Page 4 of The Stranger in the Mirror

“Right.”

“Well,” Blythe said. “I can understand your wanting to be together as soon as you can, and I think small weddings are lovely. But maybe Addison and I could talk a little more about it before you make a final decision? Would that be agreeable to you?” she’d asked, looking directly at me.

And so here I am tonight with the folders, a little apprehensive as I walk from my car to the house but hoping that we can agree on a small, low-key affair. She’s waiting in the open doorway as I reach the covered porch, wearing a pair of flowing white pants with a turquoise tunic. Her only jewelry is a pair of gold hoop earrings. She looks both elegant and casual, and I marvel at the ease and grace of her manner. “Addison,” she says, smiling brightly as she pulls me into a hug, and I breathe in the scent of her perfume. “Come in, darling,” she says, letting me go. As she closes the door, one of the folders falls from my hands.

“Sorry,” I say, and bend down to retrieve it.

“Oh, great, Addison. You’ve brought the pictures. Thank you for bringing over some ideas.”

“Of course, I was glad to.”

“Grace has put out a lovely tray of shortbread cookies and chamomile tea in the sunroom for us,” she says, leading the way.

Maybe I’ve been in a home this grand in the life I don’t remember, but I’m still awestruck whenever I come to Gabriel’s family home, a gracious stone building complete with a separate carriage house. One day, when we’d been seeing each other a few months, Gabriel took me on a tour of the house while his parents were away for the weekend, and my jaw dropped to see the rooms, each more beautiful than the last. The vast living room has threeseparate seating sections, a grand piano, and a wall of elegant French doors that lead to a terrace overlooking the swimming pool. The library is a reader’s heaven, a quiet retreat with dark-green walls, floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, and oversize leather sofas and chairs. My favorite room, though, is the sunroom, a bright glass-walled space with a domed ceiling, filled with plants and flowers that make you feel like you’re outdoors. It’s a happy room, one I could stay in forever.

After she leads me in there, Blythe takes a seat at the glass table by the window and indicates the chair opposite for me. I sit and put the folders on the table, where I see she has already placed a binder, filled with printed lists and brochures.

“Now,” she says, and smiles at me again. “Let’s talk about what you have in mind.”

I look at her remarkably unlined face, so pretty. “I was thinking,” I begin, and then back up. “That is, Gabriel and I were thinking that we’d like something small, nothing too fancy. We even thought it might be fun to have a brief ceremony at the gallery and then dinner afterward at a restaurant, or even here at the house. Just the family and a few friends?”

I try to read her expression, but her face gives nothing away.

“I see,” she says.

I hurry on. “We were hoping to have the ceremony sometime in November. It really shouldn’t take too long to organize.”

Blythe takes her time pouring two cups of tea and then hands one to me on a saucer. She offers me a cookie from a white plate, which I happily accept, but I notice she doesn’t take one for herself. She takes a sip of tea, holds the cup for a moment, and then sets it down. Reaching across the table, she takes my hand in hers. “I understand that you’d like to keep things simple, and I hope you won’t think me terribly old-fashioned, but may I ask you to hear me out?”

“Of course.”

She takes her hand away and takes another sip of tea. “First of all, I want you to know that I see how happy Gabriel is with you, and I’m glad for that. Finding love is something to be celebrated, and I suppose I feel strongly that I want to share my son’s happiness and this big step he’s taking with all my family and friends. I want them all to meet you, Addison, and to be part of your and Gabriel’s big day. Can you understand that?”

“Yes, I guess I can,” I say, and already I feel myself losing ground.

“This is a milestone in both of your lives, and not something to be rushed through. We are fortunate enough to have the means to give you a lovely wedding with all the trimmings. You and Hailey and I will have so much fun shopping for a wedding dress. If you’d like, we can hold the ceremony and reception at the club. Or if there are other venues you’d like to explore, we can do that. Whatever you’d like, we’ll do.” She picks up the binder from the table and hands it to me. “Here, I put this together for you. It’s information on venues, florists, photographers, and so on. You and Gabriel can look over everything at home. I’ll make an appointment with Philippa Morgan to look at wedding dresses. We could even go to New York if you’d like.”

She’s making me dizzy with all the plans. It sounds daunting—the dress and fittings, menus, guest lists, and standing in front of tons of people as we say our vows. I slide the brochures into one of my folders. “I’ll talk to Gabriel and see what he says.”

A look of determination settles on her face. “Gabriel will do whatever you tell him you’d like.”

So it’s my call, I think. If I go against her, I’ll start off married life with a strike against me. “You’re right, Blythe. We’ll look it all over and choose the venue. Then we can go from there.” I pause,thinking. “It’s almost the middle of September. Do you think we’ll still be able to get it all together by November?”

“Oh no, darling. Events of this magnitude take long and careful planning.” She inclines her head toward me. “But by this time next year, you will be dancing your first dance as husband and wife.”

The first thing I do when I get in the car is call Hailey, who luckily picks up right away. “Hey, it’s me. I’m just leaving your mom’s.”

“How did it go?” she asks.

“Not like I hoped. I went in thinking she’d go along with a small wedding, and I left agreeing to the event of the season.”

I hear Hailey chuckle. “I could have told you that would happen. I adore my mom, but when she sets her mind on something, there’s no use trying to change it.” Then her tone becomes serious. “I know you don’t want to be the center of attention for hordes of their friends, but listen—you and Gabriel will probably be so wrapped up in each other on your wedding day that you won’t even notice anyone else.”

“I don’t know. Maybe,” I say. “But having this huge thing means we’ll have to wait a whole year.”

“Hmm. I hadn’t thought about that part. But I’m sure the time will fly by. And I’m telling you, it will be a beautiful day, and you’ll have a great time. And whatever you need help with, I’m here. You know that.”

“I know. Thanks, Hailey. I’m sure you’re right,” I say, although I’m still not completely convinced. “I’ll call you tomorrow. Good night.”

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