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Mac and Em’s conversation was pulling them at a faster pace along the trail than I was walking. I let them put more distance between us so I could take in everything without either of them gauging my reaction. I wanted them to take in the gardens honestly, without giving me the response they thought I wanted.
Seeing them like that, hands clasped, whispering as they laughed and never ran out of conversation, I was overwhelmed with my love for them.
The resolve to make this wedding perfect was just as overwhelming. They brought so much to our relationship and I was worried I didn’t do my fair share. I knew I could be difficult to deal with—I didn’t make Mac’s transition to our household as smooth as I could have—but those two handled all my flaws with so much ease. It was almost easy for me to believe they truly didn’t mind all my rough edges.
“Bash,” Em called, yanking me out of my thoughts before they took too firm of a hold of me.
Mac waved me over, and I jogged to them.
“Check out this area,” Em whispered, her voice thick with awe.
Mac pointed to a small meadow to the right that was nothing short of perfect. A pond with a quiet fountain rounded out the idyllic feel of the space.
“We could use the same setup we had for the other venue. Harriet said the chairs she uses are indoor and outdoor.” Em pointed to the field, outlining exactly how she wanted it set up.
“And there’s a gazebo over here we could string with lights and have our DJ. Can you picture the team dancing around it?” Mac smirked, and my heart responded with a hard thud. “Everyone sloshed and celebrating us?”
I nodded and walked the perimeter of the meadow. It was lined with roses, some of which already had blooms. By the end of summer, the area would be fragrant and dotted with rich color.
“What do you think?” Mac asked, sliding his hand into mine.
“I love it,” I admitted.
“I do, too.” He glanced around and pressed his lips to mine.
The thrill of kissing him in public—not hidden behind a tree—was like a shot of adrenaline.
“God, I could get used to that,” I said, wrapping my arm around his waist.
We had spent so much time apart lately. Between wedding planning and the cup playoffs on top of regular work stuff, our time together mainly consisted of collapsing into bed together at night.
Our sex life was great, but way too brief lately. We hadn’t had time to really connect on a deeper level, and that was probably letting some doubt creep into my mind. Doubt if we could pull all this off. Never doubt about my feelings for them.
“Come here.” Em grabbed our hands and whisked us off to sit on a cement bench overlooking the lake.
The two of them slipped into a passionate conversation about the decorations and who they thought should be seated where. They had matchmaking plans I had never considered. I listened the best that I could, but my mind kept wandering as I stared out across the water’s glassy surface.
My family hadn’t RSVP’d. Neither had Em’s. And we knew Mac’s parents wouldn’t come. I didn’t want to bring their energy down, so I kept quiet as they talked faster and faster, hyping each other up in a way that I normally found adorable.
But at that moment, it only made my anxiety rise.
Were we fooling ourselves? We had almost zero support, and we were trying to navigate a relationship like none we had ever seen.
I would do everything in my power to make our relationship work. I didn’t doubt their love for me or my love for them, but sometimes I worried the stress of going public and the wedding setbacks would be enough to break us.
“You’re quiet.” Em pulled me out of my thoughts again.
“Just thinking.”
They shared a look, and I groaned. “Don’t silently talk about me.”
Em crossed her arms, looking formidably cute. “Then don’t lie to us.”
“We can tell something’s wrong, Bardot.” A harsh tinge darkened Mac’s voice, shaping his words into an allegation.
Em frowned. “Is it the venue? I know your heart was really set on the other one.”
I put my hand over hers and forced a smile. “I said I love it.”
