“Sloane’s making the dress,” Rory said, smiling across the table at me.
“Oh good. I was hoping you’d be able to. You’re sure it’s no trouble?” Eva said.
“None at all. I’d be insulted if she asked anyone else. I might be able to squeeze in making a mother-of-the-bride dress as well,” I said. That had been my dream. Well, my dream was to do the entire wedding party, but I didn’t know if I had enough time for that. Still, it would be really cool.
“Oh, would you? That would be just lovely,” Eva said. “You are just the best, Sloane.” I blushed.
“What am I supposed to wear?” Walter asked. We all laughed.
“I could make you something if you want, Walter. I’ve done my share of menswear.” Ryder had been great practice. Shit. I didn’t want to think about Ryder. I’d spent a whole half hour not thinking of him. That had to be some sort of record.
“Can you make me look like James Bond?” he asked, a twinkle in his eye.
“Absolutely,” I said. “Although, I’d say you’re much more handsome than James Bond.” He laughed and waved me off.
The rest of the evening was spent with Eva trying to bring up wedding plans and Rory trying to avoid talking about them, and Walter and Lucah discussing business.
I felt like an outsider. An interloper at a family dinner. I loved Rory’s family but didn’t feel like I belonged as much as I did a few years ago. That wasn’t anyone’s fault. Things had just changed.
Rory and Lucah spent the drive back playfully arguing about their upcoming wedding.
“We are not doing a dove release,” Lucah said.
“Why not?” Rory asked. I knew she was just messing with him, but it was still funny.
“Because it’s ridiculous. And probably inhumane. And where the hell are we going to find trained doves in Boston?” Well, that was a good question.
“It’s called the internet. Aren’t you supposed to be a tech guy?” She stroked his hair then tugged on his ear. “You know I’m just messing with you. I don’t want doves. I don’t even know what I want, really. Every time I think about something, I can’t decide if I like it or not.”
“Well, you know you have a dress. So there’s that,” I said from the backseat.
“That’s right. I have a dress. And it’s going to be spectacular,” she said with a dreamy sigh.
It wasn’t just going to be spectacular. It was going to be the wedding dress to end all wedding dresses. I’d been planning it for as long as I could remember. Since we’d become friends. I also had Marisol’s dress planned too. And Chloe’s in case she ever decided to tie the knot.
“I could make you something, Lucah,” I said. “I mean, if I’m doing Walter’s, I might as well do yours at the same time.”
“Could you? I didn’t want to impose, but that would be fantastic.”
“Sure thing. I already have your measurements.” I had all my friend’s measurements. I was weird that way.
“See? What else do we need for a wedding?” Rory said.
“A cake. Rings. A place. A minister.”
Rory made a face. “I don’t want to get married in a church. Too traditional,” she said.
“Really? I always liked the idea of a church wedding,” Lucah said. And then they started in again about church weddings vs. non-church weddings, and I stared out the window.
Thirteen
“Is this for real, for real this time? No more practice?” Ryder asked Monday night at dinner. Rory and Lucah were giving him the down low on the now-real engagement.
“No more practice,” Lucah said. He still had his arm around Rory, and I bet he hadn’t moved it in at least twenty-four hours.
“Nope, we’re doing it. Getting hitched. I’m going to be your ball and chain,” Rory said, kissing Lucah’s cheek.
“I’ll be shackled and happy,” he said, and Ryder made a disgusted sound that he turned into a cough.