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overboard…”
    Now my client’s eyes bulged and her eyebrows arched so high they disappeared under her fringe bangs.
    “Kidding, of course. I mean, things were awkward, but we’re adults who still care about each other.” Now that was laying it on a bit thick, but I couldn’t seem to stop rambling, trying to make her see I was totally fine, no pity needed. “Jamaica’s totally beautiful, too.” As long as you’re not sitting on your butt in a wedding dress crying, and even then, the scenery is at least pretty. “And you can get ice cream day or night on the ship, and same with pizza, so, score.”
    The more I explained, the more concerned Willa appeared. But if she wanted to go for a cruise wedding…well, I’d say hell no, don’t do it. There was just too much that could go wrong.
    “Anyway, for your wedding, I’ve narrowed it down to three locations.” I twisted my large computer monitor toward her so she could see the pictures. She was from Alabama and wanted a big Southern wedding on “a plantation-type place,” complete with big hats, parasols, and a never-ending supply of sweet tea.
    Unfortunately, she wasn’t dissuaded from the subject of my failed wedding as easily as I’d hoped. She grabbed one of my hands in both of hers, a poor-you expression written all over her features. “Oh, honey, that guy was obviously not the right one for you. You’ll find your prince, don’t you worry.”
    I’d never been great at faking optimism, so I charged on with the planning—at least that was a subject I knew I could handle, even if my follow-through sucked. “So, there’s Splendor on the Green,” I said, expanding the photos that showed other ceremonies that’d happened there. “And then there’s a ranch out on the edge of town, and a country club that’d work. There aren’t really plantations around Vegas, but these places have the lush green backgrounds and trees.”
    Willa leaned in close, tapping a French-manicured nail to her lips as she studied the options. “I don’t know. I’d really like to see them in person.”
    I’d only met her once before, but I’d suspected Willa would be an In Person type. “Well, I made arrangements to see them today if we need to.”
    “Perfect!” She shot out of her seat.
    At least she was enthusiastic enough for both of us. “We’ll head there in a bit, but I thought you might want to look at save-the-date cards and invitations first.” I handed her the binder, opening up to the section I thought she’d like.
    I couldn’t fault Willa for wanting to check out all of her options. It’d made me nervous not seeing beforehand where my ceremony was supposed to be performed. Even though I’d never made it to that spot on the beach, I’d sent a check for their troubles. The deposits I’d made for the food and the reception hall were nonrefundable, and I’d also paid my vendors for things they couldn’t get rid of, like the flowers for the reception and the giant cake that was already halfway made before I could tell them to cancel the order. So my bank account looked like I’d gotten married and had a big party, even though it didn’t happen.
    Stop thinking about it. That was going to be my biggest challenge, the constant reminders of a wedding that never happened as I planned ceremonies for other couples. I simply needed to focus on my clients and their details. Not mine.
    “This one! It’s so perfect for us!” Willa lifted the book, pointing to the same embossed silver hearts invitation Grant and I had used for our reception. Cold filled my chest as I stared at it, remembering all that time I’d spent addressing and stuffing the matching envelopes, carefully tucking the silver ribbon inside so the bow wouldn’t get smooshed. The excitement I’d felt that it was all going so smoothly, and how close I was to my happily ever after.
    “Those are…” I forced the corners of my mouth into another fake smile. “Lovely.” So lovely I’d known