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vicariously through her memories.
    “ It was eleven years ago ,” Lori said.  “ We did n’ t date for long or have an extended engagement.  I mean, we were both already in our mid-thirties.  And when you get to be that age, you know when i t’ s right.  You do n’ t have to spend years trying to figure it out.  With Hal, from day one, I knew it was right.  He used to be awfully romantic . ”
    Apparently, Hal and Lori had met on Miami Beac h— and she did a good job of painting the location for Camilla.  But while Camilla wanted to know about the cit y’ s party scene, Lori was frank that she could n’ t really offer knowledge about that because while she had been planning to go out with her girlfriends that night, those plans had been deraile d— as she had instead went out for a beautiful sunset ride in his boat.
    “ By the end of the night, I just knew.  He was so spontaneous back then.  Nothing would have stopped him from saying ,‘ Hey, le t’ s take the boat down the coast to Key West ,’ o r‘ why not a trip to the Bahamas this weekend ? ’   Even our wedding was a bit spur of the moment.  We flew to Vegas and eloped .” Lori smiled with the memory.  “ We did n’ t want a big weddin g— we wanted to keep it small and spend our money on the honeymoon.  Here. It was perfect . ”
    Maia nodded in agreement .“ Jim and I were the same way.  Small wedding, just our family and close friends.  And then a wonderful extended honeymoon . ”
    But Camilla tisked.  “ Small weddings.  When I get married, I will have a huge wedding. If I tried to do something small, my family would disown me ,” she grinned.  “ I want a dress with a thirty foot train. It will fill the aisle of the cathedral . ”
    “ And I have no doubt that the cathedral will be St. Pete r’ s Basilica ,” Maia chided and the trio laughed loudly.  “ Do you want some more wine ?” she asked Lori.
    But before the other woman could answer, Amelia stepped outside. 
    “ Oh dear, I’ m so sorry Amelia, I hope we did n’ t disturb you, I’ m afraid we were being quite loud . ”
    “ Not at all.  It was time for me to get up anywa y— I just wanted to get some fresh air . ”
    Quickly, Maia introduced her guests to each other and taking a seat, Amelia appeared much more relaxed than she had been earlier that day.
    “ So what brings you here honey ?” Lori asked.
    Remembering the conversation from earlier, Maia quickly tried to figure out how to deflect the topi c— it had been apparent that Amelia was n’ t overly excited to attend her frien d’ s wedding.
    But Camilla, who had obviously forgotten the young woma n’ s discomfort, spoke first ,“ She is here to attend a frien d’ s wedding ,” she said simply.
    Amelia looked pale
    “ Well, what a perfect place to get married ,” Lori noted.
    Amelia looked around and shrugged her agreement.  “ I suppose. But no offense, it would n’ t have been my first choice . ”
    Camilla shot a knowing look at Maia .“ Well then i t’ s lucky, yes?  That you are just friends with the groom . ”
    A cloud passed over Ameli a’ s face, and she turned away from Camill a’ s inquiring eyes, casting a longing look to the Bay of Naples.  She looked as if she wanted to be anywhere except there.
    “ Well actually, tha t’ s the thing....  It wa s… supposed to be me.  My friend, the groom, h e’s … h e’ s actually, my ex.  And tha t’ s why I am here, to watch him marry someone else . ”
    The three woman stared in silence at Amelia, all (except Camilla it seemed) surprised by what she had just revealed. Amelia on the other hand, suddenly looked light as a feathe r— as if she had been looking for a way to get that little revelation off of her chest.
                  Lori was the first to speak .“ H e’ s your ex?  And you ar e attendin g his wedding ? ”
                  Amelia took a long slug from the wine glass.  She