Josie reaches over and squeezes my hand. “But none of that matters now. Things have worked out for them and for you. We’ve all moved on.” She shoots Isabelle and Amelia a look of challenge, despite the smile on her face. “We’re all about to be sisters, which means we can fight all we want as long as we make up in the end, right?”
The silence stretches until Amelia clears her throat. “Trinity, I... we apologize. The way we’ve treated you was entirely uncalled for.”
Isabelle nods reluctantly. “Yes. I’m sorry.”
“Thank you, I accept your apology,” I say, trying my best to sound like I mean it. Leaning closer to Josie, I pitch my voice low enough for only her to hear. “But I’m pretty sure I’m never ever going to like them.”
Josie giggles. “That’s fine. Just pretend like you do with our cousins at Thanksgiving.”
Despite everything—my missing pack, my churningstomach, the uncertainty about what happens after today—I laugh. Because she’s right. I’ve been perfecting the art of polite family tolerance for years.
My phone pings, and I practically lunge for it, hope flooding my chest.
The notification makes my stomach drop.
CellNet: Welcome to Indonesia. International roaming charges may apply. Manage your account at cellnet.com
“Fuck.” The word explodes from my mouth loud enough that the entire bridal party turns to stare.
Holly sets down her nail file. “Everything okay?”
I stare at the useless notification, my throat tight. “I’m worried that my pack might have gotten cold feet and left.”
The words taste bitter. Even saying it out loud makes it feel more real, more possible.
“That’s ridiculous. They left you a note,” Holly says firmly. “Why would you even think that?
“Because they could have left that note to give themselves more time to clear out of the suite without arousing my suspicions.” My voice cracks slightly. “Think about it—after last night’s disaster, they probably realized this whole thing was more trouble than it’s worth. The note buys them time to disappear before I come looking.”
Josie frowns from her chair. “Trinity, that doesn’t make any sense.”
“It’s been hours,” I point out. “If they didn’t rush to the airport and buy the first ticket off the island, then where are they?”
“I don’t know,” Holly admits while Josie nods in emphatic agreement. “I just know they wouldn’t leave you without saying anything.”
Just as I’m about to explain how much that doesn’t make me feel better, someone knocks frantically at the door.
Margaret bursts through the door with Irwan practically stumbling at her heels. Her face carries that particular expression she gets when she’s trying not to panic but failing spectacularly. “Everyone, look out the window.”
I turn toward the large windows that normally showcase the crystal-clear ocean view. Instead, the horizon stretches thick and hazy, like someone draped gauze across the entire sky. A fine layer of dust streaks the glass, and everything beyond looks muted and gray.
“Is there a fire?” Josie asks, her voice tight with worry.
Irwan steps forward, his usual composed demeanor intact despite my mother’s dramatic entrance. “I can assure you there is no fire, Miss Becker. However, it appears the small volcano on the island has erupted.”
Every woman in the room goes dead silent. Even Amelia stops mid-brush stroke on her eyelashes.
“Are we safe?” Josie’s question comes out as barely a whisper.
“Of course,” Irwan responds emphatically. “The resort is not at risk. The danger zone is on the complete opposite side of the island. Our only concern is volcanic ash potentially interfering with your outdoor wedding ceremony.”
Relief floods through me so fast I actually sag against the vanity.
“It’s fine,” I tell Josie, my brain already switching into problem-solving mode. “We have a weather contingency plan. We can move the ceremony to the Hibiscus ballroom. The lanai doors are made of glass so there will still be a view, even if we can’t be outside, and it’s already decorated with backup chairs just in case.”
Josie’s entire face lights up. “Trinity, I swear you think of everything. Thank you so much for being so prepared.”
But something Irwan said nags at me. I turn back to him. “The other side of the island—is it inhabited?”
