“Yes, but you’ve been stressed too!” Eliana said exasperated. “I know you want everyone to be happy all the time, but you can’t act like everything is peachy now.”
Julia pulled back, her eyes wet with tears. “Of course everything isn’t peachy! I’m allergic to my flowers. My cake looks like something Lulu would throw up. This muggy weather is making my hair look like a mop and is going to melt my make-up. And my groom is missing!” Her voice rose, and her teary eyes were wild. “But I’mtryingmy best to bepositive.”
Eliana cut her gaze over to Grandma for help, but Grandma just mouthed,You started this,with a lifted eyebrow.
“You don’t have to be positive all the time,” Eliana said carefully.
“I know I don’t, but it’s my wedding day, and I’m trying to be happy!” She slumped into her seat, her chest heaving with heavy breaths, looking very decidedly unhappy.
“Maybe we should call it off,” Eliana said gently.
“No.” Julia looked at her with a determined set to her jaw, one that was rare to see on her. “I am marrying Logan today.”
“So, even with all this”—Eliana waved her hand around the room to encompass the chaos—“you still want to get married? You don’t think everything falling apart is a sign you should walk away before your heart gets even more involved?”
“My heart is one-hundred percent involved already, Elly.” Julia sat up straight, and was quite a sight—make-up smeared, hair a mess, eyes swollen, and robe askew. But something inside of her glowed. “The entire sky could fall down on this wedding, and I’d still want to marry Logan.”
“At this rate, the skywillfall,” Eliana grumbled. “And youdon’thave to be positive or happy or people-pleasingly serene about it.”
“Andyoudon’t have to take all the blame and put so much pressure on yourself to make everything perfect.”
The two sisters gave each other knowing glances.
“This is a stupid fight,” Julia said.
“Were both pretty flawed,” Eliana replied in agreement.
“Major hot messes,” Julia said with a sigh. “I’m sorry I lost my cool.”
“I’m not,” Eliana said with a laugh that felt like it lifted a ton of bricks off her chest. “It’s the best thing that’s happened all day. Besides, every bride is entitled to at least one bridezilla moment.”
“Hey!” Julia threw one of the foam make-up sponges at her with faux outrage. “Did you see my cake? I get at least two.”
“You can have a million,” Eliana said. “And we’d still love you.”
“And you can be imperfect and messy, andwe’dstill loveyou,” Julia countered, her words a perfectly pitched, game-winning ball. They stared at each other in the mirror, both biting back their smiles. Yes, they were a mess. And yet, they loved each other and had people in their lives who loved them.
Eliana took in her sister’s face and how happy she looked. Despite the flowers and the cake and the missing groom—she was absolutely glowing.
“You really are happy,” Eliana said.
“Happier than I’ve ever been,” Julia said. “I mean, I’ll be even happier when Logan gets here and I’m actually married.”
Eliana sat up straighter in her chair, her tears finally dried up. She turned to Polly, Rosa, and Grandma. “Okay, ladies. We look terrible—”
“Hey!” Julia said, indignantly.
“—and we need some miracle work here,” Eliana continued as if Julia hadn’t spoken. “Who’s up for the task?”
“You’ve called the right women,” Rosa said with complete confidence. “You’ll be looking like models in no time.”
“Thank you,” Julia said.
“Let’s get these two married.” Eliana sat back in her chair, closed her eyes, and felt peace about this wedding for the very first time.
Chapter 35
Thesunwasfinallystarting to set, offering relief to the heat of the day. Asher shifted uncomfortably in his seat and checked his watch. The wedding should have started twenty minutes ago, and people were getting restless. He checked his phone to see if Eliana had texted him back when he’d offered to help. So far, nothing.
