Page 54 of Line Change

“Oooh, I’m adding pockets to the list of things I need in my wedding dress,” Hadley says.

“Did you and Wes settle on a date?” Ansley asks.

This past summer, Wes and Hadley pretended to be engaged but fell in love for real. My goodness, this team and its love of faking romance. First, Aubrey and Brody with their fake dating, then Wes and Hads being fake engaged, and now me with my fake marriage. Technically, I guess mine’s real. But still.

“Kind of. We decided to have it this summer, and we’re going to keep it small, like this.”

“Let me know what kind of cake you want, and I’ll make it for you,” Madison offers.

“You mean cakes? Because knowing my fiancé, one won’t be enough.”

We all laugh. Wes has a massive sweet tooth. There’s another knock on the door, and Ansley opens it.

Aubrey pokes her head in. “We’re ready for you.”

“Thank you,” I tell her before turning back to my friends. “Thank you all for being here. Helping me with this.”

“Of course. Nowhere else we’d rather be,” Becca says as she gives me my bouquet—a simple arrangement of Calla Lilies wrapped in a white satin ribbon.

“We’re happy to do it,” Madison adds.

“Agreed,” Ansley says.

“What they said,” Hadley says, pointing at the others.

I smile at my friends, before nodding. “I’m ready.”

Madison leads the way, the other ladies filing out ahead of me. When I step out into the hallway, Holly is standing there.

“You came,” I whisper. I’d have understood if she hadn’t, but I’d hoped she would. I haven’t heard from her since the bachelorette party two nights ago, so I wasn’t sure whether she was coming or not.

“We’ll give you a minute,” Becca says and shoos the others down the stairs.

“Of course I came.” Holly steps closer to me, reaching out to squeeze my arm. “You’re my friend.”

“I know, but I wasn’t sure …” I swallow. “I’m sorry.”

“There’s nothing to apologize for. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

I cringe, staring down at the floor. “Maybe not, but I feel like I did.”

“Why?”

I jerk backward, heart racing. “Because I was actively trying not to get pregnant, and we all know how that turned out, and you’ve struggled …”

“Sutton, listen to me very closely.” I finally meet her eyes. “Me not being able to get pregnant is not your fault. Just because you did doesn’t mean I never will.”

“I know, but when I found out, I felt so guilty.” I fan my face with the hand not holding my flowers, swallowing back the tears. “So many women try to get pregnant and can’t, and here I was one and done.” I shake my head.

“I can’t speak for everyone who is struggling to conceive, but I can speak for myself—I’m not mad or upset at you.” She steps closer to me. “I’m sad I haven’t been able to have a baby, but that doesn’t have anything to do with you having one. I’m so proud of you, Sutton. I hope you know that. You’re going to make a wonderful mom.” I blink back tears. Do not cry. Do not cry. “I’m sorry if I didn’t handle the news the best the other night.”

I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders hearing her say those words, that she isn’t upset or angry at me for being pregnant when she’s struggling.

“I’m sorry I sprung the news on you.”

“Apology accepted. Now come on, let’s get you married.”

I follow her down the stairs and into the living room where we find the rest of the ladies crowded in front of the sliding glass door, staring outside.