I chuckled as I hugged Leah. “I remember you.”
“And a good thing you do. If you ever need a makeup artist for your brides, send them my way!”
“I'll be sure to remember that!”
“Ah, Leah—look at that statue there,” Riley remarked.
He took her hand and dragged her to the center of the room where an angel statue sat in the middle a fountain.
I smiled after them. “Wow, how longhavewe known each other?”
“A long while, my dear,” Marilyn replied. “And I should add that you've become quite a gorgeous and success woman.”
“Thanks, Marilyn.”
“So, what's all this here on the table?”
I perked up. “Well, I made you a book that people could sign when they come for your party as well as some trinkets they can take home with them.”
“They're adorable,” she sighed as she raised up one of the miniature martini glasses with a bright umbrella hanging out of it. “It's almost like I'm going on vacation.”
“More like astay-cation.”
She giggled, patting my shoulder. “What else have you got for me?”
“There's a banner that I'm going to hang up there in the center and I think we'll do a few shades of gray with lavender to spruce up the tables.”
“I love those colors. How did you know?”
I laughed. “I should know by now. You practically helped raise me.”
“Ah, those were the days. I think I had just started working as a paralegal.”
“That's what my mom told me.”
She hummed thoughtfully. “You know, I saw a familiar face sweep into town recently.”
“Oh?” I leaned closer. “I love gossip. Serve it up, Marilyn.”
“It might not be so delightful once I tell you.”
“I'm always down for a juicy scoop. Come on!”
She eyed me carefully. “I saw that your ex-boyfriend was back in town. How about that?”
“Howaboutthat? I'm just as shocked as you.”
“We always thought he would just live in Europe since he was there all the time.”
I nodded. “That's what I figured, too. He has always been more dedicated to his career than the people in his life.”
“That sounded a bit salty.”
“Then, call me the ocean because I'm full of salt.”
She cackled. “I can't imagine how hard it must be to deal with it.”
“Yeah, it's been rough. He's in Jen's wedding, naturally because he's her brother, but I can't stand the fact that he'll be there.”