“You’re right. What can I say? I got stuff I need to work on.”
“Don’t we all?” said Zona.
He smiled at her. “We’ll work on stuff together.”
WORK HAD NEVERbeen so fun, squeezing in a couple of hikes with Darling as chaperone (Louise finally consenting to let him out of her sight), visits to favorite restaurants, bowling with Alec’s buddies. And a night of virtual bowling at Gracie’s house with her boys. And hot kisses.
Alec kept the for-sale sign on his front yard, deciding that even though he liked living right next to Zona he didn’t like the house. “Right now I’m fine where I am, only a few minutes away from you. If I decide to get another house, I’d rather start fresh somewhere else,” he’d said. With someone special,” he’d added, taking her hand and making her heart turn over.
“How do you feel about the house next door?” she’d asked, and told him about her mother’s gift. “No bad vibes there, I promise.”
His comment that he wanted to be anywhere she wanted to be was exactly what she hoped to hear. “We can spy on the new neighbors together,” he’d cracked, making her laugh.
Meanwhile, the lack of proximity didn’t keep him away. Oh, yes, life was good.
Alec was on hand at Louise’s cast-off party, making margaritas for one and all while Martin manned the barbecue.
“So what do you think?” Zona asked Bree as they dug into seconds of Louise’s fruit salad.
“He may work out,” Bree said. “But no rushing, right?”
“Right,” Zona agreed.
“One wedding in a year is enough,” Bree added.
AND WHAT Awedding it was. Alec and his buddies set up the multitude of chairs in the backyard, and Louise’s pals Susan and Carol helped decorate, adorning the rows with red and orange bows and a multitude of silk flowers. The stage where the couple would say their vows was adorned with pumpkins and vases of fall flower arrangements. Gilda insisted on paying for Louise’s bridal bouquet, and Zona and Bree spent the entire weekend before baking the requested pumpkin cupcakes.
Louise looked ready for a fashion shoot in her cream-colored cocktail dress and Martin, who had lost twenty pounds, looked properly svelte in his new suit. Zona and Bree both walked down the aisle with her. The two granddaughters she’d inherited acted as flower girls and Darling was the ring bearer. Thanks to Alec, he was very well-behaved. He sat between Martin and Louise like a good boy during the ceremony, hardly begged at all during the reception, and didn’t jump on anyone.
Toasts were made, well-wishes were given, and so were plenty of gift cards. “Where are you taking your bride for your honeymoon?” asked one of their neighbors.
“We’re going on a cruise,” Martin said, smiling at Louise. “To Hawaii.”
THE WEDDING WASone big lovefest. Gram was so happy she should have been in a Hallmark movie. Apocalypse Zombie Mom was gone, and her smiles reached her eyes again. Alec was smiling, too, and looking at Mom like she was found treasure. Well, she was, and he’d better remember it.
Bree was glad both her mom and her Gram were so happy. But watching them, and all the other people at the party, she felt... apart from it all. There but not present.
She knew why. Fen wasn’t there with her. She didn’t wantto, but she missed him. Who was he with now? Had to be with someone. A guy like Fen wouldn’t stay alone forever.
Alone. She kept telling herself that alone was good. Alone was safe.
You never realized how much alone sucked until you were alone in a group of happy people.
Did she want to be safe or did she want to be happy?
The question continued to bounce around in her brain.
“Your Gram sure is happy,” said a voice at her elbow. Gilda.
“Yeah, I’m glad. She deserves it.”
Gilda nodded. “Yep, she does. You know, I had men interested in me.”
Gilda was a box with legs. Inside that box was a know-it-all... not so bad once you got to know her. Still, it was hard to imagine Gilda as a heartbreaker.
“How come you’re alone then?” Bree asked.
“Hey, at this age men only want a nurse or a purse.”
