“I don’t want to hear one word about how delicious that is,” said Iko.
“It’s terrible,” said Cinder, biting a piece of bacon in half. After swallowing, she added, “Especially the bacon. You would hate bacon.”
The others filed in, taking over the sofa and nearly every available spot on the worn rug. Wolf and Scarlet came last.
“One of you had better be planning on making lunch,” said Scarlet, untying her apron as she claimed the last spot on the sofa. Wolf handed her a plate of food, then sat between her feet, draping one arm over her knee as he gobbled down his own food.
Thorne lifted his fork. “I’ll make a run for takeout?”
“Deal,” said Scarlet, clinking the side of her fork against his.
Iko stopped rocking in her chair and leaned forward. “So tell us what’s in store for your big day. Have you had fun planning it? What are you most excited about?”
Scarlet leaned her head against the sofa. “I’m most excited for it to be over, and for all those stupid media people to leave so we can have our lives back.”
Wolf petted her knee and kept eating.
Cress frowned. “Aren’t you excited to be married?”
“Oh, sure,” said Scarlet. “That part will be nice. But I never wanted to have a big wedding, and I certainly didn’t expect it to turn into this jamboree.” She straightened again. “Not that I’m regretting inviting you guys,” she added, looking pointedly at Kai and Cinder, with an extra glance at Winter. “Obviously, I want you here. It’s just…” She heaved a big sigh.
“We understand,” said Kai, picking apart the sections of an orange. “Having lived with paparazzi my whole life, I would never wish it on anyone.”
“You don’t really think they’ll interrupt the ceremony, do you?” asked Iko.
Scarlet shrugged. “I hope they have more integrity than that. Although it is tradition for the bride and groom to walk to the ceremony through the streets of town and cut through ribbons that the children are supposed to have prepared for us. But I can’t even fathom walking down my own driveway with those goons out there, so I don’t know if that’s going to happen.”
Cinder cleared her throat. “Is that tradition … important to you?”
Scarlet scoffed. “The only tradition that I care about is saying I do.”
There was an almost visible sigh of relief around the room and Cinder flinched, sure it would be obvious to Scarlet, but she was buttering a slice of bread and didn’t seem to notice anything unusual. Kai caught Cinder’s eyes and mimed wiping sweat from his brow. She buried a laugh.
“Tell us more,” said Winter. “I know very little about your Earthen customs, and it could come in useful for my role as cultural ambassador someday.” She cupped her cheek with her hand, nearly obscuring her scars. “But mostly, I want to know what traditions Scarlet Benoit-Kesley deems important.”
“Oh, I don’t know,” said Scarlet. “We’ll exchange rings and say some vows, but you do that on Luna too, don’t you?”
Winter nodded. “Will you carry a bouquet?”
“Probably. I thought I’d pick whatever looked good in the garden that day.”
“Do you have a color scheme?” asked Iko.
Scarlet hesitated. “Um … white?”
“Will there be cake?” asked Cress.
Scarlet grinned. “Of a sort. émilie is bringing croquembouche, which is a big stack of doughy pastry balls drizzled with caramel. It’ll be delicious.”
“I heard of a tradition,” said Thorne, “where the guests are supposed to make a bunch of raucous noise outside of the bridal chambers on the wedding night, until you give us candy and send us away.”
Scarlet glared at him. “Yeah, please don’t do that.”
“How many people will be there?” asked Kai.
Another groan from Scarlet. “The whole blasted town, from what I can tell. I’m not sure how that happened—I certainly didn’t invite everybody. Small and intimate, I kept saying. Only close friends, I told them. But in a small town, I guess everyone just assumes that they fit under that umbrella. If it was up to me, it would just be the people in this room.” She paused. “Well, and émilie. Because, again, she’s bringing the dessert.”
Wolf stood up and began gathering everyone’s empty plates to be returned to the kitchen. After he had gone, Iko leaned forward and clapped her hands. “I know! Why don’t you show us your dress? I’m dying to see it.”
Scarlet cocked her head. “You can’t wait two more days?”
“Absolutely not. Please?”
With a careless shrug, Scarlet pulled herself to her feet. “Come on, it’s upstairs.” She left the room, with Iko close on her heels. Cinder made to follow, but hesitated, glancing around at the guys.
“You can handle this?” she asked.
Thorne saluted her. “No problem. Just distract her for as long as you can.”
Wolf reappeared from his trip to the kitchen and settled an enormous hand on Cinder’s shoulder, so heavy it made her jump in surprise.