Page 96 of Grumpy Player

“I can’t make that kind of promise,” I retort.

“Why not?” she asks, her brows furrowing. It’s the cutest thing.

“It’s just not something adults can truly plan,” I explain. “Now, can you please take your backpack? The bus will be here any minute,” I say, holding the bag by the hook on my finger.

I get another eye roll and then she walks over and takes the bag and puts it on her back.

We get on the elevator. “You know you’re my maid of honor,” I remind her.

“So I’m not the flower girl,” she pouts. She understands her task for Skylar and Liam’s wedding, but for some reason she doesn’t like the idea of being maid of honor.

“You can be the flower girl and maid of honor. It’s a really important role because you are my most important person.” I reach out and hug her just as we arrive to the lobby and the doors to the elevator open.

We rush out to the bus and make it just in the nick of time.

With Syd off to school and Connor putting in extra hours training at the arena, I head over to Nana’s. I get on the bus and the nervous flutters return to my belly as I think of how close the wedding is.

I arrive at Nana’s stop. I get off the bus and head into her building, saying hello to the doorman before proceeding to the elevator.

When I arrive at Nana’s, I have Nora waiting to greet me with a hug.

“We are so excited,” are her first words.

“Me too,” I reply.

“Go say hi to your nana, she is in her usual spot. Then come to the kitchen and we will make all the arrangements,” Nora instructs.

“I was thinking maybe you and Anna can come sit with Nana, and we will discuss all the arrangements together. I could use her input,” I say.

“That’s a great idea. She’s going to love that,” Nora says. She gives my arm a squeeze and I walk over to Nana on my own.

When I take her in, I see the difference. She’s lost weight. She looks tired. I’ll never forgive myself if she doesn’t make it to the wedding.

“Hi, Nana.” I lean down and give her a hug, feeling how frail she is in my grasp.

“Ellie,” she sighs, and she gives me a smile that touches her eyes.

“We need to make arrangements for next week. We are kind of short on time.”

“I hope you aren’t rushing things because of me,” she says, pinching her lips.

I swallow. I don’t want to lie to her but I feel like at this point the wedding is my final gift to her. Something to please her.

“No, Connor and I want this. It’s perfect timing. He’s home a lot because of his injury. Next season he’ll be back on the road. Now I get him until September. It makes sense.” I dance around her question, holding as close to the truth as possible.

“Okay, then. You’re looking good. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this happy,” she notes.

“That’s because I don’t think I have ever felt this happy, or this loved. Connor is a good man and I love Syd so much.”

“I can see that.” She blinks.

Nora and Anna come over with some tea and cookies and take a seat with us. Nana has an array of florists on her contacts, along with a wedding planner. We call the planner on speakerphone, and she asks me what my vision is for the wedding.

I look to Nana for help. “Ellie, you must have an idea for your dream wedding. Go for what you’ve dreamt about, every girl has a vision.”

“Okay,” I reply. I close my eyes for a moment. “I always thought I would get married outdoors, so I wonder if we can bring that kind of ambiance to the apartment with tall trees and fairy lights.” When I open my eyes, Nana’s grin is infectious. Nora and Anna are looking to each other like they are proud parents.

“We can do all that as long as Mrs. Albizzi is okay with us transforming her apartment for a day,” the wedding planner says.

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