I nearly choke on my iced coffee. “How the heck did you manage that?”
Violet shrugs, trying not to smile. “Walker’s idea. He knows some people.”
Of course, he does. Walker and Violet are both amazing country musicians. Walker is a country music legend who retired here in Bridger Falls. He was a songwriter for a long time until Violet came along to stay with her Aunt Maggie. Those two fell in love, and the rest is history. They started their own recording studio, hosting artists and musicians, and producing songs. It’s really fun to meet everyone who comes through town. A little surreal sometimes, but really cool. It’s not surprising that Walker convinced two of the top country music legends to sing for us at our reception. Ollie isn’t even going to believe it when I tell him tonight.
I shake my head in disbelief. “I can’t believe it.”
She leans closer. “Don’t you dare tell him I told you this, but we’re writing you guys a song. Just for you. It’ll probably eventually go on an album but know it’s your song.”
I press my hand to my chest. “Aww, Violet. I can’t wait to hear it. No one has ever written me a song before.”
My eyes burn a little, but it’s the good kind. I love that they are excited for us, regardless of whether this is real or not.I’m beginning to feel sad that this is a pretend marriage. And a pang of sadness hits me that it isn’t real. Because it’s starting to feel real.
At the first store, they don’t even let me protest how they’re fawning over me. When we open the door, there’s a table set up with a charcuterie board, champagne, and cider waiting. There are even iced cookies that read "yes to the dress" and are in the shape of wedding dresses.
“This doesn’t feel like shopping,” I say, looking in awe at everything. “This is a party.”
“Yes,” Cami agrees, grinning. “This is a Poppy party. It’s not every day my brother and best friend get married.”
They pull dresses I’d never pick for myself. Things that fit and look amazing instead of hiding my curves. Maggie cries over the first one I try on, which is dramatic and unnecessary but somehow perfect. She clasps her hands and says, “My baby is getting married.”
And somehow, that heals something in me I didn’t know I needed. I pictured my mom being with me on a day like today but having Maggie and all my friends with me is as close to that as I could ask for.
When I step out in the dress that ends up being the one, they all go quiet.
Cami whistles. “Well. Damn. I hope Ollie keeps the fire department on standby. Because you’re a smoke show, Poppy.”
Mack grins. “Ollie’s gonna pass out when he sees you. They better have the paramedics handy, too.”
My stomach flips at the thought of what Ollie’s going to think when he sees me. Then I picture him standing there in a tux and my heart clenches. I bet he’ll look so freaking good. I’ve only seen him in a tux at Violet’s wedding and prom. And he looked so good. I remember seriously lusting after that man that night and thinking I shouldn’t have been thinking of my best friend like that. And now here I am marrying him. Pretend marrying him. But, still.
Later, when my hair’s washed, cut, and blown out, and my makeup actually looks like me, just brighter, we sit on velvet chairs in a little boutique with champagne flutes in our hands. I glance around and realize that Violet and Mack are drinking cider.
“What if it stops being pretend?” I ask suddenly.
They all look at me, then they laugh.
Okay, not the reaction I was expecting.
“What?” I laugh, along with them, because honestly, this whole thing is absurd.
“Nobody really thinks this is pretend, but you, Poppy. My brother is head over heels in love with you. Everyone can see it,” Cami says as she sips her glass. “And you better not break his heart because he’s the best.”
I would never hurt Ollie. I love him was my immediate thought. I love him. Shit, I do. I really love him so much.
Violet looks over at me. “Girlllll, what kind of friendship do you think this is? This is a whole relationship. Ollie’s been waiting for you to catch up.”
I stare into my drink. “I don’t think I want a traditional marriage. I don’t want a white picket fence. Ollie deserves more than that.”
What I’m really thinking is that maybe I don’t deserve that. It’s not that I don’t want it. I just don’t think it’s possible for me. I’ve never had that life and don’t know if it even really exists.
Cami reaches over and takes my hand. “What if all he wants is you, Poppy?”
Maggie hums. “I love you, sweetheart, but I think you’re both being ridiculous. I’ve never heard Ollie say he wants some traditional fantasy life that you seem to have worked up in your mind that is superior to the life you’re living right now. Life isn’t like that. It’s not always picket fences like that. Sometimes it’s just like this. Friends that become family. And best friends who become your life partner. You getting to do life with your best friend sounds like a pretty good life to me. No matter where you live. And picket fences are ugly. Sometimes you need barbed wire like the ranches have. Keep people like Sully out.”
I laugh at that last part, because she’s not wrong. Our life ismore like barbed wire than a picket fence. And I thought that was a bad thing, but maybe it’s not.
Violet smiles softly. “Some people don’t want the picture-perfect life. They want the right one. And the right one is right for you.”
