“You’re hilarious. I’m sure we’d all be one big happy family. His mum can tell me over breakfast how unsuitable I am for her son, and my dad can spend dinner trying to weasel Alfie out of his wealth. Perfect.”
Keira snorted. “I’m not touching the drama with Alfie’s mother. If I know anything about Alfie it’s that he won’t let anything near your relationship that could hurt it. Not anymore.” She was right. I couldn’t argue with that. “As for your daddy drama…You need to see him, Lo. If it was me, I’d be able to just cut him off and never think about him again but you’re too tender-hearted. You’ll never stop thinking about him if you don’t see it through one way or another. If all he wants is money, he’ll show that to you sooner or later.”
Just like that, Keira had laid out my path for me. She was right, as always. About everything. Our hands found their way to each other and she squeezed mine. Her touch was more familiar to me than any other.
“I don’t know what I’d do without you,” I told her.
“Well, let's not ever find out. K?”
“Okay.” I nodded and we fell silent for a moment.
Now was the perfect time to tell her I was getting married. She was right here in front of me, we were alone and she was alittle drunk. Anxiety hit me. I had no more excuses to put it off. I took a deep breath. “There’s something else I haven't told you about Alfie and I.”
“Oh Christ. You’re not pregnant are you?”
“No.” I let out a nervous laugh.
“Thank God.”
“I’m engaged.” Her eyes widened again and this time it wasn’t comical. “Me and Alfie are getting married. He proposed months ago at the Chelsea show. The day that I won I went back there at night to look at my sculpture again and he was there and he just…he asked me to marry him. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I was scared you’d be angry with me after everything he’s done and…can you say something? Are you mad at me?”
“I’m…processing.” She sat up, letting go of my hand. “Lo, are you sure you’re ready?”
“It’s the most sure I’ve ever been of anything. I don’t know how our lives will fit into each other and I know we’ve both still got our issues to work on, but he’s my person. For all his faults and flaws, he’s mine.”
I held my tongue for a moment, letting her digest everything. She didn’t look happy, but I couldn’t see anger either. Or judgement. Just worry.
“Will you support me? I don’t want to do it without you.”
“Of course, I will. Did you think I would disown you for marrying him?”
“I don’t know. Maybe,” I admitted. “You don’t exactly look thrilled.”
“I’m happy if you’re happy. I was just worrying about how hard it’ll be for you to do this without your mum.”
I chuckled. I couldn’t help it. It had taken me months to figure out that my mum and gran being gone were part of why I wasn’t excited about getting married. Keira had gotten there in less than a minute.
“Yeah, that’s another reason why I’ve been putting off telling anyone about it. Alfie even offered to pick out my dress for me so I wouldn’t have to choose one without her.”
“Well, that’s sweet but stupid. I’ll make you one.”
I stared at her. “What?”
“Come on, who else knows you better than me?”
I felt tears welling in my eyes. It wasn’t as special as getting to choose my dress with my mum but it was pretty damn close.
“That would be perfect.”
Sixteen
Iwoke up the same way I had after hundreds of sleepovers over the years. With Keira’s legs tangled with mine, and her breathing noisily in my ear as she slept.
My alarm chirruped but Keira didn’t stir. Carefully, I de-tangled myself from her. I headed for the bathroom, leaving the alarm beeping. It would wake her up eventually. I dressed quickly and by the time I came back, Keira was sitting up, eyes still closed, hair sticking up, groaning.
“Morning, beautiful,” I said in a sing-song voice.
She groaned again in response and gave me the finger.
