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If Annie Jacobs was a sandwich, she’d be a PB&J.
And don’t take that the wrong way—it’s mostdefinitelya compliment.
Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are the best. Universally loved by everyone, from little kids to octagenarians. They’re satisfying and sweet, can be both a comfort food and a dietary staple. They can be fancy, with whole grain artisan loaf and fresh ground organic peanuts, or eaten as a Smuckers-and-Skippy-and-Wonderbread treat that reminds you of how the simplest pleasures in life can be the best ones.
They also happen to be my favorite.
As I stand in the foyer of the ranch, watching Annie attempt to walk down the stairs in her heels like a baby gazelle, I grin so hard, my face almost aches. Especially when she takes her phone out of her purse, checks it, and then almost trips over the edge of her dress. She narrowly avoids a tumble to the ground floor with an inelegant banister grasp.
She is most definitely my favorite. And it’s so much more than just how gorgeous she is. Tonight, especially, in that long, breezy dress (“maxi dresses,” I believe they’re called) with her hair pinned up, leaving a few loose strands framing her face. Every little thing about her is attractive to me.
“Wow,” Legs whispers from beside me, squeezing my hand. “She looks beautiful.”
“She does.” My dopey smile is still blazing center-stage on my face. “And so do you, sweetie.”
Legs gives me a huge, gap-toothed smile and twirls. In true Legs fashion, she’s wearing an odd, puffball-style dress that looks more like a Disney princess costume than formal rehearsal dinner attire. But the important thing is that she’s happy.
I love that Lana Mae encourages her to be herself. It’s one of the things I admire most about my sister, and about Annie, too.
Legs has great role models.
I glance around to see where Annie went, and spot her among a cluster of people at the foot of the stairs. She’s laughing with one of Mindy’s friends—a short, curly-haired brunette with a little kid on each hip. Annie seems so comfortable and at ease, even when she’s surrounded by people she doesn’t know.
She’s like a chameleon. Seamlessly blends in anywhere.
Which is more than can be said for me.
As if on cue, a thin, reedy voice makes my smile instantly disappear. “Lana Mae! What on earth is Allegra wearing?”
Lana Mae turns away from our cousin Claire with a slight grimace—probably matching mine. She glances at her daughter, and then up at our stepmother. “Hello, Constance. You’ve arrived.”
Our stepmother—who’s been married to our father for about twenty years but still behaves like she barely knows us—steps forward and embraces Lana Mae awkwardly, gripping her arms in lieu of a real hug. “I sent Allegra a dress in the mail weeks ago. Why isn’t she wearing it?”
Lana Mae gives a clenched teeth smile. “Because she wanted to wear this one.”
Constance tuts, before turning to me and offering me an over-powdered cheek. “Liam.”
“Hello.” I kiss the air near her cheek and step away again. She looks the same as ever—perfectly-pressed Chanel suit, pearls, stockings… and a look on her face like she’s just stepped in cow dung.
“There you all are!” My father suddenly arrives into the conversation, his tone suggesting that we’ve been hiding from him on purpose or something. “Took me an age to park the car. Can you believe they don’t have valet?”
“Yes,” Lana Mae and I respond in unison. I shoot her an amused look and she crosses her eyes back at me.
“Stop that, both of you,” Dad reprimands.
Great to see you too, Dad.
“Where is the man of the hour?” Constance barks. “A groom should be near the entryway at all times, ready to welcome his guests. Let’s find him, Ed.”
The two of them swan away, Constance’s heels clicking on the marble floor.
I pull a face at Lana Mae. “I thought a groom should be focused on the bride, no?”
My sister rolls her eyes. “Not when Constance Donovan is in the room. I guess we can just be thankful they didn’t arrive last night like everyone else.”
Yup. My father and stepmother decided that they had more important things to do than be at Luke’s wedding for the entire weekend.
I can’t believe how hard I used to try and impress the guy. The thought almost makes me shudder now.
