The rest of the guests were arriving tomorrow and would be scattered throughout Montecito, Santa Barbara, and Summerland in hotels and rentals. Setup would begin at the wedding venue in the morning. The rehearsal dinner would be for family only. The after-party, for “the young people,” would be at a brew pub with an outdoor firepit and sponsored by Lloyd in lieu of a bachelor party because a congressional candidate couldn’t risk one wild night in today’s political climate. Ricky had secured a fleet of cars and vans to move the wedding guests around from event to event without clogging up the streets of Montecito, which frowned upon parked cars in private neighborhoods. And all the details of the wedding day timeline had been approved and committed to an Excel spreadsheet by Madison Meadows, from morning coffee to hair and makeup to the walk down the aisle to the first dance. The brunch on the morning after would be hosted by the Diamandis clan at the beach house and feature the breakfast burritos that Penny requested. It would all be perfect.

For now, Alexa’s only job was to sip tea and relax. Penny had arrived to say hello before heading out to get her nails done with some high school friends. She floated around the room in another white dress from a seemingly endless supply of white dresses. “Retail therapy at sample sales,” she had explained to her mother as she unpacked her suitcases back at their condo, the two of them living together again for the last few weeks.

Alexa was so proud she could have watched her daughter all day, but the drop-in was short and sweet. It seemed mainly to say hello to Toots and thank her again for her generosity, a fitting gesture. Now, it was back to being the MOB and engaging with the MOG and each other’s people. The guests at her table were already involved in lively conversations. The Greek cousins settled in seamlessly, comfortably conversing in English. Iris was fascinated by Hazel Fox’s apple orchards, and Chloe was chatting with two of Alexa’s most trusted employees about a new hot spot in Athens. Mitsy caught up with her former daughter-in-law Helen, who had driven up from Pasadena with her newish husband Patrick, an archaeologist. Frannie and Roxanne recounted the details of Operation Butterfly to Charlene, the mother of one of Penny’s high school friends. Toots and Ming had their heads together about some new scheme that might involve Sarah and Lloyd. There was laughter and love bubbling up throughout the room.

She caught Abigail’s eye and they shared a smile and a wave. They both knew that this was the kickoff event of a nonstop three days. Damn the weather report. A little rain was a good omen, wasn’t it?

Chapter 34
The Rehearsal Dinner

The Mother of the Groom