She was fine.
She just needed to get her stupid, childish heart on board here, that was all.
“I love the hell out of you,” she said to Claire now, then pulled back and beamed at Delilah. “Both of you.”
“I’m touched, Kelly,” Delilah said wryly, but she was smiling.
“Show us the ring!” Astrid said as she got up and came over to Iris’s other side, settling on the arm of the wooden chair. Iris leaned into her.
Delilah scowled. “We’re really going to do all the squealing over the rings?”
“Hell yes, we are,” Jordan said. “Cough it up, Green.”
Delilah pursed her lips, then winked at Claire in a way that made Claire audibly sigh.
Jesus, these two. Iris kissed Claire’s temple.
Delilah finally displayed a very important finger, upon which sat a square black diamond with a black rhodium band that swirled over the centerpiece stone. Very Delilah.
“Wait, so you asked Delilah?” Iris asked Claire.
Claire nodded. “It just sort of happened. I was in Portland this past Tuesday night for a reading at Graydon Books—that queer romance author I really want to do some events with you at River Wild, Ris—and I stopped by this little curiosity shop afterward. I found this ring and it was like... I don’t know. I just knew I wanted the ring, and I wanted Delilah to wear it.”
“I’ll never take it off again,” Delilah said, and Iris didn’t even think she was being sarcastic.
“How’s Ruby?” Astrid asked. “Is she excited?”
“She was actually with me when I got the ring,” Claire said. “She spotted it first. And, yeah, she’s really excited.”
“Who wouldn’t want me as their super awesome, cool-as-hell stepmom?” Delilah said. “Show them yours, babe.”
Claire brandished her own hand, which was now sporting a gorgeous vintage yellow diamond, the very same style Iris and Delilah had discussed about a month ago.
“Luckily, I had it on hand,” Delilah said.
“For months,” Claire said, stretching out her fingers. “You’ve had my ring since Christmas.”
“That’s gorgeous,” Simon said, inspecting Claire’s ring.
“Okay, let’s talk details,” Astrid said, clapping her hands. “At the Everwood, next summer. Or maybe spring? I’m thinking outside, with a gauzy tent that—”
“Shit, Claire, we’re eloping,” Delilah said.
Claire laughed. “Ruby would never forgive us.”
“Oh my god, Ruby as your maid of honor,” Iris said, then her tears started flowing again, because apparently, she was a fucking mess, a status she was not enjoying.
So Iris did what she did best.
She got loud and funny and opinionated.
“A toast!” she said, grabbing her glass of champagne Bria had placed on the table in lieu of their actual order, and climbing onto one of the wrought iron chairs. Eyes followed her like bugs to a blue light, even those brunching at the inn who weren’t with her party. She felt the attention, felt it soak into her bones, making her feel strong and invincible.
“Here she goes,” Delilah said, but she was smiling, and Iris smiled back, a coy little grin over her shoulder as she flourished the hem of her floral dress over her knees. Claire had joined Delilah, their arms around each other, and all five of her dear friends were beaming up at her.
This was the Iris they knew.
This was the Iris they loved.
