying on my back, staring up at the darkened ceiling, unable to sleep. Lu lies beside me, a hand resting on my stomach, her long even breaths telling me she’s in a deep, peaceful sleep right now.
I hadn’t been entirely truthful last night when I’d finally answered my phone and for the past twenty-four hours, it’s been bugging the hell out of me. The problem is, I don’t know how to explain it to Lu, not when I can barely even understand it myself.
