Page 24 of The Secret to a Southern Wedding

“Same here, Kaden.”

She watched her mom and Kaden go over to the display and talk about the prearranged bouquets. She’d like to believe Dr. Baker wouldn’t turn Kaden away, but from what she remembered of the man she wasn’t surprised. He was old-school all the way. God forbid any teenager got pregnant and had to see him. They’d have to sit through a lecture on respectability and how they were ruining their lives. Not surprising that he’d outright refuse to see a trans man.

Imani shook her head. She’d check out Kaden’s doctor just to be sure he got the best care. Even though she didn’t plan to stay in town, she could at least do a small part to try and make things better for her old classmate.

ten

A week after being in town Imani called Tracey and Halle and begged them to go out. She was exhausted and needed a break from her mom’s great romance with Preston. Imani had completely underestimated how easy it would be to break up this wedding. She’d expected to arrive, talk some sense into her mom, then enjoy a few days relaxing and spending time catching up. Instead, she woke up to Preston either already there or arriving shortly after to make breakfast for her mom, spent the day helping at the flower shop, then going back home, only for Preston to show up again to make dinner or bring the newest superhero movie for them to watch. Imani needed an escape from the “happy family” scenario they were forcing on her.

Now, as she sat at the corner of the bar in A Couple of Beers flanked by Tracey on her right and Halle on her left she wondered if coming here was such a good idea. She was trying to avoid Preston, but she really needed to avoid Cyril. The man had a direct link to her attraction button. Tonight, his deep laugh as he talked to the patrons around the bar sent unexpected shivers down her spine. She couldn’t understand how a man could look so desirable in just a cream-colored shirt and dark pants.

She cut her eyes at Halle. “There isn’t any other bar in town other than Cyril’s?”

Halle scoffed. “Peachtree Cove has a lot to offer, but an abundance of breweries isn’t one of them. Besides, his place has a good vibe. You don’t like it here?”

“I wanted to escape the Dash men for one night,” she mumbled.

Tracey leaned her elbow on the bar and raised an eyebrow as she watched Imani. “Why? Cyril and his dad are cool.”

“You try spending every available minute with them. Preston and my mom are joined at the hip. I’ve barely gotten three seconds alone with her.”

Halle rubbed Imani’s back. “Ahh, poor baby can’t get all the attention.”

Imani cut her eyes and wiggled until Halle’s hand fell away. Her cousin laughed and Tracey snickered along with her.

“How am I supposed to figure out why she’s doing this if he’s always around?” Imani said.

Halle pursed her lips. “You know, that may be why she’s doing this.”

Imani’s eyes narrowed. “You think he’s pressuring her and not giving her time to rethink things.”

Halle closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened her eyes again, she gave Imani an are you serious stare. “Maybe she’s marrying him because she likes having him around all the time. Maybe your mom loves him and wants to spend time with him.”

Imani huffed before turning to Tracey. “You hear this?”

Tracey raised a hand. “Don’t look to me to back you up. I’m hashtag team Preston.”

“What? Why?”

“Not only does he cut the grass for me at the inn, but he’s supersweet and a gentleman. They don’t make them like that, if you know what I mean.”

Halle chuckled. “Yes, they do.”

Imani raised a brow and Halle motioned toward Cyril. He looked their way at the same time and cocked his head to the side in inquiry. The three of them looked away and burst into laughter.

Instead of ignoring them acting silly at the end of the bar as she’d hoped, Cyril came over to them. “Looks like you’re having a good time tonight.”

“We are,” Halle said.

Cyril nodded. “What can I get you?” The tan fedora he wore slightly cast his eyes in a shadow. Imani’s fingers twitched with the urge to push it back and get a better look.

Halle answered first. “Let me get that lime pilsner you recommended last time and nachos.”

He nodded then looked to Tracey whose brows drew together. “Are you serving the spring blend you told me about?”

“Just put it on tap today.”

She snapped then pointed. “Then I’ll go with that and nachos, too.”

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