“I’m not trying to tell you what to do, but I think it’s time you called him, Vicky,” Grace says. I look at her in the mirror, but she’s busy removing imaginary lint from her gown, obviously trying to avoid my gaze by seeming busy. “It’s been far too long.”

“Absolutely not.”

“But…ouch.” She shoots me a murderous look when the crochet hook pokes into her back.

“Sorry,” I say and proceed to pull the loops over the tiny buttons.

“Tell him how you feel about him, now that he’s awake. You heard Chase. The physical therapy’s going well. He’s recovering. He can walk.”

I shake my head vehemently. “Not happening, Grace. Please respect my wishes that I need to move on.”

She drops her shoulders with an exasperated sigh. “I know that, and I respect your decision. But I just want you to know that I’ve noticed the way you look at that book he gave you, and I wish you’d finally confess.”

I stop for a moment to shoot her a wary glance. “Confess to what?”

“That you’re deeply in love with him. I know that. Everyone does, but you keep denying the obvious. Now, I don’t know whether you’re just lying to us or trying to convince yourself, but it’s getting old. Like, last week old. Besides, look at you.”

She shoots a meaningful look at my belly.

I groan inwardly.

After Kade woke up from his coma, I left. It was hardest thing I ever did, but it was the right decision. He needed the distance to help him heal without the emotional baggage and pressure that comes with finding out your rehab hook-up is pregnant.

I wanted him to be able to focus solely on himself, and I could only achieve that by disappearing from his life.

“Why don’t you focus on your life? In case you don’t remember, today’s your big day.”

Grace pulls a face. “The beauty of being happy is trying to spread the joy.”

Rolling my eyes, I finish the last row of buttons and slump onto the sofa, exhausted. “You’re good to go.”

She spins in a slow circle, swiveling her Claire Pettibone wedding gown. “What do you think?”

She looks like a princess in her flowing, cream gown with a tiny waist and her glossy curls cascading down her naked shoulders. I dab at the tears in my eyes, struggling not to mess up my makeup. I’m so proud of her and have no doubt the backyard wedding at our mom’s house will be both beautiful and memorable.

“You look beautiful,” I whisper and blink in succession against the onset of tears.

This is the moment we both dreamed of ever since we were little girls.

I’m happy for Grace, and yet I’m afraid. In less than two hours, I’m going to lose the closest person in my life My childhood buddy. The person who always cheered for me and laughed when I tumbled. In spite of our differences, we remained close through the years, so finding out that she’s moving to Sacramento after the wedding hit me hard.

“I’m going to miss you, Grace,” I say, choked. “Both you and your ugly, silly, handmade sweaters.”

“Admit that you secretly love them.” She laughs and then tears gather in her eyes. “Stop it or else I’m going to cry, too. I can’t ruin my makeup.”

“I’m not crying. I’m just amazed how much you have grown. That’s all. Can you believe that used to be us?” I point to the pictures on the wall.

Grace must have been about five years old, her face painted in blue because she wanted to be a Smurf, just like her favorite TV show.

“I had real aspirations back then,” Gracie says, laughing.

“And now you’re getting married. It’s a little hard to grasp.”

“Those were the good times.” Her voice softens as she peers at my belly. “You know I’ll always be there for you, right?”

I nod because I want to believe her. She means every word of it, there’s no doubt about that, but can she possibly keep such a promise when she’s moving to Sacramento and soon will be too busy with married life?

“I know that,” I whisper. “Now hurry up before you miss your own wedding.”

“Okay.” She takes a deep breath and her expression turns anxious. “Let me pee before the photographer comes in.”

After she leaves for the bathroom I take out my cell phone to check an incoming text message.

It’s from the wedding planner.

---

Kristy: The photographer and his assistant just arrived. Want me to send them up?

---

“Gracie, hurry up!” I shout. “The photographer’s here already.”

No reply, so I type up a text.

---

Me: Send them up in ten. Did you make sure to put the homemade wedding sentiments next to the glass vase?

Kristy: Don’t worry. I got it. Everything’s running smoothly.

---

It’s her standard reply whenever she gives an update, which happens about every half hour.

I toss the phone on the table when the door’s thrown open, and Gracie returns.

“What if I’m making a mistake?”

I groan.

“Oh, Gracie! You can’t be serious.” I grab her in a tight hug. “Don’t get cold feet on me. We’ve both been waiting for this moment for such a long time. You’ve been together for five amazing years, and I can’t even imagine you guys apart.”

Textbook material.

“You’re just telling me what you think I want to hear.”

“No.” I shake my head. “I’ve always wanted what you have. I’m happy you found it, because you’re amazing and you deserve it. I’m just telling you what I feel. You’ve chased your happiness. Now that you’ve found it, hold on to it.”

Her eyes search mine, her gaze full of hope, soaking up every word. “Even knowing that I’m moving away?”

“Even if you were thousands of miles away, I would still insist you marry him.”

Her eyes fill with tears. “I promise I’ll visit you as much as I can. And I promise I will call you every single day.”

“You promise?”

“I promise.” A small smile lights up her face. “I’ll be here for my nephew’s birth.”

My sister was the first person I told that I was having a baby boy. She was also the one who attended parenting classes with me. “I really hope so.”

“Oh, no.” Her forehead creases into a frown.

“What now?”

“I’m panicking. What if I forget my vows? What if I look stupid and everyone laughs?” She catches my eye roll. “What? It could happen.”

“Gracie…” I shake her shoulders gently. “Everything will go just as planned.”

“I hope you’re right,” she whispers. “Do you think Dad will be coming?”

I hesitate. Obviously, I don’t want to lie to her but I don’t want to ruin her day, either, by telling her the truth. “I don’t know, Gracie. Maybe, but I wouldn’t count on it.”

“I’ll never forgive him if he doesn’t.”

“Today’s your day. You don’t need him. You don’t need his blessing.” I smile with more cheerfulness than I feel. “No matter whether he turns up or not, Mom and I have it covered.”

She nods, falling silent again.

“The photographer will be here any minute.” I head over to the nightstand and retrieve her jewelry box. “Pearls or diamonds?”

“Pearls.” She turns to me, her voice excited. “Oh, I almost forgot. There’s someone here to see you.”

“Not now, Gracie.” I lift two sets of pearl earrings. “Which ones?”

“You won’t believe me when I tell you who it is. Aren’t you curious?”

I put the earrings back and release an exasperated sigh. “I swear you’re the most unfocused bride I’ve ever seen. Alright, I’ll bite so we can get back to this. Who is it?”

She grabs my hand and pulls me to the window overlooking the backyard. I scan the crowd below. The planner’s people are still busy setting up the place, but they’re almost done. The chairs have been set up. The tables in the tent have been decorated. Rose petals adorn the white rug leading to the altar. “If your fiancé is trying to hook me up with his drunk friend again, I swear I’m going to—”

I stop midsentence as I spy the tall figure.

Kade.

He’s hovering a head over everyone else; his gaze is fixed on the rows of empty chairs.

Even though his back’s turned to me, I pull the curtains shut before he notices me. “Who invited him?”

“I did.” Gracie’s voice drips excitement. “We got on so well, exchanged phone numbers and all. Aren’t you happy to see him?”

I stare at my sister, for once rendered speechless.

Happy? Of course, I’m happy to see him. But for all the wrong reasons.

“Why would you do that?”

“Someone had to. It’s been weeks. Weeks, Vicky.”

I place both pairs of earrings into her hand and start pacing the room. “I know that. But—”

“What’s holding you back from talking to him?”

“This.” I point at my seven-month pregnant belly. “If you didn’t notice, I’m pregnant.”

“It’s his kid,” Gracie says.

She was against my decision to keep Kade out of the picture right from the beginning, which is one of the reasons why I haven’t told her about his countless phone calls. Calls I’ve refused to answer. And even more text messages.

“That’s beside the point. The point is that I can’t see him now. I’m not ready to face him. I can’t talk about the future. You have to tell him to leave.” I look at her, my gaze imploring. It’s her wedding; I can’t cause a scene. I can’t ruin it by starting a fight. All I can do is appeal to her better judgment, even though we’ve had similar conversations countless times before.

“Vicky.” My sister’s voice grows quiet. Too quiet. “It’s his child. Don’t you think he has the right to know about him? To have the choice whether he wants to have him in his life?”

I turn away from her, avoiding her gaze. “He doesn’t want a family. He’s not that kind of man.”

“This might change his mind. Expecting a child is a life-altering experience. It changes people. Maybe this is what he needs to become the person he truly is at heart. And you’re keeping this amazing experience from him.”

“Now you’re being dramatic.” I narrow my eyes as I realize she’s about to embark on the guilt trip. “I know what you’re doing, but it’s not working. I can’t believe you went behind my back and invited him to your wedding even though I explicitly told you that I don’t want to see him. This is an act of betrayal.”

“The only act of betrayal is hiding yourself from the man you love.” She squeezes my hand hard, as though to get my attention. “Don’t you see? Sooner or later, you’ll have to face him. Why not now? He’s flown all the way here. We both know tickets aren’t cheap.”

I let out a laugh. “As if he can’t afford them. You realize he’s rich? Like super rich!”

“So?”

I roll my eyes, mostly because Gracie won’t get it. “He has a penthouse. A big company that makes gazillions a year. He’s been voted sexiest bachelor of California, and this is just a tiny bit of the information I could find on Google. He’s out of physical rehab now. He’s probably back to his old ways.”

She shakes her head. “He’s not. He wants you.”

I laugh again. She’s no naïve it’s almost painful. “You’re being ridiculous.”

“Look.” She hesitates, choosing her words. “He wouldn’t be here if he didn’t care for you. I can’t tell him to leave.”

“Why not?”

“Because I can’t stand seeing you like this. I love you, sis, but you’ve been a pain in the ass. Besides, I want my nephew to know his father. Now, where’s that photographer?”

I watch Gracie as she picks up her champagne flute and takes a sip. With dismay I realize she’s enjoying playing matchmaker. I should have known my attempts at persuading her to understand my position were going to be a waste of time.

“Things might not work out between you and him,” Gracie says. “But maybe they will. You’ll never know until you two talk.” She smiles. “If I have to drag you out there by myself, then so be it. Now stop arguing with me or I’ll uninvite you to my wedding.”

“You can’t do that. I’m already here.”

“For which I’m grateful, but push me. Or you’ll get to watch from the window. Mom, Jason, and you are the most important people in my life. I’m not going to stand here and do nothing while you let your stupid pride ruin your chance at finding happiness.” She glowers at me, which she always does when she’s trying to get her point across. “Now, I want you to go out there and bare your soul. You’ll tell him how you feel about him. And we both know you’ll do as I ask because I’m the bride, and you want to see me happy.”

“That’s so—”

Someone knocks at the door, interrupting my chance to tell her that even though she’s the bride she can’t demand those kinds of things.

I stare at her, ignoring the strong need to shake some sense into her.

“Love you, too, sis.” Gracie laughs and then shouts, “Come in!”

The door opens, and Kristy steps in with a bunch of people in her wake, taking up all the space with her bubbly personality.

Kade’s here, and there’s no way I’ll be able to avoid him.

That’s all I can think about.

Storming out, I head straight for my old bedroom because it’s the only place where I feel like I’m not going insane.

I’m not going to miss the wedding, obviously. But I don’t have the courage to face him just yet.

I’ll do it today, in public, with lots of people around us. Maybe he won’t even notice me…or my very pregnant belly.

Oh, who am I kidding?