Muscle memory compelled her heart to curl in on itself like a baby hedgehog, guided by instinct and experience to protect itself by any means necessary. If she told him the truth—if she forced her heart to unfurl—what would stop him from crushing it? He was probably just preparing to let her down gently, to explain that the timing wasn’t right. Or worse, that he cared for her deeply… as a friend.
“Natalie?” Jonathan said. “Did you hear me?”
She lifted her chin to meet his eyes. “I don’t just have feelings for you. I’ve been in love with you since college.”
Jonathan turned away and ran his fingers through his hair, as if struggling to process what she’d just said. “Wow…” he muttered, beginning to pace. “I can’t believe… I didn’t… I’d totally given up on you because I assumed you only wanted to be friends.”
“Sorry,” Natalie said quickly. “I know my timing isn’t ideal, seeing as you broke off your engagement less than an hour ago.”
“Yeah, kind of… I mean, no. I asked you directly. Marigold wanted me to know. I just can’t believe…” He paused and looked up. “That thing you said in your toast, about how falling in love is like finding someone tuned to your exact frequency. Marigold wrote that in a card to me once, and I thought it was so beautiful.”
So that’s why he’d given her such a funny look after herspeech. “Yeah, um, I might’ve helped Marigold with that from time to time.”
“I know. She just told me. And you know what I thought when I read that line all those years ago? I thought:That’s how I feel around Natalie.”
Natalie began to tremble, her body ill-equipped to handle so many strong emotions all at once. Elation and terror, joy and shame. “I really screwed things up, didn’t I?”
“We both did. Wealldid.”
“So…” Natalie took a deep breath and forced herself to voice the scariest question of all. “Do you think it’s too late?”
After what felt like an excruciatingly long moment, he turned to her, face softening. “No, I don’t think so.”
Something rigid inside Natalie snapped, and she almost keeled over with relief.
He stepped forward just in time, and Natalie sank against him, still trembling. “I’m going to need some time to process everything,” Jonathan said. “I woke up today truly believing I was going to marry Marigold, and even though I know we made the right decision, it’s still a lot to wrap my head around.”
“I know, I get it.”
“But then, once this is really all over, I think you and I should spend some time together. Figure things out.”
Natalie leaned against him, feeling the strength of his body bolster her, soothing her frayed nerves. The shaking stopped. “Yeah, that sounds good.”
“What I mean is… will you give me the chance for a do-over?”
Natalie tilted her head to see him smiling down at her, flooding her chest with warmth. “I’d like that.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIXMarigold
“What’s going on?” Carol asked as Marigold and Jonathan ushered their families and the bridal party out of the yacht club and onto the front lawn. “Marigold, where’s your dress?”
“We’re going to make an announcement,” Jonathan said. He and Marigold hung back in the doorway so they wouldn’t be spotted by the guests, though if she rose onto her toes, she could just glimpse the assembled crowd. “Zack, can you let the senator know there’s been a change of plans?”
Zack saluted, and Marigold instinctively glanced at Olivia, curious to see how her sister would respond to the cheesy gesture, but she didn’t stop beaming as Zack headed down the lawn toward the officiant.
Carol grabbed Jonathan’s arm. “Whatchange of plans?”
“Just… everyone please take your seats,” Jonathan said calmly.
When no one moved, Richie said, “All right, everyone, let’sgo… Move it.” It was the first time most of them had heard her speak in real life, and, either surprised by her outburst or cowed by her commanding tone, the others began to follow her.
Lulu smiled at Jonathan, then whispered to Marigold, “I’m so proud of you.”
“I haven’t done anything yet!”
“Doesn’t matter. I’m always proud of you.” She took Bill’s waiting elbow and joined the procession.
As the wedding party headed down the lawn, Marigold saw the guests’ heads begin to turn their way. Jonathan took her hand. “Ready?”
