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She turns back towards me. “You should hold onto her.”
I hug my mother, being careful not to crease her wedding dress. “I love you, Mum.”
I do feel lucky to have Regina. She is self-sufficient in her way. Her life has been difficult. Her parents never let her forget her early mistakes.
She touches my arm. “I love you, Lorimer. I’m so sorry about not being there for you.” She bends her head and starts to cry again.
I hug her tighter. “Let’s leave the past in the past. Today is your wedding day. It’s meant to be joyous. Don’t let anything overshadow it.”
She steps away and wipes her cheeks. “Okay. I need a few minutes.”
I hear someone tapping lightly on the door and call out, “Come in.”
Imogen stands in the doorway. “Graham doesn’t want to interrupt. His daughter was on her way already and should be here within the hour.”
My mother touches her face. “Can you find me some ice?”
Imogen nods. “I’ll find some ice and get your makeup person.”
I kiss my mum’s cheek. “I’ll be downstairs. Do you want me to send Graham?”
She shakes her head. “No, tell him I love him, and he doesn’t need to relinquish the theater.”
“Will do.”
I step out of the room and close the door.I need a drink. The thought surprises me. I normally go for a run to alleviate stress. But the last hour has been emotionally exhausting. It started with consoling Graham, and now working through things with my mother.
Walking down the stairs, I notice guests in formal attire lingering near the ballroom.
Moving through the formal rooms, it takes a few minutes to find Imogen. She in one of the pantries, sorting out table assignments.
“Hey, I’ve been searching for you.”
She doesn’t look up. “I’m trying to figure out where to sit Graham’s children.”
I glance over her shoulder. “Can you add a table?”
“No, there are no extra round tables.”
I touch her lower back and move closer. “You have five extra guests?”
“Mm.” She starts to erase something.
“Here, if you add a table for the bride and groom, you can add five guests to my table.”
She bites her lower lip. “Do you think your mother and Graham will mind sitting alone?”
“I don’t think so.”
She nods. “I have to inform the caterers about the additional guests. I never knew wedding planning could be this complicated. Already this morning, I’ve had to contend with food allergies and mobility issues.”
I turn her in my arms and push her against the far wall. “You did a marvelous job handling the nervous bride.”
Imogen shakes her head. “You’re the one who did a marvelous job. For a moment there, I didn’t think there would be a wedding.”
Her simple silk gown skims her sexy curves, leaving her shoulders and arms bare. “You look beautiful today.”
She presses her hands against my chest. “I need to speak with the caterer.”
