Page 45

Olivia

O livia: Aleks, Sofia, and I are meeting at the Rebren in an hour. Would you like to join us?

I anxiously twist the ends of my hair, trying to focus on the road instead of waiting for a reply from Charlotte. I sent the message almost an hour ago, and as we pull to the front entrance of the hotel, I halt when I spot Charlotte already waiting by the doors. Skar stands beside her. He’s chatting with Aleks and Sofia as Crew rounds the car and opens the door for me.

I step out, and Charlotte’s eyes drift to me with a smile. “I didn’t think you’d make it,” I murmur softly, still surprised.

“Wouldn’t pass this up for the world,” she says, and when Skar dips his head in greeting, I look toward Aleks and Sofia.

“Good morning.”

“We heard about the fire. Are you alright?” Sofia squeezes my hand, concern clear in her eyes.

“I’m doing much better. I lost my planner and almost all of my vendor contracts and signatures. But… Everyone is safe. That’s what matters.”

She smiles, leading us to the ballroom where tea and lunch is being served. “Still! It’s terrifying to go through.”

“I just appreciate you all rescheduling. I’m glad we can talk about the wedding in more detail.”

She directs us to a table already arranged with several settings. We each sit, Charlotte beside me next to Skar and Sofia and Aleks across from us. I smile as a passing waitress fills my mug with a steaming pour of tea, passing over the group.

I try to focus on the conversation. I can feel Charlotte glance at me every once in a while, and I hope that she doesn’t see the weight of everything affecting me.

“Are you hearing me?” A voice asks softly, and when I snap my attention back to reality, I realize four sets of eyes are trained on me. “I asked if you had copies of the vendor contracts. I know you said you lost a lot in the fire.”

My back goes rigid.

Focus , a distant part of me urges, but I lack any ability to concentrate today.

My eyes drift around the Rebren. The hotel air is chilly despite the sun shining through the bay windows. There couldn’t be a more perfect day to finalize Aleks and Sofia’s wedding menu, but I’m too distracted.

The lavender scones, sweet jelly, and clotted cream on my plate have long been forgotten. My tea was cold more than an hour ago.

“I’m so sorry,” I say. When Sofia’s unwavering smile fades into focus, I wince. My eyes drift toward Aleks then Charlotte and Skar. “The contracts. Of course. I luckily kept extra copies.”

I dig my new planner out of my bag, leafing through the pages and pulling out the file labeled Benenati . I’m glad I didn’t have it with me during the fire.

I set the contracts in front of them, nearly toppling my tea cup. “I-“

“It’s okay.” Sofia catches my hand, squeezing gently. Her fingers are a cool, sharp reminder to focus. Her smile even more so. “Would you like more tea?” she urges.

I pour every ounce of strength I have into forming a smile. I push my chair back. “I need a moment. Excuse me.” I cast a look over my shoulder, and when I see Crew step forward to follow me, I wave him off.

Hesitation is etched into every one of his muscles, but when I cut across the dining room to the balcony doors leading outside, he doesn’t follow. I’m glad. Because hiding the fact that I’m so aware of him is exhausting. Or maybe worrying about whether I’m being obvious is what’s exhausting.

I burst through the doors, glad when the air outside is warm and sweet with the scent of roses. I walk to the edge of the balcony, overlooking the field of swaying grass surrounding it. It’s quiet out here.

I brace my hands against the cool stone. The feeling is grounding- sobering me to the fact that I’m clearly losing it. A few days is all it took for the weight of my life to come crashing down again.

A week away was never meant to make it disappear, but I don’t know how I let myself forget reality.

“I would offer you a drink, but I remember Charlotte telling me you don’t drink often.”

I jump when I hear Aleks’ voice. I turn to find him standing in the open doorway. He watches me with a knowing look. Charlotte knows why I don’t drink much… and I remember from one of our many meet-ups that she and Aleks had their own squabbles about drinking.

I sigh. “She told me you weren’t drinking much either.”

“Not anymore,” he says quietly, and I look away so I don’t have to face the scrutiny in his eyes. “I think I did more than my fair share when I was though.”

I don’t know what to say, so I say nothing… convincing myself it’s better than saying what’s on my mind. Aleks’ shoes scuff the ground as he stops beside me. He props his cane by my hand and leans down to look at me properly.

“Should I ask what’s going on?”

A small laugh escapes me. “Probably not… I might cry if you do.”

He nods, dark eyes fixing on the balcony doors behind us. “I think life has a way of showing us what we need when we don’t even know it ourselves. If you wait long enough… You might be surprised.”

I really laugh now, glad that the need to cry fades as I do. “What wise soul told you that?”

“Charlotte, I think. Or maybe Skar. At this rate, it’s hard to remember. But… It was good to hear it then. Good to hear it now too.”

“Yeah,” I sigh, and I don’t know why it feels easier to breathe now. “I’ll be okay. I think I just need another minute to myself.”

He nods, and when his eyes drift past me, I can guess it’s because Crew is watching from nearby. “All of this can wait if it’s too much on your schedule. Sofia and I can tide ourselves over just fine.”

“We’ve already pushed things off. This needs to get done or we forfeit the deposit,” I try, but he shakes his head gently.

“I’ll pay another one,” he shrugs, and at the very thought, I smile again. “Money is no object. That’s one thing that hasn’t changed.”

“I’ll be back in a minute,” I urge him again, and when he raises a brow, I shoo him off.

He smiles and limps back inside as Crew lingers in the doorway. I shrug my hair back, looking away before my thoughts veer to him again. My muscles go lax when he steps out of view.

The notes burn a hole in the bottom of my purse, and no matter how much I stare at them, they onlyconfuse me more. I inhale, bracing myself to head back inside. I don’t force a smile this time. I sit, the smell of the sweet summer roses from the centerpiece wafting toward me.

“I’m sorry- again. We were talking about getting final vendor signatures before we send out invites. Skar, I know you both offered to cover any costs.”

He nods, tattooed fingers spinning his untouched mug of tea. “Cost won’t be an issue.”

“I think he’s just glad I’m finally settling down,” Aleks teases.

“They’re just happy for us,” Sofia continues, squeezing his arm. Charlotte eyes the movement, face neutral, but she quickly forces a smile.

While I want to ask, I don’t allow myself to consider what it means. “I just hope you’re ready to be on the front of every magazine for the next few months.”

Aleks shrugs, cocking a smile. “I think some good press could be a good thing.”