Inside the airport, once I’m checked in, I open the envelope. My brother has given me a couple of hundred dollars, money I know he doesn’t have to spare, along with handwritten instructions on where everything is. As I read over his notes, tears prickle my eyes. I wipe them away quickly, not wanting anyone to see me crying or ask if I’m okay because I am, and Brad has made it as such. This gesture, the thought he’s put into making sure I’ll be okay in New York, means more to me than I’ll be able to tell him.
It’s two hours of waiting before my flight is called. I’m at the back of the plane, in the middle with two men on either side of me, with a chair that doesn’t recline. So much for joining the Mile High club on this flight, not that I ever would, but when Brad mentioned it, the thought did sound appealing. At least I’d have someone to talk to. The guy on my right is on his phone complaining about his wife, and the man on my left is already snoring. It’s going to be a long flight, but worth it.
15
Elle
After a long day at the beach, where Peyton and I laid under the cabana tent, watching families frolic in the sun, surf and build sand castles, we’re finally getting down to the business of planning her wedding.
“Okay, I bought this and figured we can use this to keep track of everything. Most importantly, samples, notes, what you like and dislike can go in here. Plus, here are all the brochures from the list of venues we talked about.”
Peyton slowly flips through the binder I created without saying anything. In fact, she’s been very quiet each time I’ve brought up the wedding, opting instead to go out to dinner, hit the casino, take a dip in the pool or sit on the beach. I’m starting to think something’s wrong and that the flowers Noah arranged for the plane were some sort of apology.
Without asking, I pull the notebook out from under her and close it, setting it aside. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing,” she states, turning her head slightly as if to indicate she doesn’t understand.
“I call BS, P. You’ve been distracted since we arrived. We’re on vacation. It’s our last spring break together.”
“And I’m enjoying myself.”
I reach for my sister’s hand and look at her adoringly. “Something’s bothering you. I can tell. Are you pregnant?” Peyton’s eyes widen. I smile, knowing I’ve uncovered her secret. “Eek, I’m going to be an auntie.”
Peyton pulls her hands away and shakes her head. “Sorry to disappoint you. I’m not pregnant.”
“Oh. Then what’s wrong because I feel like you’re not having fun.”
“I am, Elle. But I have something to tell you.”
I sit back in the booth and feel the blood drain from my face. “You broke up with Noah, didn’t you? I mean, he sent all those flowers because he loves you, but…” My hand covers my mouth. “Oh God, is Dessie back? I’ll kill her,” I say without thinking my words through.
Peyton smiles and shakes her head rapidly. “Oh hell no. And no, Noah and I didn’t break up, but we did decide to get married in Beaumont.” Peyton’s lips go into a fine line, and her eyes go wide. I let her news sink in, and while I’m upset, it’s a decision she and Noah have to make. It’s not my wedding.
“And you felt like you couldn’t tell me this?”
My sister shrugs. “You’ve been so excited about everything I didn’t want you to think I was ungrateful for all you’ve done so far. Getting married in Beaumont is something we feel very strongly about.”
I scoot closer so I can hug my sister. “It’s your wedding, P. You can get married at the courthouse for all I care, just as long as you get married.” Again, I’m speaking before I realize exactly what I’m saying. “What I’m saying is—”
“I know what you’re saying. Believe me, when I say this, everything with Noah is amazing. I didn’t know what happiness was until we finally got together. I mean, I always imagined what our lives would be like.”
“And does your imagination serve real-life justice?”
“Not even close. I love him, Elle. Right now, our lives are complicated, but we both work so hard to make things easy. When he’s in Chicago, he cooks and cleans so I can study, and when I’m in Portland, I do the same for him so he can focus on being the best quarterback in the league. We’re both exhausted at the end of the day but when I curl up in his arms, I know I’ve made the right decision.”
We hug again, and I fight back the happy tears I’m feeling. Seeing my sister so in love with the man of her dreams, fills me with hope. It gives me something to look forward to in the future. Not that there’s a man on my horizon, but someday, I’m hoping there will be.
I open the binder and flip to the flower section. “What do you want to do about flowers?”
“Hydrangeas are a must.”
“Yes, they are.” I write a quick note. “Do you have a florist in mind?” I glance at my sister.
“Aunt Josie is going to do them.”
“Oh.”
“No, don’t get the wrong idea. You and I are still picking everything out, but I figured it would be perfect for Whimsicality to do the flowers. They’re going to cater as well.”