First Crush, My Forever

Chapter 123

  Taytum and I had text both of our parents asking them to come over at 1 pm. By the time everyone arrives, the house feels full in a good way. Not loud. Not chaotic. Anchored.

  Taytum's moms get here first, arms already open for hugs as soon as I open the door. My parents arrive a few minutes later. My dad pauses just inside the door like he is taking stock of the room before stepping fully in. No Natalie. I notice immediately and my shoulders drop without me having to think about it.

  There is tons of hugging, overlapping voices, that easy warmth that happens when people care about the same thing. Eventually we settle into the living room. Taytum and I take the couch. Her moms sit across from us. My parents take the loveseat angled toward me like they always do.

  Taytum squeezes my hand. I can feel her excitement under the surface. Steady. Grounded.

  "Alright," Taytum's mama, Lauren says, clapping her hands together once. "You didn't call us over just to admire your living room."

  I smile. "No. We wanted to share what we're planning."

  I grab the iPad from the coffee table and pull up the page I already have saved. The Gardens at West Green fills the screen. Soft greenery. Clean paths. The clear covered pavilion that made my chest loosen the first time I saw it.

  "This is the wedding venue we have picked," I say. "It's here in San Antonio. Small. Mostly outdoor. They specialize in weddings under sixty people."

  My mom leans forward immediately. "Oh wow. That's beautiful."

  "It feels calm," Taytum's mom, Kyler says.

  "That's why I loved it," I say. "It didn't feel overwhelming."

  I scroll slowly. The pavilion. The greenhouse backup. The open space that still feels contained.

  "They provide tables, chairs, linens, sound system, dressing rooms, set up and tear down," I explain. "We'd bring our own caterer and vendors, but the base is simple."

  My dad nods. "That takes a lot of pressure off."

  "And there's a covered option if it rains," Taytum adds. "So nobody panics."

  Lauren smiles at her. "You two thought this through."

  I glance at Taytum and she gives me that small look that says she knows exactly how much that means to me.

  "We also picked colors," Taytum says. "Dusty blue, sage, and gray."

  Lauren nods instantly. "Perfect for a garden."

  "And it works with the venue," I say. "Everything already fits."

  Lauren's eyes light up. "Okay. Now clothes."

  Taytum laughs softly. "I knew that was coming."

  "I'm thinking a gray suit," Taytum says. "Tailored. Clean. Dusty blue vest but no tie."

  Kyler smiles like she expected nothing else. "That's very you."

  "And you," my mom says, turning to me.

  "I want something light," I say. "Ivory. Simple. Nothing heavy. I want to be able to breathe."

  My mom's expression softens. "You'll be beautiful."

  "I know," I say, surprised by how steady it feels. "I just want to feel like myself."

  "And the wedding party," Lauren asks.

  Something tightens in my chest. I open my mouth, then close it again. Taytum feels it immediately. Her thumb stills against my hand. "I don't really know," I say. I keep my voice calm but it costs me something. "I don't... have people like that."