You like art, right, Bren says.
And the ocean! Robin says. And dancing! Badly, but it’s still dancing.
Art and the ocean and bad dancing, Bren echoes.
It’d be nice to explore outside of Europe, too, Robin says.
Where is the money coming from, for this, Nora asks, and Robin says aha, we have a plan, remember, and she raises her eyebrows as she drinks more hot chocolate but it’s loving, that look, and not derisive, and the fizzing in Bren intensifies. It feels so intense, it’s a wonder they can’t hear it, so he speaks purely to override it, says Latin America, maybe. Somewhere like Cuba or Peru.
Peru? Robin says, as if it’s the first time he’s heard of the place. Biscotti half eaten in his hand.Peru. I like it! Like two Paddington Bears, he says, nudging Nora’s rib with his elbow; she laughs, shaking her head because it’s dumb, or because she actually finds him funny; Bren can’t quite tell.
The more Robin talks, the less Bren feels undermined by his age and height and career. He’s a creative with nice teeth and bold – bizarre – fashion sense, whose cultural references thus far have extended to Prince’s wardrobe, a string of Pixar movies, and now, an illustrated bear from a kids’ book. Clearly, he’s not as sophisticated as Bren first thought, but then, in a flicker he decides to ignore, thatdoesmean he makes more sense for Nora. A guy with warmth, and soft edges. An ability, it seems, to read the room, lighten the tone. In any other scenario, Bren would really like him.
Why, he thinks, does he not like him.
So what is the plan, then, he asks, and Nora and Robin break eye contact, both look at him across the coffee table.
For the wedding, I presume, he says. You said you have a plan?
Nora’s feet are pressed against Robin’s thighs; Robin puts his hand on her foot. Bren tries not to notice these things.
Well, Nora says, and Bren raises an eyebrow. Waiting for her to say oh, you know, these things take time. We haven’t set a date or even thought about it, because this is what his mother had implied, in passing, and he wants to meet Nora’s eyes as she admits this; wants to lift his chin in a small, wordless acknowledgement.
Are you sure this is what you want, that lift will say.
I am not, her eyes would say back.
But instead she looks at Robin who smile-shrugs, then back at Bren as she says actually, we’re moving on things quite fast.
Other eyebrow raised, now.
Fast? he repeats.
Or rather, on an expedient schedule, Robin says.
I’m not following, Bren says, and Robin says they’re going rogue – another smile, then, at Nora, would theystopthat already – I know a place, Robin is saying, he did a photo shoot there once, in the woods, it’sextraordinary, and they offer this cancellation package where you can get married on a fifth of the budget if you’re willing to move last minute. You have to sacrifice some things, obviously, like whether all the guests can make it, but they’d prefer a small day, anyway, so yeah, they’ve put their names down, and are going to see it this month, with the hope that they’ll be married by the summer.
They host this planning day, Robin goes on, as Nora puts down her mug, her long hair shielding her face. Where we decide on all the things we want, and pay up in full, so it’s all good to go. And then we wait.
But Bren still isn’t following. Doesn’t want to.
Wait for what, he asks.
Well, Robin says, and it’s the first time he looks less than delighted; his voice taking on a note of regret. For someone else’s misfortune, really, he says. Whatever might cancel another wedding, last minute.
It’s not always a bad thing, Nora says, and her voice, Bren thinks, has changed too; sounds almost wooden. The couple get pregnant, or something, so decide to postpone.
Or their photographer ends up double booking, Robin says, so they reschedule.
People really care that much about photographers? Bren says.
There is a pause, then; Robin’s turn, to raise his eyebrows; no, Bren says, sorry, I just mean, people would seriously move their whole wedding just for that?
People go a little crazy with weddings, Robin reasons. But we won’t. We want this to be easy, and stress free. Right, Nora?
Right, she says. Still not looking at Bren.
So we’ll get our ducks in a row, pronto, Robin says, and then one day get a call that’ll say we’re getting married in a week or two, or three.
