Page 45 of Bedding The Best Man (Bedding the Bachelors)

Brianne knew she meant it, and smiled. She’d learned event planning from her mother, after all. No one in Southern California could put on an event like Kathleen Whitcomb.

“I think I have it well in hand, Mom, but I’d love it if you could come by to make sure I’m not missing anything. As long as I can trust you to keep everything to yourself!”

“Mum’s the word, sweetheart. I’ll be there by lunch.”

Brianne hung up, pushed up her sleeves and pulled her long curls into a clip before continuing her work. She and Evie were placing little tree seedlings in miniature burlap bags, then tying a ribbon around the top of the bag with a tag featuring a ‘Thank you’ wish on one side, and planting instructions on the other.

“This will really speak to the hearts of the eco-crowd,” Evie remarked as they worked. “It’ll definitely score points.”

“Honey, I’ll score points in any way possible,” Brianne laughed.

Evie fell silent, and Brianne noticed her furtive glances.

“Out with it,” she said, losing patience. “What it is you want to ask me?”

“When are the yurts and everything else being set up?”

“Friday morning. It’s all being driven up to the site, and Gabe’s team will set up.”

“He’s pretty cool, huh?”

So that was it. “Gabe? Yeah, he’s cool.” Brianne smiled to herself, being deliberately obtuse in order to drive Evie crazy.

“Like, it’s nice that he’s not being a dick about this.”

“About what?”

“You know, like, he could have told you to fuck off when you kicked him out.”

“Sometimes I wish I hadn’t told you about that,” Brianne grumbled.

“Well, you did.”

“So, what, you think he should have dropped me after that?”

“Oh, God, no. I’m just saying, most guys would.”

“Well, Gabe’s not like most guys.”

“I know. That’s what makes him cool.”

Bri smiled to herself. “I know. It is.”Among other things.

“What are you going to do about him?” Evie finally asked.

“I was waiting to see how long that would take!” Brianne laughed.

Evie threw a mini burlap bag at her.

“I don’t know. I really don’t. I want to be with Gabe, but it just seems maybe our chance has passed, you know? Eric’s his best friend, and he’ll always feel in his heart that he stole me way somehow. That’s no way to start a relationship.”

“But Brianne—”

“Please, Evie. Can we not talk about it? Right now, I just want to focus on work. Please?”

Evie stared at her for several seconds, then nodded her head. “Sure, Brianne. We’ll focus on work. But you’re going to have to deal with it eventually.”

Why? Brianne thought. Why should she be the only one to deal with things when Eric and Gabe had taken the easy way out?

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