I couldn’t help but think of our own wedding. Less than two months ago the thought of it had still frightened me. Now, I couldn't imagine being more ready.
“Lola?” Natalie’s voice startled me. “The wedding planner wants to know if the sculpture will be ready on time.”
“Sid has assured me it will be but I’m going to check on it now.” Alfie squeezed my hip but I ignored him. A team of valets came to help us with our bags and whisked them off to our rooms. Alfie, Damien and Riley were unfazed by this but Natalie, Keira and I shared a look. I was working on getting used to it, but Alfie’s world blew me away everyday.
The girls went inside, their squeals of excitement echoing from the foyer. My father and Ryan followed them, John keeping a tight grip on his hand so he couldn’t wander off and cause chaos.
“Are you sure you’re up to this?” Alfie looked me over. Despite my fading bruises, he still hadn’t let go of treating me like I was breakable.
“Please don’t make a fuss in front of Natalie. I’m not ruining her wedding by letting on that I’m more injured than she thought, or that our father had anything to do with it. You promised.”
He stiffened his jaw, obviously not happy with the idea of me doing anything other than resting today. “Fine, but if I think you’re doing too much, I’m stepping in. I’ll tie you to that bed, woman.”
I giggled and pressed a kiss to his lips. “You know I like that now, right?”
My room was a stunning mix of light blue and cream with a view overlooking the lake.
I had spent most of the day bossing poor Sid around, though much to his credit, he hadn’t seemed to mind. I’d been able to do more than I’d thought, as long as it didn’t involve climbing ladders. The sculpture came together beautifully with only a few hiccups. By late afternoon, Sid dismissed me, insisting I rest while he finished up. I was grateful but so was he, he was getting to stay in this gorgeous location and have access to a free bar tomorrow.
In my room, I unpacked, hanging up my bridesmaid dress and putting away my other clothes. By the time I was done with that, I needed to rest. Just because my bruises had faded, didn’t mean I was all the way healed. I popped a few painkillers but before I could lay down there was a knock at my door. I was surprised to see Grace standing there.
“Hey! Come in!” I said, stepping aside. “I’m sorry I didn’t know you’d gotten here early.”
“I brought the dress. I wanted to make sure your sister had time to try it on in case she needed any last minute alterations.” Of course, Natalie had told me that already. I kicked myself for forgetting.
I invited her to sit and offered her tea which she turned down.
“How are you?” I asked her. It felt like a loaded question given what had gone down the last time we’d seen each other.
“I should be asking you that.”
“Let's just ask each other.” I was determined not to wallow in past dramas this weekend. “I’m looking better than I feel but getting stronger every day.”
She nodded but didn’t smile. Her fingers played with the hem of her shift dress, smoothing out the already perfect fabric. “I feel hideous about what my mother has done to you. Alfie said you’d just tell me it’s not my fault and I know that’s true but still…”
“Have you spoken to your mother?” Alfie had said there would be punishment for what she’d done to Grace but he hadn’t mentioned her much since. I hadn’t wanted to mention her either.
“No. Alfie is selling off all of her properties. He’s buying out all of her investments too. She’ll still have some personal wealth but her circumstances are…reduced.”
“He’s gone scorched earth.” I wasn’t surprised he hadn’t told me all of that. I didn’t need to know it all right now. “What about your husband? Ethan? He’s here, right? I’m excited to meet him.”
“Yes, he’s here. Ethan isn’t the scorched earth type, that’s why I picked him. He’s glad I’ve finally confronted her though.” I would tell her I was sorry for what Charles did to her but shedidn’t need to hear that. She needed justice and Alfie had given it to her.
“Closure is good for the soul apparently.” I was still working on that with my father. Letting go of the idea that I was ever going to have him in my life the way that Natalie did. I envied her blissful obliviousness. In a way, I wished I’d never found out who John O’Connell really was.
“Are you going to join me and the girls tonight? We’re just doing cocktails and gifts. I think Keira has bought Natalie some edible underwear. Nothing crazy.”
Grace managed a laugh but shook her head. “Oh no, I’ve booked a manicure.” I glanced at her perfectly manicured hands and raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t want to intrude.”
“You aren’t intruding, you’re family.”
There was a bang on the door that I recognised as Keira’s. I rolled my eyes. “That’s Keira. Try telling her no to a cocktail and see what happens. Come in, Keira.”
She came in wearing a hotel robe and holding up two dresses.
“Which dress is less fuckable?” she asked, not bothering to introduce herself.
“Grace, this is Keira, my best friend. Keira, this is Alfie’s sister, Grace Tell.”
