Why isn’t Sadie invited? ”
Vanessa moaned. My God, Noah.
Is this not possible now? ”
Answer me.”
Rolling her eyes. She helped, so what?
Her gift to us. Her job, right? ”
“She paid for catering,” he raged.
She baked cake. She accomplished everything.”
Vanessa pouted slightly. “No divorcees at the wedding, okay?
Bad luck.”
“What? ”
I excluded numerous acquaintances and cousins for the same reason. I didn’t want that vibe when I got married.”
Noah blinked.
“You excluded my sister because her husband cheated? ”
“She failed. My wedding shouldn’t have that atmosphere.
Am superstitious! You know.”
His face clouded. You believe vibes mess up marriages?
People like you make them fail. Selfish. Controlling.”
“Don’t be dramatic,” she said.
“I did her a favor letting her participate.”
The stillness was lengthy. Noah whispered, “You’re right.”
Vanessa smiled. “See?
I just wanted to—
“No,” he said. “You’re right—my wedding shouldn’t have bad energy.”
He turned and left. Noah marched into the reception hall and pulled the cake off the table, shocking everybody.
Nobody dared oppose him. The doorbell rang when I was on the sofa at home. Noah was still in his suit and carrying the cake when I answered the door.
He said, “I’m sorry,” in a harsh voice. “You wasted time. Your money.
Will make sure she pays you back.”
He paused. “Thank you for more than that. Without you, I wouldn’t know who she is.”
A knot formed in my throat.
He constantly protected me like a brother. I understood now that he valued me equally. He entered, put the cake on my coffee table, and moaned.
“I haven’t eaten today.”
I took two forks. “Let fix that.”
We ate cake sitting cross-legged on the living room floor, dressed like wedding magazine extras. Bite and stilled.
“Chocolate peanut butter,” he whispered. I nodded. “You made it for me.”
“I did, Noah.”
His eyes lingered on me.
“You know,” he replied slowly, “if this was the wedding cake, I think I got the best part of the day.”
I blinked back tears. He exhaled. “I left a disrespectful person.
From an unhappy future.”
Then he grinned. “I still have you.”
“Always.”
I heard a quiet tap on the office door weeks later while drawing a three-tier dessert at my bakery. I said, “Come in,” without looking up.
She appeared as the door opened. Vanessa. No tiara.
No makeup. No entourage. Only weary eyes and shaky fingers.
Not standing. “Sadie,” she said. “You lost?
”
She recoiled. “No. I simply wanted to see you.”
Tilted my head.
“Why? ”
She regarded the floor. Noah won’t see me.
Not talking. I erred. I mistreated you.
Yes, I was. And sorry.”
Raised eyebrow. Sorry you did that or it backfired?
”
Her lips parted but she said nothing. “I thought I could control everything,” she remarked eventually. “But I lost everything.
I didn’t intend this.”
I scoffed. You didn’t intend to exclude me from my-built wedding? ”
“I thought I was protecting the day,” she muttered.
“But I ruined it. And I wrecked us.”
She regarded me. Not expecting pardon.
Sorry, just wanted to apologize.”
I stood slow. “You can’t want anything from me, Vanessa.”
Her eyes shone as she nodded. I pointed to the door.
“Leave my bakery.”
She turned and left. Holding the doorknob, she stopped. “I’m sorry.”
I didn’t respond.
She departed. Noah left his Vanessa-shared apartment. He takes time.
Healing. Now and again, we sit on the floor, forking cake and giggling through icing. I lost trust in people that day.
I acquired something better. Clarity. A brother who understands love.
