The first person I ran into was Joe’s sister, Jodie. She was standing not far from the foot of the stairs, arms wrapped around herself, wearing a black sheath dress. Her gaze lit on me with such precision and speed, I wondered if she had been waiting for me.
“Mick!” Jodie launched herself into my arms before I had much time to even react. “God, it is you! I had hoped, but I didn’t know.”
And that answered my question. She was probably watching for me. She was squeezing me really tight. Sort of like that old saying about hugging the stuffing out of someone. Finally she pulled back enough to let me breath, glanced for only a second or so at Zach, and then remained in my arms.
“You look amazing,” she whispered, reaching up to tuck a lock of hair behind my ear.
Zach cleared his throat, whi
