The reality of the situation didn’t fully sink in until we got to O’Hare to catch our flight from Chicago to Ford’s family’s summer house on Martha’s Vineyard, where we’d be holding the big event. I was nervous about basically everything as we waited to board the plane. It was making me worry about nothing, like the guy I kept catching with his eyes on me across the lounge. If he actuallywasstaring at me, it was probably because I was hyperventilating.
My anxiety persisted throughout the entire flight, to the point where I could have sworn I saw that same suspicious guy from the airport standing at the end of the lane when Ford and I turned into the long driveway that wound through the landscaped grounds to his parents’ house.
But no. Of course it wasn’t the same guy. It couldn’t be. I was just freaking out over everything because I WAS GETTING MARRIED.
Ford had been busy but supportive over the last month—in fact, he’d been the one to suggest that we fly to the summer house early to have a chance to ease into the events of the weekend. I’d immediately agreed, worried not just about my own cold feet, but his as well. We cared for each other, yes, but were we really going to go through with this?
Then again, did we even have a choice, at this point?
“Here we are,” Ford said as he parked the car.
I lowered my sunglasses and looked out the window, taking it all in, my eyes going wide.
My family was wealthy. I’d grown up in a beautiful, lavishly expensive home, I’d gone to the best schools, traveled on private planes, and my closet was full of high-end designer clothes.
But Ford’s family wasdrippingwith money.
Their summer house wasn’t some beachy cottage, but a sprawling estate. It sat right on the beach, and I could see the water sparkling behind it in the late afternoon light. The house itself was U-shaped, with east and west wings, so huge that I could have sworn I was looking at six or seven houses instead of one. The exterior was all clean white shingles, festooned with well cared for ivy that crawled artfully along the walls. I didn’t think I’d ever seen a larger home. There had to be at least twenty bedrooms inside, and the sides of the property had two separate swimming pools with matching guest houses that looked to have at least two bedrooms each.
This was luxury I’d never seen before. I was completely overwhelmed.
“Ford, darling!” Ford’s mother came out of the house, her arms wide open as she greeted him with a kiss on the cheek. She was dressed all in white linen, a perfect match for her perfect house, not a speck of dirt on either of them. I pasted a smile on my face and nodded.
She gave me a glancing look in return. It was far better than the outright ignoring I’d gotten during the first month or so of our engagement, but I had no desire to spend any more time with my in-laws than strictly necessary. Mr. Malone wasn’t terrible, honestly, but he tended to disappear into the background whenever possible. Not that I could blame him.
“I’m so sorry, but I need to go check in with Brooklyn,” I said, waving my cell phone and excusing myself.
“I’m sure Munch is fine,” Ford said gently. “He loves it over there.” He knew me too well.
“I know, but I’ll feel better if I call,” I said.
I’d been calling Brooklyn almost every hour to check in on my dog and make sure he was getting along with her greyhound, Mr. Kibbles. He and Munchkin had been friends at first sight, enjoying countless happy playdates together since Brooklyn and Luka had adopted Kibby from a local shelter last year, but I still couldn’t stop fretting.
“Munchkin’s great,” Brooklyn said when she answered. “I just gave him his Kong with the organic peanut butter in it. He’s having a blast.”
“I’m sorry I keep bothering you,” I said.
I had hiked up to the top of a grassy hill just above the beach. The sun was going down over the water, the clouds turning rosy and gold. It was a beautiful scene—everything about this place was beautiful—but staring at it did nothing to calm my nerves.
“It’s okay,” Brooklyn said. “I don’t mind hearing from you, I just don’t want you to worry. Munchkin’s having the time of his life. You know he’s always a good boy over here.”
“I knew,” I said, chewing on my bottom lip. “Thank you.”
“We’ll be there soon,” Brooklyn promised. “Just hang in there. I’m sure it feels like the world is spinning out of control right now, but everything’s going to be fine. Love you.”
My brothers and sisters-in-law would be arriving the morning of the wedding. I was supposed to be using this time to get to know the rest of the Malone family. Something I was not especially looking forward to, though I hated to be a brat about it.
“Love you too,” I said to Brooklyn, missing her and Tori and my brothers. “Bye.”
That’s really what it was, I realized. I was calling to check in with my family more than I was concerned about my dog enjoying his little vacation. After all, my in-laws hadn’t exactly welcomed me with open arms. It was only natural for me to be anxious.
Shoving my phone back in my pocket, I stood there looking out at the water for a while, my arms wrapped around me as the wind picked up.
“There you are,” Ford said, coming up behind me. “Aren’t you cold?”
He took off his jacket and draped it over my shoulders.
“Thanks,” I said, pulling it close.
