“Kate…” Olivia comes further into theroom but then stops, hesitating.
“Kate, I’m sorry. For what I did to youand Coulter. It was wrong. He’s a better man, thanks to you; he’s different ina good way. After everything that’s happened with the blackmail and thethreats, I realized I need to concentrate on my own marriage. I love Prestonand we are going to make things work.”
I sit down on the bed, stunned by whatshe’s said. “Well…thank you for saying that. I’ll admit what you did was wrong,but it thrust Cole and I together. If that hadn’t happened, we might havemissed our chance. I don’t think we would have, but I don’t know for sure.”
Olivia’s lip quirks up in a half smile.“That’s pretty much what Cole said when I apologized to him.” She pulls out asmall diamond tennis bracelet with a beautiful design of princess cut and rounddiamonds. “I thought maybe you’d like to wear this. I wore it when I marriedPreston and my mother wore it at her wedding. It could be your somethingborrowed.”
I know I’m wearing my shock on my face.“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I know we have our differences, andtruthfully, I kind of like it, but today is different.”
“Will you put it on for me?” I ask her,holding out my wrist. She clasps it around my wrist. She gives me a quick hugand then leaves without another word. Wow, just wow.
A few minutes later, I hear Anniedragging Kurt down the hall.
“I don’t want to,” he complains. “Momsaid to stay at least ten feet away so I don’t damage her dress.” The dooropens and Annie pushes Kurt in, slamming the door, trapping him inside. Hestands in front of me, fidgeting in his tuxedo.
“Wow, Kurt, you clean up really well.Hair combed, teeth brushed, fingernails trimmed.”
“Yeah.” He shrugs, tugging on his tie.
“Come here.” I pat the bed, sitting down.
“Mom said—I,”
“I won’t tell if you don’t.” He shufflesover, sitting down next to me.
“I have a present for you.”
His head pops up. “You do?” I hand him alarge gift bag covered with Star Wars characters.
“Holy cow!” He pulls DVDs out of the box.“All the Star Trek series, plus Star Wars.” He pulls the last two DVDs out.“Battle Star Galactica?” He looks up at me.
“I thought we could start a new series.”
“Awesome.” He looks thrilled, but itsuddenly turns to dread, and he hangs his head.
“Hey what’s wrong?” I nudge his arm.
“You’re moving to Las Vegas. How will wewatch it together?”
“Well, I thought about that. I wasthinking summer break is coming up and well, I asked mom and she said yes. Coleand I want you to come and spend a week or two with us. We can watch it then.And in the meantime, if you want to start watching the episodes, we can keep intouch with this.” I pull my last gift for him from behind my back.
“An iPhone. Seriously?” he screams. “Thisis so awesome.” He forgets himself, wrapping his arms around my waist. “Thankyou, Katie. I love you. I’m going to miss you.”
“Oh, Captain.” The tears behind my eyesfinally escape down my cheeks. “I’m going to miss you so much.” I ruffle hishair, kissing the top of his head.
Kurt seems to remember he’s not supposedto touch me and lets go, jumping up. He turns the phone over and over again inhis hands. “I better be number one on your speed dial.” I warn humorously.
My mom peeks her head in the room andthen comes in. Kurt is oblivious, already playing with his phone. “Kurt.” Hishead shoots up, looking a bit scared. “Go comb your hair, son.” He bolts outthe door, not saying anything. “And turn the phone off until after thewedding.”
My mom turns back to me with a smile.“It’s time.”
“All ready.” I wring my hands nervously,my heart skipping a few beats. “Will you help me with my veil?” I sit down atthe vanity and my mom puts my veil on for me and my necklace from Cole.
“You’re a vision. Kate. Thank you forletting me do this and share in your joy.” My mom gently pats my cheeks.
“Hey, are we ready?” Laura pops her headin the door.
