Take Your Time (Boston Love #4)(81)

“You know what really would’ve put a damper on my wedding?” Her eyes narrow. “You being murdered the night before it because you’re too stubborn to let your friends help you.”

“Have to agree,” Gemma murmurs.

“Hear, hear,” Chrissy agrees.

“I don’t know,” Shelby says, tilting her head at me. “Might’ve made for a more exciting anniversary story…”

I flip her off.

We’re cloistered away in one of the smaller exhibit rooms, which the aquarium staff graciously transformed into a miniature bridal suite, complete with comfy white love seats, vases of fresh flowers, and several buckets of champagne. I arrived three hours ago to help Phoebe get ready and change into my own dress, still puffy eyed from my fight with Luca and the silent, stilted car ride that followed.

She was so busy scolding me for not keeping her apprised of the Duncan drama — God, Lila, I had to hear about this from Nate! — that she dismissed my atypical taciturnity as leftover shock from the attack.

Not clear signs of a slow-breaking heart.

My eyes press closed as I think back to this morning. When I emerged from the bathroom, Luca was setting up a small penned off area for Fenway in the kitchen — the floor lined with pee pads, a collection of toys for him to chew in our absence, fresh bowls of food and water. I wanted to thank him. I wanted to ask where the hell he found baby gates on such short notice. Hell, I wanted to scream how sorry I was and throw my arms around him.

But the words got stuck in my throat.

We exchanged not a single syllable from the time we left his place until we reached the aquarium. Thankfully, the drive was short: a five-minute trip down Atlantic Ave. Any longer, I might’ve caved beneath the crushing silence and done something stupid, like beg his forgiveness for being such a colossal, commitment-phobic bitch.

His words still echo in my head.

Delilah, you won’t admit to loving the twins or your dog, let alone a man. You have bigger commitment issues than anyone I’ve ever met.

My hands clench.

You can’t keep using your grief over her life being cut short as an excuse to stop living yours.

The sound of a cork popping pulls me out of my dark thoughts. Chrissy is pouring a bottle of Dom into flutes. She passes them around for one final toast, then hands a seltzer to Gemma.

Our glasses are poised mid-air when a knock sounds on the door.

“Who is it?” Phoebe calls, eyes wide.

“Your future husband.”

“Nathaniel Knox, don’t you dare come in here!” Her voice is stern. “You cannot see me in my dress yet, it’s bad luck!”

“Whatever you say, Phoebe.” He sounds amused.

“Nathaniel!”

“Relax. I’m not coming in. Just dropping off your present.”

Her breath catches. “Now?”

“Yep. I’ll leave it at the door.” He pauses, voice softening a shade. “See you soon, little bird.”

Her expression melts, knowing the next time they’re face to face, it’ll be to exchange vows. “Soon.”

She waits about thirty seconds to ensure he’s out of sight before she races over to the door and yanks it open. We’re all right behind her, eager to see what gift Nate has left behind.

Flowers?

Chocolate?

Lingerie?

Something old?

New?

Borrowed?

Blue?

As it turns out, all my guesses are wrong. Because the present isn’t a thing at all. It’s a man.

“Oh my god! OH MY GOD!”

Phoebe screams as Parker West swaggers into the room, wearing a perfectly tailored Hugo Boss suit and a wide smile.

“Hey, sis.”

“You’re here!” She throws her arms around him with such force, he’s knocked back a step. “You’re really here!”

“Of course I’m here, Sweet P. It’s your goddamned wedding.”

“Is Zoe here, too?”

“Already sitting in the front row, saving me a seat.” His eyes crinkle up. “I’ll join her after I walk my baby sister down the aisle.”

Phoebe’s eyes start to water.

Gemma steps up to hug her half-brother and scold him all in the same breath. “Don’t make her cry, we don’t have time to redo her makeup!”

Parker holds his hands up in surrender. His eyes drop to Gemma’s swollen stomach. “Wow, Gem. You’re about ready to pop.”

“Hopefully not for a few more weeks,” she says dryly.

“Am I getting a niece or a nephew?”

“Not sure yet.” Gemma places her hands on her stomach. “It’ll be a surprise for all of us.”

Parker nods and looks around, grinning at Chrissy, Shelby, and me.

“Lila.” His eyes twinkle. “I’ve been hearing some pretty interesting developments about you all the way out in the South Pacific. Zoe keeps me up to date on all the friend group drama.”

My brows lift. “Oh?”

He laughs but doesn’t elaborate. There’s no time to press him for details about his cryptic comment, because the venue coordinator appears at the door with a clipboard clutched in her hands.

“It’s time! The guests are seated upstairs and the groomsmen are lined up, ready to go. Phoebe, if you’ll just wait here for a few moments, until Nathaniel is on the upper level. The rest of you can follow me whenever you’re ready, and we’ll get started.”