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They watched me closely, each with their own feelings. Heather was pleased and hopeful. Grace was nervous and poised for rejection.
I felt the stirring of some sort of new emotion within me. With a start, I realized it was almost protectiveness. I didn’t want to hurt either of them.
“I’ll make sure Ellen and her mother are good. Then, sure. I’ll have coffee with you. Where will I meet you?”
Heather beamed at me, her expression filled with delight. “There’s a little café at the back here. It’s newly opened and not well-known, so it’s fairly private.” She indicated the hall behind her. “Down there to the left. We’ll go get a table and wait for you.”
I drew in a deep breath. “Okay.”
* * *
I checked in with Ellen and her mother, pleased to see both were looking happy. I spoke briefly with Anne, who had arrived after another meeting, planning on touching base again. With her, and a wedding planner, my input would be minimal, but still, I was happy to have helped Ellen at least find her voice in this event.
As I walked down the hall, I heard my name and turned to find Ellen following me. She thanked me profusely, and I smiled at her evident happiness.
“I convinced my mom to let me have more control,” she told me. “I am going to let the wedding planner know it will be a very different wedding from what my mom told her. Her vision and mine were quite dissimilar, and I think she will bow out. I was hoping you would work with Anne.”
“I’m pretty certain Anne can handle this.”
She shook her head. “I want you as part of it. You-you get me, Ashley. I feel stronger when you’re involved—not so afraid to speak up to my mother.” She leaned closer, her voice quiet. “She can afford it. Please.”
I chuckled. “Sure, we’ll figure something out.”
She hugged me. “Thank you!” Then she hurried off, and after squaring my shoulders, I went to join Grace and Heather.
Inside the charming café, I took a moment to glance around. Light walls, warm wood, and antique décor made it a lovely space. Perfect to hold showers, luncheons, or small, intimate receptions. I approached the table where the girls were waiting, a carafe of coffee between them and a plate of pastries beckoning. I hadn’t eaten today, and my stomach growled. Fighting my nerves, I sat down, accepting a cup of coffee and a sweet treat.
For a moment, the table was silent. I sipped and chewed, then wiped my fingers and sat back. We regarded one another warily, Grace finally breaking the silence.
“Well, this is awkward.”
“Your idea,” both Heather and I said at the same time. Then we all laughed and sighed.
“Listen, ladies, I have zero experience with this.”
Grace lifted one eyebrow. “Neither do we.”
I wasn’t sure how to respond.
“Reed tells me Luc is moving in with you,” Heather said. “How exciting.”
“I’m looking forward to it,” I replied.
“That’s quick, isn’t it?” Grace asked
Heather huffed. “Says the woman who married her boss a few months after she met him.” She looked at me with a droll wink. “Drunk and in Vegas. How clichéd is that?”
“That’s private,” Grace barked. “Shut up, Heather.”
“Don’t snap at her,” I demanded, hating the hurt look on Heather’s face. “She was trying to make a point. I already knew the story anyway.”
Grace sniffed, and I glared at her.
“What is it you want from me?” I asked bluntly.
Grace pursed her lips and sat back, swinging her crossed leg. “Since you started this, I assume you want something from us.”
“Nothing. I want nothing.”
