“I’m so glad Noah’s family are on their way here. I know he said he was fine with it, but deep down I’m sure Noah really wanted them at the wedding,” Summer said, her cheeks flush from either the wine or happiness.
Maybe both.
“You said his best friend is coming too, right?” Andi asked, before popping a grape in her mouth.
We were at a local vineyard celebrating Summer’s bachelorette party.
“Yes! Trent is flying in with Noah’s brother, who left on a later flight than his parents. Unfortunately, their wives and their kids can’t come, but that’s completely understandable with the short notice. But at least Noah will have them here to stand up with him.”
“This was such a great idea, thanks for suggesting it, Sophia,” my mom said to Sophia, who was sitting next to her enjoying a glass of wine.
“It was my pleasure,” Sophia replied easily. “Thank you for inviting me along.”
The servers brought out trays of food and another flight of wine for each of us. We were sitting on the patio of the vineyard, which looked down over the rows of vines.
We’d all dressed up and hired a car to pick us up and take us home, since we knew there’d be lots of wine consumption happening.
“I’d like to make a toast,” Whitney said from across the table. We all picked up a glass and raised them. “To Summer … one of the kindest, most generous people I know. I’m so grateful you’re not only in my life, but one of my best friends. You deserve all the happiness in the world, and I know Noah is the man to share it with you. I love you both.”
Summer’s eyes began to fill and after we drank, Margo stood up.
“Summer. I’m so glad that instead of getting upset when I mowed you down in my hurry to get out of that dreaded group therapy session, you invited me out for drinks. Meeting you and Whit that night really has changed my life for the better, and I’m thrilled you met a man who deserves you. To Summer and Noah.”
We all raised our glasses and toasted once more.
We went around the table, since everyone had something lovely to say about Summer, who really was one of the best people we knew.
“I’m thrilled you are all here and that we’re really going to be able to make this happen on such short notice. It wouldn’t have been possible without Franny, Oscar, Sylvia, and Sophia. I’m so grateful that everyone has been so kind and willing to help pull this wedding off.”
“You’re going to be the most beautiful bride,” Andi said with an envious sigh.
We’d ended up finding Summer’s perfect wedding dress when we’d gone into town the other day. It needed a few alterations, and Summer made the addition of a lace sleeveless overlay, but even before all of that, the floor-length, cream-colored gown with deep Vs in the front and back was stunning on Summer.
“I can’t wait for my last fitting tomorrow,” Summer gushed.
She had the fitting in the morning, then we’d do the rehearsal dinner in the evening.
“I’m sure it’ll be perfect,” Sophia assured her, since she is the one who put us in contact with the dressmaker. “Olivia is very quick and professional.”
“It’ll be lovely,” my mom agreed. It had been nice for her to be able to be a part of all the wedding prep festivities without having to lift a finger herself for once. We were all happy she was getting to actually relax during this vacation. She was usually too concerned in making sure everyone else was having a good time.
I caught Margo’s eye and she nodded, so I got up and went to the sideboard to grab the present we’d left there, then set it down in front of Summer.
“We know you said no presents, but we had to get you a little something,” I told her before moving back to my seat.
“You guys,” Summer chided, but her face lit up as she pulled on the ribbon.
“It’s for your wedding night,” Margo told her.
“And don’t worry, Luca and I will be babysitting Tennyson all night so you and Noah can enjoy some privacy,” Whitney added.
Summer pulled off the top of the box, moved aside the tissue paper, and pulled out the lingerie.
“Oh, my goodness,” she murmured, as she lifted the champagne-colored, satin-embroidered nightie out of the box. The back was open and laced up and there was a matching panty and robe set included.
“It’s actually more of a gift for Noah than you,” Andi joked, then shot a sheepish glance at my mom, who simply laughed.
“It’s beautiful. Thank you, guys. Noah and I will both get some enjoyment out of it.”
“We all picked up a little something to make us feel sexy at the lingerie shop, so all the guys are gonna be getting lucky this weekend,” Margo told Summer.
“Well, mine will be for my own enjoyment,” Andi said with a huff. “Unless by some stroke of luck there’s a sexy single Italian man working the event.”
“We have plenty of gorgeous men everywhere,” Sophia replied. “I can introduce you if you’d like.”
Andi balked and the said, “You know what? It is time for me to get back out there. Maybe a fling wouldn’t be such a bad idea.”
I thought about Damon, and how our fling had suddenly become much more complicated than that.
I loved Damon, and our time together had been even better than my dreams had been able to conjure, but I was obviously still messed up over my relationship with Nigel. And it didn’t feel fair to saddle Damon with another man’s wrongdoings.