AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I look over to Josh, expecting him to protest too, but he’s just standing there calmly, impossible to read.
“See? You can’t argue, because I’m right,” Avery continues. “And unless you can look me in the eye, and swear that Robert is madly in love with me, and I won’t regret passing up the chance at true love, I’m not doing it. I can’t marry him.” She folds her arms, determined. “So go ahead, tell me I’m wrong.”
What canwe say to that?
It’s clear, Avery won’t be convinced, and to be honest, I don’t want to talk her into it. Not when everything she says is true, and makes perfect sense – about her and Robert, anyway.
She wants to believe there’s something more possible for her. Isn’t that what I’ve been telling myself for the past decade of bad dates? And sure, I’ve been tempted by the nice-enough guys who secretly bore me to tears, but deep down, I’ve known I deserved more than that.
And so does she.
So, the wedding is officially off.
Avery wants to hop the first flight out, and just disappear, but I convince her to come with us back to the resort, and break the news to Robert in person. Something tells me, he won’t be too heartbroken – especially if that chic ex of his is still around.
“Can you please tell the others?” Avery asks, as the car pulls up. She insisted on doing her hair and makeup before our ride back, until she looks as flawless as if she was about to go walk down that aisle. “I don’t want to have to deal with explaining to everyone. Just say, we decided to call it off together. Amicable.”
“Of course,” I agree. I can already see massive bouquets of gorgeous flowers decorating the lobby area in the wedding colors, and hand-lettered signs directing guests down to the beach. I think of all the work everyone has put into staging the ceremony today and wince. Avery follows my gaze.
“Tell the wedding team I’m sorry,” she adds. “You guys all did a beautiful job.”
We get out, and I see her put her game face on, drawing herself up to her full height. I feel a pang of sympathy. Even if she is the one calling this whole thing off, I know it must be humiliating to have your plans crumble in front of everyone. And once the tabloids get hold of this…
I reach out, and impulsively pull her into a hug. “I’m proud of you,” I whisper. “And when you find that real love, you’ll know you made the right decision.”
Avery gives me a small smile. “He better show up soon,” she says, squaring her shoulders. “And also be rich, handsome, and worship the ground I walk on.”
I laugh, watching her stride off, hips swinging. “Something tells me, she’s going to be fine.” I turn to Josh, relieved.
He nods. “I better go with her, make sure my uncle takes the news OK.”
“You mean, so he doesn’t pop the champagne right in front of her?” I ask.
He smiles. “I’ll find you later?” he asks, giving me a searching look. “We can have a drink. Toast the wedding that isn’t. Talk,” he adds, and just like that, the knot in my stomach returns.
“Sure,” I agree, backing away. “See you!”
I text Anna and Brooke to start breaking the news, and go tell Nils and Nella that their crowning triumph of a wedding will not, in fact, be gracing the pages of every glossy magazine in town. They take it with typical Danish stoicism, but as I leave the room, I swear I hear breaking glass.
Whoops.
With nothing left to do but wait for the word to spread, I find myself wandering down to the beach. Everything is set up for the ceremony: rows of chairs on the sand, adorned with gorgeous florals; streamers on the trees, and an incredible flower-woven pergola perched there on the sand, framing the incredible ocean views, just waiting for the happy couple…
Who won’t be making it down the aisle.
I sigh, taking in the beautiful scene. It feels like the last day of a movie shoot, once the final close-up is done. After all that work, all that planning… I can never stand to stick around and watch the sets be dismantled, and all my vision packed away. At least with a movie, I always have the final film to keep as a memory of the project, but now? Nobody’s out here shooting photos of the wedding that will never happen.
“We just heard the news.”
I turn. Ivy and Reeve are approaching with Lottie, all of them dressed up in their wedding finery. “Does this mean we don’t get to eat the cake?” Lottie asks, looking disappointed. “We saw a sneak peek in the kitchen this morning. It looks amazing.”
“I mean, someone needs to eat it,” my brother says, looking hopeful. “So it doesn’t go to waste.”
“Isn’t that bad luck?” I ask. “It’s a whole symbol of failed love.”
“To them, maybe,” Reeve grins. “To us, it’s just cake.”
Ivy elbows him. “I’m sorry,” she says to me, sympathetic. “I know how hard you’ve been working to pull this whole event off.”
