Unwrapped

“You want to tell me what just happened here?”

***

I brush off Juliet’s question, turning back to her with a bright smile. “Nothing, I don’t know what you mean. Now, where do you want to get started: out in the yard, or in here?”

“Lacey …” Juliet gives me a knowing look, but I refuse to crumple and make even more drama out of my own damn stupidity.

“The yard it is,” I decide. “That way we can get the heavy lifting done before we change. You stay inside and keep warm, but send me whoever you have free.”

Juliet opens her mouth to protest, but she’s drowned out by the clatter of activity in the hall as Emerson’s groomsmen arrive in a hustle of hunky manliness: Hunter, Brit’s fiancé, tall and blonde and strapping, and their friend, Garrett, looking surprisingly smart with his usual wayward stubble shaved, and a suit instead of his uniform plaid shirt and jeans.

“Perfect timing!” I declare, greeting them with hugs. “We’ve got some serious work to do!”

I manage to keep away from Juliet’s questions for the next few hours as I slip into full event-planning mode. With Garrett and Hunter at my disposal, the mess inside the house and out is cleared away into closets and the garage, and we set up a small row of white folding chairs in the back yard, leading up to an archway I wind with holly, winter wreaths, and red and white ribbons. I hang tiny lanterns and twinkling white Christmas lights on the tree branches and fence, and in no time at all, the back yard looks like a glittering, snow-swept Christmas card scene.

The activity is good for me: with so much to do, I can almost force the thought of Daniel out of my mind.

Almost.

But as hard as I try, I can’t stop the memories slipping into my mind. Flashes of him kissing me, holding me, our bodies intertwined …

“It looks great out here.” Emerson’s voice breaks through my X-rated thoughts. I jolt back to reality to find him leaning out from the back porch, a mug of coffee in his hands.

“Yup!” I exclaim brightly. “It’s all going to be perfect.”

Focus, Lacey, I scold myself. This isn’t about you: today is Juliet’s day, not the time for your own stupid emotional drama.

“They need you upstairs, something about makeup …” Emerson adds. “I don’t even know but Brit sounds about ready to kill someone.”

“Coming!” I call, checking around one last time. There’s a wonderful hush that’s fallen over the bay with the snowfall: the world is white and gray and silver, with nothing but the distant sound of the ocean crashing on the pale shore. It’s magical, like another world, and for a moment I can’t help wishing Daniel could be back here to share it with me.

Keep dreaming.

I swallow back my foolish dreams and hurry back into the warm house and upstairs.

“I’m here, I’m here!” I proclaim brightly, looking around the bedroom Juliet has commandeered as Bride Central.

“Finally!” Brit smothers me with a hug. Her choppy hair has a bright pink streak in it to match her short, frothy silk dress — one of her own designs, I’ll bet. “You better sit down,” she adds, looking me up and down and reaching for a makeup kit. “We don’t have much time if I’m going to fix all of … this.”

“So where’s the VIP?” I ask, settling in a chair.

“In here!” Juliet’s voice comes, muffled from behind the bathroom door. “Wait a sec … OK, I’m coming out. Promise not to laugh,” she adds, a tremor in her voice.

The door opens, and she emerges: a vision in white.

“Oh my god,” I breathe, taking it in. Juliet’s dress is a simple column of silk with a strapless neckline and a long, flowing skirt that pools out behind her. Tiny pearls are embroidered along the princess neckline, and Brit rushes forwards to help fix a long veil to her hair, spilling down her back in a swoop of delicate lace.

“Is it OK?” Juliet twists, anxious.

“It’s perfect.” I promise.

“You’re perfect,” Brit agrees.

I swallow, feeling tears again. “I can’t believe you’re getting married!”

“Me either!” Juliet chokes up, reaching for me in a hug.

“No crying!” Brit orders us. “You’ll smudge your makeup!”

“OK!” Juliet sniffles, hugging me.

I’m suddenly hit with the truth. For years, Juliet has been my person, the one constant in my life; but now, she’ll belong to someone else. To Emerson.

And I’ll be alone.

The emotions of the day are finally too much: I break down into loud, messy sobs. I’m trying so hard to keep it together, but something inside has broken wide open and I can’t keep it in anymore.

“Lacey?” Juliet gasps. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing!” I choke, embarrassed. “I’m sorry, ignore me!” I try to get myself under control, but the tears keep coming. The others are looking at me like I’m crazy, and I know I must be making a mess of my makeup, but I can’t help it, it hurts too much. My heart’s been aching all day long, beating out a miserable song, and with the wedding looming, just hours away, it can’t take it anymore. Everyone here has someone: their lover, their partner, their friend. And as much as I’ve tried to deny it, I can’t avoid the truth.

I wanted Daniel to be my someone. I want it so, so bad.