By the time we get back to the hotel and get showered and changed, and then drive back out to Luke’s place, we’re almost late for the rehearsal. Trent shoots me a glare when he sees us coming up the path, but I just grin and shrug apologetically.

“Everything’s really starting to come together — it looks beautiful,” Celia says to Hannah, who is standing around, nervously tugging on her sundress. It does look beautiful — there’s a big white arch in the yard now, with huge marble urns that I assume will be filled with flowers tomorrow. There are two huge sections of lawn blocked off, and although there are only a couple of white chairs scattered there now, I figure that’s where the seating will be set up.

Celia slips into one of the chairs now and I approach Trent.

“Where do you want me?”

“At the back for now,” he says. “You’ll be coming down the aisle with Sloane.”

I glance back and see the blonde girl I’d met the first night I was here. I give her a little wave. She’s chatting with Hannah’s sister Ally.

“Got it. Me and Sloane — and Ally and Luke? You want Sloane and I to go first or second?”

“You guys will go first.”

“Got it.” I head to the back and join Sloane, Ally and Luke. Trent stays up at the front, talking with Hannah and Mom and the Minister and then eventually Hannah joins us at the back. Sloane and Ally both rush to squeeze her hand. Everyone looks equal parts emotional and excited, and I feel another wave of gratitude that Trent invited me to be part of this.

The rehearsal goes off without a hitch, and it seems like almost as soon as we start, we’re packing everything up again. Celia waits patiently while we load some of the stuff into Luke’s warehouse, and then I grab her and we head back to the SUV.

Trent and Hannah booked the rehearsal dinner for an upscale restaurant not too far from Luke’s place, and Celia and I drive there. She’s quiet on the way, even when I try to make conversation.

Come to think of it, she’s been quiet since we got back from the “Jace Tour,” as she called it. I’m surprised how much I’d enjoyed seeing the old neighborhood, but if I’m being honest, I think my enjoyment of it has a lot to do with who I was doing it with. Spending time with Celia is just so easy, so fun.

Not at this exact moment, though. She’s gazing out the window, and she seems distracted. Maybe even a little sad.

“Everything okay?”

“Hmm?” She looks over at me. “Sorry. Just thinking about the wedding.”

I don’t have time to press it any further, because just then we pull up in front of the restaurant. There’s valet parking so I hand my keys over to the attendant and escort Celia inside.

Trent and Hannah have a private room reserved and the hostess leads us to the back of the restaurant. Everyone arrives within a few minutes of each other, and soon the room is filled with laughter, chatter, and a lot of excited energy.

I can’t help but get caught up in the moment, but every time I catch Celia’s eye, she looks distracted. She makes polite conversation with Mom and with Hannah’s friend and sister, but I can see that something’s on her mind.

We’re halfway through the soup course when Trent stands up, clinking on his glass.

“Can I have everyone’s attention?” He asks, clearing his throat. “This is a very special weekend for me, as you know, because tomorrow I’m going to get to marry the love of my life, my best friend, and the sweetest little vixen I’ve ever known.”

“Aw,” Hannah blushes and laughs, as everyone applauds. Trent leans down and kisses her sweetly.

“But they always say weddings are as much about the people who celebrate with you — and it means a lot to me that our whole family is here together.

“Mom, you made me the man that I am, a man who was worthy of a woman like Hannah. Your unconditional love and support of all your three sons and your husband have shown me what it means to be a true partner, and hopefully someday a parent.”

I feel a lump in my throat, and when I look over at Mom, she’s dabbing her eyes. And unlike the other day, when she came to dinner with Celia and I, this time her tears are out of happiness.

Trent takes a sip of champagne and then continues with his speech.

“Luke.” Trent looks around and spots Luke. He grins, and Luke raises his glass. “You’re not just my brother, you’re my business partner, and I couldn’t imagine running Loft & Barn without you. Together we’re an unstoppable team and I’m so grateful for how you’ve welcomed Hannah into the fold.”

“Cheers, buddy,” Luke says, raising his glass higher. “I love you, big guy.”

“Love you too, man.” Trent takes another sip of champagne and then scans the room. “And Jace.”

My throat tightens. Trent doesn’t say anything for a minute.

“Jace, we’ve had our ups and downs, but you’re my brother and I love you. I’m glad you’re part of the wedding — chalk that up to another thing Mom was right about.”

The crowd laughs and I start to relax a little. I raise my glass to Trent but he isn’t done.

“And I just want to mention Celia while I’m up here as well.”

I feel Celia stiffen beside me, but Trent is smiling over at us and I force myself to smile back.

“We were all beyond shocked when Jace announced that he was engaged — but we were really shocked and blown away when you showed up. You’re everything I could have hoped for for my little brother, and I think we have you to thank for getting him out here this weekend.”

I glance over at Celia and see a strained smile on her face, but she politely raises her glass. “Congratulations,” she mouths, tipping her glass towards Trent before taking a giant gulp.

“Okay, I think that’s enough sappy stuff for one evening,” Trent finishes. “Let’s eat.”

Everyone raises their glasses, and a rousing “Cheers!” goes out through the room.

I glance over and Celia is taking another huge swallow of her champagne. I’m not sure how many glasses she’s had now, but I’m hoping she knows her limit.

As we all settle back into eating, she seems to relax a little. By the time dessert arrives, she’s laughing at something Sloane is saying and actually seems to be having a good time.

But she tenses again when Hannah comes over to our table.

“Hey guys,” she says, slipping into an empty chair beside Celia. “I have something for you.”

Celia looks at me, her eyes wide, and then back to Hannah. Hannah hands her a little white gift bag.

Celia takes it warily. “What is this?”

Hannah shrugs. “Just a little something.”

Celia pulls out a bunch of sparkly tissue paper and then a small silver box.

“Oh, Hannah, you shouldn’t have.” She opens the box to reveal a small pair of dangly pearl earrings. I hear her suck in her breath.

Hannah shrugs. “They’re not exactly the same as the ones I got for the bridesmaids, but I wanted to get you something to tell you how excited I am that we’ll be sort of like sisters soon.”

Celia bites her lip and then I see her wipe a tear from the corner of her eye. God, what is it about weddings that turn women into faucets? It seems like everywhere I look, someone is dabbing away tears.

Celia stands up and wraps Hannah in a hug.

“That’s so sweet of you,” she says. Over Hannah’s shoulder, though, I can see how her lip trembles. “I’d be lucky to be your ‘sort of sister’.”

Hannah smiles, tightening the hug. “I can’t wait until we can get to know each other better. Trent says you and Jace are going to come out for Christmas? That’ll be so much fun!”

“It will be,” Celia murmurs. She extricates herself from Hannah’s hug. “Thank you again for the lovely gift. If you’ll excuse me, though, I have to go to the ladies’ room. Too much champagne.”

“Of course. I’m going to go say hi to a couple of other people.”

Hannah leaves the table and Celia doesn’t even look at me before striding out of the room.

Shit. I may not be an expert in fiancees, or even long-term girlfriends, but I know when a woman rushes to the bathroom with a quivering bottom lip, that you better go see what’s wrong.

I push my chair back and head out into the hall to find her.