Page 173 of Fly's Path

“When?”

“Is it bad?”

We all ask questions until it’s one big blur of noise.

“My jet can be ready in an hour.” Winnie lifts up her phone.

“Maverick’s too.” Dahlia steps out holding her dress to her chest.

“It’s bad. It’s really bad. It took this long for Stella to be awake enough to enter her password. Stella’s face is too bruised for facial recognition.”

Gasps fill the space.

“She’s already had one surgery, and she’s scheduled for another one today. But her mother asked that we not come. At least not yet. Stella isn’t up to company, and as soon as they get the surgeries done, they’re going to move her directly into a rehab facility. The doctors said the rehab isn’t going to be easy, and she’s going to need all the support she can get.”

“What happened?” Savie steps out in the black dress of every girl’s dreams. It’s glitter and lace, and somehow the old-fashioned style looks like a modern hourglass on her.

“Her horse tripped during the show. He fell on her, and they both hit some of the jump supports.” Piper’s hands shake as she gives us all the news.

“Maybe we should cancel.” Dylan steps forward with tears in her eyes.

“Stella’s mom said to tell you Stella said if you try canceling, she’ll check herself out and come kick your butt. Also, she wants all the pictures.”

“So let’s get her the prettiest pictures.” Tears fill my eyes. “We should set up a team to get pictures until the wedding photographer takes over.”

“Good idea.” Dylan nods.

“Ottilie is really good at that,” Cordelia suggests.

“And I can help out.” Piper volunteers.

“Let’s start with a picture of all of us now.” Ottilie steps forward.

We’re all a mess in different stages with our hair every which way. It’s the perfect time to take a picture.

***

“Okay ladies, we need to get all these tables set. We’re going very simple. Craft paper first. Followed by shells and candles…here…here…and here on each table. We need to leave room for the crab boils. Also, the floral table is going to be labeled for those with a shellfish allergy since there are several with it. There can be no cross-contamination, so keep those shells away from the floral tables, please…and have fun.” Dahlia has been coordinating so many of the little details.

Between her and Fiona, this event is going to run like a well-oiled machine…hopefully.

“So what’s going on with you and Fly? Are things getting serious after your date?” Savie slices the paper as I hold it in place.

“I think they are for him.” And that terrifies me.

“But not you?” She sets down the scissors and walks over to grab a few of the candles, placing them carefully in a little cluster.

“How can it be serious for me? This is a vacation fling. A holiday romance. You know how they work. They burn hot and fast and burn out just as quickly.” I grab a bag of the seashells and follow behind her, surrounding each candle in the shells.

“Is that really how you see it?”

No. “Yes.”

“Are you sure he doesn’t see it that way?”

“He’s talking about our first anniversary. How would that even work? I live in Beach Haven, and he lives here. It just doesn’t make sense. Long-distance relationships never work.” Relationships never work for my family. People don’t want to stay forever with trash like me.

I need to get out of my head.