“And what’s this guy’s deal?”
She shrugged. “His name is Simon Bennett, and he was the third runner-up on one of those singing reality shows. The record label is planning on launching him in February, so we’re getting him before he makes it big! How cool is that?”
“Um…very,” he said, forcing a smile. “And he has a band?”
“I’m not sure of all the specifics. But Jill said not to worry. He’ll fly down with her and Dex and it’s their gift to us, so…yay!”
Okay, that was definitely good news.
The veil was also really good news.
He was afraid to think about anything else because he didn’t want the universe to crap on them again.
“Hey, look at this!” she said, interrupting his thoughts. “You know the new photographer? Remember he took some test shots of us when we met with him?”
He nodded.
“Look, he sent us a couple.” Mia opened the files and Austin had to admit that they looked great. He never liked having to sit for a portrait or posed pictures, but this guy had put them at ease and clearly did excellent work. “Ooh…I love this one. I’m going to have to get that printed and framed.”
And for the first time in a week, he felt himself relaxing.
Eighteen days.
They just had to get through eighteen days.
Mia closed the laptop and smiled at him. “You know what this means?”
“What?”
“We need to celebrate,” she said as she turned and straddled his lap. And Austin was thrilled to be able to utilize his Plan B.
4
“Any chance we can stay here all day?”
“Mmm…that depends.”
“On?”
“Do you think we can get Chinese food or ice cream delivered?” Mia lazily asked as her foot was massaged.
They were having a girls' day at Glitter Gals and getting pedicures. The wedding was only a week away, and it seemed like the perfect time to sneak a little quiet time into the chaos.
Beside her, Sydney chuckled. “I was thinking pizza, but I can easily be swayed by your suggestions.”
“And I was thinking chips and guac and margaritas,” Emma commented as she leaned back further into her massage chair.
“Mmm…guacamole does sound good.” She paused. “Or maybe we can call over to Henderson’s and get brownies delivered.”
“They don’t deliver,” Emma said from Mia’s other side. “Garrett and I have talked about this, and in my opinion, it’s a real tragedy.” She glanced down at her phone. “Is there anyone we can call who can pick them up for us?”
“Which ones? The brownies, margaritas, Chinese food, or ice cream?” Sydney asked. “If Haley had her license, this is the sort of thing I’d ask her to do. I hear running errands for you is a perk of having a teen driver in the house.”
“Oh, it is,” Emma agreed. “I did that sort of thing for my mom, and my brother recently got his permit, so she’s already planning on all the things she’s going to have Wyatt do when he can drive on his own.”
Sydney leaned forward in her seat. “Wait…how old is your brother?”
“Fifteen. How come?”
“My niece is fifteen. I wonder if they know each other.”
“How freaking adorable would it be if they did?” Mia asked with a big grin. “And if they liked each other and eventually started dating and fell in love?” She gasped. “Oh my goodness, can you imagine?”
Emma and Sydney exchanged glances.
“Reel it in,” Sydney said as she relaxed back in the massaging chair. “I don’t even want to think about Haley dating, let alone falling in love and all that.” She shuddered. “She’s too young.”
“Yeah, and Wyatt’s a bit of a doofus. I wouldn’t wish him on anyone right now,” Emma commented.
“Wow, way to ruin a sweet idea,” Mia said with a sigh.
“I definitely want a brownie,” Emma said with a sigh of her own.
Julie, the owner of Glitter Gals, walked over and studied the three of them. “I just sent my daughter across to Henderson’s for you. I told her to get all the brownies.” Then she smiled. “And I promise to share.”
“You are the best, Julie!” Sydney said excitedly. “Thank you!”
“Any chance you have a margarita bar in the back?” Emma asked.
“No, but I can definitely get us some wine. Hang tight!”
When she walked away, Mia couldn’t help but laugh.
“What? What’s so funny?” Emma asked.
“I can’t believe we’re sitting here in these massive massage chairs, getting pedicures, and now we get to have brownies and wine! I mean…this is seriously the best girls' day ever!”
“We should do this sort of thing once a month,” Sydney suggested. “I realize it’s hard to coordinate our schedules, but it’s important to make time to hang out together.”
Emma nodded. “I agree. I travel around to different schools and talk to a lot of people all day long, but it’s nice to just sit and relax with friends.” She paused, and Mia could tell she was getting emotional. “I spent the last several years not going out with anyone because I was ashamed of my circumstances. And I really thought I was okay with it. It wasn’t until Garrett came back to town and we started spending time with you and Austin that I realized how much I missed having people to talk to about something other than work.”
“You’re not alone, Em,” Sydney responded. “When I moved back to Magnolia, I was dealing with the loss of my sister and brother-in-law and taking on raising my niece. I was overwhelmed for a long time, and it wasn’t until Kyle encouraged me to go out for a girls' night that I realized how important friendships are and how vital they are to our sanity.”
It was Mia’s turn to nod. “I don’t think I ever shared with Emma just what a social misfit I was growing up. I was smart and in advanced classes, and honestly, it wasn’t until I was in college and met Sydney that I realized how much I had been missing.” Reaching over, she squeezed Sydney’s hand. “You were literally a lifesaver to me and I can’t believe how far we’ve come together.”
“Wow, I had no idea the two of you have known each other that long! And now you’re both here in Magnolia and pretty much related through the extended families…it’s very cool.”
“And you’ll be related to us soon, too,” Mia reminded her. “Have you and Garrett set a date yet?”
“Not yet. The clinic has really taken up a lot of his time, and we’ve been doing so much to help out with Happy Tails that we keep saying our personal life is on hold.” She shrugged. “I’d like to think by the end of next year that everything will be a little more settled.”
“Things never get settled,” Sydney chimed in. “Trust me. Just when you think your life is calming down, something always happens.” Her hands rested on her stomach. “And no matter how much you plan, there are things that are just out of your control.”