At that, Julia beamed. “Maybe we’ll have to start up that tradition again. Dani, would you wear matching PJs?”
“Heck, yeah. I love a good pair of pajamas.”
Well,thatscored me points with my future mother-in-law.
“I’m a little rusty, but I’d love to help your mom out if she needs it.”
“Sounds good. Braden and I have a pretty important task,” I said, turning to him, “that I keep forgetting to ask you about.”
Putting down his fork, he reached for his glass of water. “Yeah? What’s that?”
“We have to choose the wedding party.”
“Party? Like the reception you mean?”
I almost laughed but stopped myself. “No—like the bridegroom and groomsmen, the maid of honor and bridesmaids. Oh, and a ring bearer and flower girl.”
Braden nodded. “It’s kind of a no-brainer. Zack’ll be my best man—unless he doesn’t want to do it. And Cy’ll be the groomsman. Problem solved. What about you?”
“Roxy’ll be my maid of honor.” But I’d have to have a bridesmaid too if Braden would have two guys—and of course he wouldn’t want Cy to feel left out.
It was the first time in a long time that I thought about Ava without feeling anger. That night before the first day in high school, she’d wondered if we would be meeting our future husbands. Little had we known then that she’d practically called it for me. I didn’t meet him and Zack until a couple of days later…but just the thought blew my mind.
For the first time in ages, I wondered what she was doing. Was she going to college as planned? Was she living outside of Colorado? I’d told her I didn’t want to just settle…
“What about a bridesmaid?” Julia pushed.
“Oh. I’m not sure. My mom might have a cousin in mind or…”
Braden’s youngest sister, now a senior in high school, said, “I’d love to be your bridesmaid!”
“Bernadette Marie! Inviting yourself is rude!” Julia snapped.
“Just a suggestion,” she said, twirling spaghetti in her fork.
I said, “That’s not a bad idea. But, uh, maybe we should ask Brandy first.”
“Why does the oldest always get first dibs?”
Julia said, “We’ve discussed this.” She looked at me again. “It’s up to you, of course, Dani.”
“I think that’s a great idea.” To my future youngest sister-in-law, I said, “If Brandy doesn’t want it, it’s yours.”
With the sweetest look on her face, she said, “It’d be a shame if she broke her ankle.”
“Enough!” Mr. Mitchell yelled, slamming his open palm on the table. I couldn’t help but jump. Braden’s dad hardly ever said anything but, when he did like in this moment, he could be scary. Braden didn’t have a good relationship with his dad, and I imagined his grouchy demeanor was why.
But he’d gotten what he wanted. Bernie didn’t say another word…
And neither did I.
CHAPTER 25
The label didn’t waste any time. Zack was back in rehab for most of September and they had all future legs of this tour booked. As soon as Zack was out—looking healthy and strong again—we were back in Europe in October. Originally, we’d been scheduled for another leg in the U.S., but when the label had canceled those dates, they’d completely changed the plan.
But it worked out well. We got to go to a couple of new spots supporting a British band while we traipsed over the continent.
After only a two-day break, we then headed to Australia for three weeks in November. We were excited to go to a brand-new place and even more eager because it would be warm while back home would be getting some of the first snowfalls of the season and growing considerably colder.
