Page 136 of Champagne Fizz

“Why would I do a silly thing like that?” Arie asks, her eyes turning dark.

“Because if it was designed by anyone else, you’d be gushing and posting three-hundred photos on social media,” I hiss back.

“And yet, it’snotdesigned by someone else,” Arie says blatantly, not denying it, as she crosses her arms over her glittering chest like she’s pulled an ace from her non-existent sleeve.

I stalk toward her and get in her personal space. “Why are you making this a pissing contest? Why can’t you attempt to be nice to Kendall?”

“Because I don’t want to be.”

“Even for me? When I’m asking nicely?”

Arie’s eyes flair as she tries to keep her poker stare. “Especially when you ask nicely.”

I ball up my fists and shake my head. Stubborn doesn’t even begin to touch the level of selfishness that Arie’s displaying. I remove my glasses and pinch the bridge of my nose where I’m starting to get a headache.

“Fine,” I snap, “be a jerk to Kendall to prove you can. But remember, everything you say and do takes me one step closer to walking out on this business.”

“Oh, but you’ve already decided to do that,” Arie replies, narrowing her gaze. “I don’t see how anything I do today will make a difference. Maybe you should remember that I’m not doing anything today for you. It’s all for Ned and Olivia—the family that’s loyal.”

She bops me on the nose, then stalks over to some pots like I no longer exist to her.

And maybe … I don’t.

39

KENDALL

Iopen the double doors between Olivia’s dressing suite and the central part of the room, and Olivia’s mother and grandmother gasp as Olivia makes an entrance in her bridal gown. The two Asian women stand hip-to-hip with their hands over their mouths and tears streaming down their faces.

“You look beautiful,” Olivia’s mom gushes as Olivia steps into the middle of the suite and does a twirl.

It only takes one look between Olivia and her family before her face scrunches. “Oh my gosh, stop it you two!” Olivia scolds, getting choked up. “My makeup is fresh and you’re making me cry.”

I hand Olivia tissue which she immediately uses to dab her eyes.

“See, I told you,” Grandma says to her daughter, pointing at Olivia like this was all Grandma’s doing. “She looks like a goddess. You’ll be a grandma soon. Lawyer man be making lots of boom-boom and whaaa-whaaa!”

“No talk about babies!” Olivia complains. “You promised, Nanna.”

“I can’t promise not to say the truth,” Grandma replies. “And you’re the most beautiful woman in Hawaii.”

“You really are,” mom agrees, stepping forward as I produce the veil for her to put on her daughter’s head.

“And the most beautiful woman in Hawaii,” Grandma continues, “must make the most beautiful of grandbabies. This is a fact. That husband won’t be able to keep his hands off of—” Grandma motions to the gown as if Olivia was walking around naked, which makes Olivia laughs.

“All right, let’s put a ring on it first. Okay, grandma?”

Grandma shrugs at Olivia. “I’m a modern woman. You have a baby out of wedlock, and I’ll still get a great grandbaby.”

“One track mind!” Olivia chides, turning to the sun as her mother hooks the veil into her up-do. Behind me the photographer is clicking images that I’m sure are gorgeous: Atlantis suite, Waikiki Bay through the window, a mother-daughter moment. Cliché or not, this moment matters, and it matters to Olivia too; the photo a memento of the emotion they’re all feeling.

I step to the side and let the three of them hug.

Three generations in one room.

Thisis why I love weddings—the genuine love of families. I just hope when Ned sees his own mother today, he might find a similar love break through all those layers of anger and indifference. I’m not holding my breath, but you never know, I’m a romantic. Miracles can happen.

After a few portraits with the photographer, I step up to Olivia and tap my watch.

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