Chapter 2

2: 2

The car pulled up outside the Simmons mansion, where Colin Simmons and Leona Simmons were already waiting at the door.

They welcomed us in, all smiles.

The dining table was already set with cooked dishes, and a figure stirred in the kitchen and stepped out.

"This was all rather sudden, so we didn't have much to prepare. You'll have to make do."

Simon Simmons untied his apron and looked over at me with a smile.

I froze for a second. I hadn't expected it to be him.

Simon had been a year ahead of me in school, and we hadn't crossed paths much.

After graduation, we'd barely kept in touch.

From what my parents had said before, the Simmons son liked me a great deal.

But I couldn't think of when Simon could possibly have fallen for me.

We sat down at the table, and Simon walked us through the dishes he'd made.

My parents were thrilled, grinning ear to ear.

The flavors were clearly done to my taste.

Especially the lemon shrimp.

Harvey used to say he was allergic to seafood, and to accommodate him, I never once ate seafood with him.

It was only later, sharing a table with Minnie, that I found out.

Even if he didn't eat it, the people who liked it could still order it.

But Harvey had never once asked whether I liked it, whether I wanted to order it.

Let alone peel the shells for me the way Simon was doing now.

By the end of the conversation, both sets of parents were more than satisfied.

Simon's whole attention was on me.

Watching whether I'd eaten enough, noticing which dish I felt too shy to reach for.

It was the most satisfying, most comfortable meal I'd ever had.

"I'd say these two get along just fine. Why don't we move things along a little?"

Leona laid her hand over mine, her eyes warm.

"Nora, would you be interested in going to look at wedding gowns first?"

"I have a friend who runs a bridal salon, and she just got a new shipment in. I've been having her hold it for me!"

My mother jumped right in.

"Go, you absolutely should, and you might as well get the wedding photos done while you're at it!"

I was a little surprised. I hadn't expected them to settle it this fast.

Simon caught my unease and stepped in to smooth things over.

"There's no rush. We'll go by what Nora wants. I'll be ready whenever."

He gave me a gentle smile.

In that moment, without thinking, I turned my hand and closed it around Simon's.

"Let's go. I'd like to try on gowns too."

Before, I'd told Harvey plenty of times that I wanted to find time to look at gowns, to take wedding photos.

But every time, Minnie cut in first.

"There's no rush to get married. Minnie's life is on the line."

"You can't really be so cold-hearted that you'd just leave her, can you?"

So it turned out the one who truly wanted to marry me, who truly kept me in his heart, was someone who couldn't wait a single moment.

So it turned out all those years Harvey and I wasted were a mistake.

With my yes, they were overjoyed.

My mother especially was relieved, feeling I'd finally come to my senses.

Leona was so excited she talked us into going right then, no matter what.

She even dragged her friend, who'd already clocked out, back to open the shop.

Both families drove over to the bridal salon, where the owner pulled out a row of gowns to show and describe.

They even got as far as talking about a date for the photos after the gown was chosen.

I was just about to say it might be too fast.

My phone buzzed again. A message from Harvey.

"Nora, where are you?"

"I'm sorry, it was my fault. I'll redo the engagement party."

"Don't worry, I've already talked it over with Minnie. She won't be so reckless next time."

Watching the messages pop up one after another, I typed just a few words.

"No need."