Winnie shrugged. “Grandma pitched in a little so I could get something a little more elegant.”
And by elegant, she meant expensive.
“It’s beautiful,” Rebecca’s mom said with a smile.
“Beautiful,” her dad echoed, not even bothering to look up from his dinner salad.
Rebecca’s face was getting flushed. Jay reached out and put his hand on her wrist. The touch was enough to distract her, and she turned to look at him. Her look held so much in it. Confusion, hurt, anger. He wished he could smooth it all away.
Instead, he did what came naturally. He deflected. “Winnie, I’m so excited for you to meet with the two bands I have booked to come play for you tomorrow. I’ve invited the three professional dancers we found to come at the same time for a little rehearsal. It will give you a better idea of what the reception night would look like. Our lighting man will be there as well.”
Winnie clapped her hands together. “That sounds amazing. Ian, did you find out if you can take off work?”
Ian beamed. “I’m taking a vacation day.”
“Oh, that’s great. We’ll go to lunch, and Christmas shopping—”
“Babe. I rarely get time off like this. I’m scheduled to get two cavities filled right after, and then I’m going in to see the dermatologist like you asked me to.”
The way Ian jumped in his chair, he probably got a good stiff kick, letting him know to end that line of conversation.
Rebecca’s mother looked concerned for only a moment before she plastered on a smile and glanced around the table. “This salad dressing is phenomenal. It’s so citrusy and bright.”
“Delicious,” her husband added.
Jay’s hand migrated back over to Rebecca’s, and she held onto it as if her life depended on it. Man, he loved holding her hand, but the conflict that arose inside of him almost made it torturous.
He looked up and saw Aunt Dora, who was sitting next to Rebecca, smiling at him, her eyes drifting to their clasped hands under the table. She winked.
