Now, a genuine laugh. “You got that right. But it has made me think that I don’t want to get caught up in all that, Mom. The over-the-top wedding with all the bells and whistles. Those come with so many rules and so much judgment. But I want something that’s special, that’s mine. And Chase’s. I want to be married when we move in together. I want to be his wife. And I want him to be my husband.”

That touched Alexa, and she found herself wondering what that sense of belonging must feel like. She’d felt it when she’d looked at baby Penelope, but never for a romantic partner. When she hit thirty and there was a cavalcade of weddings in her social circle and among her cousins, she tried to find that someone special because it seemed like the thing to do. She dated coworkers and friends of friends and guys she met on planes. It was always exciting for a while, but as soon as the relationships ventured into caregiving or compromising her schedule for theirs, she lost interest. In her mind, there always seemed like there was something more interesting to work on than romance—a new project, travel to an exotic land. For a while she got really into scuba diving and that replaced men on her calendar. She went from one wedding to another in London or Athens or Los Angeles, but she never minded going alone. Or leaving with a groomsman for a night of fun. But no one person ever stuck as the person. Her person. Until Penelope. Once she had the baby, she stopped trying to find anyone else because there was no point. She had what she needed: her baby, her work, and her days by the ocean.

The server approached with the espressos and the piece of honey cake that Alexa had ordered.

Penny asked her to clear the rest of the table so they had room to work. “Why don’t you bring the check now? I see we’re your last customers. We don’t want to keep you,” she said sweetly. The grateful server hustled off.

There she is. My thoughtful girl.

Penny turned her attention to her mother, who handed her the second fork. The bride-to-be shook her head. “My carbs days are over for the foreseeable future.”

And a lightbulb went off in Alexa. Carb deprivation = Bridezilla.

Alexa wasn’t going to let the monster in. She was going to regain the top spot in this conversation. And eat this entire piece of honey cake. “Why don’t we take these items one at a time and you can tell me how I can be helpful. But first, let’s talk budget.”

Chapter 11
The Dress

The Mother of the Groom