Chapter 22
Twenty-Two
Jasmin
Taking the day off was a smart decision.
Daniela and I have been running around to make sure we have everything.
Luckily, we don’t have to worry about a flower girl or ring bearer to help down the aisle.
She decided not to have them because she didn’t want to cause a fight within the family.
Everyone would be bugging her about how their kid is the best option.
“Do you think they’ll have everything set up at the winery?” Daniela asks as we’re packing our bags in my room. I rented a room at an inn in Asheville. We also have most of the rooms booked for those who don’t want to drive home after the wedding.
“I’m sure Parker is working on it now. He sent me pictures of deliveries being made early this morning. I think he was having them deliver before they opened so he could work on it all day.”
“Do you think he’s going the extra mile because it’s my wedding and you’re dating? Or does he do this for all their events?” She zips up her bag and sits down next to it.
“We’re his first wedding, but I’m sure he’s making sure everything is extra perfect because it’s you. I mean that’s the only reason we can get ready at Piper’s in the morning.”
I can confidently say this because he didn’t put near this amount of effort into the baby shower.
He got the tables arranged and then basically handed everything else off to them.
Not going to lie, it brought me an immense amount of joy when Piper told me they got out of there as fast as they could when it was over.
I guess that woman didn’t like being called out on her shitty behavior.
“You’re different with him. I know you don’t typically do relationships, but this one I feel has been good for you.
” She leans back while I finish packing.
With any luck I’ll be able to finish soon and we can get on the road.
A small part of me wonders if she’ll drop the subject, but I know her well enough to know she’ll keep bringing it up.
“What do you mean?” Playing dumb sounds like a good plan.
She sits up again. “You’re more relaxed and playful. It’s like he lifts the weight you have put on your shoulders. He reminds you it’s okay for you to let go of that burden. You know you don’t have to do everything for everyone, right? We’re all adults and capable of handling our own stuff.”
Here I thought I was hiding all the stress I feel.
I guess my sister does pay attention. I’m sure Adam would too if he were ever home.
It seems like he’s out more and more these days.
I wouldn’t be surprised if he goes off on his own soon.
Or, at least, with some roommates. His part time job doesn’t bring in enough to cover rent while he’s in school.
I close my bag and sit down next to her.
“I think deep down I know you can. But I worry what my purpose is if I’m not making sure everyone has what they need.
I mean, look at Mom and Dad. If it weren’t for me, I don’t think they’d remember maintenance on anything. As for Parker…I care about him a lot.”
It’s the only thing I can say. I don’t want her to know just how much I care. Or that I can see a future with him.
“I’m going to hold your hands when I say this.
” She reaches for my hands and grips them between hers.
“You are not responsible for what we do, or need to do. The only thing you’re responsible for is your happiness.
Yes, me and Adam come to you for things, but it’s only because we trust you with our secrets.
With everything we’re too scared or ashamed to tell Mom and Dad.
They are the parents. You are our best friend.
Stop confusing the two. We can handle our own things, and when we fail, we might complain to you.
But it doesn’t mean we want you to come in and fix all our problems. It’s not your job. ”
Who knew it would take my sister sitting me down to cast away all the stress I’ve been putting on myself for years? She’s right it’s not my job. It doesn’t mean I’ll stop worrying.
“You have no idea how much I needed to hear that.” I give her a quick hug. “Should we get going?”
“Yeah. It’s supposed to be you giving me words of wisdom today.” She sticks her tongue out at me before grabbing her bag. “You’re staying with me tonight, right? Or, are you staying at Parker’s?”
There’s the little girl I’ve always taken care of. Even though I know she can handle things on her own, I wouldn’t be anywhere else. “I’ll be with you tonight. I can’t send you off on your big day alone.”
“You’re the best.” She gives me another hug. “Now, let’s get going. I’m getting married tomorrow! And you are telling Parker how you really feel.”
I follow her as she squeals out of the house. The rest of the bridal party is meeting us at the winery. Then we just have dinner and the wedding to get through. After that, I can talk to Parker. Maybe this doesn’t have to be over.
Cavasos cleared out the entire back room for us.
Out of the Ashes is catering the wedding, but we wanted to show some love to another place that has become a favorite of mine.
Apparently, Daniela and Jacob ate here during the festival and loved it, too.
It felt like the perfect place to have the rehearsal dinner.
“Was everyone coming over from the winery?” I ask my sister. She’s been the one who has dealt with her friends. It’s fine by me because it’s like trying to wrangle cats. They don’t listen.
“I think so?” She glances around at the lack of people we saw less than twenty minutes ago. “Some of them may have gone to the hotel to change. It was pretty toasty out there today.”
It was. We didn’t want to do rehearsal as late as the wedding was going to be so we had plenty of time to eat then get some rest.
“That makes sense. I left my dress at Piper’s. I guess the rest of the girls are going to show up in their dresses.”
“Yep. I told them I didn’t want a lot of fanfare while getting ready. The only people I need are you and Mom. One photographer is staying with us and the other will be with Jacob and the groomsmen.”
She was serious about what she told me earlier. She’s perfectly capable of handling everything else. Which makes me wonder if she had me deal with Parker because she was forcing us to talk more. It makes sense.
As soon as I turn around, I see Parker striding through the restaurant to the private room. Speak of the devil. He looks handsome in his dark denim jeans and button up shirt. Completely different from his laid-back look when he’s at the winery.
“Hello beautiful.” He places a kiss on my cheek before making the rounds to greet the rest of my family.
I’m glad he’s respectful and does it without me having to remind him.
Finally, he makes his way back to me. He lifts a small section of my hair.
“I’m glad you didn’t go back to your original hair color because of your mom.
It feels like forever since I’ve seen you. ”
“I know. This week has been such a whirlwind. The set up for the wedding is gorgeous, though. You really outdid yourself.” I lean into him and wrap an arm around his waist.
“Only because I know it’ll make you and your sister happy.” He kisses the top of my head. “Wait until you see the canopy during the ceremony tomorrow.”
“Please tell me they are lit up.”
“If I did that, I’d ruin the surprise.” He laughs. “Where are we sitting?”
“My sister is going to lose her mind when she sees them.” I pull him to the other side of the table with my family.
Adam is sitting on the other side of our seats.
Thank goodness because I don’t think I could handle any of Dani’s single friends hitting on him throughout dinner.
Not when I’ve realized just how much he means to me.
“That’s kind of the point.” He grins as we take our seats.
“I figured she would love them.” He glances over the menu while the server takes our drink order.
I’m surprised he doesn’t order an actual drink, but I’m sure he has his reasons.
He probably doesn’t want to wake up with a headache.
Thank goodness my sister seems to be taking the same approach when she orders a sweet tea.
The rest of her bridal party walks in, loud and obnoxious. Why can’t they seem to know when you should have some decorum. Honestly, I hope she finds better friends soon. Even my mom has a look of disgust on her face.
“Sorry we’re late.” Hailey says as they take the empty seats. “We wanted to freshen up before coming over.” I don’t miss the way she bats her eyelashes at Parker.
He looks away from her, and I could kiss him for it. She isn’t one to back down, but I know Parker can handle himself. I hear a buzzing sound and realize it’s coming from Parker.
He pulls the phone out of his pocket and rolls his eyes. “I need to take this. If the server comes around for food orders, can you order what I got last time?”
“Sure. I hope everything’s okay.”
“Me, too.”
I watch him walk away with his phone to his ear. He’s running his hand through his hair which I’ve noticed is something he does when he’s stressed.
“Hey, I need to go to the restroom.” My sister bends down next to me. “Come with?”
“Sure.” I scoot back my chair and follow her toward the front of the restaurant.
Parker is standing near the bar arguing with someone who looks like he could be his brother. I wonder if this is Phillip. My arm goes out to stop my sister and I wait to see what they are saying.
“You didn’t need to come fetch me like I’m a misguided child, Phillip. Piper told me about the canopy and she’s fixing it.” His arms are flailing about as if to prove his point. I wonder what happened to the canopy.
“Yes, I did. You don’t even need to be here. It’s not like any of this is real.” His brother throws his hands on his hips. “She is your fake girlfriend.”
I hear the sudden intake of breath from my sister and chase after her into the bathroom. Note to self, no more eavesdropping because it leads to secrets being spilled.
“You aren’t even dating?” She whirls on me as soon as I close the door behind me.
“All of this, the hanging out, everything has been a lie.” She paces back and forth.
I hate that I’m ruining this night for my sister.
“Is his family in on it? Is that why we were welcomed with open arms? They knew we wouldn’t be around long. ”
“No, Dani.” I run a hand down my face. “I didn’t know one of his brothers knew. And yes, it started out as fake. We were going to amicably break up after the wedding. No harm. No foul. But we blurred the lines. It’s not fake for me anymore. It hasn’t been for a long time.”
“You know, you could have told me.” She points a finger at me. “We’re supposed to be sisters. The one you share all your secrets with. Me and Jacob genuinely like Parker. To find out it was all fabricated hurts.”
This is the fallout I was scared of. For my baby sister to lose all respect for me. Now I know why Parker feels the way he does about Pierce. It’s how he treats them that makes them dislike him. Now, I fear I’ve lost all trust with my sister. And maybe my parents.
“I’m so sorry, Dani. I didn’t mean for you to find out like this. I was going to tell him how I feel after the wedding and hope he feels the same way about me.”
I watch as my sister wipes a tear from her face.
One Parker and I caused. “Tell him to go figure out what’s wrong with the canopy.
I don’t really want to be around either of you right now.
” She hurries to the bathroom door. “Even though I’m mad at you, tell him how you feel.
From the outside, it looked real. And don’t worry, I won’t tell Mom and Dad.
I expect him to be your plus one at the reception.
Whatever happens after that is up to the two of you. ”
It’s no surprise we’ve screwed up everything. I’m not sure Daniela will ever look at us the same.
Pulling my phone out of my skirt, I send a text to Parker.
Jasmin: Daniela knows it was fake. She heard your brother when we were on the way to the restroom. It’s best if you leave. I’ll talk to you tomorrow at the wedding. Tonight I need to try to smooth things over with her.
Parker: Where are you?
Jasmin: We’ll talk tomorrow.
It’s sweet he wants to take care of me when all I want to do is make things right with my sister. The hurt in her eyes is almost more than what I’ll feel if I lose Parker for good.