Page 125 of The Marriage Narrative
Mabel went on. “You’ll never hear me say this again, so enjoy it while you can: I’m sorry I missed the signs. I should’ve known something was up and put a stop to it. Also, if you could ask your obscenely attractive friend to calm down, that’d be great. She actuallythreatenedme. I’ve never been so scared and turned on in my life. I didn’t need to know that about myself.”
“It has to be somebody’s fault. Grace landed on you becausethere’s no one else. Sorry.” Zinnia gave her a hug. “I’m glad we met. May our paths never cross professionally ever again.”
“Oh, they will. Who do you think is mentoring Nora?”
“We haven’t said yes,” Zinnia reminded her. “Negotiations are only that.”
While they had turned down Charles and Magda’s offer, several more had poured in over the last few months. They were considering signing on to a limited travel series, filmed two weeks at a time quarterly. Sharing their vacations as opposed to their daily life had appeal. Not to mention, their businesseswouldbenefit from continued participation in the Zaffre brand.
For better or for worse, they were public figures now. Their goal was to embrace it as carefully and safely as possible. They’d find the best path for them eventually.
“Baby girl! Come on!” Her dad called her over to join their photo.
During the reception, Fiona and Wylie gave speeches and then the Zaffres began disappearing one by one as planned. Jordan’s parents went first, saying goodbye with hugs and well wishes.
“There’s nothing like taking a red-eye to China,” Damon said.
“Thank you for coming. And thank you for paying,” Zinnia joked. “We literally couldn’t have done this without you.”
He laughed. “I’d ask you to take good care of him, but I know you already do. I’m proud to have you as a daughter-in-law.”
“Excuse you, that’smyline, dear.” Amber smiled, looping her arm through his.
Being on good terms with Amber was honestly still a little strange, but Zinnia was getting used to it.
Exactly sixty-seven minutes later, Wylie made a quiet exit. And forty-three minutes after that, Lulie followed with a loud on-camera announcement: she and Eric were going to Las Vegas.
“Wink, wink. Nudge, nudge,” she said while hugging Jordan.
He smiled at her, doting as ever. “No.”
“Alfie—”
“No.”
“But you—”
“No.”
“You can’t tell—”
“No.”
Eric sidled up next to her. In his fitted suit with a red bow tie, he could’ve easily passed for one of Zinnia’s younger cousins. He was surprisingly shorter than Lulie by a generous amount but radiated confidence. Whereas she was moody and boisterous, he had a mellow presence. His clear brown eyes behind gold-rimmed glasses were careful and smart. “Babe, I think he means it. Maybe next year.”
Zinnia cut Jordan off before he could say anything else. “Thank you for coming. You two have a good night and make good choices, okay?”
“We’ll try.” Eric grinned.
Zinnia’s family were among the last guests to leave. They said goodbye just before midnight.
“I love you,” Fiona said to Zinnia and turned to Jordan. “I’m fond of you.”
“I appreciate that,” he said with a laugh.
“Text us when you land. Send as many pictures as you want,” Grace said.
Somehow, theystillweren’t together. It would happen, someday, when they were ready. Whatever kept them apart would fade and then they’d have their own love story to tell.
