Page 62 of Any Girl But You
A butterfly lands on the railing, its wings fluttering in the sunlight. I’m trying to take this as the omen I need to confirm that today will be perfect. Ithasto be perfect.
The farm is beautiful, and ready for the ceremony. White lights, linen-covered tables, fresh flowers on every table. The ceremony itself will be small, only a handful of family and friends, but that doesn’t mean I wanted to skimp on any details. The brides deserve nothing but the best.
A click of heels sounds behind me, and I turn around. Will Zoey ever not take my breath away? I see her every day, I live with her, and after Christmas ended, I was in her shop more than my own. And yet, my breath hitches and locks in my throat every time she’s in my path. “Wow, you look beautiful.”
“Thank you.” She smooths down the fabric of her purple strapless gown and does a little spin. “You look stunning. Your sister picked out the best maid of honor dress ever for you.”
“Morganpicked out the best dress ever,” I say with a laugh. “God love Frankie, but pretty sure she didn’t even know I was part of her and Morgan’s wedding party until I planned the bachelorette festivities.”
Obviously, I’m joking. I never, ever see Frankie nervous. It’s not part of her DNA. But when she told me she was going to propose to Morgan, and wanted me there to take pictures, I watched the ring box shake in Frankie’s trembling palms as she got down on one knee. Everyone cried. Frankie, Morgan, me. It was a beautiful moment, and one that, hopefully, someday Zoey and I will have for ourselves.
So yes, Frankie was involved in the wedding planning, but Morgan is a wedding coordinator, and way more of a type A personality than my sister. I think even if Frankie had an opinion on a color scheme or songs, she probably would’ve kept them to herself.
The sun beams down, highlighting the chestnut in Zoey’s hair, and the turquoise in her eyes. She stands next to my shoulders, looks out into the property, and takes the same deep breaths as me. “How’s your sister doing today?”
“Today, she’s good. Yesterday, a little nervous. But now that the day is here, she is cool as a cucumber.” I wrap my pinkie around Zoey’s, and she curls her finger into mine. “Morgan on the other hand…”
Zoey chuckles. “It’s got to be hard for her to give up the control like this. Think she can let go and enjoy the day?”
I nod. I’m sure it is hard for Morgan to let go, but when she asked Zoey to manage the caterers today, and Zoey quickly agreed, I knew Morgan felt at peace. “I do. She left today’s details in very capable hands.”
“Yeah, she did.” Zoey grins. “I’m going to kick booty and take names.”
I laugh. “I love your feisty side.”
Zoey glances at me, a seriousness taking over. “I love all your sides.”
My heart blooms. I go to rest my head on her shoulder and whip it back. Dang hair. I want to kiss her, but the makeup artist also warned me about not ruining my makeup until after the ceremony. I guess I’ll settle for linked pinkies. For now.
“When we do this, I say we elope,” Zoey says. “Just me and you. Somewhere tropical. Messy hair. No makeup. No shoes. We’ll just let the warm sand sift through our toes. What do you think?”
When. She saidwhen. I knew “when.” I’ve thought “when.” Once I decided to open up to love, once I found love, Zoey was instantly a “when.” Never an “if.” But I’ve never heard her say it. Not like this, not so sincere, so matter-of-fact, so casual.
Screw the makeup. I lean in and give her a kiss on the mouth, and let everything about today, this last year, fill me, completeme, make me whole. I pull myself back and smile. “Sounds perfect.”
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