Page 89 of Off the Wall

Violet offers Hayden a patient smile. “That’s the way mirrors work, dear.”

“You’d think that, yes,” Hayden slurs. “Except Cash isn’t actually there with Nori when she sees him in the reflection.”

“It’s not what you—” I try to interject, but Hayden presses on, directing her speech at Violet.

“Sometimes they’re holding hands in the mirror.Sometimes she thinks she can feel him. I told her it’s got to be the building working its magic. But Nori claims it’s because of stress.” Hayden puts her finger to her lips. “She doesn’t believe in the magic. So, don’t tell anyone else. Shhhhh.”

“There’s nothing to believe,” I say, with a big shrug to emphasize the nothingness of the mirror incidents. “Cash and I are just friends.”

“Ha! Sure you are.” Hayden snorts. “Friends who kisssssssss!” Her eyes go wide and she glances around the tent, surveying her guests. “Hey. Where is Cash anyway? I haven’t seen him since he came to say goodbye to Jasper and …” She pauses to give her forehead a light smack. “Oh, wait. I remember now. His sister’s having a baby.” She pauses for a hiccup. “At Worcester Medical Center. Like, right now.”

“Sister-in-law,” I correct, even though that’s so not the point. The point is, my best friend can’t handle her champagne.

“Iwant to have a baby,” Hayden giggles. “A honeymoon baby!”

“What you need is some more water,” I suggest gently. “I’m going to find a server to refill our glasses.”

“Good idea,” Violet says, offering me a knowing look. “Larry and I should probably go to our table, too. We don’t want them to clear our salads before we’ve had a chance to eat.”

“I’ll miss youuuuu, Violet,” Hayden slurs. “Maybeyou’llhave a honeymoon baby in Montana!”

“Oh!” Larry trips, and almost takes out an entire tent pole.

Over the next half hour, I manage to get some food and water into Hayden, who thankfully recovers pretty quickly from her lightweight wooziness.

After dinner, the entire wedding party hits the dance floor to keep the celebration going. While Keeley and I lead the Cupid Shuffle, I can’t help wishing Cash were still here so I could teach him the moves. Eventually, Hayden and Jasper invite everyone to the dessert table for the cutting of the cake. While the photographer sets up the shot, I take a quick break to check my phone.

Yvette

I got the shop all tucked in for the night. Just have fun and take the whole day off tomorrow to recover.

Me

Best assistant manager ever!

Yvette

Clearly!

Me

My first order of business as the new owner will be to promote you.

Yvette

Counting on it, boss.

Across the tent, the crowd cheers as Hayden hand-feeds cake to Jasper, then kisses frosting off his lips. I really should be over there, but I open my voicemail first, just in case I missed any notifications from Cash.

No messages. No missed calls. No texts.

My shoulders sink.

I’m not sure what I expected. He isn’t my boyfriend, after all. And I’ve never even met his brother or his sister-in-law. Although I did see his brother once in the courtyard. That afternoon feels like a lifetime ago, even though it was closer to a month.

Behind me someone clears her throat, and I spin aroundto find Violet standing there. She’s holding two plates of cake. “I took the liberty,” she says. “Assuming you’d want some.”

The edges of my mouth lift. “You know me so well.”

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