Page 38 of The Secret to a Southern Wedding

Imani’s interest was piqued. What had happened to Brian to make him return? She never would have expected him to settle in Peachtree Cove. He’d been handsome in high school. So much so people said he should be a model, and to no one’s surprise he’d done some modeling while attending Morehouse College. He was still just as good looking. Dark brown skin, bedroom eyes and a smile that could boil lava.

“I wonder what made him come back?” she murmured.

“Made who come back?” Preston’s voice interrupted.

Imani turned away from Brian, who had several of the women swarm his way after he entered the room. Preston and Cyril had walked over and stood next to her mom.

“Imani was asking about her old crush, Brian,” Linda said a little too eagerly.

Imani lightly bumped her mom with her elbow. “Mom, will you stop?”

Linda shrugged. “For what? You did have a crush on him. You, Halle and Tracey.”

“That was a long time ago.” Her face heated. She glanced at Cyril who watched her with a bemused expression. Of course, he’d take pleasure in her embarrassment. The man loved to tease her. If he knew how much her crush on him far outweighed any crush she’d had on Brian she’d really be in trouble.

fourteen

Cyril tried to focus on the guild president’s presentation about the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day Festival, but he was having a hard time because one: he wasn’t a big St. Patrick’s Day fan. He was more likely to curse out someone who pinched him for not wearing green than laugh. And two: he couldn’t get his mind off Imani sitting next to him.

From the way she kept looking over her shoulder to take in the rest of the people in the room, he doubted she paid much attention either. He wanted to believe she was merely being observant, but her mother’s words echoed in his head.

“Imani was asking about her old crush, Brian.”

Cyril hadn’t felt jealous of another guy since he was fifteen and Pamela Davis said she’d rather go to the homecoming dance with Rodney Watson instead of him. He shouldn’t care if Imani once had a crush on Brian. Shouldn’t care if she still had a crush on the guy. Who Imani did or did not like wasn’t his problem. His only problem was whether she liked his father or not.

“Did you get that, Cyril?” The mayor’s voice cut into his musings.

Imani stopped looking around the room and focused on him. He was caught staring at her. Heat prickled his face as he cleared his throat and looked toward the mayor at the podium. “I’m sorry, what?”

“We just assigned people to the St. Patrick’s Day committee,” Miriam said. “Are you good with identifying which businesses are participating in the storefront decorations for the St. Patrick’s Day Festival and coordinating with the committee for any additional supplies needed?”

Cyril blinked. That’s what he got for not paying attention. When he’d been asked to be the secretary of the business guild he’d agreed because the guild supported him as a new business, and he’d wanted to give back. He hadn’t considered taking meeting notes and sending out the agenda to be too hard. He should have read the bylaws more carefully. The secretary did a lot more than he’d assumed. Half of his time was spent coordinating many of the projects the guild thought up.

“Umm... I may not be able to handle all of the coordination on this.”

“Why not?” Miriam asked with a slight tilt to her head.

“St. Patrick’s Day is a big day for the bar. I’ll be busy mixing up a new beer for the occasion. If everyone who’s participating lets me know if they’re going to decorate, I can get that to you.”

“But we’d really like to have a list of exactly what they’re doing to avoid duplication.”

“It’s St. Patrick’s Day. There are going to be four-leaf clovers and leprechauns all over the place,” he said with a shrug. “It’s going to be hard not to duplicate.”

“Still, I wish we could have a more detailed list, or a way to coordinate two businesses that want to do the same thing.”

Ms. Kemp raised her hand. “I have an idea. Imani can help Cyril keep track and coordinate the participants before the festival. That way you can also focus on mixing up your new beer.”

Imani spun in her seat toward Linda. “Mom? I’m in town because of the wedding. Not to plan an event.”

“The wedding is almost planned, and this will be a good way for you to also help out the town. Don’t you think?”

“I think it’s a great idea!” Miriam said before Imani could respond. “It’s all settled. Cyril and Imani will collect the list of businesses participating to avoid duplication of decorations. This is going to be a great festival. I’m sure the town will be happy to promote it so we can get people from all over to come out and participate. Those folks across the river won’t be able to compete.”

A round of cheers and claps went up from the crowd. Imani frowned. “Don’t tell me we’re still beefing with Peach Valley?”

Cyril let out a sigh. “We are. Even harder since they’re going for the best small town, too.”

Imani groaned. “Good grief.”

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