“Aboutwhat?”
“The whole thing. Themarriagething. What Nate and I have is so great… maybe it’s stupid, but I’m scared this will change things somehow. Isn’t there a saying —if it ain’t broke, don’tfixit?”
“I think that expression is more for household appliances,” I assure her. “Leaky faucets andthelike.”
“Really?” she soundsdoubtful.
“Sure,” I fib. “And, regardless, there’s simply no way a gold ring and a sappy vow will make Nate love you any less. That’s crazy talk. If anything, this is going to bring you guys closer.” I scrunch up my nose. “Which is disturbing, considering how obsessed you two already are with each other. Any closer, I worry I’ll have to pry you apart with acrowbar.”
Shesnorts.
“Phee, do you remember when we were little, and we made our Phee-Lilah bestfriendpact?”
“Of course.” She scoffs. “That needle hurt like abitch.”
“Be that as it may… that day, we had a ceremony of our own. We promised to stay close from our days playing with dolls to the days we’re racing wheelchairs down the halls of our nursing home.” My eyes prick with unshed tears — I’m guessing the first of many, over the course of the next few days. “That vow worked out pretty well,I’dsay.”
“We’re only twenty-five. Still have plenty of years left to get sick of eachother.”
“Sorry. You’re stuck with me, Phee. And so is Nate.” I blink up at the ceiling so I don’t start crying. “You and he have known each other just as long as you and me. Maybe longer. So, there’s not a single doubt in my mind that you two will make this work. Because, long before he was anything else — crush, unrequited love, boyfriend, soul mate, fiancé, and as of tomorrow,husband— he was your best friend. And best friend love lasts a lifetime. Iguaranteeit.”
She blows her nose and I can tell she’s crying, but the panicked edge is gone from her voice. “Now I’m even blotchier and have a swollen nose to boot, you cow. Thanksalot.”
I smile. “Anytime.”
“See you in twohours?”
“I’ll be there withbellson.”
She pauses. “Notliterallythough, right, because bells would really throw off the whole bridal partyensemble—”
“Phoebe. It’s anexpression.”
“Right. I knew that.” She sighs. “In case I don’t have a chance to tell you this in all the craziness of the next two days… I love you, Lila. You’ve been an amazing bridesmaid. I hope one day I can return thefavor.”
I open my mouth with a snappy retort ready on my lips —HA! Fat chance of that, since I’m never getting married!— but something makes me bite my tongue. Swallowing hard, I close my eyes and when I speak, my voice is so soft I’m not even sure she can hear me acrosstheline.
“Yeah. I hopesotoo.”
ChapterEleven
If I wanted to spend my weekend watching people suck at sports, I’d have kidsalready.
Delilah Sinclair, sassing a Yankees fan during the seventh inningstretch.
Iknew,as soon as I heard about Phoebe’s engagement, that it wouldn’t be your standard church wedding. Nothing about Phoebe Evangeline West haseverbeen standard, from her fashion sense to the size of her heart — why should her wedding be anydifferent?
Which is why, at three o’clock in the afternoon, I find myself standing by the penguin exhibit inside the New England Aquarium, brushing red dog hair from the shimmery black, open-backed sheath dress I picked out for this occasion, wondering whether there’s some kind of insurance policy for guests who get a bit too intoxicated during receptions and fall into the tank with the Great Whitesharks.
Until death doyoupart.
Chomp!
Before Shelby picked me up, I left Fenway under the affectionate care of Joyce, Ted, and the twins — they were so excited by the prospect of dog sitting, I think I may have a fight on my hands, getting custody back later tonight. (Then again, since he’s not yet housebroken, their affections may wane as the eveningprogresses.)
“Is this thing starting anytime soon?” Shelby sips her glass of champagne. “Or do we have time to walk around and see theexhibits?”
“Gemma and Phoebe are upstairs, talking to the venue coordinator. I don’t think the boys are here yet, but we should probably make our way up there.” I glance around the main exhibit room. There’s not a soul to be seen, excepting a few delivery men carrying beautiful floral arrangements out onto the harborside deck — clearly, the florist posed little challenge for Nate. “I’ve never seen this place soempty.”