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A door on the right opens and Larisa walks out.
Immediately, everyone in the room starts to clap and fawn over her. Larisa’s mother starts to cry instantly, while her father jumps to hug her. “Oh, my goodness, pumpkin. You look incredible. I’m so happy for you.” Her father weeps.
“We’re so proud of you, Larisa!” her mother says before kissing her.
Larisa is truly radiant. Her wedding dress is exquisite. The white brocade is heavily embroidered with floral appliqués that have been applied by hand just for her. In the back, a cathedral train, made entirely of charmeuse and chiffon, trails behind her a few feet, making her look like a vision from a picture book.
Jo and I rush to Larisa and hold the train up, so it doesn’t get dirty. “Larisa, you are … stunning. You look amazing. The most beautiful bride ever!” we both tell her.
“Guys, please … you’re gonna make me cry!” she says, and I can see tears forming in her eyes.
Jo and I put our hands around Larisa and hug her tightly, savoring this moment between just us girls—together, the way we’ve always been. The emotional moment feels draining, but we do our best.
“Come on, time to become Mrs. Gianluca Ferraro!” Jo says, taking her by the hand.
Outside, in the large garden of the old inn that Larisa has chosen for this special occasion, the atmosphere is surreal.
Jo and I stand side by side holding our bouquets of roses, and waiting for the wedding planner to kick off the event and give us the green light to walk down the aisle.
From the back of the crowd, I look around and can hardly process what I’m seeing. The most famous people in the world have gathered in this garden and are sitting on white wedding chairs only a few steps away from me. The sight is so wild that I feel as if I’m in a dream.
“Oh, my goodness, is that … Tom Holland and Zendaya?” I ask Jo, struggling not to point.
“Yup. Since Gianluca is such a famous actor, they’re all here,” she replies, a lot more casually than me.
“Oh, look, that’s … holy cricket, that’s Beyonce! No way!” I cover my mouth with my hand and stare at the gorgeous woman, impossibly beautiful, and wearing a gold dress.
“Yup. And that’s Timothee Chalamet on the other side there. See? In the black and blue suit?”
“No way! Wow, he looks even more handsome in person…”
“Yes. He’s very sweet, too. You should go talk to him after this. I hear he’s single,” Jo tells me casually.
I snort and start to laugh. “Me?? Talk to Timothee Chalamet? And what would I say to him, exactly?”
“Umm … Hi, my name is Emmy. Nice to meet you?” she replies sarcastically.
“Yeah, right. So, he can laugh in my face? Get out of here!” I laugh.
Jo looks at me like I’m an alien. “Why would he laugh in your face? I told you, he’s a really nice guy, and he’s … Emmy, what’s wrong? What are you looking at?”
I feel as though my whole body has seized up and become rigid.
Suddenly, it feels like there’s a giant chasm opening up in front of me, and all I can do is fall through the darkness and nothingness. Jo looks at me and then follows the direction of my stare.
Evan has just come into the garden to attend Larisa’s wedding.
But he’s not alone.
Carol is with him.
My heart sinks as I see them holding hands and wearing matching outfits, walking boldly between the aisles, trying to locate their seats.
“Oh, no. Emmy, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know he was coming. I mean, I knew he was invited, of course. But that was back then when you guys … I mean … I thought he wasn’t going to show up. Least of all with her. I would’ve told Larisa to do something about it,” Jo rushes through her sentences to try and comfort me.
I feel tears forming in the corner of my eyes, but I know that I can’t let that happen. This is not the time, nor the place.
“Are you alright?” Jo asks me again.
