“Fine by me,” I say, and I mean every word. I’ll share my juice box…and anything else that Sarah wants.
That thought doesn’t terrify me nearly as much as it probably should.
18
SARAH
The next sixweeks fly by in a flurry of painting, wedding planning, and moving my things into Carter’s new house.Ournew house? In any case, things moved way too quickly, and now I’m standing in the tiny hall bathroom in Anna’s house in a wedding dress, my hands pressed against the cool porcelain sink. Anna insisted I let her hire professionals for my hair and makeup, and the effect is pretty extraordinary. I’ve never felt quite so beautiful.
Plus, this dress.
It’s beyond gorgeous. Strapless, with a sculpted bodice and asymmetric pleats and a flowing full skirt. It’s simple and romantic but somehow still showstoppingly beautiful.
At first, I was determined not to stress about finding theperfectdress. My timeline was ridiculously short, which meant I couldn’t afford to be choosy. I needed something white and nice enough to convince our audience it was one I loved. There was no reason to go all out.
But Anna talked me right out of that notion.
“If life has taught me anything,” she said in the middle of the bridal boutique, “it’s that every time you get the opportunity to wear a gorgeous dress, you take it.”
When I tried to argue that I should save themostbeautiful dress for myrealwedding, her scolding only grew more intense.
“You have to stop calling it a fake wedding, Sarah. You’re exchanging real vows. Signing arealmarriage license. That means you get arealwedding dress. End of discussion.”
And so I did. A real dress. Real hair and makeup. Real jewelry.
I glance down at my left hand.Real engagement ring.
And tonight, myrealhusband will drive us home to the real house I’ve been living in without him for the past three weeks. That was his idea. As soon as he closed on the house, he suggested I move in so I could make use of the studio. I tried to protest—it didn’t feel right since he’s the one who bought it—but he insisted, and honestly, Ineededthe space.
I’ve been overwhelmed trying to finish my pieces for my gallery show in a few weeks. Now that it might lead to something at the Rooke in New York, I’m even more determined to make sure everything is perfect. Having a studio large enough to work and display the entire collection together has been such an amazing gift.
Being in the house has also made it easier to decorate. Emerson has been up from Savannah three different times, and we’ve made excellent progress. The main living areas are all finished, as well as Carter’s room and the guest room where I’ve been living. I’ve had a millionthisorthatconversations with Carter trying to gauge a sense of his style, and I’m pretty sure I nailed it. He likes simple and clean but with adistressed comfort that reminds me of his Texan roots. His living room is full of soft brown leather and muted throw pillows and natural fabrics. I’ve kept the whole thing hidden from him—I want it to be a surprise when he officially moves in tonight. He knows I’ve been working, but he hasn’t seen the inside of the house in two weeks.
I take another slow, calming breath, but when I lift my hands from the sink, they’re still shaking. But I’m supposed to be nervous, right? It’s perfectly normal to be terrified on your wedding day.
“Honey?” Anna calls from the other side of the door. “It’s been a minute. Are you sure you don’t need any help?”
It isn’t the first time she’s checked on me, and I can tell she’s starting to worry.
I move over to the door, but instead of letting her in, I lean my forehead against it. “Can you just get Carter for me?” I say. I’m not sure what makes me say it. I just know I want to see him before I go out there and marry him.
Anna’s quiet for a beat before she says, “Are you okay?” I’m probably stressing her out, something she doesn’t need so close to when her baby is due. Not to mention how hard she’s worked over the past month and a half. She basically spearheaded the entire wedding—in the middle of hockey season. In the weeks right before playoffs.
She even transformed her house. All of her living room furniture is currently in the garage so there’s room for a ceremony and a reception after.
We never should have been able to pull this off. And we only did because of her.
“Yeah, I’m good,” I say. “I just want to see him.”
“Okay. Hang on.”
Less than a minute later, another knock sounds on the door.
“Sarah?” Carter’s voice calls.
I unlock the door, then take a step back, making room for him to enter.
I sometimes forget how big a guy Carter is, but in this small space, it’s impossible not to notice. There’s no way to be in this room together and not be close enough to touch.
