During cocktail hour, Kate watched Ryan approach Dani by the champagne table. She couldn't hear what they were saying,but she saw Dani's professional smile soften into something real, saw Ryan gesture toward the harbor.
“They were inevitable,” James said, appearing with two glasses of wine. “Some people just fit, even when the timing's wrong.”
“She says they're different people now.”
“They are. That's what might make it work this time.” James nodded toward where Ryan was now making Dani laugh, really laugh, not her polite event planner laugh.
Kate thought about Ben, about all the years they'd orbited each other without quite connecting. “Yeah, I think you’re right.”
The reception flowed smoothly. No crises, no disasters, just happiness and celebration. Kate helped pass appetizers and watched her siblings work their magic. James charmed the elderly relatives, and Tom anticipated wedding guests’ needs before they arose.
And Dani... Dani was radiant. Whether she was managing the cake cutting or directing the photographer, she kept finding herself in conversation with Ryan. He helped her move chairs, and she brought him a plate of food when he missed the cocktail hour talking to the bride's father about sustainable fishing.
“This place is magical,” the bride's mother said, approaching Kate. “You can feel the love in the walls. Like all the families who've celebrated here left something behind.”
Kate thought about that, all the celebrations and sorrows these walls had held. Her parents' anniversary parties. Her mother's wake. Pop's good days and bad ones. And now this new chapter, with her siblings finding their own rhythms, their own lives, while still choosing to be here together.
A small flower girl tugged at her dress. “Are you married?”
“No, sweetheart.”
“Why not? You're pretty and nice.”
Kate laughed. “Maybe someday.”
The little girl nodded and then ran away.
As the evening wound down and the couple made their exit through a tunnel of sparklers, Kate found herself on the porch watching the last guests leave. Dani walked Ryan to his car, both of them moving slowly like they didn't want the night to end.
“Ten bucks says they're dating within a month,” Tom said, joining Kate.
“No bet. Look at them.”
They watched as Ryan said something that made Dani touch his arm, a gesture so natural it was like muscle memory from a decade ago.
“He's different,” Dani said later, after Ryan had driven away and the siblings were cleaning up. “More settled. More himself.”
“And?” Kate prompted.
“And he asked me to dinner. At his restaurant. To discuss potential partnerships between The Tuscan Table and the inn.”
“Very professional,” James said with a grin.
“It is professional,” Dani insisted, but she was smiling. “We're adults. We can have a business dinner.”
“A business dinner with the man who wrote you a song,” Tom teased.
“He didn't… okay, fine, he wrote me a song. But that was a lifetime ago. We're different people now.”
“Different people who still look at each other like that,” Kate said gently. “Dani, it's okay to want something. Someone. It's okay to see where it goes. Didn’t you tell me that not that long ago?”
Dani was quiet for a moment, folding tablecloths with unnecessary precision. “I ran away from him once. From this whole life. I feel settled now. Maybe you’re right.” Dani shrugged. “Anyway, I think it’s awful you use my own words against me.”
Kate’s phone buzzed. Ben: “How was the wedding? Thinking of you.”
She typed back: “Beautiful. Thinking about promises and choosing people and second chances.”
Three dots appeared immediately. Then: “Good things to think about. See you tomorrow?”
