Tate should have gone to work. Baxter had, but Ivy had taken the day off. As maid of honor, it was her job to support the bride. So after a decent night's sleep, she woke up thinking of sex. The day before her failed wedding, she and Ivy admitted to never having good sex.

Two years later, Ivy was the bride and everything had changed. Tate woke up with extra time before their nail appointments, so she went to check in with her mother. Amelia had been cooperating with the wedding like a pregnant woman accepted labor. She might make a scene (Amelia's were quieter), but she resigned herself to it happening.

Ivy had done her part to lessen the drama, perhaps because Baxter stayed away. Tate sighed. Baxter chose Ivy over his family the day he moved out of the house on Walnut Street.

Tate entered the house through the front door without Percy there to greet her. She followed the sounds of voices. "I want the glasses to sparkle."

"Yes, madam." Percy nodded.

"And the fresh flowers. When do they arrive?"

"The florist assured me before noon."

There was nothing like a party to put color on Amelia's cheeks. The matriarch turned and smiled. "Darling. This is a surprise. You aren't at work."

She shook her head. "I'm spending the day with the bride. I thought I would stop by before our appointment to see how you are."

"We were going over the last-minute details. The kitchen is a war zone."

Tate laughed. "Baxter's missing it. I should text him."

"Don't. He's not kitchen help, even though he's chosen to be by moving out?"

"Don't start Mother. Neither you nor Ivy would be happy living under the same roof. The young couple needs their privacy and to create their own little family." She frowned. It sounded like a dream.

"When is she going to sign the prenup? I worry Baxter will be stupid."

"Mother, Baxter is never stupid. Ivy signed it weeks ago. I drafted it and served as the witness."

"Why didn't anyone tell me?"

Tate shrugged. "Maybe you never asked. She's not Duncan who only wanted my money." And took Jimmy's instead. Would she have been blind and funded his stupid idea?

"Darling, don't think about the past. There is no good dwelling on what you can't change. You will find a better love."

"Or I'll be the favorite aunt."

Amelia took her hand. "Listen to me, your father wouldn't be happy if he knew, but the legend of the cross is a folktale. It's a story passed down. Kane's have fallen in love, but the piece of jewelry is a hoax. Do you think your father never kissed a woman until he met me well into his thirties? Of course not."

"But." Tate thought of her father's description of love. He was telling her he had loved another more than his wife. "I want true love."

"Then forget the silly cross, attend functions, and meet a worthy man. Your father was unusual to be single at his age. I'm afraid you might have to settle for a divorced man, but the family name must make up for it."

Sinclair. "I don't care about that."

"You should. Obviously, your brother doesn't. Hopefully, the company won't suffer."

"Mom, Baxter is working hard. Kane Properties is doing great. He'll be opening his first multi use building soon. You should be proud."

"I'm always proud."

"You'll be even prouder of him as a husband and father."

"She had better not be." Amelia lowered her voice which was worse than yelling.

"No, but someday. You want the next generation."

Amelia didn't respond. She stared at the sideboard. "Percy, have a maid polish this again. I see streaks."

Tate winked at him as he responded. "Yes, madam." He probably cared about the streaks as much as his employer did.

"Baxter's wife will never know enough to care."

"I have to go." She kissed her mother's cheek. "Everything will be wonderful tonight. People will love your hard work."

If Tate were lucky enough to have her fairytale come true. Amelia would never have a reason to complain again.

"Darling, you need to sleep at home tonight. I want all my children under my roof one last time."

She nodded. "Hopefully, Doyle comes home tonight."

Amelia frowned. "No one is leaving after the party. It's a family night with Baxter back one last time."

It was true her brother would never have a reason to stay at the house. Not with his own home a few blocks away.

She looked at her watch. "I have to go."

She walked to Ivy's house, Ivy stepped out onto the front steps. "I saw your text. How's your mother?"

"In her glory, but she won't admit it. She loves hosting parties. Just let her be the focus and she'll be happy."

Ivy frowned. "She won't wear a white gown tomorrow."

"No, she would be more apt to wear black. I never saw her gown. Maybe Doyle knows. Didn't she want to have her nails done?"

Ivy laughed. "She said it's too early. Apparently, she took photos at a concert last night."

Tate had sex, but she couldn't tell Ivy. The two walked down the hill towards the park. "I'm surprised my mother didn't criticize my clothes."

She blended into the city with her jeans and Suffolk Law hoodie. Over it, she wore a lightweight down jacket. It was cold and breezy. March felt like winter.

"She'll hate my dress and my parents. It's a good thing your brother is worth it."

Tate laughed. "In bed?"

Ivy blushed. "God, yes, but in every other way imaginable."

"Plenty of women don't get along with their mother-in-laws. Isn't that why there is daytime TV?"

Ivy laughed. "You may be on to something."

"Never ever go on TV."

"Then I would prove I'm exactly what she thinks of me. Can we have a moratorium on talking about your mother?"

Tate nodded. "Are you nervous?"

"About the craziness, not being married. I know it will be special."

"Amazing."

"You weren't nervous?"

Tate had trouble remembering. "I worried after you left the night before my wedding day."

"Why?"

"A lot of things. I felt like I was acting bridal while Duncan was partying. Someone should have told me he was partying with his ex."

"I went to bed. So you didn't trust him?"

"Deep down, maybe not. Our conversation stayed with me. The one about sex."

"Yeah, we were wrong." Ivy smiled.

"Yeah, I almost got stuck with crappy sex the rest of my life."

"Duncan definitely saved you."

Tate wanted to ask Ivy if anyone had ever pinned her to a wall but didn't. It would open up the questions.

After manicures, they went to lunch. As Ivy picked at her salad, Tate touched her hand. "It's going to be fine. Baxter loves you."

Ivy nodded and frowned. "Will you and Jimmy get along?"

"Why wouldn't we?" She hid behind her water glass.

"You are always at odds. Baxter said you've been like that for years. I love you both."

"I don't like his business dealings."

"Baxter says his reputation is distorted."

Tate shrugged and forcefully stabbed the mixed greens with her fork. "What else do you need to do?"

"I need to pack."

Tate laughed. "That's easy. Lingerie."

Ivy laughed. "He wants to go out to eat and maybe ski."

"Have you ever skied?"

"No, if I break my leg on our honeymoon, it'll serve him right when there is no sex."

Tate laughed. "I imagine it would disappoint both of you." Ivy agreed with a sly smile. She was thinking of sex or chocolate, but they hadn't been discussing chocolate.

Chocolate. Cake. Sex. Tate shifted in her seat. "How's work going?"

"It's okay. I don't love it, except my pro bono cases. I would rather work for free than at the firm."

Tate waved her hand. "Then work for free."

"I spent years getting my law degree."

"So, you should be happy. You don't even need to work."

She shrugged. "You sound like Baxter."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

Ivy smiled. "You should he's my favorite person."

Tate frowned. She hadn't thought about Duncan in the same way. "I now know Duncan saved me from a messy divorce."

"I'm never getting divorced. So tomorrow we'll dress at Sinclairs. Elena has been so kind. My parents are staying as her guest."

"She'll make up for my mother."

The thought of Jimmy's mother spoiling Ivy's children some day took away Tate's appetite.

"Her stylist will do our hair and makeup. "He's a lot of fun."

Tate smiled. "I can't believe it's tomorrow."

She smiled. "Two years ago we met."

Tate pushed her plate away and glanced at her phone. "Doyle is looking for us."

"Tell her to come to the house."

They spent the afternoon helping Ivy pack. Doyle looked around the large bedroom suite. "Is Baxter packed?"

Ivy nodded. "He is more decisive than me. His luggage is already at your house."

"Are you flying out tomorrow after the wedding?"

She smiled. "He wanted to, but I didn't want to drive on those roads at night."

"Smart decision." Tate stood and paced. "Where are you staying?"

"An undisclosed hotel."

Doyle laughed. "He's afraid we'll knock on the door."

Tate and Doyle left to get ready for the rehearsal. As Tate chose her dress, she thought of Jimmy. Would he like the plunging neckline and fitted waist? Then she remembered he would never be the man she needed him to be.

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