Josie waves me off. “Nothing to be sorry about. The more the merrier. I’m sure Lennie, Jason’s daughter, would love to have someone to play with. It’s no problem at all.”
“Are you sure?” A weight lifts off my chest at how relaxed Josie is. Some brides would lose their mind if something like this happened, and I, for one, am grateful it happened tonight when Josie is the bride.
“Don’t even think twice about it,” Josie says. She reaches out, clasping her hand on my arm. “We might not be close yet, but whether you like it or not, we’re friends. Friends help each other, so yes. Megan, go get Presley, and we will be fine here for an hour.”
I nod, a prick of tears stinging my eyes.
Megan pulls out her phone. “I’ll call your mom.”
She walks away, leaving me alone with Josie. I take a deep breath, and settle my eyes back down on the clipboard in my hand, looking at what I need to do next.
In the time I’ve worked and lived here, I’ve barely made time for anyone outside of Meg and my mom. Meg has been begging me to meet up with her and “the girls” more, but I haven’t had it in me. I don’t want to let anyone down, so it’s easier to keep to myself. I’ve been prioritizing my little girl for years now, and setting all my own needs to the side. Maybe I should start getting together with them more. Especially after the kindness they’ve both shown me today.
Presley hidesbehind my leg as we make our way back into the reception hall. There are tables scattered with decor and other odds and ends, the finishing touches for the reception decorations.
Megan leads me toward a table where a young girl sits with a few coloring pages in front of her. Her long dark hair is hanging down her back, with a large ribbon tied into abow on top of her head. She’s beautiful, with deep chocolate brown eyes. She’s dressed in a white tulle dress with a deep maroon bow around her waist.
“Hey, Lennie,” Megan says. “This is Fallon and her daughter, Presley. We were wondering if you two wanted to play together. You’re pretty close in age, and both really like princesses. Is that okay?”
Lennie looks us over, glancing behind my legs where Presley is being uncharacteristically shy. When the two meet each other’s eyes, they both light up in the most adorable smiles. Presley lets go of my leg, stepping out from behind me.
“I love to color. Do you?” Presley asks.
“Do you want to pick one?” Lennie asks, offering up her thick coloring book to my daughter. “I have lots of different ones you can choose from.” She has a subtle lisp, but one that is more than likely due to her age and not a speech impediment.
“Do you have one with a cat?” Presley asks.
“Yes!”
A sigh of relief falls past my lips. Now, I have one less thing to worry about. Nikki, Lennie’s grandma, and the Mother of the Groom, smiles at me from the small table she sits at with the girls.
“I’ll take care of her,” she tells me. Weirdly, I trust her instantly though I don’t know her all that well. I’m usually hesitant with who I trust around Pres, but with Nikki, I don’t have that hesitation. She has such a kind heart, and though I’ve only met her for the first time today, I can tell she would do anything to take care of my daughter.
“Thank you,” I gush. “You have no idea how much I appreciate this. I can pay you.” I reach into my back pocketfor my phone where I have some cash in my case, but she stops me.
“Nonsense. I doubt they will need me for nothing more than to appreciate their drawings and help choose what color to use. I can bring her up to the room, and you can pick her up when you’re ready.” Nikki stands, stepping in to give me a quick hug. Thankfully, the hotel is connected to the winery, making it easy for weddings and events.
We exchange phone numbers, and I lean down, pressing a kiss to the top of Presley’s head. She barely pays any attention to me, fully focused on the coloring page in front of her.
I straighten and glance around the room. A small circle of people have gathered, and I recognize Megan’s friend, Marley, along with three men I don’t recognize. One of whom is clearly standing protectively next to Marley, whether she realizes it or not. The other two men stand in a semi-circle, their hands in their pockets. I was busy running around during the rehearsal, so I didn’t get to meet any of the other groomsmen or bridesmaids.
One has a full head of blonde hair, and when he smiles I can barely catch a glimpse of a gap in his front teeth, and a set of prominent dimples. The other is taller than the two other men, dressed in a crisp button up like the others, but the top three buttons are undone, revealing a white undershirt and the subtlest hint of dark chest hair peeking out from the collar.
When my gaze lifts to his face, I’m slammed with a sudden hit of recognition.
Holy shit.
Cunningham. The groom has a brother named Jason.Jason Cunningham.I can’t believe I didn’t put it together until now, but the more I look at him, the more I realize myeyes aren’t playing tricks on me. Itishim. It’s been at least thirteen years since I’ve seen him, and while he looks so eerily similar to the last time, I can see the hints of aging and time in his features.
A memory flares through me, and before I can stop myself, I turn my eyes from him, and head down the hall to my office to give myself a moment to breathe, remembering that time in my life.
“Oh, come on, you can’t be serious,” Jason says with a laugh.
“I am!” I say, shrinking into the uncomfortable chair when the librarian walks by, shushing us with a finger to her lips, and a not so quiet shushing noise. My cheeks flame, and I glance back at Jason, my smile growing as I try to hold in my snickering laugh.
Jason’s eyes widen as he looks at the old woman walking away. “Did she shush you?”
I drop my jaw. “You’re the one who started laughing! It’s not my fault you don’t believe me that Professor Adams quoted Michael Scott and called it a great business mantra!”
