Playfully, I deliver a soft punch to his shoulder. “You know what I mean.”
He takes me in his arms and I thank God I stepped foot into that thrift shop on a blustery January day.
“Am I really supposed to let you go today?” Dayton lays a cheek on top of my head. “Let’s run away together. We could have one of those common law marriages and be anything but common.”
I know I’m supposed to laugh, but instead a tear slips down my cheek. Then a couple more. I sniff and swipe at them. Dayton pulls back and frowns. “Don’t ruin your make-up.”
“Please don’t ruin it,” Sky says, depositing the lip color we’re both wearing into her small purse.
“Water-proof. Long-wearing. Whatever.” I wave my hand around. “Something like that.”
“Let’s not test it, okay?” Dayton cups my cheeks and grins. “Time to get you out there and married, so you can start adding to an already overpopulated earth.”
“Dayton!” I yell, half in surprise and half in defense of any yet-to-be created child of mine. He tips back his head and laughs. I roll my eyes. “You’re insane.”
“Maybe,” he says, dropping his hands, only to weave his fingers through my right hand. There’s a quick knock on the door, and through it comes Brody’s voice. “He’s waiting for you.”
I take a deep breath, nerves blossoming in my stomach. They are the best kind of nerves—excited, tense, bubbly. Like my core is effervescent.
Dayton tugs my hand gently, and I follow him to the door. “Time to give you away.”
My entire life I never spent any time wondering who would give me away at my wedding, and I didn’t spend any time thinking about it after Noah proposed.
The three of us leave the little dressing room at Sutton House. “How do you think mom’s handling things out there?” I ask Sky, biting my lip and looking out one of the large windows facing the courtyard. From this vantage point, I can’t see much.
“We’re going to have some awkward Christmases, though I think her new beau will soften the blow.” Sky rolls her eyes. A few months ago my mom met someone online. We’re uncertain, but she’s all in. I think her time in the hospital and recovering forced her to take her life more seriously, and finally get over poem guy.
Noah’s dad… I never would’ve guessed. I haven’t told Noah about their journal. It’s too personal to be shared.
We stop before the double doors that lead outside. Dayton pulls one open a few inches and peeks. He straightens, smiling, and lets the door fall softly back into its place.
“I didn’t know it was possible.” He shakes his head, eyebrows raised.
“What?”
“Soccer stud even makes a monkey suit look good. Too bad he isn’t gay.” Dayton sighs dramatically and throws the back of his hand against his forehead.
“Mine.” I point at my chest and pretend to growl.
“Yes, I know, and I’m about to give you to him. Then he’s going to take you away for a year before he takes his rightful place as the grape heir.” Dayton laughs at his own joke.
“Yep,” I grin, trying not to jump up and down. One year abroad. We’re starting in Costa Rica and working our way through South America. From there we’ll head over to Africa, and then on to Greece and up through Europe.
“Postcards,” Dayton reminds me with a wagging finger. “I want things done the old-fashioned way.”
“Yes, yes.” I agree quickly. I point between Sky and Dayton. “You two better take good care of the studio while I’m gone.”
“We will,” Sky says reassuringly.
“Everything will befine,” Dayton says. “I have a little bit of experience running a business, you know.”
“Sorry, sorry.” I hold up my palms.
Two Sutton House employees come around the corner carrying our bouquets. One of them reaches for the door handles while the other extends the flowers.
I turn to Sky, touching her shoulder. “You first.”
A deep breath fills her chest and her smile wavers. She steps forward, taking the smaller of the two bouquets and nodding at the employee holding the door handles. He pulls them back and Sky steps into the opening. Music starts, she casts one more glance at me, then steps from view.
