Page 65 of One Touch

Spring was my favorite season. I loved the planters on Main Street brimming with tulips. The small strings of bunting hanging between the stores flapping gently in the breeze. I loved the gulls calling, the cold waves crashing, and more than it all, I loved the sound of excited children demanding ice cream, despite how early in the day it was, and how far from scorching the temperature was at this time of year.

I hadn’t mentioned to El that Ethan and I had done the deed. I’d been saving that piece of excitement for a face-to-face meeting. Her mouth did the cutest little curl when she was scandalized by something.

I pushed open the bakery door, the bell tinkling. Inside, O’Neil’s was a wonderland of delectable treats—trays piled high with golden croissants, glazed donuts in every color of the rainbow, and cupcakes swirled with buttercream frosting. There were, of course, plenty of trays full of Elara’s now state-famous apple pie, stacked up and ready to be served. El stood behind the counter, her honey-blonde ponytail bouncing as she boxed up a dozen snickerdoodles for a waiting customer.

“Lils!” She smiled brightly, handing over the pink box and waving me over. “I’ll be right with you!”

As I waited, I noticed a familiar figure hunched over in the corner, a toolbelt slung low on his hips. Cole, Elara’s fiancé and Ethan’s brother, was hard at work fixing up a shiny red vinyl booth.

Unless Elara had told him, he still didn’t know about me and Ethan. I’d have to keep my news to myself a little bit longer, even if it felt as though I was about to explode.

“Hey, Lily,” he greeted me, barely glancing up from the bolts he was tightening. “Did El rope you into wedding planning? Better you than me.”

“Oh shush,” Elara playfully swatted at him as she came around the counter. “I know you’re excited, even if you won’t admit it.”

“I’m excited to be your husband,” Cole admitted. “Weddings, though . . . not exactly my favorite way to spend a day.”

“I agree,” I said, without thinking.

“Shit,” said Cole. “Wasn’t thinking. How are you holding up?”

I tried and failed not to blush. “Oh, you know,” I said, my voicewaytoo sing-songy. “I’m actually not too bad!”

Ever since your brother fucked me on the hood of his Ferrari and left a greasy hand print on my ass that still hasn’t fully come off.

“Good,” Cole said, nodding. “Lucky escape, if you ask me. Next time you get married it’ll be done properly, Lily. I know it.”

I snorted. “I’m never getting married ever again.”

Especially not to your brother.

“Don’t worry,” Elara said, grabbing a thick white binder overflowing with magazine clippings, fabric swatches, and vendor cards. “I’m going to restore your faith in the power and pageantry of a well-planned wedding.”

“Yeah, she’s been saying ‘pageantry’ a lot recently,” Cole said with a smile.

“Prepare yourself,” she grinned. “I’m about to blow your mind with my brilliant vision!” She paused, laying a hand on my arm. “You really are okay with this, though, right, Lils? It hasn’t been that long since—”

“I’m fine with it,” I said, waving my hand. “Seriously. My wedding wasn’t really a wedding. You know? More like a temporary lapse in sanity.”

Elara smiled kindly. “Well, just to ensure this experience is as enjoyable for you as possible, I’m letting you choose anything you want from my store. Seriously. Eat as much as you like while we talk.”

I looked at the goods behind the counter. “Well, if I have to, then I guess I’ll go for a Cherry Danish.”

And that’s definitely not because the candied cherry on top reminds me of a certain sports car. . . .

For the next hour, while Elara’s assistant, Wendy, worked behind the counter, Elara walked me through every last detail—the driftwood arch twined with seashells. The sunset-hued blooms where they would exchange vows on the beach. The twinkling tent strung with paper lanterns for dinner and dancing. The towering cake shaped like a huge Tarte Tatin. It all sounded dreamy and perfectlythem. Every now and then, Cole would whistle at how lavish it all sounded, and chuckle at the ambition of Elara’s plans.

To be honest, it wasn’t much of a conversation. It felt more like Elara just wanted to boost her confidence by talking through her plans with me. I was fine with that, though. Genuinely. It was awesome to see my best friend so happy.

“And so, we come to the bachelorette party,” Elara eventually said. “I’ve decided that we’ll combine it with the bachelor party. Because Cole’s friends are my friends and vice versa. It always feels so old-fashioned that the two parties are separate. And it’s not like Cole’s gonna have a bunch of strippers and whatnot at his—”

“Of course not,” Cole said, with a twinkle in his eye. “There’s no way I’d be into anything like that. Naked women? Gross.”

“That’s right,” Elara said, with a twinkle in her own. “Having said that, I do want to have a little fun. I may not be drinking, but that doesn’t mean I won’t be cutting loose. So, we’re going to charter a boat out to Goldharbor Bay!” She was so animated when she got excited. I loved it.

Cole looked up from where he was now sanding the booth, brow furrowed. “A boat party? With my brothers and your friends? I thought we were keeping things, you know,tame.”

My throat went dry.

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