“I’m sorry Renee isn’t feeling well,” my mother said to Henry at dinner.
“Thanks. She’ll definitely be sorry she missed all this, but she’s . . . she hasn’t been herself lately.” He seemed embarrassed by what he’d said and quickly dropped his attention to his plate of prime rib, and April and I exchanged a look. She shrugged slightly, which told me that she wasn’t sure what he meant.
“Well, tell her we missed her.” My mother smiled at Henry. “And we need to have the two of you over for dinner again soon. It’s been ages, hasn’t it?”
Henry, a tall and lanky guy who looked like he might have been a cowboy in an old Hollywood western, reached for his bourbon on the rocks and took a sip. “Actually, Daphne, Renee moved out. She and I are separated.”
My mother’s jaw fell open, her cheeks coloring, and I knew she was mortified that she’d brought Renee up. “Oh. Oh my goodness, I had no idea. I’m—I’m sorry, Henry.”
“It’s okay. I didn’t say anything because—well, with the wedding and everything, I didn’t want to put a damper on anyone’s mood.” He looked around the table, clearly uncomfortable. “Sorry to break it to you here at your happy family occasion.”
“The timing is my fault,” my mother said. “No need for you to apologize at all.”
After dinner, Sylvia and I went to the ladies room together, and she asked me if I knew what happened.
“No clue,” I said, digging though my bag for my lipstick. “But what the heck is in the water these days? Can no relationship survive?”
She sighed. “I don’t know. I hope so.”
“How are things with Brett?” I asked, reapplying the crimson lip color I hoped would brighten up my face.
“Fine, I guess. He’s not saying much. Checking his phone a lot.” She held up her wrist, where a diamond bracelet glittered. “He gave me this to apologize for being late.”
“Pretty.”
“Yes. It is.” She dropped her arm. “But I’d have been fine with a sincere I’m sorry and a hug.”
I stuck my lipstick back in my bag. “I wish I had words of wisdom for you, Syl. But I’m barely keeping it together tonight.” Our eyes met in the mirror and I struggled to keep mine from misting over.
“No word from him?” she asked.
“Nope.” I looked at my bloodshot eyes. “Hard to believe we managed to destroy a nearly twenty-year friendship in just a few days, but we did.”
She rubbed my arm. “Maybe once some time goes by, you can repair it.”
“Maybe.” But my feelings were so hurt, it was hard to imagine I’d ever be able to talk to him again the way we used to. He hadn’t even seemed like the same person by the end of our argument.
We went back to our table, where I picked at a piece of cake, drank hot tea with lemon, and watched happy couples on the dance floor. The hours dragged, but I didn’t feel like I could cut out early. I had to keep reminding myself that this day was bigger than my disappointment. I still had a great job, good friends in DC, and if Frannie and Chloe could find love, then I could too. I would find a new place to live, stop saying yes to everything, and enjoy my down time more. I’d get back to working out regularly and maybe even pick up a new hobby or find a new cause to support. That always got me fired up.
I’d get that vibrator too.
I checked the time again—almost eleven-thirty. I’d promised myself I’d stay until midnight, which was when the band stopped.
“Meg. Is that Noah?” April nudged me with her elbow.
My stomach flipped. “Where?”
“Over there by the door.”
I looked over at the entrance to the barn, and sure enough, it was him. “Oh my God. What’s he doing here?”
“Go find out,” she whispered.
I rose to my feet and began walking toward him, one hand on my stomach, which felt like it was on spin cycle. My heels suddenly felt two inches higher, and I wobbled on them, feeling completely off balance.
He watched me approach, his expression serious and his hands clenching into fists at his sides. He looked gorgeous and rugged in jeans, boots, and a cuffed-up army-green shirt, his chest straining against the buttons.
You should have been here with me, I thought. You should be wearing a suit and sitting in that empty chair next to me and refusing