Page 78 of Perfectly Wedded

“We have company,” Leo says.

My sister jumps out from the living room. “Surprise!”

“Mia?” I step toward her, giving her a hug. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m here for the wedding prep.”

“Alone?”

“No, I brought Mom too.”

Mom walks out from the living room. “You’re looking tan and happy,” she says, giving me a hug before she wraps an arm around Sloan too.

“This is unexpected,” I say, looking between them. “And early. Like, two weeks early.”

“This is my last child’s wedding,” she says, pinching my cheek like I’m five. It’s almost like she forgets I tower over her now. “And I know Sloan and Jaz don’t have their mom around to help. So I’m glad to fill in, in any way I can.”

“I thought you were kidding when you said you might stop by to help me with the wedding prep,” Jaz says.

Mia hooks an arm around her friend’s shoulders. “You know how I like to plan big events. And I couldn’t stay away.”

“Where’s Jace?” I ask, looking around the corner for my sister’s famous country music star husband.

“He’s using the time to write new songs. Says the peace and quiet will force him to work. Don’t worry, he’ll be here for the big day.”

“Mom, are you sure you’re up for this?” I ask, taking her arm and walking her to the dining room. “I thought you weren’t feeling well.” Mom’s back pain has gotten worse over the last year, and I was worried she might not be able to stand the plane ride here for the wedding. But even more concerning is how she’s going to get along now that Brax and I aren’t close by. Mia is the only one who lives in Vermont and part of me feels guilty for moving so far away for my career.

“Stop fussing over me.” She waves me off. “Now that I finally retired, I have so much time on my hands. I might have missed your wedding in Vegas, but I willnotmiss this one.”

“Tate offered us your old bedroom,” Mia says. “Hope that’s okay?”

“You’re staying here?” Sloan asks, her eyebrows flying up.

“Yeah. Is that a problem?” Mia asks.

“Not at all,” I say, grabbing Sloan’s hand. I know what she’s thinking. She was hoping we’d have time together before everyone arrived for the wedding. Now we’re going to adjust our plans to include having guests in the house, which won’t make it easy to talk to Jaz about what really happened in Vegas.

“No one else is here to surprise us, right?” Sloan asks, her eyes flicking from the living room to the dining room. She’s probably expecting her dad to jump out next, but the rest of the house is strangely quiet.

“Your dad left yesterday when Vale’s family showed up,” Tate says. “I think he realized we had a full house.”

Sloan looks at her sister and a look passes between them.

“He said he might be back sometime,” Tate adds. “He wasn’t specific.”

“He never is,” Jaz mutters. “It’s his usual excuse.I’ll be back. Yada, yada, yada.Then he shows up two years too late.” She pulls her computer from her carry-on, ready to forget everything related to her father. “Why don’t we start working through wedding prep tonight? I even have color-coded spreadsheets!”

“Perfect!” Mia says. “You know how I love my rainbow-colored spreadsheets.”

“Those two are way too similar,” Sloan whispers to me.

“Be glad they’re doing everything for you,” I remind her. “They want your wedding to be spectacular. Just like you.” I wrap my arm around her waist and kiss the side of her head.

“You’re all too good to me,” she murmurs. “I suppose I should pay them in brownies.”

“I won’t say no to brownies,” I say.

She looks at my mom, who’s sitting at the dining room table. “Does he ever stop eating?”

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