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Megan smiles. “Somehow, we found men that healed our pain.” She hugs her sister, Talynn. They had it rough, we all did—just in vastly different ways.
The doorbell to the suite rings with a sing-song sound. Megan opens the door to a line of friends and family. My mom and Wils’s mom pull me into a tight embrace. They’re followed by my wives of the Kodiak players and my colleagues in the Kodiaks front office.
My mom says, “This hotel is unbelievable. I love the blending of old and new styles. Anything I can do for you, baby?”
A-listers have hosted their weddings and receptions at the historic Drake Hotel. It’s an old Hollywood style of glamour.
“Not really. I told Wils what I wanted, and he ran with it. As you know, wedding dress is a secret, and I approved all details. Are you ready for your first international flight?”
Mom sucks in a mouthful of air. “Not especially. But I’ll do anything for my baby girl.”
“I’m your only girl.” Sadness flashes through her eyes. “You know what I mean.”
I squeeze her hard, understanding its impossible not to think of the past. “Love you, Mom.”
They scan the room, taking in the beauty of the elaborate penthouse now decorated in gold and cream. An enormous three foot vase with gold-tipped flowers adorn the gift table.
Megan asks everyone to sit as she passes out iced cookies packaged in clear cellophane with gold ribbons tied to keep them fresh. They’re decorated with questions to answer. Answer the question that’s written on your cookie, it says. I’ve played something similar. If you can’t answer the question, then the person next to you gets a chance, and the cookie passes until someone answers correctly.
Megan asks Mrs. Shepherd to go first. “As Wilson’s mom, I’ve known Kenni ever since we moved next door. I’ve witnessed her fearlessly going toe to toe with the boys while playing baseball in the yard. I’ve also seen her gracefully working in ball gowns and dedicatedly building sports trauma centers. So, I can confidently answer the question.” She turns it over face up and giggles. “When did you notice Wilson and Kenni had a spark?” Her eyes water. “That’s easy. The first time I heard her call him Wils. When he was twelve, she always looked at him like he hung the moon, and he was protective of her.”
Talynn says, “Kenni, you held out on us. We thought you all got together when he was almost seventeen.”
A warm feeling skates through me, thinking about teenage Wils. “The question was when did she notice a spark, not when we admitted our feelings?”
“Is she right?”
My smile widens as I think back to my earliest memory. “Close enough. While I began calling him Wils early on, I was as certain of my love by age ten. But year after year, it never waned. It’s hard to believe someone as handsome and charming as Wils loves me.”
Mrs. Shepherd stands up and takes both my hands. “Honey, he’s never loved anyone else. Never.”
Simultaneously, the guests say, “Aww.”
“Me either.”
My heart is full from how well my friends and co-workers know Wils and me. Almost everyone keeps their cookie. Talynn missed her question but took it back from Megan, challenging that Wils and I were already in Chicago, and she missed the part about our first kiss.
Avery says, “Sit here. It’s gift time.” I take my place by the gift table with presents stacked two high and three deep. The first gift is from Avery, Patrick’s wife. I shred the gift wrapping away and find silk lingerie for me and silk boxers for Wilson. Avery snickers. “Wilson may want to be careful with the boxers because they’re from Jackson.”
Everyone laughs because they know Avery’s son, Jackson, can’t help but play a good prank. Patrick and Wils always try to one up each other, and Jackson loves it. It’s a poor combination since we live next door.
“This is gorgeous,” I say, admiring the claw clip encrusted with rhinestones.
Mrs. Chatham, who is Archer’s mom, and the owner of the Kodiaks along with her husband, claps her hands and explains, “I thought it would be perfect for the morning after. You’re not going to feel like doing your hair.” She grins.
Chuckles come from the peanut gallery.
“Thank you, it’s beautiful.”
They shower me with jewelry, totes, and things engraved with Mr. and Mrs. Shepherd. My favorite is the blanket with our wedding date on the corner. There’s one more enormous gift, packaged in shimmery copper paper with a light gold bow. I rip the paper after pulling the ribbon. A gasp escapes my chest. “It’s…gorgeous.” I take the black iron infinity sign out of the box, holding it first to me and then rotating it for my guests to see. “No card to give me a hint? Who gave me this stunning piece of art?”
“Oh sorry. It’s from me. It’s the coordinates of the castle where your wedding was supposed to take place.” All eyes are on Talynn when she ends the call. “Now I need to have another one made.
My brows pinch and my brain tries to make sense of the word was.
The room is quieter than when a Baptist preacher says, Let’s pray.
4
