Colin and I smiled at each other. I explained, “We have a few things to figure out. As for the ring, Colin prefers me to pick it out myself, and I love that idea. We can do it together, the both of us.”
My mother nodded, the grin never leaving her face.
The wedding planningwas in full swing a month later. We’d decided on a June wedding, so we had about eight months to plan. Not too soon, but sooner than many venues preferred.
We searched all around, nixing the idea of Brightwater Island when Colin’s mother brought it up. We both expressed our gratitude, especially since his mother was very welcoming to the idea of me being her daughter-in-law. But seeing as how the place held a mix of good and bad memories, we decided to hold the wedding on neutral ground.
We finally found a beautiful farm with rolling hills and a sparkling lake. It was the perfect place, and it was available in June. Everything else fell into place after that, especially once I gave Colin’s mother free rein with the flowers and caterer after we shared our preferences with her. I’d never been the type to dream of a wedding, and it was obvious she was eager to be included.
My mother, however, was humbled when I asked her to help me find my dress. We spent a few lovely days shopping in the city on a trip she made specifically for that purpose. It was also a chance for her to see Colin’s penthouse apartment. She didn’t make a big deal out of it when he was around, but as soon as Colin left to find them some wine from the kitchen, my mother nearly fainted on the couch. She widened her eyes and put a hand to her cheek, mouthing, “Oh my god!”
I giggled and shrugged my shoulders. Since our last conversation about our financial differences, I’d made great strides in accepting that I’d now be wealthy myself. There were still mental adjustments to be made, but I was getting there.
I let Colin buy me the world’s most beautiful ring, an extravagant single diamond that I was in awe of every time I looked at it. He bought me a car, and I was happy to trade in my old Honda Civic for a new Mercedes. When he presented mewith a page with my schedule for art classes printed on it, I didn’t question how he’d gotten me into such a prestigious program.
Out of everything, that was the most touching gift, and as I attended the classes and grew more confident in my skills after years of disuse, I presented him with a painting of us, which I’d done from a photo we’d taken together the night of his proposal. Colin’s look of pride convinced me we’d be happy and supportive of each other for the rest of our lives.
As the monthspassed and we received our RSVPs, I tried to convince Colin to invite Landon.
“He might not even come,” I said. “But at least you’ll have been the bigger person.”
“Kate, I can’t invite him. Isn’t it enough that we invited Maggie?”
“She never knew what was really going on until it was too late, Colin,” I reminded him.
“That’s the only reason we didn’t prosecute her. And allowed Grant his plus one.” His look was not that of a man who might be persuaded. I dropped it and never brought it up again. The brothers would have to figure this out on their own, if they ever wanted to.
One night, I had my own struggle in deciding who should or shouldn’t be involved in my life. I received a message of congratulations from Lyla, the ex-friend whose husband had tried to kiss me in their outdoor hot tub.
I had my finger on the message, wondering what it held. Finally, I opened it.
I wanted to congratulate you, but I wasn’t sure how you would receive it coming from me. You must think I’m the biggest idiot. I knew you weren’t lying, but I had to save my marriage, and obviously you were collateral damage. I’msorry that I chose him instead of you because I found his many texts to several women last year. I wasn’t sure if I should reach out to you, but when I saw your engagement picture, I thought you should know that I wish you all the happiness in the world.
There was a strong burning sensation in my chest as I read that. Anger, cynicism, sadness, and then, emptiness… I didn’t experience the relief I thought I would if I had received her apology a year ago. Colin said it was because I’d already grieved the friendship, and I had let those friends go.
I sat next to him at dinner one night, sharing the message and listening to his take on it. After, I reached for my phone and replied,Thank you for the well wishes. I forgive you.
And that was that.
The week of the wedding,I was a mess.
Angie was in town, and as my maid of honor, she’d prepared a night out for the bachelorette party. This was a couple of days before the wedding, and I let her invite my new art friends and Jessica and Monica from work, both of whom I’d promoted to Assistant Directors. (Grant hadn’t taken this very well at first, but he soon realized there was more than enough work for the three of them with the boom of clients we were experiencing. He was less cranky after that.)
We made it through the bachelorette party, and Angie and I stumbled into my apartment at 3 o’clock in the morning.
“That was way too much fun,” she said. “Those girls are a hoot.”
“Yeah, they’re awesome,” I agreed, “But you, my dear, are the awesomest. I don’t know what I’d have done all these years without our friendship.”
“Don’t make me cry, Kate,” she said, pushing me away as I tried to hug her.
We laughed as we threw ourselves onto the couch.
“I can’t believe I’m getting married in two days,” I said.
“It’s technically tomorrow, so one day,” she said.
I smiled.
