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“Oh sure, son, take all the time you need.” Gramps totters away. Do I detect a hint of sarcasm? How can he feel this way, despite everything he’s seen go wrong in my parents’ lives?
“Anna and I had a wake-up call that day in New Orleans,” Mike says. “It pushed us to think about our trust in each other.”
“Ourlackof trust,” Anna says. Mike nods.
“You know, I’ve learned trust is a two-way street, Sebastian. It has to be earned and given. And sometimes, the giver has to go first.” He lifts Anna’s hand to his mouth and presses his lips against her knuckles. She flashes a smile at him. My whole body hurts, like I’ve been crushed into an airplane seat for too long and everything is tight. I need a run, or fast bike ride, or a long hike in the Hollywood Hills.
“Please come to our ceremony,” Anna says.
“And consider the job offer a little longer before you make your final decision.”
“I’ll think about the job. But Anna, I’m very sorry. I shouldn’t be at the ceremony on such a personal day. Zoey would be upset if I came.”
“She needs you there, Sebastian.” Anna shakes her head. “I’ve asked her to speak, but she can’t come up with anything to say. She’s shaken by what happened. Having you come would remind her of all the reasons shecanstand up on our behalf.”
Anna looks so eager for me to say yes. Her bright eyes and hopeful smile remind me of the way Zoey looked at me right before thatlocoMiguelito made us kiss at the Cacao Experience in Cozumel. I close my eyes and take a deep breath.
“Zoey has had a hard time with men since we were young.” Anna’s voice catches. “So have I. It’s one thing our therapist is helping us through.” Mike nods, tucking her tighter against him.
“Zoey told me a bit about that,” I say. Anna’s eyes shine, wet with tears.
“When Zoey met you, she didn’t trust you. But the more time you spent together, the more she sounded… different. Like you had shown her something she’d never seen before. Maybe about men, or maybe herself, but something almost changed that week. Until it didn’t. Since we’ve been back, she’s had a hard time seeing me and Mike working things out. And it’s going to be even harder for her to see our mom at our ceremony with her younger boyfriend, who Zoey doesn’t trust at all. But on that cruise, you gave her a bit of faith for a few days. And if you showed up at our ceremony, I know that other part of her would show up too.”
I turn away from the door. Closing my eyes, I take a few deep breaths before swiping my hand over my face. Even though I’m sure Zoey won’t want to see me, I still might know how I can help. I turn to face Anna and Mike, squaring my shoulders.
“I’ll be there.”
Anna rushes in for a hug and, after a slight grimace, Mike joins her.
“This is the first time I’m glad my wife is hugging another man.” Between us, Anna giggles.
CHAPTERTWENTY
ZOEY
I’m supposedto be helping with floral arrangements, but there’s a giant pile of sweaty, crumpled index cards on the table in front of me, with nothing useful written on a single one. I’m at a total loss. Nothing comes to mind that’s worth sharing with Anna, Mike, and all their guests.
From the middle of the plant-laden deck at Geoffrey’s, everything looks as gorgeous as Anna hoped. The beach is bright, the ocean sparkles, and the cluster of white chairs set up in the sand is the essence of nuptial.
I should have left for my RV trip without attending. It would have improved this night for everyone if I’d avoided the farce of me speaking at a vow renewal ceremony. I’m the little sister who’s never had a proper relationship. The stunt woman who’ll jump off a cliff sooner than kiss a man. The prude who pines after bad boys and never does a damn thing about it. The idiot who fell for the detective pretending to be nice.
“Zoey, do you mind if I sit here?” Mom pats the space remaining on the bench I have pulled up to the table. I scoot over to make more room. She squeezes down beside me, and I want to tuck into her comfortable side like I’m five again.
“It’s good to see you, baby,” she says. My eyes well up with the tears that have been waiting for the slightest shift in the wind. I’ve missed her.
“It’s good to see you too, Mom.” Jeremy glances at us from across the deck where he’s rolling programs and tying them in pink ribbons. “Jeremy seems nice.”
“Oh honey, he is.” Mom giggles.
“I’m glad you’re happy.” I hope she’s right about him.
“And you, Zo? Are you happy?” She brushes a hair off my cheek and tucks it behind my ears.
“What are you saying at the ceremony?” Why didn’t I think of asking her before?
She pulls a little travel size notebook out of her purse and hands it to me. I crack it open and read. She starts her speech with this whole, beautiful bit about Anna as a kid, and how Anna and Mike met, and the first five years of their marriage. I guess I can add a sister’s perspective on some of this stuff. But then I get to the end of Mom’s notes. My throat stops up.
“Lastly, I’ll say how proud I am of my first-born baby girl. All you’ve done in your life, all you’ve overcome, and all the ways you continue to grow. May this fresh beginning for you and Mike prove a point of deliberate change. From this day forward, each time you have the opportunity to decide, may you choose to act with trust and love. Happy fifth - and first - anniversary, my darlings.”
