CHAPTER 16
CHAOS AND CATERING
NORA
I wake to the sound of chaos. The full-blown, pre-party pandemonium kind.
There’s voices shouting instructions. Furniture being dragged across hardwood. The sharp click of heels on the deck outside my window. A van backing up with that incessant beeping that drills into your skull.
I grab my phone from the nightstand.
6:47 AM.
Six. Forty. Seven.
I groan, pulling the pillow over my head, but it's useless. The house has transformed overnight into command central for Mia's baby shower, and apparently sleep is no longer part of the equation.
I drag myself out of bed, padding to the window.
Below, a woman is orchestrating the whole operation like a general preparing for battle. There are people everywhere—setting up tables, stringing lights, arranging flowers.
It's beautiful. It's also overwhelming because it reminds me of wedding planning. Which reminds me of the wedding I may or may not be having. It's exactly the kind of thing that makes me want to crawl back under the covers and pretend I'm somewhere else.
But before I can think to do that, there's a knock at my door.
"Nora? Sweetie, are you up?" Lydia's voice, bright and energetic despite the ungodly hour.
"I am," I call back, voice rough with sleep.
She cracks the door open, already dressed and makeup perfect.
"Sorry about the noise. I know it's early, but we've got the florist here and the rental company, they couldn’t deliver later and—" She pauses, reading my expression. "You okay?"
“I’m fine, really.”
She smiles apologetically. "It'll calm down once everything's set up. Oh, and I meant to tell you—Mia's cousins are arriving this afternoon, and another friend of hers is coming tomorrow too. It’s going to be a little chaotic around here.”
My stomach sinks. “Oh, I didn’t realise it’d be a full house. I can go and stay at the Country Club if you need—”
“Don’t be ridiculous. This is your home as much as it is anyone else’s.”
“Really Lydia, it’s not a bother at all.”
“Honey, you're all set in here. No issues, whatsoever.” She gestures around the room.
More people means more noise.
Lydia studies me for a moment, something knowing in her expression.
“If you do want peace and quiet though, Nate has cabins down by the studio. They were literally built for that exact thing.”
"I know. He offered for me to stay there last night.” I say carefully.
“He did?”
“Yeah, but I don’t want to impose on anyone—”
“Honey, Nate wouldn't have offered it if he didn't mean it. And those cabins are beautiful. It might be nice to have some space to yourself. To think and maybe even write.” She pauses. "No pressure and I'm not trying to kick you out either. I love having you here."
After she leaves, I sit on the edge of the bed, staring at my phone. Maybe some fresh scenery is what's needed right now.
Or maybe I'm playing with fire.
Either way, I find myself throwing clothes into my suitcase, not thinking too hard about what I'm doing or why.
I find Lydia in the kitchen, directing people with the efficiency of someone who's done this a thousand times.
"I think I'm going to take you up on that suggestion," I say. "About the cabin."
She doesn't look surprised, just pulls me into a hug.
"Good." She pulls back, hands on my shoulders. "Nate will look after you."
She says it with a smile and I force one back.