29. Sybil Foretold of This Night
CHAPTER 29
SYBIL FORETOLD OF THIS NIGHT
T he cocktail hour felt like it lasted far longer than it should have. Addison hadn’t eaten all day due to nerves, and the rum and Cokes and champagne from earlier were hitting hard. Her stomach churned with anxiety, the alcohol amplifying her fear.
“Why, is that Addison?” a gentle voice asked nearby. “Oh, it is!” Before Addison could react, Jake’s elderly great-aunt Sybil grabbed her hands in her bony ones.
“Hello, Aunt Sybil,” Addison said, feeling the room spin slightly.
She had always liked the older woman. Aunt Sybil was the family eccentric, taking her namesake literally and seeing herself as the family oracle.
“I had a vision of you at Jake’s wedding, but I didn’t understand it. You weren’t upfront as the bride, which I was glad to see.” Thanks. “I didn’t sense you were here for nefarious reasons, but I’m getting that you’re on a mission.”
I’m too drunk for Aunt Sybil’s prophecies.
“Nothing to worry about. I’m here as a guest and well-wisher,” Addison replied, looking for an escape.
“Addie, I need to introduce you to someone. Ma’am, I’m so sorry to interrupt, but I need her,” Lexi said, pulling Addison away by the arm.
“Thank you,” Addison mouthed.
“You look like you’re going to be sick,” Lexi observed.
“If I do, please make a scene to distract everyone,” Addison muttered.
“Yikes.”
I’m going to pass out, puke, or run away before we get to the speeches. I need to calm down.
They took their seats at the law school friends’ table, but Addison barely contributed to the conversation. She sat in silence, breaking into a cold sweat while the others caught up and laughed.
“When do you think they’ll do the speeches?” Lexi asked casually.
“I’ve been to so many weddings,” one of their tablemates responded, “and no one ever does it the same way. Sometimes it’s before the meal, sometimes after. I’ve seen it happen before dessert, too.”
“Why? Who cares about the speeches? They’re always the most boring part of the reception,” another chimed in.
Not tonight. This might be a disaster they gossip about for years.
“I guess I’m weird. I like the speeches,” Lexi shrugged. Well played, Lex.
When the servers paraded out with salads, Addison knew she’d have to hold it together until at least the main course. She should have eaten, but she was worried she might surprise Tim and the guests with both a speech and projectile vomit.
Her hopes for getting it over with were dashed when the servers cleared the salad plates and brought out the main course. Come on, Laura! You’re killing me with this schedule.
As the guests ate their surf and turf meals, Laura and Jake made their way around the tables, greeting guests with huge grins.
“Addie, are you ready for your big moment?” Jake asked quietly when they arrived at her table.
“I’m not sure I’ll ever be ready. I’m so nervous.”
“I figured. That’s why we scheduled the speeches for as late as possible,” Laura said with a wink. Dang it, Laura. I wish you’d told me.
“She’s going to be great,” Lexi assured them.
“Did Tim say anything about me being here?” Addison asked.
“Nope,” Jake replied. “He’s good at not making a big deal out of things. I didn’t mention anything, either. This is between the two of you.” Yeah, and fifty guests.
“We’re rooting for you,” Laura added, giving Addison a hug before they moved on to the next table.
Addison picked at her filet and lobster tail. Any other night, she’d be savoring the meal, but tonight, everything tasted like sawdust. She knew she was in for a long wait until the speeches started, and even then, Laura’s dad, Amy, and Tim would go before her.
She opened her speech notes on her phone and reviewed them for the hundredth time. I could recite this in my sleep by now. Still, it felt productive, and she needed something to do with her nervous energy.
Her relief was palpable when Laura’s dad stood and clanged a spoon against his champagne glass. It’s starting.
His speech was heartfelt and eloquent, focusing on his wish for his daughter’s happiness. By the time he raised his glass, many guests had tears in their eyes.
One down, two to go.
Amy followed with a lighthearted, funny speech, weaving childhood stories about Laura with tales of the couple’s relationship. It was the perfect setup for Addison’s speech. I wish I were next.
Addison wasn’t ready for the ache in her chest when Tim stood to speak. He shared stories from childhood that revealed sides of Jake she hadn’t known, and his loyalty as a friend shone through.
“And now, as we toast the bride and groom one last time,” Tim said, raising his glass, “I wish them an eternity of happiness.”
“Actually,” Jake broke in, standing up, “this isn’t our final toast. Don’t finish your glasses just yet.”
Addison’s heart raced. This is it. My last chance.
“I’d like to invite our dear friend Addison up here,” Jake announced. The room buzzed with murmurs as she made her way to the front. “This woman, along with the best man, is the reason we’re all here today. You’re not going to want to miss this speech,” he added, handing her the microphone with a wink.
Tim sat down, his eyes wide with surprise. Addison took a deep breath, centering herself before she began, locking eyes with Tim.
“Hello, everyone. As Jake said, I’m Addison, and I’m beyond grateful to be speaking here tonight. I’ll address the elephant in the room first: yes, I’m Jake’s ex-fiancée. But before you clutch your pearls, I’m not here to cause trouble. I’m Laura’s biggest fan, and I’m overjoyed for these two.”
“I’m uniquely qualified to talk to you about finding love and the importance of forgiveness and second chances. I won’t spill the salacious details, but I was fortunate to be trusted with helping these two get back together after a pretty wild problem broke them up.”
“It’s me. I’m the problem in this story,” Laura called out, eliciting a laugh from the guests.
“And there’s nothing to be ashamed of. Lots of us have been ‘the problem’ in a relationship.” Addison made eye contact with Tim and her eyes softened. “Sometimes, when you’re the problem, the whole ordeal can seem unsolvable. But when we’re talking about true love—the kind that’s worth fighting for—there’s always a solution.”
Tim’s expression remained unreadable, though he maintained eye contact.
“The solution comes from admitting guilt, asking for forgiveness, and embracing second chances,” Addison continued. “To be trite for a moment, love conquers all. Or at least it should.”
Tim gave her a small, sad smile.
“In Jake and Laura’s case, they were able to do what many of us can’t — look past hurt and ego. When we’re stuck in our own feelings, we can’t understand and empathize with others. By letting our own feelings sink in and help us process the situation, we’re better able to understand where the other person is coming from. By doing this and remembering that the person you love also loves you, we can better see the intentions behind actions that might not have been the smartest. This clarity is rare. It’s worth fighting for.”
She could see Tim nodding as her words sank in. Is he seeing that I wasn’t trying to hurt him?
“Anyway, the bottom line is that true, deep love doesn’t come along often, and that we need to fight for our relationships and the ones we hold dearest. Jake and Laura are a shining example of how that leads to happiness. I wish for this kind of love for all of us. So, let’s raise our glasses to Jake and Laura, shining examples of how forgiveness and second chances can lead to happiness.”
She raised her glass toward Tim, and he returned the gesture, still seated.
As she walked past him on her way back to her seat, he didn’t stop her. A reconciliation isn’t happening here. What did I expect, a public declaration of love?
When she returned to her seat, Laura beamed at her.
“You were perfect,” Lexi whispered, squeezing her hand.
“Thanks. Do you think he’ll talk to me?”
“He’d be crazy not to. If Jake and Laura can come back from a far worse situation, so can you two. I’ll be the first to tell him that he needs to get over himself. If I don’t care that you kept your secret from me, why should he?”
Good point. That’s the backup plan.
Right now, Addison had to wait. She had done everything she could. He didn’t answer her text, so she had to go with the public, nuclear option. For now, I’ve done all I can. I just hope it’s enough.