Chapter 31
NOVA
“You’re pink,” Mari says, pressing a finger into the pinned-up curls on my head.
“You’re drunk.”
“I’m not,” she protests, throwing her arms around me. “I’m only tipsy,” she whispers.
“Got it,” I laugh.
“This is the best night of my life.”
“You’re the most beautiful bride, Mar.”
She beams. “Thank you. I’m going to say goodbye to the rest of the wedding party, then Harlan and I are leaving for our honeymoon.”
She whooshes off to Chloe, who gestures and mouths to me, “Sparkler send off in ten?”
I nod, satisfaction and love welling up inside me.
I’m bursting with them.
My future is far from settled, but tonight has been amazing.
I’m tipsy on wine and swaying to the band as they play old favorite songs. I scan the crowd of well-dressed, beautiful, and generally tall people looking for one in particular.
“Nova.”
The familiar voice has me turning.
“Harlan.” I throw my arms around him, significantly more buzzed than the last time I bumped into him, and he’s surprised a second before he hugs me back. “You’re a married man. Ready to start the season with new commitments.”
“And I couldn’t be happier.”
He looks as if he means it.
“When you were growing up, did you ever think you’d be here?” I ask him.
“I can honestly say it never occurred to me.”
“Me either. This entire month has been a trip,” I say. “I’m glad we’re family. That I get to know you.”
His eyes cloud. “So am I. I hope you know you’re always welcome here, even after you go back to Boston.”
I twist my hands together, anticipation bubbling up. “I haven’t decided if I will.”
“Oh?”
“I might try something new. I don’t have to have my entire life figured out yet, right?”
I flush and scan the crowd. Still no sign of Clay.
“You certainly don’t.” Harlan sounds thoughtful.
I reach for my phone to see if there are any texts.
Nothing.
“Nova…”
“Sorry.” I tuck the phone away. “I just—”
I look at the slip of paper in Harlan’s hand. “What is that?”
Instead of a guestbook, Harlan and Mari had people write on sheets of paper and slip them into a box with their hopes or advice for the couple.
“Is that my name?” I ask, spotting the handwriting on the half-folded sheet.
Harlan’s face tightens. In my happy, buzzed state, I reach for it without waiting for a response.
The moment I feel the paper against my fingers, I have the sudden impulse to give it back.
“It’s time to do the sparklers!” Brooke shouts, descending from nowhere with a handful of the things.
She shoves them into my free hand, and I nod quickly. “I’ll be right there!”
“Hurry up. Miles almost burned his hands off the last time he tried to do this. We need as much supervision as possible.”
“Thank you for everything,” Harlan murmurs. “We’re here for you. No matter what.” He squeezes my arm and walks away as I unfold the letter.
Dear Nova, it starts.
My throat tightens by the time I read the first sentence.
After the second paragraph, I’m shaking my head.
When I reach the third, my knees give out.
The staircase breaks my fall, my shoulder hitting the banister.
My eyes burn, making the lights blur together.
I force myself to read through to the end.
But even before I get there, I know the truth.
Clay isn’t coming.
Not tonight.
Not ever.
He made his choice.
It’s not me.