Page 35 of Now That It's You
“Thank you.” She swallowed, and he noticed her eyes had gone glittery. “I figured I’d already missed the funeral. It’s been almost two weeks, so I just assumed it already happened.”
Kyle shook his head. “My mom wanted to wait. Give more family members a chance to fly in. It’s more of a memorial service than a funeral.”
“Oh.” She nodded and plucked at a loose thread on one of the throw pillows. “When is it?”
“Saturday afternoon. It’s at the Presbyterian church in Tigard at two p.m. We’ll have a short service and then walk across the street to Salvador’s Brewhouse where we’ve reserved this huge reception area—” he stopped himself, shaking his head. “God, I’m describing it like it’s a social event.”
“That’s how he would have wanted it.” Meg offered a small smile, and Kyle realized it was true.
“You’re right. Matt would have wanted it to be the event of the season.”
“Thank you for inviting me.”
“Will you come?”
“Do you think I should?”
“Yes. So do you think you will?
She seemed to hesitate, then nodded. Her eyes locked with his and then she said the two words Kyle had spent her whole engagement guiltily hoping she wouldn’t utter.
“I do.”
Chapter 7
Kendall squeezed Meg’s hand so hard she thought she heard the bones crack. The pain was oddly comforting, and Meg squeezed back as the final notes of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” echoed through the church.
Meg looked around, wondering if the song was from the CD Matt bought when they vacationed in Hawaii seven years ago. She remembered him buying a ukulele in a gift shop and pretending to serenade her on the balcony of their hotel. He’d hammed it up wearing boxer shorts and a lei made of plastic flowers, making Meg laugh until she snorted mai tai out her nose.
“It’s almost over, hon,” Kendall whispered, handing Meg another tissue. “You’ve got this.”
Meg nodded and wiped her nose, her gaze drifting to the front row of seats. Kyle sat holding his mother’s hand, his head bowed low. She couldn’t see his face, and she wondered if he’d mustered up the tears he’d been so worried about.
Next to Kyle sat his father. Robert’s shoulders were rigid and his navy suit jacket looked like the same one she remembered him wearing at his fortieth anniversary party with Sylvia. A fresh wave of memories hit her, and Meg tore her gaze off the family.
“Thank you for coming with me,” she whispered to Kendall.
“No problem,” Kendall whispered back as their fellow mourners began to rise. “You came with me for my first Brazilian wax. It’s a similar level of discomfort, with the bonus of not getting stuck to the seat afterward.”
“Ew,” Meg whispered back, trying not to smile. The last thing she needed was to be caught grinning like an idiot at her ex’s funeral.
The other mourners shuffled toward the door, so Meg stood up. Her legs trembled like she’d just done a barre class, and she stuffed her crumpled tissue in her purse. Kyle and his family were making their way up the aisle, shaking hands and thanking people for attending. Meg watched, heart frozen in her chest, as Kyle drew closer.
“Meg,” he said softly, his hand enveloping hers as his gaze settled on her face. His eyes were clear and bright, but not tear-filled. “Thank you for coming.”
“Thank you for inviting me,” she murmured as he released her hand. She turned to Sylvia, who gave her a stiff nod of acknowledgement.
“I’m so very sorry for your loss,” Meg whispered.
Sylvia nodded again and grabbed Robert’s arm. “Thank you.”
They moved past her, Sylvia’s platinum-blond hair glowing orange and blue in the sunlight streaming through the stained-glass window. A pretty brunette with shoulder-length curls hustled forward and fell into step beside Sylvia, touching her arm, and Meg tried to remember if she was a cousin or one of Matt’s college friends. Maybe she was someone Matt dated after her, the woman whose voice Meg had heard at the hospital that day.
More people shuffled past, their faces blending into a blurry sea. Kendall grabbed Meg’s elbow. “You still up for the reception?”
Meg nodded. “Yes. At least it’s in a bar. Matt would have liked that.”
“Somewhere out there he’s already lifting a pint.”
