Page 86 of Love You, Mean It
I was the one who was hesitant.
Who knew what would happen after I moved back to my place. I wouldn’t be living in their backyard. What if we realized it had just been a convenience thing?
I would never risk turning Harper’s world upside down, when she had a good thing going with just her and her dad.
I wouldn’t be the person who let her down.
Speaking of letdowns, I clicked on the link, and there they were.
All three of them.
My father. Missy. Velveteen.
“Violet, it’s so nice to see you,” my father said. “You’re looking well.”
“Thanks. Nice to see you.” I fiddled with my paperwork because Missy’s eyes were assessing me as they always did.
“The wedding is literally right around the corner. Are you sure you have everything handled?” she asked.
So much for a friendly greeting.
“This is what I do for a living, Missy. I assure you, we’ve got everything covered. I’m just waiting on you, Velveteen, to choose between the two floral arrangements I sent you.”
“And this is where I tap out. I just wanted to say hello,” my father said as he waved at the camera. He always appeared slightly nervous around me. Maybe it was guilt or shame, who knows.
Missy waved him off and I said a quick goodbye as he left the screen.
“I like them both—could we combine the arrangements?” my sister said.
“I don’t think that would look good,” Missy blurted out, arching a brow at the screen as if she was waiting for me to back her up.
“I like them both a lot, too, and they actually complement one another.” I paused, taking a breath because it pained me to say my next words. “But I agree with Missy that combining them would be tough, because it might be too much color in one arrangement. But what about using both, and placing them at every other table? I think it would be really beautiful.”
“Oh, I like that idea.” Velveteen looked to her mother.
“I think it’s tacky. They should be uniform. This isn’t a barn wedding,” Missy hissed.
Do barn weddings have multiple floral arrangements?
“Actually, it’s very trendy. The two arrangements coordinate well. The last couple to use this style was Harry Simon and Bailey Clark.” I had to contain my smile, because I knew this would stick it to Missy and have Velveteen salivating. They were a Hollywood power couple who’d put our town on the map. They were also the reason my sister wanted to be married here. “Their wedding was featured inPeoplemagazine, so I don’t think anyone would call their reception tacky.”
“We’re doing it. I want all the bells and whistles,” my sister said.
“Fine. And you’ve made sure everything is set for the accommodations, right?” my stepmother asked.
“Mom. She’s already told us that she’s checked on all of that. The wedding party is booked at the hotel, and so are we.”
It was a rare moment where my sister was standing up for me, so I’d take it.
“I’m just double-checking. Remember that time we all met in New York for New Year’s, and Violet hadn’t booked her hotel room?” My stepmother gave me a pointed look.
“Ahh ... yes. I recall that trip well.” I cleared my throat. “I was in college, and I thought you were booking my room, Missy. As you’d booked all of my siblings’ rooms, I’d assumed I would be sharing a room with them.”
It brought me back to a place that I didn’t like.
That feeling of being rejected.
Of not fitting in.
