Page 19 of The Secret to a Southern Wedding

Cyril slid the basket toward her. “This is your official Peachtree Cove Business Guild welcome basket.”

Patricia’s eyes widened and a huge grin broke out over her face. “When you all said I’d get a welcome kit I thought I’d get an email or something. Not an actual welcome basket.”

Cyril leaned one arm against the counter. “That’s one of the things Emily changed when she became president. This has information about the guild, but also some promotional items from the chamber of commerce and other businesses in the area.”

“Do you hand deliver these to everyone?” Patricia asked eyeing the goods through the cellophane wrapper.

“It’s one of my duties as secretary. If I can’t hand deliver, then I pass them out at the monthly meeting. I needed to stop in here anyway. Van said the novel I ordered arrived.”

She nodded. “It did. He’s in the back getting more vanilla syrup.”

“No, I’m not. I’m right here. Hey, Cyril, you come to pick up your book?” Van Norris, Patricia’s husband, walked up to the counter. Van was a few inches taller than Patricia, with a bald head and round frameless glasses.

Cyril pointed to the basket. “That and to make a special delivery.”

Patricia poked her husband’s shoulder. “It’s our welcome basket for joining the guild. See, I told you it was a good idea to join.”

“I never said it wasn’t.” Van looked at Cyril and said, almost apologetically, “I never said that.”

Cyril chuckled. “It’s okay, Van. I realize joining a business organization might not be the first priority when you’re starting a new business. I felt the same after I opened the bar, but the guild is doing a lot to help with the revitalization efforts in Peachtree Cove. Not to mention sponsoring the package with the town officials for Best Small Town.”

Van pointed at Cyril. “As long as we get it before Peach Valley across the border then I’m good.”

“Peach Valley doesn’t stand a chance,” Cyril said with a firm nod which was returned by Patricia and Van.

When he’d first moved to Peachtree Cove, he hadn’t fully appreciated the rivalry the town had with the neighboring town on the other side of the Savannah River in South Carolina. Over time he’d learned that despite Georgia being known as the Peach State, South Carolina liked to point out that they produced more peaches. The two border towns played up the rivalry, mostly in a good-natured kind of way, but both were equally serious about proving their town’s superiority.

The chime at the door rang and the three of them looked to see who entered. Cyril smiled when he caught sight of Halle Parker and her daughter, Shania. His smile immediately stiffened when Imani strolled in behind them.

He’d agreed to be nice to her for his dad’s sake. He’d even told himself that the attraction he’d felt for her was something he could forget and get past. But the day before when they’d toured the venue, one side of his brain refused to forget that he was interested in this woman. The other, more logical, side of his brain recognized that although she’d agreed to get to know him and his dad, the suspicion was still written all over her face.

Imani must have felt similarly because the pleasant expression on her face morphed into one of irritation before she adopted a neutral expression. Cyril took a deep breath. He could and would play nice. Getting on her good side was the best way to get through this wedding with no problems. His dad deserved to be happy and if overcoming Imani’s suspicions was the way to ensure that happiness then he’d deal.

“Well, look who’s here,” Halle said with exaggerated surprise. “Imani, it’s your soon-to-be brother-in-law. Cyril, what are you doing here?”

“Dropping off a welcome basket and picking up a book.”

Halle grinned. “You’re still delivering those?”

“The other duties as assigned,” he said with a laugh. He glanced at Imani who appeared confused. “I’m the secretary for the Peachtree Cove Business Guild.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

He chuckled. “Your face did.” He looked at Van. “I can go with you to get my book.”

Van shook his head. “No need! I’ll get it and you can stay up here and talk with your family. Nice to meet you, Imani.”

“She’s not my family.”

“We’re not family,” Imani said at the same time.

Patricia made a clucking noise eyeing them both. “From what I hear you will be in a month or so. Nice to meet you, Imani. We’re both so happy for your mom and Mr. Dash. They’re so cute when they’re out and about around town together. Are you two excited about the wedding?”

Cyril nodded. “I’m thrilled for my dad.”

Imani gave a tight smile. “I’m still getting used to the idea.”

Halle wrapped an arm around Imani’s shoulder. “Which is why you should sit here and get to know Cyril while I order coffee.” She gave Imani a quick shake before going to the register. “Patricia, let me get a vanilla latte and a hot chocolate for Shania.”

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