Page 142 of Let's Kiss and Tell

We pull into Parker, one of the most iconic properties in Palm Springs. It’s posh, kitschy, whimsical, and lush. I’ve been here once before for a bachelorette dinner, but we couldn’t afford to stay at the hotel. The valet takes the key from Marsh while the bellhop collects our bags in the trunk. We walk past a dramaticwhite brick wall and enter the lobby that feels like we’re dropped directly into the fifties. There are colorful glass sculptures, shag pile rugs, and leather and velvet furniture everywhere.

After checking in, Marsh taps the key card to our room, and we enter a stunning space that is quintessentially Palm Springs glamour. There are gold trimmings everywhere, a beautiful bright orange door, a blue velvet couch, and a garden patio with a hammock sitting under a tree.

“Wow.” I walk around and peek my head into the bathroom. “This room is beautiful.”

“It really is,” Marsh agrees. “I’ve never been here before.”

I look at the sleeping arrangement and I feel a tiny pang of disappointment. “Cute,” I say, looking at the two double beds.

“I booked the room a month ago,” Marsh says.

“Well, in that case I hope you like cuddling.” I wrap my arms around his waist.

“I like cuddlingyou.” Marsh then wraps his arms around my body, and I feel more protected than ever. Like nothing in the world matters if he’s holding me. I let out an uncontrollablehmmmas I bury myself into his chest.

We stay like this for another moment, and I just take everything in. Being here and knowing that whatever is happening between us isn’t over just yet. I step out to the garden patio and walk toward a gorgeous tree full of pink bougainvilleas—a flower staple in Palm Springs gardens.

Marsh steps outside and meets me underneath the tree. “Lucy…”

“Yeah?” I tip my head back to get a better look at him.

“It was one thing to talk about all of this for the past month, and now that we’re here…it’s real.” He takes a step closer. “I don’t give a fuck about the wedding or any of this anymore. I’m just happy to be with you.”

My heart swells because I agree wholeheartedly with what he’s saying. What started off as something that was transactional, a quid pro quo, has turned into something much more. It’s not something I was expecting. Never did I expect tocare.

“I feel the same way,” I confess. Admitting how I feel is what I’m doing a lot lately, and while the feeling is unfamiliar, it feels good being honest with Marsh.

“Can we just forget the wedding?” Marsh says.

“Forget the wedding?!” I let out a laugh, my eyes widening. “Marsh…”

“I’m serious,” he says. “Fuck, I never wanted to go to this.”

“You’re not thinking straight,” I say to him. As fun as it would be to ditch this whole plan and have an entire Lucy and Marsh weekend in Palm Springs, IwantMarsh to go to the wedding. I want him to show everyone that he’s okay. I want him to spend time with his mom, Oliver, and Quinn. “Iwant to go to the wedding, Marshall.”

“Oh, now I’mMarshall?” He raises an eyebrow and I smile. “This isn’t going to be like Sadie’s birthday,” he says. “There are more people here. Her family…my old friends…”

“And me.” I reach down for his hands and loop my fingers through his. This Marsh is the opposite of how he’s perceived at work and to the world. That Marsh is a man who’s assertive, confident, and not afraid of a single thing. The Marsh in front of me is vulnerable, anxious…human. Getting to know this Marsh feels like the greatest privilege. “I’ll be right beside you through all of it.”

Marsh closes his eyes and pulls me into him. Gently, he places a kiss on the top of my head.

The wedding will take place in the outside courtyard tomorrow, but tonight’s dinner is at the Den, Parker’s private dining room.The space is dark, decadent, and dramatic with a classy jazz soundtrack playing over the speakers.

As we enter, I see just enough table space for less than thirty people. “I didn’t know how intimate this would be,” I whisper to Marsh.

“Yeah…” he says. “I didn’t either.”

Upon entering, I instantly make eye contact with Dani, who then turns away and acts as if we’ve never met each other. She says something to the person she’s talking to, and that woman now looks at Marsh and me. I’ve never been so certain that people were talking about me.

We clock Oliver and Quinn, who are already at a table and wave us over. The fact that the Oakleys were invited to the rehearsal dinner only further confirms just how close Julia is to Marsh’s family.

“Hey, guys.” Oliver stands up and gives me a hug. “How’s it going?”

“Oh, you know…” Marsh lets out a sarcastic smile.

“Lucy! Hi!” Quinn wraps her arms around me. “Have a seat right here.” She points to the chair next to her.

“Thanks!” Eying the spot next to mine, I notice a nameplate that saysMarshall Oakleyin gold cursive. Meanwhile, my nameplate is bare.