Standing, Tory extended her hand toward Duncan. “Not tonight, just tomorrow.”
For Ivy and Preston's wedding rehearsal, the resort had roped off the portion of the beach where the ceremony would take place in the morning but had not bothered with anything else. But Ivy had shown her photos of what they had planned for the wedding, and it included hundreds of ocean-blue chairs, flowers along a white runner that would take the place of a center aisle, and a decorated ocean-blue pergola.
While she loved the beach, it wouldn't be her first choice for a wedding, especially this one. Unlike the beach at Cliff House, which was private and where more than one of her cousins had gotten married, here there was no way to prevent curious onlookers. Even tonight, hotel guests had paused throughout the rehearsal to see what was going on before continuing on their way. However, when Ivy had shared her and Preston's plans for a beach wedding, Tory wasn't surprised. The couple owned a home on the beach and usually only went on either beach vacations or cruises to exotic island locations.
“Do you want to run through everything one more time?” Jill, the wedding planner, asked.
When Ivy hired the planner, she said people waited months to book her. And after seeing Jill in action today, Tory didn't doubt it. The woman had everything running like a well-oiled machine, and if she ever got married and hired a wedding planner, Jill would be the first one Tory contacted.
“I don't think it's necessary. Preston, what do you think?” Ivy asked.
It was a wedding, not brain surgery, and they'd gone through it four times. If everyone didn't know what they needed to do by now, they never would.
“No, we're all set.”
Thank goodness.
“Excellent.” Jill checked the tablet in her hand. Why she bothered, Tory didn't know, because the woman probably had tonight and tomorrow's schedule memorized. “They should serve dinner in fifteen minutes.”
Tomorrow's reception was in the resort's largest ballroom, but tonight's meal was being served outside. Like the spot on the beach, the resort had closed off the grassy area near some palm trees and set up tables as well as a buffet. Since there was enough room for dancing, Preston and Ivy had also hired a local DJ for the night. The same DJ would handle the music tomorrow. The original plan had been to have live music for the reception, but the couple could not agree on a band. Personally, Tory preferred a DJ for things like this, since it allowed for more variety in the songs played.
Her butt was inches from a chair when Tory caught sight of the two couples walking toward the group of tables. Groaning, she lowered herself the rest of the way.
Since the bride and groom's parents had arrived earlier in the day, Tory expected to see them tonight. However, it hadn't occurred to her that Grant's parents would be there too, although it should've. Kenneth and Becky Castillo were not only Preston's aunt and uncle but also his godparents. The other couples' arrival explained why the hotel had set up more chairs than needed for the wedding party.
Rather than sit next to her, Duncan bent down toward her ear. “Something wrong?”
“Not really. I just didn't know Grant's parents would be here tonight too,” she whispered.
“Which ones are his parents?” he asked, settling into the seat next to her.
“The couple on the left.”
Duncan made a sound somewhere between a snort and a laugh. “Should've known by the hair.”
Many men Kenneth Castillo's age had thinning hair, her father included, or no hair at all. Not Mr. Castillo. The man had hair many women would give their right arm to have. And much like his son, he put tremendous effort into his appearance.
“The couple walking with them is Preston's parents. And Ivy's mom and dad aren't far behind them.”
The three approaching couples explained six of the extra chairs, but it still left four.
“Is Ivy's mother Gabriella Nelson fromMornings with Gabriella and Lindsey?” Duncan asked, referring to a popular morning talk show that had been on the air for at least twenty-five years.
“Yup. And Lindsey Hari is Ivy's aunt,” she answered. “Lindsey and Gabriella are sisters.”
“Really?” Duncan said, sounding surprised. “They don't resemble each other at all. I wonder if my mom knows they're sisters. She always enjoys watching the show.”
As she listened to Duncan, Tory watched Ivy and Preston greet their most recent guests; then they escorted their parents to their table, leaving Grant with his parents.
After a brief conversation that included a few not-so-subtle looks in her and Duncan's direction, the three of them walked onto the grass.
Please don't sit here.
Ivy had assigned seats at tomorrow's reception but not for tonight's dinner. And at the moment, there were plenty of empty chairs at her and Duncan's table.
“So, who else is coming tonight?” Olivia asked as she pulled out a chair and sat.
She'd noticed Olivia had been trying to get close to Grant whenever the group was together. So far, it looked like she'd had little luck. If Grant sat with them, maybe Olivia could keep him occupied in a conversation.