Aleck: How’s the bridal party?

Me: Champagne and giggles, as to be expected. How about the groomsmen?

Aleck: Whiskey and hookers, as to be expected.

Laughing, I roll my eyes.

Me: Is your family already here?

Aleck: Yes. Hayden’s here now.

Me: Acting like an ass?

Aleck: No. Surprisingly well behaved. He brought cigars.

Me: Whoa. He’s like an actual person today.

Aleck: As opposed to?

Me: A bloody butcher knife.

Aleck: Lol!

A notification telling me my dad sent a text drops down on my screen. I toggle over.

Dad: We’re here, Winnie.

I smile at the familiar nickname. My entire family calls me Winnie. They’re the only people who I’d ever let get away with calling me Winnie. An ache in my heart at the thought of being around my family warms me.

Me: Stay by the hallway, Dad. I’ll come say hi before you’re seated.

Then I toggle back to Aleck.

Me: Speaking of families, my dad just texted me. He and my brothers are here. I’m going to say hello. See you at the altar, handsome.

Aleck: Can I come?

I stare at the screen a beat, a smile wafting across my lips, then respond.

Me: To meet my family?

Aleck: Yes.

I’ve never felt so utterly elated and dreadful at the same time. My chest warms with the comfort of knowing he’s making an effort to meet my family, just like he made the effort to introduce me to his. Then dread sets in when I remember that today is our last day together. A lump the size of a couch cushion lodges in my throat.

Me: What’s the point? We’re not staying together, remember?

It was a cheap shot, I knew. My pain is going to make it hard to put a lid on this mouth today, but my need to enjoy every last drop of him before he’s gone heaves me in the opposite direction. I feel whiplashed and a little nauseous. I can’t take the text back now, it’s already out there. And he hasn’t responded. No three little dancing dots telling me he’s at least trying to respond. Just no response at all.

Taking a deep breath, I slip my phone back into my clutch purse, and walk over to Sondra to set it on a nearby side table.

“My dad and brothers are here, I’m going to say hi before they sit. I’ll be right back.”

I kiss the top of Sondra’s head as Angelo, the wedding planner, walks into the room with the energy of a Vegas Showgirl on crack.

“Okay, honey.” She smiles, cautiously. “Hey…”

I turn back around to meet her eye.

“You okay?” she asks, her gaze searching my face.

No. I’m far from okay.

“Yeah, of course. Everything is great!” My forced smile widens. “My best friend is getting married today.”

Exiting the dressing room, I drop my plastic smile. Sondra knows me better than anyone, she knows my heart is breaking, but I’ll be damned if I let that get in the way of my happiness for her and Preston.