The smile faded from Joy’s face. “Oh, that. Well, it’s over, you know that. We said our goodbyes in Venice, and that’s that. Right? What more can I say? He has his life there in Venice, and mine is here in New York. How could it work out?”

“But you love him,” Millie whispered. “Am I right?”

With wide, stunned eyes, Joy stammered, trying to put words together.

“I told her everything. She’s all caught up.” Edith patted Joy’s shoulder, then sat next to Martin already seated at the table.

“I think I do love him.” Joy hugged herself as she longed for him. “I do. I do love him.”

“Then it could work out.” Millie patted her shoulder.

“No. I need to focus on my life here and the wedding and—”

“So how are the wedding plans coming along?” Martin asked, resting his elbows on the table.

“Good.” Joy sat next to Edith. But Millie’s words hung in the air like a comic strip bubble over her head. She shook it out of her head. “I can’t believe the wedding is this Friday.”

“Wow.” Millie shook her head. “Time flies. And everything is ready to go?”

“Jaime and her friends have all the decorations ready for the tables at the reception hall. And her wedding coordinator, Annette, is wonderful. She has everything under control. We’ll head to the hall after breakfast so you can see it. The rehearsal dinner is at my place Thursday night, and then . . . well, Friday morning is the wedding. The wedding breakfast will be here on Saturday morning. After that, they head out on their honeymoon.”

“Where to?” Millie beamed with excitement.

“Venice.” Joy laughed.

“No way.” Edith laughed along with her.

“She fell so in love with my stories and my photos that she and Michael decided to see for themselves. And then they’ll take a train to Austria and spend a few days there.”

“How romantic.” Millie nudged Walter. “We should do a train through the Alps too.”

He shrugged. “Why not? Life’s too short not to see the Alps, am I right?”

“I’m sorry.” Joy tilted her head. “Who is this man, and what did you do with Walter?”

Everyone laughed and toasted Walter with their coffee.

Jaime and Michael’s Wedding Rehearsal

Joy read the sign in front of the garden and clasped her hands together. She released a long sigh of relief. Rehearsal day had finally arrived.

“Oh, Joy . . .” Millie spun around. “This venue is lovely. What a perfect background the garden makes for their photos.”

The garden. Joy stared at the sprawling lawn surrounded by azaleas and hydrangeas, thinking of Alessandro and their time together in his garden.

“I know. I’m so glad Jaime was able to book it in June. It’s a very popular wedding spot.” Joy slowly nodded her head. “Perfect for the two of them.”

“I especially love the cypress trees, don’t you?” Edith stood by the window. “They remind me of—”

“Italy.” Millie hugged her friend. “Such wonderful memories.”

“Joy, I love your dress. Lilac. Perfect color for you.” Edith pointed. “And you go nicely with all the lilac bushes blooming all over the garden.”

“That’s why I selected it.” She spun around. “My dress for tomorrow will be yellow and lilac to match the bridesmaids’ dresses. Jaime picked it out.”

Millie winced.

“What is it?” Joy approached.

“And what about Jaime’s dress? Was she able to buy a new one?” Millie asked in a small voice.

Joy nodded. “Yes, of course. Her father gladly paid for a new dress. This dress isn’t as formal as the last one. It’s more of a garden wedding dress, you know?”

Millie clasped her chest. “Oh, good. I’m so glad.”

“She sold the other dress.” Joy smirked and waved her hand, dismissing the idea. “I was so glad to get rid of it.”

“I bet.” Edith nudged her. “What about Tony? Is he coming?”

“He’d better. He needs to give the bride away.” Joy placed her hands on her hips. “Today and tomorrow.”

“Will you be all right seeing him again, Joy?” Millie took her hand and squeezed it.

Joy thought about it. “Sure. I guess.” She shrugged. “What choice do I have? He’s Jaime’s father. He’ll always be in my life.”

“You’ve been so strong through all of this.” Edith shook her head, then tapped her chin with her finger. “In fact, to reward yourself, I think you should go on a long vacation after the wedding and just . . . oh, wait.”

Millie playfully shoved her. “Edith.”

“You already did.” Edith chortled.

But Joy laughed and playfully smacked Edith’s shoulder. “I wish I could go on another vacation after all this.”

The three friends laughed together, then walked toward the foyer arm in arm.

“If you could go away again, where would it be?” Millie asked.

“Venice . . .” Joy sighed. Alessandro’s kind face appeared in her mind, and she wondered what he was doing at that moment. Probably resting at his home after a long day of delivering flowers. Or sipping wine from his family’s label. Was he thinking of her at all? Joy didn’t know but hoped so.

“Without hesitation?” Edith leaned over.

“Without hesitation.” She giggled, knowing that her friends knew why she giggled.

“Have you heard from him at all, Joy?” Millie asked.

She shook her head. “Nope. But that’s okay. We said our goodbyes. I’m here now, and I need to be here for Jaime.”