She smiled. “Great minds,” she said. “That’s what I was going to ask. We won’t be a whole lot of trouble. We’re not inviting anyone. Just us and the preacher.”
“Well, and me,” Marcy said. “I’m obviously coming. It will save the awkwardness of my hanging out the window with my binoculars.”
“I’m coming too,” I said. “I’m a little hurt you aren’t inviting me, but it doesn’t matter because I’m coming anyway.”
Diana shook her head. “I don’t want all that.”
But I wanted it for her, I realized. “Just picture it,” I said. “A tent set up overlooking the water, a beautiful cross of flowers in between you and Frank, the sun dancing on the water, a quartet playing as you walk down the aisle.…”
Now Marcy chimed in: “Rows of gold chairs with flowers on them and flowers on the tables and flowers everywhere—”
“Hey,” I said, “flowers are my thing. You know that.”
Marcy shrugged. “Well, fine. Get there faster.”
“Peonies and hydrangeas and bells of Ireland.”
“Sushi and prime rib and those little lamb chop lollipops.”
This was when I would bring it home. “And a vintage black-and-white-checked dance floor, with you in the arms of the man you have loved for your entire life.” It actually brought tears to my eyes. Marcy and I weregood.
“Damn it!” Diana said. “Guess that means I’ll have to invite Frank’s mom.…”
“Oh, we’ll make short work of her,” Marcy said.
Diana smiled. “She’s actually kind of come around. I think it’s going to be okay.” Diana sat down and sighed. “Now I’m exhausted. I didn’t want any of that.”
I smiled at her. Diana had gotten her happy ending. It made me hopeful for tonight with Price. It had been long andconvoluted, but maybe I’d get my happy ending too. Well, maybe more like my happy ending mulligan.
My phone rang, breaking me out of my thoughts. Andrew. Damn. It was as if he sensed I was thinking about another man. I wasn’t going to answer. But it was Andrew, precious Andrew. I couldn’t help myself. “Hello,” I said, walking out of the kitchen.
“Hi, beautiful.”
I smiled. He was so very adorable. “How are you?”
“I’m okay,” he said. “But I’m missing you.”
I didn’t say anything. But I was missing him too.
“Look how good I’ve been,” he said. “I’ve left you alone. I’ve dated. But all I can think about is that whoever I’m with isn’t you.”
I sighed. I wanted to agree with him. I wanted to give in and say,Forget about what I said. Let’s be together.
But nothing had changed. He was still too young for me. It still wasn’t going to work out long-term. There was no reason to drag it out.
“Andrew, look.” I bit my lip. I couldn’t bear to hurt him, but this would make it easier, right? It was for his own good. “It was a fun summer, but it’s over. Move on.”
“But, Gray—”
“Andrew, I’m serious. It’s probably best if we don’t talk anymore.”
It was like ripping out fresh stitches.
“Fine,” he said, his voice cold. “But I want you to hear me when I say this. I’m out, Gray. For good. And let me tell you right now that you are going to look back, and you’re going towish that you hadn’t brushed me off so easily. Yeah, I’m young, but I want to be very clear about something: No one—and I do mean no one—is ever going to love you like I do. No one is ever going to take care of you like I do.” He was so angry and so hurt that it shifted something in me. Maybe I hadn’t taken him seriously enough when I’d had him. “I was willing to fight for you, Gray. I was willing to give you time to get over your hesitations. But it’s very clear to me now that I never meant anything to you. So, good-bye. For real. I hope you find what you’re looking for, because it sure as hell isn’t me.”
And with that, he hung up—and I felt awful. I walked back to the kitchen, sat down on the stool, and put my head in my hands.
“What?” Marcy asked.
