Starfire(112)

She demanded to know where the real ring was.

I blinked up at her.

My attendants flew into action, explaining the whole thing to her, including a dramatic re-enactment, with Mitchell pretending to throw up the ring.

My mother didn’t seem impressed. She turned to me. “You got a tattoo? Peaches, those are permanent.” She shook her head. “Now go get yourself into the shower this minute. You smell like a thrift store sofa.”

Head nodded down, I obediently plodded upstairs and climbed into the tub.

~

We drove up to the site of the wedding in my new car, with Mitchell driving, and Shayla holding my hand in the back seat.

The photographer who was covering the wedding for the exclusive magazine photos sat in the front seat, taking photos.

She’d arrived in town with little fanfare, by helicopter, but without her entourage of assistants. She insisted we all call her by her first name, Ruby, and treat her exactly the way we would a regular wedding photographer.

“This is how I got my start,” she’d said. “Taking photos of beautiful brides like you, on their special day. Of course that was fifteen years ago, and all the technology has only made it easier.”

Ruby kept clicking photos, swapping out digital memory cards as needed. Eventually, I did get used to her being there, but not so comfortable that I let down my guard and showed my true emotions. There’s nothing sadder than a sad bride, and sad brides don’t sell magazines.

We arrived at the cabin, and my mouth opened in shock.

The wedding would be here, after all.

There were still a few signs of construction in progress, but the location had been transformed by the tents and decorations. The trees surrounding the area were strung with so many lanterns, streamers, and bundles of flowers, it looked like something from a fantasy movie about elves.

My wedding helpers had hired a local florist, Gabriella’s, to do the flowers. Looking at their arrangements, I finally understood why that florist has such an amazing reputation in town.

The ceremony itself would happen down at the edge of the water, where guest chairs decorated with pale pink flowers sat waiting for the arrival of the guests in their buses.

My parents pulled in behind us and parked at the edge of the property, next to my car. Kyle came flying out of the back seat and raced straight for the biggest tent and the ice sculpture.

Shayla and Mitchell worked in tandem like a team, and got me into the cabin, where I would be hidden away until the band played my marching music—assuming the groom showed up.

Time passed.

My uncle, the mayor, called to brag about how well the diversion was going, across town. At least that part of the plan was working.

I checked and re-checked the clasp of the broach Dalton’s father had given me.

I stared at the watch on my wrist and watched helplessly as the hands spun around, time slipping away.

Why wasn’t Dalton there yet? Why hadn’t someone called?

I checked my phone for the millionth time. I had a bunch of messages from people I hadn’t talked to in years, congratulating me.

There was also a text message from someone else, from my recent past.

Keith Raven: Hey, I wanted to wish you luck and send you blessings on your special day!

Me: Thanks. I thought you hated Dalton?

To my surprise, I got a response back immediately.

Keith: Life’s too beautiful to hate people. You know me. Besides, I knew you two would end up together.

Me: Yeah, right. He’s late for the wedding. We’re not married yet.

Keith: He’ll be there.

Me: How would you know?

Keith: That day I first met him, at his house, he told me so.

Me: What did he tell you, exactly?

Keith: He said to take special care of his future wife.

Me: We’ll see about that, if he ever shows up. I’m about ready to rip off this dress and run out of here.

Keith: No, you won’t run away this time.

I said goodbye and wished him the best in Italy.

Then I went back to feeling anxious again.

The buses full of wedding guests arrived at the cabin site, their big engines groaning to announce their arrival, even though I couldn’t see anything from the near-empty room at the back of the cabin. I sat in my chair, staring straight ahead with a pretty smile as I got my makeup touched up. Ruby took more photos, and I practiced smiling.

Mitchell darted in and out, getting more and more agitated as the scheduled time for the ceremony came and went.

I started mentally preparing the speech I would give, thanking everyone for coming, and joking about how Dalton was already married to his TV show, but we’d try again next weekend… or something like that.

My father kept pacing and pacing, until I begged my mother to take him somewhere else. I tried to get everyone out of the room, but Shayla wouldn’t budge from my side.