Page 95 of Some Kind of Forever
Me
All finished.
Chase
It looks great, baby. Proud of you!
Me
How’s Chicago?
Chase
Windy *winky face*
Tucking my phone into my dress pocket, I hear the first guests arriving. We like to give guests twenty minutes to settle in before we step out of hiding, ensuring we aren’t a distraction at the beginning of events. Patti nudges me on the shoulder, holding her hand up for a high five. I slap it, and then my eyes widen.
“What’s wrong?” Patti asks, looking around the kitchen.
“That stupid banner!” I groan, reaching for my phone. I check the delivery app, and it still showsout for delivery. “Ugh, it’s the only thing Joan wanted!” Rubbing my hand across my forehead, I feel a dread filled twinge pulse in my temples before turning toward thedoor.
“Wait!” Patti shouts, stopping me in my tracks. She grimaces at the surprised look on my face as realizes how loud she yelled out in her panic. “I’ll talk to Joan,” she says sheepishly. “Just, stay here and breathe. We don’t need both of you freaking out.” She moves to put herself between me and the door, hurriedly peeking over her shoulder to see out of the glass window.
Something’s not right here, and Patti looks nervous. She doesn’t get nervous at events. “Patti…” I say, squinting at her. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing.” She purses her lips, checking over her shoulder again. “I’m just watching for Joan.”
“Patti, what don’t you want me to see?”
“Nothing,” she says again, more confidently.
“Then move over and let me see.”
“No.”
I laugh, shaking my head at her. “Patti…”
“Kayla, not yet! Just wait five more minutes.”
“For what?” I cross my arms, raising an eyebrow.
“For…the banner…” Patti says hesitantly, flashing a nervous smile. I walk toward her, planning to look over her short frame through the glass when she jumps up in front of me.
My mouth falls open, my reaction stuck between surprise and trying not to laugh.
“Okay. Don’t get upset, but the banner is here. It’s not a big deal. It’s just…wrong.”
“Howwrong?” I ask, watching her closely. She grimaces again, and I shake my head. “I’m going out there,” I say, pushing past her and opening the door. Looking around the room at the decorations, I skim over the faceless guests in my panic, and everything looks the same as it did when I took pictures. The cupcakes are on the table, the DJ is set up in the corner, everything is dripping in blush pink and champagne, and the centerpieces are all adorned how I would have liked them to be if this were my own party. My eyes move up to the trim above the window where a pink banner with muted gold script hangs, reading: Chase and Kayla, At Last.
Why does it say that?
I look over my shoulder at Patti, utterly confused. She smiles back and nods toward the room, prompting me to look again. Turning, I look closer at the tables and see Hunter sitting, wearing a dress shirt and tie, with his arm draped around someone I’ve never seen before. Trevor, in a navy suit, stands near the drink table talking to Ashlie, who’s wearing a champagne-colored dress a few shades lighter than her curls. Patti nudges me through the doorway, and I happen to see Artie, my dad, my mom, and Chase’s parents, all sitting at another table talking and laughing. They’re all dressed up too. All my people are here, but I have no idea why.
I walk slowly toward the middle of the room, taking in more details I hadn’t before. Ashlie’s sister, Willa, clicks a few pictures of a couple of the junior planners from work. Hadley cruises by the cupcakes, snagging one and popping it in her mouth before anyone else can stop her.
When Ashlie notices me, she clears her throat. A series of hushes go around the room as everyone turns to me. I’m looking from side to side at all of these faces I know and love, trying to figure out why they’re at Joan’s engagement party. And where is Joan?And why does the banner say that?
That’s when I see him—Chase, wearing a tan suit, blush pink tie, and the biggest smile I may have ever seen on him. I halt, and he closes the distance between us, walking with his hands in his pockets.
