Chap. 2
When Isabella saw the decorations-red and white streamers, lace tablecloths, vanilla-scented candles flickering in the middle of each round table, a three-tiered cake decorated with a mini bride-and-groom carving on top, all under a white pavilion-she stopped short.
Phineas ran into her from behind with an "Oof!"
She started to topple forward but Phineas's arms shot out and caught her around the waist
The effect was like a seatbelt.
She blushed when she realized Phineas was still holding her. Quickly, she regained her balance and stood upright.
"Sorry!" they said at the same time.
Phineas looked away and released her.
She took a few steps away. Then he said, "Isabella?"
The girl in question stopped and half-turned. Phineas frowned. "Why did you stop, anyway?" He raised an eyebrow.
She smiled wanly, looking pale.
Like she'd just seen a ghost.
"This was how I'd always imagined my parents' wedding would have been like. And my wedding…well, I want it to be like this. My mom wouldn't show me pictures…it reminds her of Dad."
Phineas was confused.
Why wouldn't Isabella's mom want to remember her husband?
Isabella herself seemed, at the moment, to be paralyzed. Phineas grabbed her elbow. There was a stand of trees nearby. He pulled her in that direction. She stumbled along unresistingly.