Page 42

It doesn’t work, and my palms grow sweaty, including the one she’s holding.

“Do couples really hold hands?” I ask Kendall when I try to pull away.

“Yes.” She grips my fingers tighter.

When I sigh in resignation, words I hadn’t meant to speak come flying out. “I’m not sure if I ever saw my parents touch each other.”

Kendall’s head whips around toward me, but I can’t see her eyes behind the glasses. “Wow. That’s just sad.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever held anyone’s hand either,” I admit. “I’m more of a palm on the small of the back.”

“A hand on the lower back is nice, but hand holding is better,” she says.

“What’s the difference?” I ask curiously.

“Well, when your hand is on a woman’s back, nobody can see that except for maybe the people behind you. But when you’re holding hands, it sends a clear message to everyone that you’re a couple. That you proudly claim each other.”

Maybe this is why I’ve never had a serious relationship, other than the one with Vanessa. I’m clueless when it comes to dating and relationships. It’s not like I had the best example growing up.

That could be why Vanessa cheated on me with someone else.

Either way, once the trust was gone, I knew I was completely done with her.

Last week was tough.

Moving on has been easier this weekend with Kendall commanding my full attention.

“I’m only holding your hand now so nobody will try to steal the diamond,” Kendall whispers, making the corner of my mouth twitch.

“The ring’s not that big of a deal.”

“To you maybe. I grew up in a house that cost less than a piece of jewelry that you bought for a cheating witch.”

Mom slows down so we can catch up with her. “What are you two lovebirds whispering about back here? Do I even want to know?”

“Not really,” I answer.

“Leave them be, Nancy,” Richard calls out.

Julia, the resort’s wedding planner, spends the morning showing us an archway where some people get married, a gazebo on the beach, a giant ballroom, and then finally, the little chapel over the water.

There’s not much to the chapel: no doors, barely four walls since the front and the back are open. Built on stilts, there are glass panels in the floor showing the sea below. Since there’s a long pier that leads out to it, when you’re inside, it does feel like you’re in the middle of the ocean.

“Unfortunately, we can only accommodate forty chairs in here. Forty-eight if we squeeze them together,” Julia explains.

“What do you think, Vanessa?” Nancy asks Kendall.

She’s so busy gazing out the window, still holding my hand, that I have to nudge her side with my elbow. “Vanessa? Cupcake?”

“Oh! Right. It’s perfect,” she says. “I mean, at least I think so. What do you think, Monty?”

“I don’t know,” I reply. I wish Kendall would stick to the plan, to act horrible, but I know that’s pretty much impossible for her.

“Oh, honey. Vanessa is right,” Mom says. “This would be absolutely perfect for the ceremony. It’s so serene and private. Can’t you just see her walking down the pier in her gorgeous white dress?”

I swallow while turning toward the long aisle.

Yes, yes, I can see that.