The coordinator hesitates. “If you’re comfortable with that, we can absolutely make it work.”
“Totally,” Luna says. “I’d be honored to have Roger as my official photographer.”
Turning to Helen, Maria is all business. “Can you introduce me so we can get started with the groomsmen’s pictures?”
“Of course. I left him in one of the tasting rooms.”
Just as the door closes behind them, a flute appears in my hand.
Suddenly we’re all making toasts.
“To my big sister, the best maid of honor ever,” Luna says.
I take a long sip.
“To my beautiful daughter on her wedding day.” Mom lifts her glass again.
“To our mom, for giving her best when we were kids, and for being her best for us now. And for being an incredible grandma to Max and Blakey,” I add. And then… “Thank you so much, for making this such a special week for the boys.” But she’s still watching me. “And for time alone… with Beckett.”
“Of course.” Mom is blushing a little, but she also looks satisfied. And whether it’s from the champagne or the moment, warmth is spreading through my chest.
“And to Dad,” Luna says, eyes shining.
“To Dad.”
Before we get even more sentimental, Tay grabs the bottle and, without being asked, refills our glasses. “To this incredible vacation.”
“Yes!” Our glasses clink.
“And whoever invented the Men’s Sexy Legs contest,” Luna adds.
“Absolutely!”
“The bachelorette prizes!” Mom toasts, her eyes glittering a bit too innocently.
The bachelorette prizes.
She sends me a wink and… I’m just…
Not going there.
Still, they are absolutely deserving of their own toast—or two… or three.
“Hear, hear,” I say.
Just in time to keep us from opening a second bottle of champagne, the stylists from the ship sweep in like a glam squad, clapping their hands and herding me, Luna, and Tay into chairs.
“Sit,” one of them orders. “Makeup first. Then hair.”
I let myself sink back and close my eyes for just a second.“...lost their entire life savings…”
No!
This is a wedding.
Bad investments… Regulatory scrutiny… Indictments coming…
Just no.
