She nods. “There’s a line, Laney. There’s always been a line, and he’s told her so much of the crappy stuff he’s done that I think she probably knows. Did Theo tell you that jail stint turned his life around?”
“Yes, butit still wasn’t right.”
“And it was over a decade ago. To you, it’s a new injustice. To the rest of us…”
“Everythingfeels wrong though. Right now, everything feels wrong.”
She doesn’t argue. Not exactly. “So their wedding lines up with the bad times. All it does is make it official that she’ll never leave him, no matter what he does. She knows men do stupid stuff. She’d say she does stupid stuff too.”
I snort.
“I know, butyou knowthat’s what she’d say.”
“Whoa, why so serious?” Emma asks as she and Claire turn to look at us.
We both jump.
“Laney was just making sure I have condoms on hand and I was giving her shit that she even had to ask,” Sabrina says smoothly.
“Were you doing an art project?” Emma asks.
Sabrina gasps.
I crack up.
Claire smiles at all of us. “Did you find someone at the bar last night?” she asks Sabrina.
“No, but I have high hopes for tonight.”
Claire and I giggle.
Emma wrinkles her nose. “But are you having enough fun?”
Sabrina mock gasps. “Emma. We’re all havingloadsof fun.”
“You’re sure?”
“Yes.”
“I’ve been so worried that people aren’t having enough fun this week. I just wanteveryoneto be as happy as I am.”
Sabrina links her arm through Emma’s. “No onecan be as happy as you. But we’re definitely a close second this week.”
We arenota close second.
Not by a long shot.
But it’s what Emma needs to hear, and the reassurance makes her smile go soft and happy again.
I’m with Theo on this. I don’t want to be the reason she doesn’t get married. Not when this is all she’s ever wanted.
And based on how quickly Sabrina’s smile drops away when Emma looks away, I think she feels the same.
A woman in all black with a clipboard approaches us. “Ms. Monroe? We’re ready for you and your party to get changed, and your massage therapist will be with you very, very soon.”
“I can’t believe it’s finallytoday.” Emma twirls with her robe, her smile bright and carefree.
“Worth the wait, hmm?” Claire says.
