It would mean everything to me and to Emma. We miss you. I stared at that email for a long time. 3 years. 3 years of carefully constructed distance. Three years of building a life where I didn’t have to think about what my father had done. Where I didn’t have to see Mia and James and pretend everything was fine.
But this was Michael, my baby brother, the one who’d called me crying when his first girlfriend dumped him. Who I’d helped with his college applications, who’d always believed in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself. I couldn’t miss his wedding. I called him. His face on the video screen was older, more mature. But his smile was the same.
“You’ll come?” he asked, hopeful. “I’ll come,” I said. “On one condition. Anything. I’m bringing someone.” I hadn’t planned to say it, but as soon as the words were out, I knew I meant them. Michael’s eyes widened. You’re seeing someone, Sarah. That’s amazing. Of course. Bring him. Or them. Whoever makes you happy. His name is Daniel.
I said that much was true. There was a Daniel. Daniel Park, CEO of a venture capital firm based in Hong Kong. We’d met at a conference in Tokyo 6 months ago. hit it off over terrible hotel coffee and a shared disdain for corporate buzzwords. We’d been seeing each other when our schedules aligned, which wasn’t often, but when we were together, it felt easy, natural, nothing like James.
Daniel actually listened when I talked about my work. He challenged my ideas in ways that made me sharper, not smaller. He had his own ambitions and didn’t need me to sacrifice mine to make room for his. When I called him after talking to Michael, he picked up on the second ring. How do you feel about meeting my family? I asked, “Is this the family you haven’t spoken to in 3 years?” “That’s the one. Sounds terrifying. I’m in.
I should probably mention that my ex- fiance married my cousin and they’ll likely be there.” Silence then. Okay, now I’m definitely in. This sounds like it’ll be the most interesting wedding I’ve attended all year. You’re ridiculous. You like that about me? I did. God help me. I really did. The flight back to Portland felt longer than any flight I’d taken for business.
Daniel dozed beside me, his hand loosely holding mine. We’d agreed to keep things low-key, not to make a big deal about our relationship. This wasn’t about revenge or proving anything. Except it absolutely was, and we both knew it. Michael picked us up from the airport. He hugged me so hard I couldn’t breathe, then shook Daniel’s hand with the kind of enthusiastic energy that made me remember why I’d missed him.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” he kept saying. Emma can’t wait to meet you. Mom’s been cooking for 2 days straight. Dad’s pretending he’s not emotional, but he absolutely is. “My stomach tightened at the mention of my father.” “Mia and James will be there, too,” Michael added, glancing at me carefully. I invited them before I knew.
I mean, I didn’t know if it would be weird for you. It’s your wedding, I said. Everyone who matters to you should be there. The rehearsal dinner was at a nice restaurant downtown. I chosen my outfit carefully. A navy dress that was professional, but not uptight, elegant, but not trying too hard. Daniel wore a suit that probably cost more than my first car, but looked effortless on him.
We walked in together, and I watched the room notice us. My mother saw me first. She gasped, dropped her wine glass on the table, and ran over to hug me. Sarah. Oh, sweetheart, you look wonderful, and you must be Daniel. Michael told us about you. My father stood more slowly. He looked older. Grayer.
