Amy leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table. Her eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Okay, first things first," she said. "The wedding is in Hawaii, which means we need to figure out dresses, flowers, and a million other things."
Isabelle groaned and leaned back in her chair. "I'm already tired just hearing that list."
Daisy laughed softly. "You're not even the bride."
"That doesn't matter," Isabelle replied. "I have two kids. I'm tired by default."
Amy rolled her eyes. "Anyway. As I was saying before everyone started complaining…"
She pulled out her phone and opened a folder full of photos. "These are the bridesmaid dress options."
She turned the screen so we could all see.
Daisy leaned closer. "Oh, I like that one."
"The blue one?" I asked.
"Yeah," Daisy said. "It looks elegant but still beachy."
Amy nodded eagerly. "That's exactly what I was thinking!"
Isabelle squinted at the screen. "Is that chiffon?" she asked.
Amy blinked. "I think so… why?"
Isabelle shook her head. "Wind."
"What?"
"If it's windy on the beach, the dresses will be flying everywhere," Isabelle said matter-of-factly. "Trust me."
Daisy burst out laughing. "Listen to the experienced married woman."
Amy sighed dramatically. "Why did I invite you?"
"Because I'm your twin," Isabelle replied sweetly.
I covered my mouth, trying not to laugh.
Amy turned to me. "Sophie, you're my maid of honor. Back me up here."
I glanced between the photos on her phone. "I actually like the blue one," I admitted.
Amy pointed triumphantly at Isabelle. "See?"
Isabelle lifted both hands. "Fine. But when the wind attacks your wedding photos, don't say I didn't warn you."
Daisy rested her chin in her hand. "So what about the bachelorette party?" she asked casually.
Amy's eyes lit up again. "Oh! I almost forgot about that!"
Isabelle groaned louder this time. "I'm definitely too old for whatever chaos you're about to plan."
Daisy grinned mischievously. "That's exactly why you should come."
Amy turned to me again. "Sophie, you're in charge of that."
My eyes widened. "Wait, what?"
"You're the maid of honor," Amy said matter-of-factly. "It's literally your job."
I leaned back in my chair. "This suddenly feels like a lot of responsibility."
Daisy smirked. "Don't worry. I'll help."
Isabelle shook her head. "I can already tell this is going to be a disaster."
I chuckled. "We can have it at one of the Huang beach home then. I'm sure Harley won't mind."
After we finished discussing the wedding plans, they excused themselves and headed home.
After we finished discussing the wedding plans, they excused themselves one by one and headed home.
The garden slowly grew quiet again.
I stood from the chair and stretched my arms above my head before walking back toward the house. The soft garden lights still glowed along the pathway, and the faint scent of flowers lingered in the warm evening air.
When I stepped into the living room, I saw Harley sitting on the couch with an open pizza box on the coffee table.
He glanced up at me. "Took you long enough."
I rolled my eyes and walked over. "We were planning a wedding, Harley. That kind of thing takes time."
He leaned back against the couch. "You volunteered my beach house."
I blinked. "You heard that?"
"I heard enough."
I grabbed a slice of pizza and sat down on the other end of the couch.
"Well?" I asked after taking a bite. "Do you mind?"
Harley shrugged slightly. "If it makes Amy happy, I don't care."
I smiled. "You're nicer than you pretend to be."
He snorted softly. "Don't spread rumors."
We sat there in comfortable silence for a moment, the only sound coming from the television quietly playing in the background.
After a while, Harley glanced at me from the corner of his eye. "You look tired."
I leaned my head back against the couch. "I fell asleep in the bathtub today," I reminded him.
His expression tightened slightly. "Exactly."
I laughed softly. "Relax. I survived."
He didn't look convinced.
"What are you and the guys doing for Nicholas's bachelor party?" I asked before taking another bite of my pizza.
He looked at me and smirked. "Maybe we'll crash your bachelorette party."
My eyes widened.
"Don't you dare," I said, shooting him a dirty glare.
He laughed.
"I swear, Harley, if you ruin my bachelorette party—"
The front door opened, interrupting me. Mr. and Mrs. Huang walked in, laughing.
Mrs. Huang stopped when she saw us sitting in the living room with the pizza box on the table.
"Well, look at this," she said with a smile. "Pizza night?"
Harley leaned back on the couch. "You're welcome to join us."
Mr. Huang loosened his tie and chuckled. "What were you two talking about so seriously when we walked in?"
I pointed my pizza crust at Harley. "Bachelor and bachelorette parties."
Mr. Huang's eyebrows lifted with interest.
"Oh?" he said, looking at Harley. "Are you the one organizing Nicholas's bachelor party?"
Harley shrugged. "Something like that."
Mr. Huang laughed and shook his head. "Poor Nicholas."
I blinked. "Why poor Nicholas?"
Mr. Huang pointed at Harley. "Because if my son is involved, that bachelor party is going to be chaos."
Mrs. Huang laughed softly and nudged her husband. "Don't scare Sophie."
Harley rolled his eyes. "It's not going to be that bad."
Mr. Huang smirked. "That's exactly what people say before it gets bad."
I looked at Harley suspiciously. "You better not ruin Amy's wedding week."
Harley raised both hands slightly. "I'm innocent."
Mr. Huang laughed again.
"Sure you are."
Mrs. Huang eventually joined us at the table while Mr. Huang disappeared into the kitchen to grab a slice of pizza.
The living room filled with easy conversation and laughter. Mr. Huang kept teasing Harley about the bachelor party while Mrs. Huang asked me a dozen questions about Amy's wedding plans.
I leaned back into the couch, listening to them talk. For a moment, everything felt peaceful.
The house was warm, the scent of pizza lingered in the air, and the soft glow of the lamps filled the room.
When I glanced at Harley, I noticed he was already looking at me.
He quickly looked away and reached for another slice of pizza.
A small smile crept onto my lips. Maybe things between us really were getting better.