Page 70 of My Almost Ex

“Holy shit!” Cora exclaimed next to Hank. “That’s huge.”

Hank laughed, familiar with my best friend’s lack of a filter.

Marla took the necklace from the box and held it out in front of me. “May I?”

Tears stung my eyes, but I tried to push them back because I didn’t want to ruin my makeup. “Please.”

She removed the necklace I’d bought from the bridal store. It wasn’t a sentimental piece anyway. My hair had been styled up, so she easily clasped the necklace for me. My thumb and forefinger held the sapphire while I felt the rough edges and smoothness of the jewel.

Hank stared at it around my neck for a moment, then he relaxed in his seat and stared out the window. Marla squeezed his knee as though she understood what this moment meant to him. Then he grabbed her hand and smiled at her.

When we reached the area Adam had picked, it was covered in peonies. The sky had been glowing with pinks and blues. Since we couldn’t have candles, we’d opted to have battery-operated ones, but the effect was the same.

“Let’s get you married.” Marla kissed my cheek and rushed up the flower petal path toward where the ceremony would take place.

I caught a glimpse of Jed, who’d been holding out his arm and waiting to walk his mom down to her seat. The rest of the groomsmen and bridesmaids then lined up and walked down the aisle.

Toby and Cora walked up the aisle, leaving only me and Hank.

Hank held out his arm. “I know you wish it was your father walking you down the aisle, but I want you to know how honored I am to give you to my son. Marla and I are both ecstatic that you’ve chosen Adam to be your husband.”

“Thank you,” I said and tried not to cry before I reached Adam.

“Laurie would have loved you. I like to think she’s smiling down on us today.” He nodded a few times as though he was fighting his own tears. “Let’s make you an official part of the family, shall we?”

“Sounds great.”

We walked down the aisle, and at the clearing, Adam was standing in the middle of a flower petal circle, right at the edge of a cliff. I didn’t see the guests in the white chairs or anyone else standing at the front. All I could see was him and his giant smile. His gaze had shifted to the necklace for a brief moment and his smile had grown. He mouthed he loved me, and my heart could’ve burst into confetti I was so happy.

“You remembered?” Marla’s voice drags me out of the memory.

I close my eyes to make sure I wasn’t daydreaming. “The necklace.” I cover my neck with my hand. “What did I do with it?”

Marla shrugs. “I don’t know, sweetie. Just be happy you remembered. I hope you forgive me for being pushy. I just felt like if you saw the dress or the room, it might help. If not today, another day.”

I wrap my arms around her and squeeze tightly. “Thank you, Marla. Thank you so much.”

This is the most precious memory to come back to me. The only problem with the memory is that I could feel in my bones how happy I was, and it doesn’t make sense that five years later I walked out on him.

I really hope I didn’t lose that necklace or get rid of it in anger. I hope it’s in one of the boxes at the house. I couldn’t have been that careless with something that meant so much to him. I know I never would be now, but would the old Lucy?

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