“I love you.” I smile.
“Love you too, babe. Now go knock your man’s socks off.” She winks at me. “If I wasn’t already taken, I’d be so jealous.”
I snort. August is here, too, a hulking bear of a man who only ever seems to smile at his pretty new wife. He comes in from milling around outside a minute later.
I like to think he and Brady are becoming fast friends.
From the way Elle looks at him, one of the smaller islands around us could lift up into the sky, and if August was in front of her, she’d never know it.
It’s sweet, though.
Mom pokes her head through the door after grabbing a fresh cup of coffee. Her face breaks into a smile when she sees me fully transformed into a blushing bride.
Ugh, am I really blushing that much?
Sometimes, I forget how much she’s been through. But when I see her grinning, with her eyes all glassy, it reminds me of how little she’s smiled since Dad left.
It makes my heart hurt in the best way.
To think that I’mthereason for her lighting up like this again.
“Lena, oh my God!” She rushes up and grabs my shoulders, holding herself back like she’ll ruin me if she gets any closer.
“Mom, calm down. You saw me like five minutes ago.”
“But now you’re finished. You’re abride.” She sniffles.
“No crying, Mrs. Joly. House rules,” Elle jokes. Then she and Granny Lark head outside with August to find their seats.
As you’d expect, it’s a tiny, private affair. Mom will walk me down the aisle with Elle trailing behind as my maid of honor.
“I love you. I love this,” Mom gushes, turning me so we’re both facing the mirror. “If your father could see you now ...”
I smile grimly, refusing to let my eyes mist up.
This is a good day. Two generations of Joly women literally sailing into tomorrow.
“Are you happy?” she whispers, her eyes brimming.
“You know I am, Mom. If Dad could meet Brady, they’d be insta-buds. Brady would’ve loved his old radio-controlled planes, with the drone stuff he’s doing for his channel now,” I whisper back.
“I know, baby. You chose a good one.” She squeezes me. “Are you ready, though?”
“I’ve been ready since the first proposal. Um, sorry about that—keeping you in the dark. It happened so fast.” I watch her laugh and shake her head. “But he’s so perfect for me, Mom.”
“Yes. I knew something was going on when you wouldn’t bring the boy out to meet me until after the drama bomb exploded.”
“Something’s going on with you too.” I look up at her curiously. “You’re wearing a new perfume. What is that? Cherry?”
“No perfume, I—” She stops and closes her mouth, her face heating.
“Mom?”
She sighs. “If you must know, Granny Lark pulled me aside after the groom’s dinner last night. We were reminiscing about that old bakery in Capitol Hill we loved when you were little. I might’ve mentioned the ice cream stand, and ... the woman is relentless.” Mom beams me a shaky smile. “You don’t even want to know how she tracked down five pounds of cherries in the off season with all the grocery stores closed. It’s not quite the old Raven Swirl recipe, but we churned up a decent batch for the reception. Just a fun little extra we thought people would like. Only now I’ve gone and ruined the surprise, so—”
“Mom!” I just react, leaping up and throwing my arms around her. “I’m proud of you.”
I’m honestly trembling, wondering how this day can get any better.
