Page 40 of The Secret to a Southern Wedding

“I’m good with the wedding.”

“Well, I’m not quite there yet.”

“Then this is good. We can work together on the wedding and the St. Patrick’s Day Festival.”

“I’m not here forever,” she said quickly.

The words hit him like a bullet to the heart. He rubbed his chest and tried to ignore the hurt caused by her words. “I know you’re not here forever. That doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy your company while you’re here.”

Her eyes met his. Just like the first time, he was lost in her gaze. “Are you enjoying my company?” Her voice was soft and curious.

Cyril tugged on his hat and glanced away before she saw how her words, her voice, affected him. “More than you know.”

fifteen

Imani had to circle the block twice before she could snag a parking spot downtown and was still a block away from Cyril’s bar. One of the many surprising changes she was starting to notice in the town she’d remembered as slow and sleepy. Downtown Peachtree Cove wasn’t exactly bustling, but there was a steady stream of people in the area.

As she walked the block toward Cyril’s bar, she noticed how many of the storefronts which were abandoned when she’d left town after high school were now filled with shops. A clothing store, pharmacy, coffee shop, art studio and insurance agency now occupied the once empty stores. She stopped in front of one storefront. The windows were covered with brown paper which prevented her from seeing what has happening inside, but she recognized the woman coming out.

“Joanne? Is that you?”

Joanne Wilson looked up from where she was locking the door. Joanne was a couple of inches shorter than Imani, with caramel skin and blond microlocs that fell to her shoulders. Even though she was several years older than Imani they knew each other well. Joanne had successfully styled Imani’s hair for prom, homecoming and every event in between.

Joanne squinted at Imani then grinned. “Imani! Oh, my goodness, girl, your momma did say you were coming home for the wedding.”

Imani stopped herself from cringing. No one in town thought the wedding was too sudden. Everyone loved her mom and Mr. Preston together and couldn’t wait for them to tie the knot.

She smiled at Joanne. “I am. Let me guess, you’re doing the hair of everyone in the wedding?”

Joanne’s face lit up. She pointed to the door she’d just locked. “Actually, that’s the plan. The grand opening for my new salon is coming up the Saturday after next. I’d give you a flyer if I had one, but it’s been a busy day. I’ve got to go pick up some packages from the post office.”

Imani looked from the covered windows back to Joanne. Her cheeks hurt, her smile was so big. “Oh my God! Congratulations! I know you’ve wanted this for a long time.”

“Thank you, it’s definitely a dream come true. Come by later and I’ll give you a pre-opening tour.” She checked her watch. “I’ve got to go. It’s nice seeing you. Tell your mom I said I’m ready to make everyone beautiful for her big day, okay.”

Imani nodded; another tug of guilt twisted her insides. If she did figure out how to get her mom to cancel or postpone this wedding it would have a trickle-down effect on the various people her mom had hired to prepare for the wedding. Hopefully, everyone would understand she was only trying to do what was best for her mom and not ruin their business.

“I’ll be sure to tell her,” she said.

Joanne waved and then hurried across the street to her car. Imani looked back at the paper-covered windows. Joanne was finally achieving her dream and opening her own salon. She was the best stylist in Peachtree Cove. Now, not only was she opening a salon but in one of the nicest buildings downtown. Imani had to admit that the claims from her mom, friends and Cyril that Peachtree Cove was “coming up” might be true.

She made her way to Cyril’s bar, which was located on the corner of Main and Blossom Streets. She pulled on the door, but it didn’t budge. Frowning, she tried again but with the same result. Taking out her phone, she texted Cyril. He’d asked her to meet him there at nine and she was there on time. She hoped he hadn’t forgotten he planned to meet up with her.

Hey, I’m outside. Where r u?

A few seconds passed before three dots bounced on her phone screen indicating he was responding. The dots stopped with no response. Grunting, Imani narrowed her eyes at the screen. Was he seriously going to ignore her?

The lock on the door clicked. She looked up and spotted Cyril’s smiling face on the other side of the glass. He pushed open the door for her. “My bad. I forgot to tell you that I keep the front locked when I’m working in the back. It was easier to just open the door than text back.”

“I was worried you’d forgotten about me.”

“There’s no way I could forget about you, Imani.”

The words were innocent enough, but the way he said them... With that look in his eyes that made her bones melt and a smile that made her stomach flip. That made her hear a lot more of a promise in his voice. A promise she wanted to know if he’d keep.

Fearing he’d see the unexpected jolt of yearning in her heart on her face, she slid by him to get inside. He held the door open for her, so she was close enough as she passed to notice the spicy clove scent that clung to him. He wasn’t wearing a hat today, which meant the rich chocolate brown of his eyes wasn’t partially hidden when their eyes met. Connecting gazes with Cyril was like an electric shock to her system. She sucked in a breath only to once again be hit with how damn delicious he smelled. She quickly moved and put distance between them.

Inside the bar was empty and quiet. Too quiet. She swore her heavy breathing echoed in the spacious interior. “What time do you open?” she asked in a rush to make a sound. Any sound that would cover up her pounding heart and erratic breaths.

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