Page 36 of Everlasting Love

“Perfect.”

14

VIOLET

I knockon Cass’s front door and wait. When the door opens revealing my sister, I can’t help but peer around her to see if Toby—oh who am I kidding, I’m really looking for Shane—is around but neither man is in sight. “Hey,”—I lean in to hug Cass and she hugs me back—“are you ready?” We grew closer after I left Allen and moved back home, and I’m so happy that we’ve managed to remain close since she moved in with Toby, even though we don’t see each other every day. I was an asshole to her when we were teenagers, pretending I didn’t have a younger sister. I still can’t believe I did stuff like that and that she forgave me so easily.

Cass blows out a breath and releases me to collect her overnight bag—she and the girls are staying with us tonight as a nod to tradition. She passes me the bag and then collects her purse from the entry table. “As ready as I’ll ever be.” She looks stiff and worried, not at all what I was expecting a bride-to-be to look like.

“Where are Toby and Daisy?”

“Toby’s taken Daisy to her swimming lesson this morning, and Shane will bring Daisy to Mom’s when he picks up Poppy and Jasmine from school this afternoon.” Well, that explains why he isn’t around. My skin flushes at the thought of seeing Shane this afternoon. Jas was so excited this morning when I told her Shane and Toby were picking her up from school today so Cass and I could spend the day together.

“Oh my gosh, I wish I was a fly on the wall to see the look on the other mom’s faces when he turns up to class.” I chuckle but Cass doesn’t join in like she usually would—something must be wrong.

Neither of us would be considered high-maintenance girls but when Toby offered to send us for spa treatments, I thought it’d be fun—Mom couldn’t make it because she’s in the middle of a huge design for a rooftop garden in the city center and Kate couldn’t take the day off work, so it’s just me and Cass—but anyone looking at my sister would think I’m taking her to the gallows with the way she’s acting. “You could be a little more excited,” I prompt as she locks the front door.

She snaps her head to me. “Iamexcited … nervous about tomorrow … and thinking about everything I need to do but I’m definitely excited to spend time being pampered. I can’t remember the last time I took some time out for myself. The shop’s been so busy and with the girls and Toby’s career … it’s a lot to juggle.” She sighs.

As we walk toward my car, I nod. “Same.” Well, not really the same, I don’t have a rock star for a partner. I can’t imagine what that’s like. “Life is just so busy and this sort of stuff normally isn’t on my priority list. But I can almost feel my skin cheering for this treat and my muscles relaxing at the thought of a massage.”

We climb into my car. “Me too.” She lays her head back against the headrest. “I can’t believe I’m marrying the perfectguy tomorrow, Vi.” Her voice is soft as she rolls her head toward me. “How is this my life?”

I take her hand in mine and grin. “You’re meant to have this life, Cass. Don’t question it because this is everything you deserve and more. I’m so happy you reconnected with Toby. I remember back in high school when you used to talk about him all the time even though you were dating Jake. I always wondered why you didn’t date him instead.”

She chuckles mildly. “Uh, that would be because I thought he hated me.” She looks wistfully out of the windscreen. “How wrong I was. So much time wasted.”

“Not really. If you’d dated in high school, you wouldn’t have Poppy. Everything happens for a reason. You need to remember that.”

I keep telling myself the same thing, hoping one day the message will sink into my brain. Reminding myself that I’m exactly where I need to be instead of dwelling on the stuff that’s gone wrong in my life helps me to move forward and find happiness. Even in the simple things like spending time with Jas, taking photos—which I only recently discovered I have a talent for—and spending time with my family. It hasn’t been easy the last two years since separating from and divorcing Allen, but I’m in a better place now. A happier place.

“You’re right.” Cass breaks into my thoughts and it takes me a moment to remember what we were talking about. “But what about you? When are you going to stop playing coy with Shane and go after the future you deserve?”

I start the engine. “He’s not interested in me, Cass. I’ve made it clear that I’d be open to something with him but he misses … or maybe ignores … all of my cues. We’re friends and I’m sad to say that I think that’s all we’ll ever be.”

Cass huffs out a laugh. “You’re both as clueless as each other. I was watching you guys the other night at dinner. The way yousat close to each other and served each other food. You also seemed to be having your own private conversations throughout the evening.” She raises her eyebrows at me. “Oh, and let’s not forget to mention how he organized a pot of tea for you. You guys definitely gave off couple vibes to anyone watching.”

My cheeks flush at the memory of the way he looked after me and readily offered to help me even though he didn’t know what he was agreeing to. “Naturally we would pair off in that situation, but it’s nothing more than the friendship that’s grown between us. I wouldn’t read anything more than that into it.” I flick on my indicator to turn onto the main road away from the city.

Cass’s lips tip up. “We’ll see.”

We spend the rest of the trip discussing the plan for tomorrow morning, steering the topic of conversation away from me and Shane. I pull into the parking lot forPure Harmony Day Spaand turn off the engine. Cass and I both lean forward to stare at the building through the windscreen. Shit! This place is fancy. “Toby organized this, right?”

“Yep. Apparently, some rich Australian client of Oliver’s recommended this place to Kate a while ago. Oliver sent Kate and her mom here for the day and they raved about it, so Toby thought this would be the perfect place for us. But I feel like maybe it’s a little too fancy. How much do you think this place costs?”

I release my seatbelt and climb out of my car. Leaning back inside, I capture Cass’s worried gaze. “Toby can afford it and he wants to spoil you. Let him. You can thank him tomorrow night.” I wink and she finally giggles. “Come on. Let’s go.”

We make our way inside, and I can’t stop my eyes from taking everything in. It’s like walking through a bamboo forest as we enter the foyer which features a tranquil waterfall. I already feel Zen-like, and I haven’t even made it to the reception desk.An older woman wearing pale sage smiles at us. “You must be Cassia and Violet. Welcome toPure Harmony. My name is Jennifer.”

Cassia steps up to the counter. “Thanks, Jennifer. I’m Cassia and this is my sister, Violet.” She points to me over her shoulder with her thumb.

“Ah, the bride-to-be, congratulations on your upcoming nuptials.”

“Thank you.” Cass’s eyes sparkle as she grins.

“Your partner has asked that we take the best care of you both today. Please follow me.” She waves her arm out toward a door and makes her way forward.

Cass and I glance at each other, then follow her. The place is painted in muted greens and finished with light bamboo flooring and light gray stone feature walls and while it should feel cold, it’s warm and inviting and the calming effect is instant. The sounds of nature play softly over hidden speakers, adding to the ambiance. I can feel the stress melting away from my body with each step I take. As I glance across at Cass, I notice she doesn’t look half as nervous and bogged down in her to-do list as she was when I picked her up.

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