Life Lost and Found

25: Zero Days' Notice

Saturday, February 21
a.k.a. The Next Morning, 11:30 a.m.

Madeline sat on the edge of the gift table and switched her camera off so she could see her reflection in its dark, shiny display. Her makeup still looked perfect, and so did her hair, which had been beautifully done up by Sofie, of all people.

She turned the display back on and started flipping through the pictures she had taken this morning. She admired how photogenic Page was. Her gaze lingered on an image of Page and Stephen sharing their first kiss as a married couple. It was deeply touching. Page looked so happy. And there was something else in her eyes too—she looked... relieved.

Thought: Was living with someone anything like being married? It seemed like it might be. But also—not? She didn't know. How would she know something like that? She searched the sea of guests gathered in the Great Room for her boyfriend but couldn't find him. She looked back at the camera and tried to picture herself and Rob in place of the bride and groom.

And then she turned off the display.

"Wow! You might be the best-dressed wedding photographer I've ever seen."

Madeline looked up, surprised. "Oh, Kevin! Hi! You mean this?" She indicated her shimmering orange bridesmaid dress with a white sash. "I look like an orange Creamsicle."

"There are worse things to look like. Creamsicles are delicious," Kevin said. "I haven't seen you for tea in a while."

"I'm sorry," Madeline apologized. "I've... had a lot on my mind."

"You look like it."

"Uh-oh. I do?" She straightened up and tried to look fabulous. "Can't have that. It's a wedding, so—happy vibes!"

He appraised her. "Honestly, Maddy? You look like you just dropped your keys in Niagara Falls. Try to relax your forehead. There you go. Stressful day so far?"

"Stressful several months."

"Listen, I should get back to my groomsman duties,"—Kevin was friends with Stephen—"but you should drop by the bookstore sometime for old times' sake when you get a chance. We can talk." Madeline hesitated. "Or not," Kevin laughed. "Maybe we'll just do the usual—I'll talk and you can listen to my stories. "

"Thanks, Kevin," she smiled. "I'll try to come by."

Stephen was signaling him now, something about the time. "Okay, gotta run," Kevin laughed. "But seriously, strawberries on me, any time you feel like talking. Or like mooching food off a friend."

Madeline gave him a little wave with her fingers as he departed to join the other guests.

"Is that the guy you hang out with for a stately cup of afternoon tea?" Rob asked with a not-so-subtle hint of disapproval.

Where had he come from? Madeline aimed her camera at him. Click. "Not recently, no." Click. "But, yes, that's Kevin." Click.

"So, have you thought any more about"—Click—"stop that! About, things?" Rob asked.

Madeline lowered her camera and fiddled with a dial. "It hasn't been twenty-four hours, Rob. And I've been a little busy. Turns out, there's a wedding going on. Here. Who knew, right?"

He huffed impatiently. "They're eager to get a response. They called this morning and asked if I could start on Monday."

"Whoa, are you being serious?"

"Yes. I won't bore you with the details, but there's an urgent vacancy to fill, and I have to take it before they give it to someone else."

"What about Sydney? Kind of mean to leave her on such short notice, don't you think?"