I shake my head. “I’m going dress shopping all day Saturday. And Sunday we meet with that caterer, remember?”
“Oh, that’s right.” He stands up to pour us another glass of wine. “Who all is going dress shopping again? Do I have to do anything?”
I laugh. “No. It’s just your mom and Addie.”
Handing me the glass, he sits back beside me. “Your mom didn’t wanna come up for it?” he asks, watching me take a sip.
“I didn’t ask her to come.”
He pulls back. “What do you mean you didn’t invite your mom wedding dress shopping?”
“She isn’t gonna fly up for that … !” I insist.
“You should still invite her. You don’t know, maybe she’d come.”
“She isn’t.” I laugh.
Jesse’s voice changes. “Ella.” He warns. “After everything that went on between you guys, maybe you should be the bigger person.”
I flash an angry glance at him. “Excuse me?!”
“You know that’s the right thing to do.”
I gesture a hand. “Don’t start that crap with me.”
“You want me to lead in this relationship, don’t you? To help us grow together?” His voice is firm but not unkind. I press my lips together, holding back a response I might regret. He’s right, I know he is. I’m just being stubborn.
He continues, “We’re getting married in a few months, sweetheart. You can wait until then to let me lead, or we can start now. I’m not trying to sound preachy. I just want us to be the best we can be, together.”
My fingers play with the fabric on the bottom of my shirt. “I’ll text her after I shower,” I mutter and stand.
As I let the water run through my hair and down my body, my mind replays the conversation with Jesse. I was rude, I shouldn’t have gotten so hostile. I just … I’m nervous to ask my mom about doing anything other than attend our wedding. The idea of her coming up and spending extra time with everyone stresses me out. The drama that could ensue is unknown and not something I need to add onto my plate.
I get dressed and head back out to find him on the couch, scrolling his phone. I sit beside him. He meets my gaze and sets his phone down.
“I’m sorry for lashing out,” I admit.
He pats my leg. “It’s okay.”
“It’s not. Being the bigger person is always the right thing, and I denied it because I was frustrated.”
“I said it was okay.”
I scoot closer to him. He puts an arm around me and I lay my head against his shoulder. I got lucky with him. He’s always so forgiving, gentle, patient. I need to be careful I don’t take advantage of it.
* * *
Standing in front of a full-length mirror, I run my hands down a lace gown, studying myself in it for a brief moment before stepping out to show Maureen, Addison, and my mom.
I was shocked she flew in for this. Only having a couple days’ notice, she packed a bag, bought a plane ticket, and flew up here.
She’s staying with me, and it’s actually been fun. We had a heart-to-heart. That was really hard for me to bring up, but I did. I’m proud of myself, and the fact it went well was a nice reward.
I expressed how much she and Dad made me feel like a bad person for not going through with marrying Tim. She apologized, saying she hates how she reacted to it all. I told her she has no idea the truth behind things that went on between us. The things Tim and I fought about won’t even be close to a problem between Jesse and me. We’ll have our fair share of arguments and what not, obviously, but Tim’s and my issues were mainly just stupid and immature. He was three years younger than me, and I think his ego and lack of empathy were his biggest problems.
I step out of the dressing room, studying everyone’s expressionsas I make my way to the small pedestal in the middle of the room.
“Wow,” Maureen says, her eyes bright.
