The months between that conversation and the actual events had been a blur for Alexa. As soon as Penny and Chase reconfirmed their wedding, the planning had been nonstop. But the first order of business was to get Penny to agree to limit the stress that had caused her to melt down in the first place by tightening the guest list, whittling down the bells and whistles, and putting aside the anxiety of what she should do versus what she wanted to do. Alexa was convinced that with a smaller, simpler wedding, Penny would thrive as a bride, just as she had seen her do in the office. Alexa suggested they each sit at their own big conference table with a calendar and a whiteboard to work out the entire plan, like their days together at Odyssey Vacations. Penny agreed, and the two connected over videoconference to hammer out the details.

But what Penny didn’t know was that Alexa had already solved the size and demographic problems. It had hit Alexa like a bolt of lightning: Go with what you know. “Penny, I understand you feel like you must reciprocate all those invitations from your twenties. You were in so many weddings with all those showers and hen parties and bridesmaids’ dresses. Now you never even see most of those couples. You said yourself that you don’t want your wedding to be a bunch of college friends partying. So, I have an idea on how to keep the wedding guest list small and intimate but include people from college and work in another capacity should they wish to join you. Here’s my pitch: Invite them on your honeymoon.”

“That sounds romantic,” Penny deadpanned.

“It’s called a buddymoon and, according to Aunt B’s website, it’s all the rage. She’s not for it, but I am.” Alexa went on to explain her idea of putting together a reasonably priced package to Greece for twenty or so friends of the couple so that they could share in the honeymoon but be left out of all wedding-related activities. “No showers, no gifts, no expensive destination wedding at the holidays. Instead, invite them to spend five days on Patmos with you and Chase. All vacation, no drama, very reasonable cost. We can block out the whole hotel for five days so it’s like your own private villa but you’re not in charge of anything, and everybody gets their own room. The family will host a party with food, music, dancing—but easy, easy. Imagine one long table in the stone courtyard filled with your friends and family on the island, a view of the sea, white lights. A celebration but not a wedding! Pure fun. Simple but lively. I’ve talked to your uncles and they would love to do this for you. As a gift.”

“Is this in exchange for me inviting them to our wedding?” Penny wagered with warmth in her voice.