“We really don’t want to wait until next June. Plus I love the idea of a Christmas wedding.”
“Have you chosen a venue?” Caitie asked her. “I’m guessing a lot of places are already booked up for the holidays.”
“We haven’t found anywhere yet,” Ember confessed. “Even this place is booked up for Christmas parties, not that it’s my first choice. I really want to get married somewhere a little different. Out of town, but not so far that people can’t travel for the day. I just can’t find the right location.”
Caitie could sense Ember beginning to panic. She reached out and took her hand, squeezing it tight. “Why don’t we get together tomorrow to discuss it?” she said, trying to keep her voice as positive as possible. “I’m sure we can work something out. And in the meantime, forget about it and enjoy your night.”
Ember let out a mouthful of air. “Thank you so much. I can’t tell you how relieved I am to know you can help. And we’ll pay you, of course.”
“You’ll do no such thing.” Caitie shook her head. “You’re family. This one’s on me.”
Four women around their age walked out of the ballroom and into the entrance where the two of them were standing. “Ember,” one of them called. “Your mom is looking for you. She wanted to talk to you about the seating arrangements.”
Ember’s eyes flickered over to Caitie’s. “I should go,” she said, giving her a big smile. “But before I do, let me introduce you to my friends. This is Brooke and Ally, you might remember them from school?”
Caitie shook their hands. She thought she recognized the two of them, but that was par for the course in Angel Sands. It was that kind of town.
“Hi,” she said, smiling. “It’s great to meet you.”
“This is my sister, Chelsea,” she said. Caitie grinned at the petite brunette. She looked like a younger version of Ember.
Ember turned to the final girl, standing on her left. “And this is Rachel. We work together. Everybody, this is Caitie, Lucas’s sister. You’ll all be my bridesmaids together.”
After greeting them, Caitie excused herself to find her parents and let them know she’d finally made it. Grabbing another glass – this time filled with orange juice – she made her way into the main dining room. It was full of people milling around, some holding glasses of champagne, others grabbing appetizers from the trays as waiters weaved their way through the throng. A band was setting up on the raised stage in the corner, testing their instruments before setting them carefully out for later. One side of the room was open where the glass doors had been pulled back, and guests spilled out onto the wooden deck. Beyond were the tennis courts and swimming pools, which led to the private club beach.
So many of Caitie’s friends had summer jobs here when they were growing up, wearing the requisite purple shorts and white polo shirts, the club logo printed on the left. But never her. Despite her parents’ urging, she’d claimed she was too busy studying, reading, and doing anything else to avoid working there. Eventually she’d found a weekend job at a small home goods boutique in the mall, far, far away from the beach and surf. That was where she’d started to get an eye for design, a passion that grew into her degree, and finally her business.
“You made it.” Deenie waved at her from the crowd. She was surrounded by neighbors Caitie had known since she was a kid. The next few minutes passed in a flurry of hellos, of telling them how she liked living in New York, of explaining the role of a Holiday Consultant, and reassuring them it really was a paying job.
Caitie was in mid conversation with Frank Megassey, her parents’ old friend, when a shout of laughter cut through her words. She looked over, flashing Mr. Megassey a smile of apology, to see her brother and his friends doubled over in amusement.
“Lucas seems to be enjoying himself,” Mr. Megassey said. “I remember when you guys were kids; he was always playing tricks on everybody. I’ll never forget the time when he put food dye in my swimming pool. Boy was your father mad.”
“He grounded him for a week and made him come and scrub all the
tiles with a toothbrush.” Caitie grinned, remembering the way her brother had complained about being covered in blue dye for days.
“He’s grown up to be a good man,” Frank said, nodding approvingly. “Everybody at the fire station raves about him. And of course your parents are very proud.” Frank raised his eyebrows at her. “They’re proud of you, too. They talk about you non-stop.”
“It’s all thanks to them.” Caitie shrugged. “And don’t forget to email me about the Christmas decorations you need for the town this year. I’ve found a few places that will provide them for free in return for the sponsorship.”
“That’s wonderful.” Frank grinned. “We’re always very grateful for your support.”
Caitie glanced over to the bar again. Lucas was talking rapidly to his friend, Griff, while his other friend, Jack, handed each a bottle of beer. A fourth man was standing in their circle, his broad muscular back facing her. She frowned, trying to figure out who it was. Lucas’s group of friends had been tight for as long as she could remember. He, Griff, and Jack were practically glued together all through school.
“Who’s that?” she murmured, leaning across to her mom.
Deenie turned around, smiling at Lucas’s antics. “Oh that’s…”
But she didn’t need to say anything more, because at that moment, he turned, his dark-blond hair catching the light from the chandeliers. Caitie took in his profile; his strong nose, his razor-sharp jawline, and those lips she’d never forgotten.
Her hand shook, juice almost sloshing over the rim. She stilled it with her other hand, feeling herself flush with embarrassment at her reaction.
“Is that Brecken?” she asked, her voice thin. “Brecken Miller?” She turned to look at her mom for confirmation.
“Yes.” Deenie nodded. “He moved back to town a few months ago. Lucas was over the moon when he found out he was back.”
Caitie hadn’t laid eyes on Brecken Miller for almost half of her life. Not since the Christmas thirteen years ago when he’d arrived at their house with his brother, both of them grieving their mother’s death from cancer. For nearly three days they’d stayed with the Russell family, waiting for their father to fly across the country to pick them up. When he’d left for Boston, he promised to keep in touch.