“You havenoidea how hard it’s been to keep it to myself,” she said with a squeal, “but I wanted to announce it in front of all our friends.”
“So this is an engagement party?” Gretchen asked.
“Um, no,” Lucy said. “This is just to celebrate the engagementannouncement.”
Lucy and I each set our drinks on the bar. She wiggled her fingers as I took her hand and admired the three oval-cut diamonds, centered on a smooth platinum band. I was certain I’d seen some version of this ring before on the “Dream Wedding” collage she’d made in college. Lucy could’ve designed it herself.
“Tell us the story,” Gretchen said, nearly vibrating with excitement. “How’d he do it?”
“You know how Andrew and I set aside Sundays for each other, right?” Lucy asked. “Well, last weekend, he was acting strange all afternoon and then said we were going to a movie. Normally we stay in on Sunday nights, but there was some superhero blockbuster he said everyone had been talking about at work.”
Gretchen twisted her lips. “How’d he getyouto an action movie?”
“He promised me tiramisu at Bruna’s afterward.” She waved her hand, her gaze catching on the glint of diamonds. “So he takes me out of the way to this small theater in Lincoln Square, that’s totally not our regular place, and when we arrive, he waltzes right in without paying or anything. I’m like, ‘Andrew,whatis going on? We’re nowhere near Bruna’s!’ But he won’t tell me.” She put her hand over her heart, sighing. “The theater was empty except for an attendant holding a tray of two champagne flutes. Instantly, the screen lights up, and I recognize the first bars of ‘Moon River.’”
“Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” I said, nearly swooning. “Your favorite movie.”
She nodded. “The clerk led us to a row in the center. On my seat was that famous little blue bag. I begin to cry right away. Andrew pulled out the box, told me how much he loved me, and asked me to marry him.”
A wave of emotion surprised me. I wasn’t easily moved, but the ring and the proposal were soLucy. It showed just how well Andrew knew her, and I wanted that for my friend.
I took my Merlot from the bar, glancing at my own ring. The gold and diamond solitaire stone was an heirloom Bill had inherited from his grandmother. Family was important to Bill—as was saving money. Since his grandmother had passed before we’d met, I couldn’t say it held much sentimental value to me aside from representing our love. Bill’s proposal had happened at one of his family reunions with everyone looking on, waiting for the magic word from me.
Yes.
More distracted by the crowd than excited about the proposal, I’d had to say it once more, with enthusiasm, for the people in the back.
Yes!
“You’ll be my bridesmaids, right?” Lucy asked, taking each of our free hands. “My sister’s around here somewhere, and she agreed to be maid of honor. Andrew and I have already started making plans.”
“Yeah, aren’t his parents going on some huge trip soon?” Gretchen asked.
“The timing isn’t ideal.” Lucy’s smile faltered. “They’ve been working with a travel agent on their trip around the world for years, and they leave in fall, so either we have the wedding before then or we’ll have to wait over a year until they come home.”
“Fall? We have our work cut out for us,” Gretchen said to me. “And, yes. Of course we’ll be there for you, Luce.”
“I can’t believe I’ll be Lucy Greene soon.” She sighed longingly. “I’ve wanted this for so long, to be a wife and a mother.”
I tried for my best supportive smile. I’d never aspired to be either of those things the way I’d focused on my career. Early in our marriage, Bill had gotten on my case frequently about changing my last name, but he rarely brought it up anymore. With distance, I could admit—I didn’t have that same desire as Lucy tobelongto Bill. I told anyone who asked about my surname that I was a modern woman without the need to follow antiquated traditions, but the truth was—ridiculous as it sounded—the designation didn’t fit me. Olivia Wilson had always felt like some other woman trying to overshadow my identity.
“I better go make the announcement before someone notices my ring.” Lucy bit her bottom lip and backed away as she said, “Wish me luck.”
“Can you believe it?” I asked Gretchen when we were alone again.
“Um, I definitely can,” Gretchen said under her breath. “Lucy has wanted this as long as I’ve known her.”
I frowned as Gretchen nearly chugged the rest of her martini. If I didn’t know Gretchen as well as I did, I’d almost think she was jealous of Lucy’s announcement. Gretchen thrived on meeting men and socializing, though—she wasn’t interested in settling down.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
She looked into her empty drink. “Nothing.”
“Liar,” I said. “Spill it.”
After a light sigh, she looked up again. “I got a voicemail from Greg the other night.”
“What?” I asked. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
