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“Tomorrow,” he responded, ever so seriously.
I rested my forehead against his. “I don’t think your children would like that.”
“Perhaps, but let’s ask them just in case.” He brushed my lips with his own.
“I want them to love me and trust me first.”
“They care for you. They were both excited that I was popping the question tonight.”
“I’m happy to hear that.”
“Which reminds me.” He sat up and yelled out, “She said yes!”
Woohoosandcongratulationsrang through the suite, making me smile. “Don’t do anything gross,” Rory reminded us.
“See, they’re happy.”
“I’m glad.” I smiled. “But that’s not the same as them loving me. Besides, they’ve had a lot of change. We don’t have to rush.”
“Fine,” he complained. “January?”
“You’re funny.” I nuzzled his nose with mine.
“I’m being serious.”
“Well, George thinks we’ll be married on Christmas Eve.” Silly old man who I adored. I’d placed the pearls in my jewelry box for safekeeping. I couldn’t wait to wear them someday.
“Hmm. I like the way he thinks.”
“We can’t get married then. That’s my sister’s day. Besides, I don’t have a dress, and we don’t have time to send out invitations.” I supposed I could wear my mother’s dress. She would be so thrilled. Though I still wasn’t going to get married on Christmas Eve. That was an insane thought.
“All right, darling, when would you like to get married?”
I thought for a moment. “What about July? Then we can honeymoon right after in Prince Edward Island.”
“July?” He said it like that was the worst idea ever. “That’s too far away. Let’s compromise and say Valentine’s Day, and we’ll take two honeymoons. First, somewhere warm, where all you can wear is nothing, or a bikini”—he nipped my lips—“and then Prince Edward Island in the summer, where you can still wear nothing if you choose.”
Oh baby, did he know how to steal the air from my lungs. The thought of us with nothing between us for days on end. “That is tempting.” I twirled some of his hair around my finger.
“Then it’s a plan?” he asked, full of hope.
“As long as Rory and Bridgette are on board.”
“Agreed. Now ... let’s get back to your birthday present.” His lips found my neck, where he pressed gentle kisses against my skin.
I tipped my head back and sighed. “Happy birthday to me.”
“OH, MY GOODNESS,” MOM CRIEDas she stared at Bridgette. The poor girl had just had a veryMy Big Fat Greek Weddingmoment as we readied her for the winter formal. We’re talking my mother ushering in her dress like she was carrying in a sacrificial lamb, then Mom having a talk with her about sex. Thankfully, not encouraging it. Oh no, she told her horror stories of girls tearing and having to go to the emergency room, and then she said, “You don’t want that to be you, right?”
Bridgette’s face turned pale, and she shook her headnowhile Charlotte and I complained loudly.
I would have to undo the damage later, in private, without my mother around—or Ophelia, who had joined us but hardly said a word to me the entire time we were doing Bridgette’s hair and makeup. Charlotte and I had done a killer double-braid-wrapped roll bun. Bridgette looked like a princess.
I stood behind Bridgette, who was sitting on my vanity chair in the bathroom I had previously shared with Charlotte. My parents were now using it, and by the time they left, Charlotte would be off on her new adventure. Mom and Dad were staying to watch Jameson while Charlotte and Drake honeymooned. I guessed soon I, too, would have a different bathroom and a new roommate. A forever kind of one. Charlotte and I would have to decide how to best run the inn once neither of us lived on the property. It kind of made me sad to think about it. Not that I wasn’t happy to be marrying Patrick. I was thrilled, but there was something special about this place.
I patted Bridgette’s shoulders. “You are the loveliest creature I have ever seen.”
She looked at me through the mirror with her aqua eyes. “Thanks, Izzy. Do you think Cruz will like my dress?”
