Page 41 of The Spring in My Heart

Winter and I share a look we’ve been perfecting since the engagement party disaster when my mother stomped in like Dumbo’s mama into a fine china shop.

On that night, Winter, Adri, and I decided that whenever any stressful situation came up around the wedding, we would run to put out the fire by dividing and conquering whatever we had to. So, I grab the champagne bottle and pour Lauren another tall glass.

Winter touches her arm. “I spoke to Ollie. He is bringing them. I made sure he put them in his car while we were on the phone. He’s on his way here to help Cam and Chase with the boys. You don’t need to worry about anything.”

Lauren nods, and Winter goes back to lay out her daughter’s clothes.

I tag in with the glass of champagne.

“The wedding is going to be perfect. You’re going to be the most beautiful bride. And then you’ll be saddled with Chase for life. That’s my gift to you. You’re welcome.”

The laughter bubbles out of her like the ones rising to the top of the champagne glass. “Yes, I’ll be stuck to Chase forever. And thank you.” The look in her eyes is so deep, the emotion so naked, it can only be love. She loves him so much.

My eyes fill so quick I can’t fan myself fast enough.

She loves him.

And that makes me happy. He’s waited for her love his whole life. And it’s the same intense love he feels. I can see it in her eyes, in the way she says his name, in the way her voice drops after the word forever. I love the crazy way they love each other. It’s not perfect, and it’s been messy, painful, and dramatic, but it’s so real and authentic.

“Lux, you’re going to make me cry.”

“No crying.” The makeup artist doesn’t even pause applying mascara on Ayla. “We don’t have time to start over with both of you.”

Bron is looking at us, smiling. “They always cry when we have girls’ days.”

“That’s not true,” I say, pressing the tip of my finger into the corners of my eyes to stop the tears.

“You do. You’re always remembering stuff,” Ayla chimes in, and I can’t help but stare at her.

“Gosh, you look gorgeous. You both do.”

I wave my hands for her to stand next to Bron. They look fifteen instead of barely thirteen, so I am pretty sure their parents will hate it. They’re confident and not all mopey like when I was their age.

I start snapping photos, capturing how cute they look. I even step in, and we do selfies.

“You have to teach us how to smile like that,” Ayla says.

“Like what?”

“Pretty and with your eyes,” Bron adds.

“Ohh. It’s going to be easy for the two of you because you’re both already gorgeous.” I step away and stand across from them again. “What you do is look at the camera, relax your eyes, and then think of something that makes you smile. I always pretend I know a secret that no one else knows about, and everyone wants to find out what it is. And it’s like I’m not telling.”

The girls’ eyes widen.

“Let’s try it. Bron, you can go first.” My niece is less shy, and it will give Ayla more time to get used to the idea.

Bron’s smile and look are perfect. It’s so teen catalog. That face and smile would make you want to buy whatever she’s selling.

“Perfect,” I say.

She and Ayla high-five and switch places.

Ayla’s shoulders shrink, her smile wavering. Her eyes are darting all over the room where everyone is looking at her.

“Look only at me, and remember, you have a secret, and I’m dying to know, but you’re not going to tell me. So I look back then whirl around like this, and show me that face.” I show her how to do it and wait.

She turns away from me, and it takes her a second, but when her body twists around and she looks straight at my phone, I freeze.

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