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I’d said the words to be teasing, but the anxiety didn’t vanish from Sumner’s eyes. His hand reached out and picked up mine, gripping it almost as if he was holding me back. “Do you remember,” he began in a quiet voice, low enough that I was sure Destelle couldn’t hear, “when I told you there was something I needed to tell you the other day?”
I blinked in surprise. We hadn’t had the chance to have that long conversation he asked for. I’d forgotten all about that. Granted, everything had hit the fan in that time, but I still felt bad for it having slipped my mind. “You said it was a long conversation.”
“It is.” He gripped my hand tighter, almost as if he were afraid to let me go. “But it’s—it’s important.”
Destelle had her own worried expression. “I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you don’treallyhave time to talk now.”
I couldn’t look away from him. “I can make time.”
“No, it’s because?—”
“Margot Massey!”
The three of us turned to find my mother striding from the country club, her blue dress hugging her body. Though her appearance was elegant, there was no hiding the tension around her eyes. “Took you long enough,” my mother said in an affectionate voice through clenched teeth. She grabbed my arm as if she thought I’d make a break for it. “I thought I was going to have to follow through on my promise.”
Destelle gave me a look ofthat’s why, glancing to Sumner, who had dropped his gaze to his feet.
“What are you wearing?” She looked down at my attire with wide eyes. “Did you not change from the funeral?”
She needed to make up her mind—if she wanted me to hurry up or take longer.
“Hi, Mrs. Massey,” Destelle interjected, attempting to sway my mother’s attention.
It didn’t work. “Hi, dear. Let’s go, Margot. The Astors have been waiting on you.” My mother did halt for the man at my side, though, seeming to not have noticed that we’d been holding hands when she came out. Her gaze was fond, and it was a little unsettling. “Thank you for everything, Sumner.”
Her tone, too, was far more affectionate than I’d been expecting from her, especially since she technicallyfired him a few days prior. Destelle picked up on it, frowning a little. Before I had a chance to speculate it further, my mother swept me toward the country club. Destelle’s heels clicked on the cobblestones as she hurried after us.
“They’re serving the dinner now,” my mother said in her stressed tone. “The Astors kept asking where you were, and I kept giving an excuse. Please, for the love of God, don’t mention the funeral, okay? I’d hate to bring down the mood.”
I almost laughed, though I held no humor.
“I didn’t get a chance to ask you.” Now, my mother’s voice was low so that only I would hear. “Did you find out if Nancy put you in her will?”
I wasn’t sure if it was a cruel joke. The buzzing in my head was loud.
“If she did, the first order of business is getting it submitted to probate court,” my mother mused, almost manic as she thought of the next steps. “And see what she gave you, of course. Hopefully she left the land the hotel is on to you. Then from there, work on signing it over to your father and I, and?—”
So, this is what it feels like, I thought to myself distantly, as if I were on the outside of this moment looking in.This is what it feels like to be on the brink of snapping. “I don’t get anything,” I said, cutting her off. “She left it all to charity.”
My mother gasped. “What?”
I didn’t tell her that I didn’t know for a fact, but it’d been what Nancy had told me a few times.I wish I could see the looks on their faces when they findout I left it all to charity.
I’ll look for you.
“Careful,” I said without affection. “You don’t want tobring down the mood.”
We followed the elaborate signs that directed us toward the reception indoors. The ceremony itself had been held out near the golf course, where the views in the background were as stunning as could be. I’d been able to see them setting up this morning from the view of my hotel room, an abundance of white linen and floral. The camera crew had also been there, capturing every inch of the scene that they could.
I’d found myself wishing it would’ve rained, just to see what it would’ve looked like on camera. Just to see everyone’s day fall apart, just as my world had.
It hadn’t rained. I was sure the wedding went on without a hitch, as magical as Yvette had wanted.
As we walked up to the ballroom, the muted chatter of voices filtered out into the hall, and my mother still didn’t slow down. “Destelle, you’ll be sitting with your parents,” my mother said lightly. Her intention was clear:do not follow Margot.
I glanced over my shoulder at my friend, who shot me an apologetic look. “I understand, Mrs. Massey.”
Of course, Destelle and I hadn’t gotten lucky enough to sit at the same table. Destelle gave me agood luckface before heading to her family.