Page 74 of Seale the Deal

Anchorage, she says. That’s where my husband’s parents live, so it made sense for us.

I remember your wedding, Remi says. I hated the dress my mom made me wear, but I loved your chocolate station. I loved it so much I overindulged in it and threw up all down the front of my ugly dress when we got back to the hotel. I never had to wear it again.:

I make a face while Audrey laughs, then looks at me. Note for your wedding, no chocolate.

Noted.

Audrey looks at her watch. I better get going. She drains her wine. Thanks for dinner, Remi. See you tomorrow, Wren.

With a wave, Audrey is gone, leaving Remi and me alone. Remi reaches for the bottle of wine and tops up both of our glasses before settling back into her seat with a sigh.

I love having you here, she says warmly. This is so much better than video calls.

I agree.

We clink glasses, then sip.

I suppose we better get on reserving things, Remi says, pulling her phone out and typing into it. I think you can reserve the Cultural Center online now.

You say that like it’s a revolutionary feature.

Wren, half this town still pays bills with cheques, she says. We’re not exactly leading the technological revolution.

I laugh. Right. I forgot I moved to the edge of civilization.

Remi grins. Pretty much. She types into her phone again. There. I’ve booked it. And a tour closer to so that we can finalize things like the menu. I’m glad the date we needed was still open.

What else could possibly be happening that you can’t just book a room?

First Nations gatherings. Meetings. Yoga classes are done there. School events, she says. The Cultural Center gets used a lot more than you’d think.

I have to say, there is a part of me that feels a little surprised by how alive this small town is. It’s not busy and frantic the way a city is, but it’s got a steady heartbeat.

I’m absolutely putting the Cultural Center on my Pinterest board for your wedding.

I raise my brows. You have a Pinterest board for my wedding?

Obviously. You’re my best friend, she says. And this is becoming my Super Bowl. I don’t care if this is fake and we’re only doing this because Bonnie outed you two. I’m giving you a wedding my Pinterest board dreams of becoming.

My smile slips.

Whoa. I didn’t think me wanting you to have a beautiful wedding was a bad thing.

It’s not. I shake my head, trying to find the words. It’s just—

Nothing. I’ve got nothing to finish that sentence.

Wren… are you okay? Her brows crease with concern.

A million things crash through my mind. All the lies. How much I miss Ruger. How much I can’t tell her I miss Ruger.

Do you ever feel bad about lying to everyone? I ask quietly.

Remi thinks about it. Not really. I mean, who is it going to hurt to watch a wedding? We’ve all been to weddings that ended in divorce.

I lean closer and whisper despite no one else being around us. Beryl is making me flowers.

What?