Callie

“Did you tell him it was for me?” Kate’s voice barged into my dream. I blinked and sat up. The sun had set and I was too hot. I kicked the covers off and laid still to catch my breath and get my bearings.

“Tell him it will be a cold day in hell the next time I invite him to be in one of my movies.” Kate’s voice sounded amplified in my brain. I scanned the room, but I was alone.

My head throbbed. I staggered into the bathroom and splashed water on my face. I peeked at myself in the mirror, but groaned.

The doctor said I was progressing fine, but I felt like shit.

“Well, who else do you think we can get.” Kate voice echoed off the cold white tile in the bathroom. I stomped out into the bedroom and pulled the door open to find her sitting on the top step. He hand in her head, her phone glued to her ear.

“Okay. I need to know something tonight.” She nodded. “Do what you do.”

I narrowed my eyes.

“Hey.” I said.

She gasped.

“Hey.” She smiled. “I’m so sorry. Did I wake you?”

“What time is it?” I missed my phone.

“Eight.” She said.

“In the evening.” I looked back out the window.

“No the morning.” She walked toward me. “You slept for like twelve hours.”

“Where’s Noah?” I approached the stairs. I grabbed the railing and took careful steps down. My stomach growled.

“He and Preston went to the airport to pick up Dani and his father.”

“Oh, yeah.” I nodded and continued down the stairs.

The house buzzed with activity. It moved too fast. I closed my eyes to get my bearings.

“You want something to eat.” Kate took my hand.

I pulled it away.

“I can get it.” I walked into the kitchen, but stopped when the chef turned to face me.

“I can make you anything you want.”

“Can I just grab a coffee?”

“Cream, no sugar.” He winked and pulled a cup off the shelf.

“Why don’t we sit down outside.” Kate said. “You looked like you could use some air.”

I hugged myself.

Kate nodded at the chef and led me to the patio.

She guided me toward a table to the left side of the deck. She helped me sit like you’d assist an old woman and placed a blanket around my shoulders.

The air was chilly, but a heat lamp warmed the air around us.

It reminded me of the hot bathtub party Noah and I had a few days ago. It seemed like forever ago.

Kate had a look on her face like she wanted to ask me something.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“Nothing.” Kate sat down and scooted her chair closer to mine. I leaned back.

“Who couldn’t show up? I asked.

The chef handed me my cup and sat a tray of hot biscuits on the table. “You want me to make you an omelet or something?” The chef said as he pushed his shaggy blond hair out of his eyes.

“No, I’m fine.” I sipped my coffee. “Thank you.”

He winked at me again.

I turned back toward Kate.

“Who can't make it?”

“Justin Timberlake.”

I laughed and stopped. She was serious.

“You called Justin Timberlake to sing at my wedding.”

“Yeah, Noah said you loved him.” She shrugged her shoulders. “He declined in a text. Can you believe that?”

Kate showed me her phone.

JT: Kate. I’m so sorry. I’d love to help out but I’m in Fiji. Really sucks because I’m a Noah Patrick fan. :-(

“Well, hell Kate.” I giggled. “Why don’t you see if Jay Z or Beyoncé are available?”

“They are on tour.”

I giggled again and stopped again. She was serious.

“You want to go over what we have so far.” Kate said.

“Sure.”

I hadn’t noticed her laptop on the table.

She opened it up and hit a couple of buttons.

A document at the top said, Noah and Callie’s Wedding.

“Damn. Kate.” I slid the screen closer. “You missed your calling. You should be a party planner.”

“I do throw a good rave.” Kate giggled and scrolled down.

“You, me and Dani are going to the inn for the night and the bachelorette party. Spa, champagne, if you’re cleared to drink, and then in bed early.”

Kate scrolled down further.

“Guys will stay here.” Kate looked up. “I told them no parties. They are playing golf in the morning, nine holes and than back to the house to get ready.”

“What about my parents?”

“They are going to stay in your room at the house.” Kate flipped to another document. “We have you and Noah in the presidential suite at the inn to consummate this union.”

Kate giggled.

I frowned.

She continued on and brought me up to speed on everything from the flow of the ceremony to the food after.

Fish in case you were curious.

She even had hair and make up ideas on a separate document.

When she was done breaking down my wedding, she waited for my response. I didn’t have one. It all sounded amazing, but something about it bothered me. Something I couldn’t articulate. I opened my mouth to speak, but shut it a few times.

I didn’t know what to say.

Two seconds later, I didn’t have to.

“Callie” Dani pushed open the screen door and barreled toward me. “Hey sweetie.”

I stood and embraced Dani. I missed her. I hadn’t seen her since Preston and Kate’s wedding. So much had happened since then and now she was here and I was so happy to see her. I needed her blunt directness.

She held me at arms length and looked me up and down.

“You’re hair is out of control.” Dani pushed it out of my face.

“Stop.” I shook my head, which rattled my brain.

I leaned in for another hug, but Dani made a beeline for Kate.

“Kate.” They did that Hollywood air kiss thing and grinned at each other. “It's so great to meet you.”

“I was just going over the wedding plans with Callie.” Kate pointed to her computer.

“I looked over it on the plane. It’s going to be fabulous.” Dani said.

“You went over it on the plane?” I asked to Dani.

“I emailed it to her.” Kate said.

“Hello Ms. Callie.” I turned and found the handsomest man over sixty I’d ever met. He was soon to be my father in law.

“Mr. Patrick.” I fell into his arms. He kissed the top of my head and held me close. He smelled like scotch and a little like Noah. If Noah looked anything like Mr. Patrick when he got older, I was excited about growing old with him.

“You feeling better, Callie.” He let go of me and I missed the support.

“Yeah.” I nodded and rubbed my nose. “Where’s Noah?”

“He and Preston dropped us off and ran back out to take care of something.” Mr. Patrick took my hand and led me over to the table.

Kate and Dani were already knee deep in wedding jargon.

I tuned them out. I picked at a biscuit and sipped my coffee and tried to figure out why this wedding seemed like a better idea a couple of days ago.