“I flunked out of college. I don’t know what to do with my life. I’m not exactly a supermodel for success.”
“You’re twenty-four. No one expects you to have conquered brain surgery by now. But you work with people all the time, including what I assume are difficult real estate clients. You understand how Aaron likes to work and what his goals are. Why wouldn’t you be good at hiring the architect?”
Shannon blinked at her. “I never thought of it that way. I guess I do have some skills.”
“Have a little faith, kid.”
“Sometimes that’s hard.”
Victoria watched her carefully put the snake plant into the pot. “I get that. Normally I’m brimming with overconfidence, but lately I’m questioning everything. Mostly my writing. Sometimes how I feel about my mother.” She sighed. “My dad was telling me some stuff about how strong she is, and it got me to thinking that maybe I learned to be tough from her.”
“Is that bad?”
“No, but all my life she’s been the one I’ve tried not to be like. What if by paying such close attention to what I swore I didn’t want, I end up just like her?”
“There’s a scary thought.” Shannon poured soil into the second pot. “I went to talk to her about failing at the cinematography class. It wasn’t a pleasant conversation.”
Victoria winced. “Sorry about that. I know she didn’t yell, but sometimes the pointed questions and blunt pronouncements are so much worse than a raised voice. How bad was it?”
“Bad. She seemed shocked that I still have no direction in my life and asked me what I’ll bring to the table when I marry Aaron. She also told me I was a horrible daughter for not telling my mom about the engagement.”
“Yikes. That’s intense. You must have had a lot of wine that night.”
“I repotted houseplants to make myself feel better, andthenI had wine.”
Victoria got that. If she’d had a similar conversation with Ava and she hadn’t been dealing with a broken leg, she would have taken a martial arts class, then settled in with tequila.
“Not to pile on, but at some point you’re gonna have to tell your mom about getting married.” She held up a hand. “I know, I know. You don’t want a double wedding.”
“I’m starting to think I don’t want a wedding at all.”
Victoria stared at her. “But you love Aaron. Don’t say you’re having second thoughts.”
“I’m not. I want to be married. I want us to start our lives together.” She tucked the second plant into its pot. “I went with my mom to see the dress she liked so much. It’s stunning, by the way. She’s ordered it, and she’s going to look incredible.”
“She is. And?”
“She wanted me to try on the princess dress she’s been dreaming about her whole life.”
Victoria eyed her lean, willowy body and delicate features. “Let me guess. You looked amazing in it.”
“It looked good.” Shannon sighed. “But I couldn’t feel it.”
“The fabric? Is this a textile issue?”
Her friend laughed. “No, I wasn’t into it. I kept thinking that I don’t want a big wedding. Not in the traditional sense. I want to stand with Aaron and quietly get married. Just us. Okay, and maybe immediate family, but that’s all. I’m glad planning the wedding is making my mom happy, and I want to help her with it as much as I can, but I don’t want to do it for myself.”
“That will break your mother’s heart.”
“I know. Aaron’s mom will probably feel the same way. I’m living with the idea.”
“Great. So we’ve solved all your problems. You’re getting married and not having a wedding. I like it.”
“That’s only one problem. I have others.”
“Not really. You’ve figured out what you want careerwise, so what else is there?”
Shannon stared at her. “No, I haven’t.”
