"I see you've made yourself at home,” Ellen said, crossing to join her niece. "Finding everything you need?"
"Your record-keeping system is... unique," Caroline said diplomatically. "I'm still getting oriented."
Ellen moved to the sea glass bowl, gently repositioning it in its original place where the light could once again transform its contents. The gesture was subtle but deliberate, a quiet reclamation.
Jess recognized her cue to leave. "I should go," she said, gathering her purse. “No doubt Nadine will be expecting a full report on the dress situation."
“You can reassure your maid of honor that everything's safely in hand," Ellen assured her with a wink. “And I’ll see you Thursday for the final fitting."
8
Black-Eyed Susan café’spatio buzzed with the soft murmur of mid-morning chatter.
Tables were cradled beneath a lush canopy of wisteria vines that had gracefully entwined themselves around the weathered wooden pergola for years. The blooms dangled like fragile chandeliers, their scent intertwining with the robust aromas of freshly brewed coffee and warm, buttery pastries.
Just beyond the low stone wall encircling the patio, the vibrant waters of Nantucket Harbor shimmered in the early sunlight, where sailboats and fishing vessels danced on the gentle waves, a scene that could only be captured at the iconic café.
Jess spotted her maid of honor seated at a corner table, her head bent over what would surely be a wedding planning binder.
Nadine looked exactly she used to, yet more polished - her honey-blonde hair now cut in a practical shoulder-length bob, instead of the wild beach waves they'd sported as teenagers, her outfit a study in casual island elegance: white linen pants and a soft blue sweater that matched the hydrangeas blooming in window boxes along Federal Street. As Jess approached, shelooked up, her face brightening with immediate recognition and her old friend rose to her feet, arms already opening for an embrace.
"Finally!" Nadine exclaimed, pulling Jess into a hug that smelled of vanilla perfume and sea salt. "I've been planning this wedding for over a year, and the bridefinallydecides to show up!”
“I know, I’m sorry and it’s so great to see you!” Jess hugged her back warmly.
"Two lattes," Nadine declared then, gesturing to the matching blue-and-white china cups on the table. "Extra shot and no foam.”
Jess smiled fondly, settling into the wrought iron chair across from her friend. "You still remember my coffee order?"
"Please. We spent every morning senior year at The Daily Grind plotting our escape from this island. Some details are permanently etched in my memory." Nadine pushed one of the cups toward Jess. "Though I'll admit, I did text your mom to confirm."
Jess laughed, lifting the cup to her lips. The coffee was perfect - strong, slightly bitter, with a hint of caramel. Nothing like the chain-store brew she gulped down during harried city mornings.
"So," Nadine continued, flipping open her leather planner. "Welcome to Wedding Command Central."
In typical style, the planner was a masterpiece of organization. Color-coded tabs protruded from the edges - blue for venue, pink for flowers, yellow for catering, green for music. Each page was filled with her friend’s precise handwriting, accompanied by fabric swatches, photo printouts, and business cards secured with miniature silver paperclips.
"You really haven't changed a bit," Jess said, shaking her head in admiration. "Remember how you used to organize ourbeach days? Cooler packed by food group, sunscreen application scheduled every two hours..."
"And you'd just grab a towel and run straight into the water without checking the tide schedule," Nadine finished, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "Some things never change.”
"God, it really is so good to see you," Jess repeated. "How long has it been since we were in the same place? Christmas two years ago?"
“Fouryears ago," Nadine corrected. “You brought that boyfriend who kept calling the island 'quaint' like it was a museum exhibit."
"Derek," Jess groaned. "What was I thinking?"
"You weren't. Same old story - you jumped in, I checked the water temperature." Nadine's expression softened. "Remember those bonfires at Madaket Beach? You were always the one who'd talk Ryan Matthews into bringing his brother's beer."
Jess leaned back in her chair, the memory washing over her like warm tide. "And you were the one who brought extra sweatshirts because you knew we'd stay until midnight and freeze once the sun went down."
"And that map you drew?" Nadine chuckled, her eyes brightening at the memory. "Our secret beaches, all those coves no tourists knew about.”
"The Sacred Nantucket Beach Bible," Jess laughed. "I spent an entire semester in Geography class drawing that instead of learning about agricultural patterns in the Midwest."
"You were so proud of it too. All those little symbols - shells for good shelling beaches, stars for where you could see the sunrise..."
"Hearts for where we hoped to kiss boys," Jess tittered. "Though as I recall, that remained theoretical for far longer than we planned. For me at least.”
