Today it felt like noise pressing in.
Lucy slipped into the kitchen a few minutes later, her expression alert but not panicked, which I took as a good sign.
“Guests are starting to arrive,” she said quietly. “Is everything okay here?”
“Yes,” I replied. “We’re on schedule.”
She nodded, then hesitated the way she did when she was deciding whether to ask something personal or keep it professional.
“Jane,” she said gently.
I looked up.
“Are you okay?” she asked.
I considered lying. My default was always to say yes and keep moving. But Lucy was my closest sister. She wouldn’t believe a bright lie.
“I will be fine,” I said instead, letting the words stay simple and flat.
Lucy studied my face for a moment, then nodded as if she understood something she did not name. “All right. If you need me, I’m right outside.”
“I know,” I replied.
She offered a small smile and left.
When she was gone, I let myself stand still for one slow breath. The quiet in my head lasted only a moment before thoughts interrupted.
If he had wanted to talk to me, he would have.
If he had wanted to apologize, to explain, to tell me he had made a mistake and wanted to fix it, he would have found a way. He was good at finding ways.
Instead, he was being careful, polite, and distant.
Carly no doubt had spoken to him as well and he had likely acknowledged the truth of what she had said.
A shift of movement at the kitchen door pulled me out of my thoughts. I checked the time again, then the list.
“All right,” I said. “We are doing one last pass on everything. Erin, check the sauce and set it aside to rest. Let’s get these plates warmed. Molly, get the appetizers ready to go. Not out yet. Just staged.”
“Yes,” they both said immediately.
I grabbed a stack of plates, putting them in the warmer. The ceremony should begin at any moment. It wasn’t scheduled to be a long one so we could begin readying things.
The sound of voices in the hallway grew louder. There was a burst of laughter. Someone exclaimed over the flowers. The wedding party must be gathering.
Molly leaned slightly toward the doorway, curiosity brightening her eyes. “Do we get to see the bride?”
I hesitated. The practical part of me said no. We had work, but another part of me, the part that had been running on tension and pride and quiet disappointment, wanted something softer. A glimpse of what all this was for.
“One quick look,” I decided. “Then we come right back.”
Erin smiled like I had offered her a gift.
We stepped into the hallway as quietly as we could and moved toward the edge of the hallway where the wedding party had gathered. We stayed near the doorway, not intruding, just peeking.
The bride stood near the window, hands clasped in front of her, gown spreading around her like a clean white bell. The fabric caught the light from the window, soft and pale, making the lace details stand out. Her hair was pinned up with smallpearls tucked through it. She was smiling, not a performative smile, but one that looked like she was very happy.
The bridesmaids stood around her in deep winter green dresses with shawls draped over their shoulders. They were laughing and fussing, adjusting a necklace, and smoothing a sleeve. One of them dabbed at the bride’s cheek carefully, then whispered something that made the bride laugh.
