“Thank you,” I repeat as I glance around the room. There are tables and chairs already set up for tomorrow’s reception, and quite a few hotel employees are buzzing around, still working. “Looks like things are coming together.”
“Yes, they’ve been hard at work all afternoon, and will continue to work through tomorrow,” Miranda says, turning to watch them. “I know you’re going to be so pleased with how everything turns out. I’m so excited.”
“Me too,” I say faintly, not sounding excited at all. There’s so much being done, and a tremendous amount of money being spent on this wedding.
“Let’s go outside to the gardens where the ceremony is being held.” Miranda frowns, though her face doesn’t move at all. She must use Botox. “Where’s your fiancé?”
“He’s meeting us here. He should arrive soon,” I answer.
“Text him. Find out where he’s at.”
Miranda watches me expectantly, and I have no choice but to pull my phone out and send my beloved a quick text.
Me:Are you almost here?
He answers immediately, thank God.
Perry:Who is this?
We’ve never really texted before, even though we shared our numbers with each other. I should’ve expected this response. I bet he didn’t put my name with my number.
Turning so my back is to Miranda and she can’t see our messages, I hurriedly type out a reply.
Me:It’s your fiancée. I’m at the hotel. Miranda the wedding planner is eager to get things started.
Perry:Oh.
That’s all he says.Oh.
I could throttle him.
Perry:I’m on my way. Traffic is shit.
Irritated, I tap out my reply.
Me:How long until you arrive?
Perry:IDK. 30 min?
Taking a deep breath, I exhale loudly before I turn to face Miranda once more. “My fiancé is going to be late. Traffic is unexpectedly busy.”
“Oh dear. I wish he would’ve left sooner.” Miranda taps her index finger against her pursed lips. “Let’s go ahead and go to the gardens. I’ll make sure everyone in the ceremony will be routed out there. Where’s your maid of honor?”
“She’ll be here soon.” We realized at my dress fitting that I needed at least one person to stand up for me during the ceremony. Since I have no sisters and I’m not particularly close to anyone, Tinsley said she’d be my maid of honor.
Winston is Perry’s best man, and his brother Keaton is a groomsman. The ceremony itself is on the smaller side. We have a small party and only invited a select few to keep it intimate, is how my mother described it.
More exclusive, is what Caroline said.
It was just easier, keeping it small. The less people in attendance, the less questions are asked. And those who are going to the ceremony aren’t asking many questions at all. From what I understand, they all had to sign an NDA in order to attend.
The reception is an entirely different thing. Both families have invited so many people, I’m surprised it’s not being held in two ballrooms. Last I heard, approximately five hundred have RSVP’d. And more will most likely randomly show up.
Unbelievable.
Miranda walks with me to the gardens, and when we enter the space where I’m to be married tomorrow, I suck in a quick breath.
It’s beautiful. Green, lush grass surrounded by thick green bushes dotted with tiny white blooms. A sturdy wooden arbor wrapped with gauzy white fabric. The delicate white chairs are already set up, the aisle down the center of them leading to the spot where we’ll be married.