Homecoming Love

The next morning, Lauren and I go out to pick up our maid of honor dresses. Since Alice doesn’t have a sister, she chose us both to stand up with her. Her brother will be Ryan’s best man alongside Chad.

Lauren and I picked two simple, but incredibly beautiful, silk olive green dresses. After the ceremony at the church, we’ll go back to our family ranch where the reception is being held. I wasn’t so sure about it at first, but now I can see it’s actually a good idea. I know every single shortcut in there, and if I want to—or need to—I can hide or escape to the house in no time.

“Aren’t you glad Alice picked a color that looks good on both of us?” Lauren asks, admiring herself in the mirror while we do our final fitting to make sure there isn’t anything to be sewed or fixed before we take them home.

I admire myself too, seeing the fabric hold my curves in the right places. I do look nice in it. My chestnut-brown hair doesn’t stand out as much as Lauren’s, but I like the way it accentuates my fair skin and the freckles on my nose—which I’m actually fond of.

I ignore the way my brain reminds me of how much Spencer used to love my freckles too and nod at Lauren. “Yeah, green suits us.”

I can see Lauren’s eyes darting from my face to the floor and back to me, as if she wants to say something but is not sure if she should. She has a good heart and is compassionate. She’s a good sister to me. We’ve always been close, and I trust her with all my heart, even if sometimes she can be super nosy.

However, I can tell she’s genuinely worried about me, so I take a deep breath and decide to address this in a serious way for once.

“I am okay, pony.” That’s what I’ve called her ever since she was three and begged Dad to get her a pony for her birthday. It began as teasing, but eventually, it became a thing between us, and she started calling me that too. Now, it’s just a loving nickname we use with each other. “Really.”

“I know you are! It’s just that…” She sighs, turning to look at me face-to-face instead of through the mirror. “I remember how this was a terrible period for you, and I don’t want to see you go down that hole again.”

I smile fondly at her, grabbing her hands and squeezing them. “Look, I know you’re all worried about me, and I do appreciate it. But I’m stronger now. I won’t let him get to me. And I promise you that, if I feel somewhat sad or uncomfortable, you’ll be the first to know, okay?”

“Okay…” Lauren finally seems convinced, and I drop my shoulders. “It’s a promise. You tell me, and I’ll punch Spencer in the face and take you away from the party, hear me?”

I chuckle, nodding at her. “Poppy said she’d do the same thing.”

“Poppy knows the deal,” Lauren adds with a shrug, turning her attention back to her reflection in the mirror. “I love you, pony. And you can count on me any time. You know that.”

I smile at her, ignoring the sudden lump forming in my throat. Lauren and I don’t normally show affection toward each other, rather choosing to show our love through bickering and teasing, but I know she loves me and will do anything to see me happy. Just as I am there for her no matter what. Knowing I have Poppy and Lauren on my side is enough for me to put my fears and insecurities behind me and focus on the day ahead.

This is an important moment for my brother and my family, and a guy shouldn’t be able to ruin this for me. So, with this renewed determination in mind, I take off my dress and head back home with my sister so we can start getting ready.

The ranch is pure chaos by the time we return, and after checking if anyone needs my assistance, I go to my bedroom to take a shower and get my hair and makeup done. Lauren rushes to her old room, saying she’ll meet me when she needs help with her eyeliner—something she can’t get right no matter how many video tutorials she watches.

Thankfully, I’m skilled at that.

It takes us three hours to be completely ready and waiting by the front door.

“We’re going to be late,” Dad complains, waiting by his truck with the driver’s door open. “Just get in and let’s go!” He slides behind the steering wheel, and I climb onto the back seat.

“Where’s Chad?” Lauren asks, following me while staring back at the house, searching for our brother.

“He’s picking Ryan up, remember?” I answer as we watch Mom walk out of the house looking like a Hollywood queen.

She gets inside the car. When Dad kisses her in front of us, Lauren and I fake vomiting, and after that, we finally head out.

People say that weddings make us emotional and thoughtful, and well, they aren’t lying about that. It’s inevitable to imagine certain scenarios when you cross those beautiful old wooden doors and spot the colorful glass windows around, the painted ceilings, and the majestic and ethereal architecture of the church.

I would be lying if I said I never imagined being the one walking down this aisle. I lost count of how many times in the past I pictured my wedding day with Spencer. I don’t regret that. I was too in love, completely infatuated by him, so I really thought we would one day be husband and wife.

But life had other plans for us.