Page 147 of Forgotten Desires

“Are you going to wear your dress again?”

Of all the dresses I wish I could wear again, it would be this one. For my second wedding dress, I wore a strapless beaded gown that I’m obsessed with. The only reason I have it is thanks to the fact that the designer happens to be a client for Anchor Light.

When I told her we were having a second wedding, she demanded that I let her design my gown as a thank you for handling her social media crisis.

I couldn’t really say no, and I’m so glad I didn’t.

“You’re only supposed to wear your wedding dress once,” I tell her.

“I didn’t get married, though.”

I laugh. “That’s true. So you can wear yours again.”

She grins. “Can I wear it to see Mommy?”

“I don’t see why not.”

“And I get to see her in two days?”

“You sure do,” I say with a smile.

Jacqueline has been doing really well. She’s still sober, working on herself in therapy, and has been extremely consistent with Layla. While the relationship between Crew and Jacqueline may never be overly friendly, he will do anything required for Layla’s sake.

Thankfully, Asher has been incredibly open about co-parenting and modeling what it can look like. Sara and Asher are friends more than anything, and Sara and Phoebe adore each other. It’s the most incredibly functional relationship that should be dysfunctional.

After her first year of being sober, Jacqueline will be able to get one overnight visit unsupervised. After six months, Crew agreed to a dinner once a week, and that’s been the pattern since.

“Are you and Daddy going to get married again?” she asks.

“Probably not. This was so that you could be here and get all dressed up.”

At least that’s what we’re letting her believe.

“Layla! Come on! Let’s go see the horses!” Elodie yells, waving her over.

She looks to me and I laugh once. “Go ahead, we already did pictures.”

Layla doesn’t hesitate, she’s gone before I finish and off to harass Jett, if I know those two girls.

I look in through the big barn doors, taking in the scene and smiling. Everyone we love is here. My family, Crew’s family, and the town of Sugarloaf.

My dad is talking to Phoebe’s dad. The two of them, who I would think would be the most unlikely friends, have become besties. Howie comes to Sugarloaf once a month to spend time with our family. It was a bit awkward at first, but even my brothers have come around. While I don’t push it, trying to bring him to family dinners, they were all nice to each other at Layla’s birthday party.

The lights twinkle and the music changes again, and I see Crew being dragged out to dance by Mrs. Cooke. And I’m not even surprised she got her claws in him. Those ladies love him. Not that it’s hard to find reasons to be completely enamored with him, but Crew can do no wrong in their eyes.

“Hello, Brynlee.”

I turn to see Mrs. Symonds. Seriously, did she just appear here? For an elderly woman, she moves quickly.

“Oh, my. Hi, Mrs. Symonds. So great to see you.”

“I came out here because it’s so loud in there. You should’ve gone with a band, not that DJ, if you can call him that.”

I smile because I’m not going to let anything ruin today. “I’ll remember that for next time.”

“Better not be a next time! You should thank your lucky stars a man like that came around. That Carson is just the most wonderful man we’ve ever known.”

Every single time I come in contact with her or her two troublemaker best friends, they inform me on how lucky I am. As if I didn’t already know that.

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