Nora is still nestled in my arms when I wake. The storm gave way to a clear sky, and bright light streams through the balcony doors. Charlie is at the foot of the bed, stretched out and taking up too much room. I stretch my legs out around him, and he groans when I disturb him.

The power came on at some point while we were sleeping, made evident by the time displayed on the satellite box under the TV on my dresser. It’s not yet eight AM, which is early by my standards. I’m not sure what time we went to bed last night, but I know it wasn’t all that late. I fell asleep quickly and slept soundly with Nora by my side.

She’s back in my life, and this time I’m not going to fuck up. There’s only so many times she can forgive me, and it was one too many the first time.

Maybe I am selfish.

Maybe the darkness if finally taking over. Or maybe I finally gave in to it.

Either way, I don’t care. I want Nora. Need her. Love her more than life itself. I thought she’d be better off without me, and I was wrong. I set her free and she came back.

Because she loves me too.

I carefully sit up so as not to wake her and slip out of bed and go downstairs to make coffee and let Charlie out. Nora wakes when I come back into the room, opening her eyes with a smile on her face.

“Morning.”

“Morning, babe.” I set the mugs of coffee on the dresser. “I thought we could drink it on the balcony.”

Her eyes go to the doors. “I’d like that.” She stretches and slowly gets out of bed. “I’m going to use the bathroom first.”

I dry off the chairs on the balcony and bring the coffee out. The storm brought some much-needed rain and brought the temperature back to normal.

“It’s beautiful out here in the morning.” Nora walks through the balcony doors.

“So are you.”

She feels her hair. “I’m in serious need of a hairbrush. And a shower.”

“We can shower after coffee. Do you want to get breakfast?”

“At Jimmy’s?”

I smile. “They have the best French toast.” The balcony is small, with room for only two chairs and one small, round side table. It works, and we talk and laugh, eyes on the horizon.

Somehow, we end up in bed again once we finish our coffee. Nora’s head is on my chest, and my hands explore her body, making sure I remember every curve. Charlie barks and the sound of a car on the gravel driveway echoes through the open balcony doors.

“Expecting company?” Nora sits up, looking outside.

“No.” I get up, striding to the open doors. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. It’s Alice.”

“Alice? What’s she doing here?”

“I have no idea. I’m guessing it’s about the chuppah I stupidly agreed to make for her wedding even though I’ve never made one before and I cannot stand her, or my cousin much for that matter.”

She laughs. “Why did you agree to do it?”

“It got me out of being part of the wedding party.”

“I’d probably agree to make one too.” Nora joins me at the balcony.

“You really thought I’d marry her?”

Nora gives me a guilty look. “I hoped not, but when she told Veronica she couldn’t wait to be part of the family, that’s what I thought.”

I shudder. “She’s not as much of a bitch as she used to be, but she’s still Alice Bloom.” I turn, taking Nora’s hand. I hear Alice’s car door shut. She’ll be ringing the doorbell in a few seconds.

“How did Alice meet your cousin? I thought all the other Harringtons lived in Reno.”

“They do. We take turns visiting each other for the holidays.”

Nora nods. “I remember.”

“The last time they were here, Jay and Alice met at a movie or something, I think.”

“Weird.”

“Yeah. At least she’s moving back to Reno with him after the wedding. I’ll only have to see her twice a year.” I go down the stairs, missing Nora’s arms around me. Charlie’s at the door, barking before Alice has a chance to knock. He’s not the biggest fan of hers, which is telling.

“Jack!” she squeals when I open the door. “How are things?” She takes a step in without being invited and notices Nora. “Oh, Nora. I, uh, wasn’t expecting you. Oh my God, did I wake you two up?”

“We were already up.” I shut the door behind Alice. “What are you doing here?”

“I couldn’t sleep last night during the storm. I was worried sick about the chuppah. How is it? Can I see it?”

“Sure. You could have called, you know.”

“I was in the area.”

“The area?” Nora questions.

“The lake.” Alice presses a smile. “Did you forget where things are around here in your absence?”

“Guess so. Good thing I have Jack to remind me, right?”

The chuppah is in the shed right off the back patio, and I haven’t worked on it much lately because of the heat.

“So,” Alice says to Nora. “Are you two like back together?”

Nora told me she loves me, but I’m still a bit nervous to hear her answer. Our lives are still in different places. We love each other, but is that enough? I listen hard while pretending not to at the same time.

“Yes,” Nora says right away. “We are.”

“So, should I assume you’re bringing a plus one after all, Jack?”

I have no idea if Nora can come to the wedding. She has a life, hours away. She has an apartment and a job and wants to keep going to school. The tightening in my chest comes back. She was right to say things are complicated. We can’t profess our love and live happily ever after. We’re starting again from the ground up, and things take time.

“Yeah,” Nora answers for me. “It’s not too late, is it?”

“No. I don’t give the final head count until June first. I’m sure Veronica told you all about the wedding.”

“Uh, yeah,” Nora answers. I don’t have to say anything for Nora to know Alice thinks her wedding is the most important thing to happen in Dale Hollow history.

“Good! Then you know there are a few stipulations for the guests.”

Nora gives me a what the fuck look and I just roll my eyes. I slide open the door to the patio and let Charlie run out first.

“Don’t wear white, of course,” Alice continues as we walk to the shed. “Or ivory, or a really pale pink. The wedding colors are ice blue and pistachio, so it would be great if you avoided those too. I don’t want anyone to think you’re in the bridal party or anything. No diamond jewelry, and it’s a good thing you’re not engaged. I want my ring to be the showcase.” She looks at me and then Nora. “You two make a very attractive couple. Try not to out-cute us or anything. I might put you at separate tables to be sure!” She laughs, but she’s completely serious.

I open the shed and while Alice gushes over the chuppah, Nora and I hang back.

“Is she for real?” Nora whispers.

“She takes bridezilla to a whole new level,” I whisper back. “You need to hear all the shit she’s putting her bridesmaids through. I think the worst was telling her sister she had to lose ten pounds if she wants to be in the pictures, and fifteen if she wants to be maid of honor.”

“It’s sad I’m not surprised.”

Alice takes a few selfies under the chuppah and then comes back over. “It looks so good, Jack. Will you finish it in time?”

“Yes. Like I told you the last time you came over to ‘check on it,’ it’s almost done.”

“Are you having a traditional wedding?” Nora asks, sensing my irritation with Alice.

“No. Jay isn’t Jewish. The ceremony in non-denominational. My parents aren’t too happy about it, but whatever, right? When it’s love, you do what you got to do.”

Nora glances at me. “Yeah, you do.”

I call Charlie back into the house, moving to the front door so Alice will get the hint to leave.

“Are you coming to the bachelorette party, Nora?” she asks, pausing in the doorway. “It’s going to be so much fun and we’re going to get so wasted. And I’m pretty sure Veronica hired a stripper. I made sure to tell her I didn’t want one so she’d get one to surprise me.”

“I’m not sure. Going out like that really isn’t my thing.”

“Partying isn’t your thing?” Alice blinks rapidly, taking it as a personal insult. Then she smiles. “Well, if you change your mind, I’d love if you came. The more, the merrier to celebrate becoming Jack’s cousin-in-law, right?”

“Right.” Nora smiles back. “Have fun.”

“I will. Bye, guys!”

I hold Charlie back and shut the door.

“Well, I should probably tell your sister she needs to get a stripper ASAP.”

“Yeah, I don’t think she picked up on it. She’s been stressed over the stupid party for months. She still seeks Alice’s approval.” I shake my head. “Just a few more weeks and it’ll be over.”

Nora takes my hand, pulling me to her. “Do you have to work today?”

“I do. And I have the PTSD group this afternoon, which makes me think we should eat breakfast here to make the most of our time.”

We go upstairs to shower. Nora pulls the white T-shirt over her head and drops it to the floor, looking over her shoulder with a sexy-as-hell grin on her face. I grab her around the waist and toss her on my bed.

The shower can wait.