Page 97 of My Ex-Best Friend's Wedding

“But...”

“Open it.” I watch as she removes and unfolds the single piece of paper. Then I wait while she reads the acknowledgments for the fifteenth-anniversary edition ofSandcastle Sunrisethat I finished writing just last night. It names her as cocreator of the original idea that inspiredSandcastle Sunrise.

“Is this... Do you mean it? Is this really going in the book?”

“Yes. I should have recognized you and your contribution a long time ago.”

“This is so... so...”

“Nice? Generous? Right?” I prompt. “It’s not like you to be at a loss for adjectives.”

“Very funny,” she says, though I can see tears misting her eyes. “You’re making my makeup run. I bet this is just a ploy to look better than me in the wedding pictures.”

“I’m wearing THE DRESS so that’s supposed to be a given,” I tease back even as my eyes fill, blurring my vision. Just havingher back is greater than any gift I could come up with. “You’ll also be getting a share of royalties for your contribution. Retroactively and in the future.”

“You can’t be serious.” Tears begin to fall even as she smiles.

“Oh yes, I can.” I wrap my arms around her. Despite what I do for a living I simply don’t have enough words for what’s in my heart. “And whenHeart of Goldgets published I expect to be asked for a cover quote. I’ll be sure to use way too many really great and highly wonderful yet evocative adjectives.”

My mother comes and joins in our hug. Now we’re all crying. But no one arrives to scold me about runny makeup, or judge, or try to quash anyone’s happiness.

Finally, we dry one another’s eyes. Moments later I rest my hand on my father’s arm and follow my mother and my best friend out onto the beach with a heart that’s light and filled with love.

?After we exchange our vows my new husband feeds me wedding cake. Everything about him is fine and delicious. When his hand is empty I lick the last bits of icing off his fingers. “Our next wedding you can choose the food and everything else,” I promise. “Maybe Café Boulud will deliver.”

“At this particular moment, food is the last thing on my mind.” His eyes are warm and filled with love. “You look incredible in that dress. I can’t wait to take it off you.”

I shiver with happiness and anticipation. “Maybe Lily will wear it next. And after that our daughter, if we have one.”

“That would be perfect,” he murmurs. “You are perfect. THE DRESS is perfect.” He kisses me so thoroughly I begin to forget what we’re talking about. “But I think it’s going to be worn again way before that.”

He nudges me gently and I follow his gaze to my parents. They’re standing off beside a dune. As we watch they melt into each other. Their lips meet.

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