Coming Home(77)

A lie.

And that was exactly what this felt like. Looking at these images felt like watching a magic trick that had already been exposed. It left her feeling disappointed, and more importantly, unimpressed.

With a flick of her wrist, she tossed the photos into the trash can, letting the lid close on that era of her life once and for all.



“Jesus Christ. So is this typical, or is Robyn one of those dictator brides?”

Leah laughed, rolling onto her side to turn off the light before scooting further under her covers. “It’s pretty typical,” she said, switching the phone to her other ear. “You’ve never been in a bridal party?”

“Once,” Danny said. “For my cousin, when I was like twelve. But I definitely don’t remember it being a three-day affair.”

“Well, it’s typical for girls, I should say.”

“Of course. You guys always have to make shit more complicated,” he said, and Leah smiled.

She’d spent the past few months being excited over Robyn’s wedding, but tonight, for the first time, she wished it wasn’t going to occupy her entire weekend.

She had spoken with Danny on the phone every night that week, and this time when he called, he asked if she wanted to hang out that weekend. Leah explained to him that she’d be spending Friday getting massages, manicures, pedicures, and facials with the bridal party, followed by the rehearsal dinner. Saturday was the wedding, which of course would occupy her entire day, and then Sunday, the entire bridal party, along with Robyn and Rich’s families, would be attending a celebratory brunch at the hotel.

“Alright, maybe next weekend, then,” he said. “I have something I want to show you.”

“Well, I’m getting back late Sunday afternoon. We could do something Sunday night if you want. I don’t have work on Monday.”

“You don’t?”

“Martin Luther King Day,” she said.

“Ah, that’s right.”

“Can you do a Sunday night? I don’t know what your hours look like on Monday.”

“I make my own hours. One of the perks of being the boss.”

Leah shook her head. “You think you’re so cool.”

Danny chuckled. “Let’s do Sunday night then. Text me when you get back.”

“Okay,” she said through a yawn.

“Alright, I’ll talk to you then. Have fun this weekend.”

“Thanks,” she said, her eyes falling closed. “Good night.”

“Good night sweet girl,” he said before ending the call.

Leah’s eyes flipped open before she smiled, reaching over to place her phone on her nightstand. It was the first time he’d called her that since his drunken rant the weekend before, but it sent the same thrill through her.

With a tiny sigh, she curled into her comforter and closed her eyes.

She fell asleep imaging those words falling from his lips before he pressed them to hers.



As cliché as it was to say a bride looked like a princess on her wedding day, that was the only way Leah could think of to describe Robyn. She couldn’t remember a time her friend looked more beautiful. And it wasn’t just her fairy-tale gown, or her elegant up-do, or her delicate makeup. It was because she was so unbelievably happy. Her smile didn’t leave her face the entire day, and every time Leah saw Robyn and Rich look at each other, it felt like she was intruding on a private moment. They were in their own little world, so wrapped up in each other, so conspicuously in love. It was extremely humbling to be around.