Page 44 of Beautiful Thing

Today, I’ve been mostly laying low and hanging out on the sidelines in an attempt to delay the inevitable interrogation. Thankfully, the girls didn’t start hurling questions at me in front of Archer’s mother and grandmother. But I know the big inquisition is coming the minute they get me alone.

Daphne bashfully spins and twirls and accepts everyone’s compliments as Iris, the shop owner, offers a few suggestions. The bride-to-be looks stressed and frazzled and overwhelmed with all the decisions she has to make. But more than anything, she looks excited. Her big day is drawing closer and I can only imagine how excited she is to walk down the aisle.

A thought flickers across my mind. For a fraction of a second, I imagine myself in her shoes, planning an intimate gathering to celebrate a life with a man who’s crazy over me.

When I was a little girl, I used to dream about my wedding day. But it’s been years and years since I’ve allowed myself to imagine getting a happy-ever-after. By now, I’ve come to accept that some girls don’t get the happy ending, especially not over-stressed, burnt-out single moms.

When Daphne and Iris disappear somewhere in the back of the shop to finalize the order, Mrs. Brighton approaches me.

“Layla, dear.” She takes my hands in hers. “I’ve been meaning to get a moment with you.”

My stomach tightens. “Oh, yeah?”

“I’m just so happy that you and Archer are dating,” she declares, beaming.

“You are?” I question, my voice shaking the slightest bit.

“Of course I am,” she says, as if it should be obvious.

With the amount of chaos I have going on in my life, I wasn’t exactly expecting an enthusiastic stamp of approval from Archer’s mom.

Mrs. Brighton leans in closer, lowering her voice just a notch. “I was trying to mind my business at dinner last night, but I saw the way he was looking at you the whole time. It might be too soon to say this but, it won’t be long until you’re the one picking out wedding flowers.” She sighs. “You’ll make a stunning bride, too.”

I feel the blood drain from my face. “B-bride…?”

Mrs. Brighton nods excitedly. “Archer is not the type of man to fall in love with every woman he sees. He has big walls around his heart. But when he falls in love,oh, when that boy falls in love, it’s truly a special thing. My oldest son lovesbig, and I can tell that he lovesyou. It won’t be long until he makes things official.”

I swallow hard, unable to move the lump in my throat.

Oh, what have I gotten myself into?

I love Mrs. Brighton, which makes this so much harder than I expected. I don’t want to deceive her. But this whole thing is fake. It only started because I was trying to help Archer out. Looks like I didn’t think very far ahead.

My anxiety starts to bubble. I glance around nervously, and Karli makes eye contact with me from across the flower shop.

Crap. What does Karli know? I’m so gonna be busted.

My bestie rushes across the room to my rescue. She’s carrying a small flower pot in her hands. “Mom, look at this croton plant. Isn’t it cute? There’s a whole display of them over there.”

Mrs. Brighton stops and looks around the shop. “Where?”

“Over there,” Karli says, “Wa-a-a-a-a-yover there.”

“Well, this I have to see!” Grandma Brighton claps her hands in excitement and the two women amble to the other side of the boutique.

“Okay, spill it, woman,” Karli hisses, wasting no time as soon as she has me alone. “What is really going on between you and Archer?”

Ziggy, Nicky and Inez close in on us. They begin questioning me, too.

“Yeah, what’s going on with you two?”

“Are you really together?”

“Is that why you moved into his house?”

“How long has this been going on?”

I fumble over a response, starting and stopping a half dozen times since they keep interrupting me. “Uh. Yeah… Well… Archer and I are together now,” I say dumbly. “In a relationship. A real one. Because we like each other. Y’know,like that. And, he asked me to be his wedding date.”

---