“Are you ready for a night of girl talk and wedding planning?”
“Can I be honest and say, ‘maybe’? I mean, I’m dying to marry Chase. But the planning feels overwhelming. I even hired someone to help. But she kept suggesting more and moredetails, and pretty soon it didn’t feel likeourwedding. It felt like a giant production.” She bites her lip. “Anyway, thanks for offering to help me figure out a better plan. I know how busy you are. But I’m glad for an excuse to see your new place.”
I grab her hand and squeeze it. “We’re here for you. With my organization, Sadie’s design, and Daisy’s style and enthusiasm, we can’t go wrong.” I pause. “Do you have any idea what you want?”
Olivia knits her brow. “I want something… intimate. Something that feels like Chase and me.”
There’s a knock at the door, and then it swings open. “Darlings, I’m here!” Daisy announces.
I turn to greet my friend with a smile. She’s all blonde curls and pink fluff.
“That’s quite a coat.” I gesture to the voluminous jacket she’s wearing.
“Isn’t it? I found thebestsecondhand shop in Silver Lake. I fell in love. This fabulousness is a shearling maxi coat.”
“It’s a lot,” Olivia says with a laugh. “It’s only September.”
“And I’m a lot. Which is why I love it.” Daisy grins. She reaches into an oversized leather bag and pulls out a bottle of good champagne and a box. “Here, for our party. Sparkles and cupcakes.”
“How did you fit those in your bag?” I ask in awe. I open the box to find the prettily decorated treats still in perfect shape. They haven’t even shifted in their little containers.
“Practice. You never know when you might need a cupcake. And champagne. But don’t worry, Emma. The purple one with the sprinkles is sugar-free, just for you.” She looks around the room with an admiring gaze. “First, give me a tour. And then we’ve got a wedding to plan!”
“Wait, where’s Sadie?” Olivia asks.
“She’s on her way. She was meeting with a wallpaper installer. Come on. I’ll give you girls a tour. It’s the size of a postage stamp, so it won’t take long.”
Several hours later, Sadie’s arrived and we’re cozy in the living room, shoes kicked off, feet up, cupcakes eaten, and a few glasses of champagne in.
“So, that’s it. I think we’ve got Olivia’s wedding under control. How do you feel about the direction now?” I ask the bride-to-be.
She looks relieved. “I love it. I worried that having a small backyard wedding wouldn’t be fancy enough. That it would disappoint people. But you helped me see that it’s whatwewant that matters. And I love the vision—soft and romantic. Peonies. Lace. It’s perfect.
“And, you’ve got an incredible backyard. Just saying.” Daisy snickers.
“Plus, there’s the wedding dress Daisy is designing.” Sadie sighs. “You’ll be the most beautiful bride.”
“We’re good at this.” I turn to my sister with a teasing look. “Maybe we should start a side hustle in weddings.”
She groans. “We can barely keep up with our main hustle.”
“Is anyone else still hungry?” Daisy asks. “Should I order more snacks?”
“But you haven’t eaten the cookies I made,” I say.
“No offense, Emma, but those cookies are inedible.”
I look around at my friends.
Olivia nods reluctantly. “It’s true. We commend your growth journey using your oven for more than just pan storage. And actually trying out healthy recipes. Really, we do. But…”
“But we can’t eat those rocks of salt and sadness,” Sadie finishes bluntly. “You need to give up your new hobby. Consider this an intervention.”
“You’re all assholes. And I’m only going to listen to you because baking sucks.”
“It’s okay,” Daisy says. “You’re a boss babe. Not a baker. So? How’s work? I know that the first year of a new business can be a bitch.”
“Insane. Busy. But I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Sadie laughs.
