Page 140 of Chasing Olivia (Trace + Olivia 2)

“They’re all really good,” she agreed, “but I’m thinking the chocolate.”

“Chocolate sounds good to me,” I quickly replied. Next we had to pick out the type of frosting and decorations for the cake. We settled on a white buttercream frosting with flowers going down one side.

“You got it,” the baker jotted some notes down on a piece of paper. “I have everything I need. If I’ve forgotten anything I’ll be sure to call you.”

We shook hands with her and headed to the nail salon next. I was tempted to climb out of the back of the car and run away, but Lily probably wouldn’t appreciate that, so I was stuck having to tough it out.

Avery and my mom were already in chairs starting their pedicures. Lily and I headed over to join them.

“You look tired,” Avery commented as I took the chair beside her.

“I am tired. Sleeping on an uncomfortable hospital couch will do that to you,” I rubbed the back of my neck.

“You need to get some sleep tonight, you know, with tomorrow being the big day and all,” she wiggled her toes under the water, watching the bubbles foam around her feet.

“Um, the big day has already passed,” I shrugged.

“Yeah, but this is like the real wedding,” she reasoned.

“Oh shit!” I exclaimed suddenly, causing Avery, my mom, and Lily to turn my way. Their eyes were wide as they stared at me in shock. I wasn’t one to cuss and had taken them all by surprise. “I don’t have a ring for Trace,” I exclaimed, fighting tears. How had I forgotten to get him a ring? I was the suckiest wife ever.

“It’s okay,” Avery assured me. “I’ll take you to Marcy’s when we leave here.”

“Thank you,” I breathed a sigh of relief. “Wait, where is everyone?” I looked around the eerily empty nail salon. “Aren’t there normally more people getting their nails done?” I gulped, imagining that people had contracted some strange nail fungus, never to return to this place again.

Lily laughed at the expression on my face. “I rented it out for a few hours so it would only be us. You have nothing to be worried about.”

“Oh,” I wiggled in the plush seat, feeling silly. “That was nice of you.”

“Avery said you hate getting your nails done so I thought this might make it a little more tolerable.”

It warmed my heart that Lily had taken that into consideration. I was lucky to have married into her family and I was glad that we didn’t have a relationship like some daughters and mother-in-laws.

It took a few hours to get our nails and toes done. I ended up choosing a sheer pink color.

As we left the nail salon I followed Avery to her red car.

On the way to Marcy’s store, I told her about Trace wanting us to make up our own vows.

“I think that’s a great idea,” she beamed. “It’s really sweet and romantic.”

I narrowed my eyes at her. “Where’s my best friend that would normally gag at something like this? I think I want her back.”

“I’m in love too,” she laughed. “I understand it now, and I think you should.”

“I don’t even know what I would say,” my head dropped forward into my hands.

“Speak from the heart,” she replied.

“You make that sound so easy,” I glanced at her between my fingers. “But you know how I am, and I don’t like the idea of expressing my feelings in front of a bunch of people.”

“You’re not,” she shrugged. “You’re telling them to Trace. He’s the only one that matters in this situation. You need to get up there and forget that everyone else exists. Look at him and tell him how you feel. That’s it, Livie.”

“When did you get so smart?” I laughed.

“I’ve always been this smart,” she replied with a wicked smile, “you prefer not to take my advice. Which is ridiculous, because it’s really good advice.”

“Like not wearing a sweatshirt?”

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