Page 48 of The Secret to a Southern Wedding

His dad was right, the loss of those relationships hurt almost as much as losing his mother had. It tied into the grief he held on to and tried not to show for fear of making his dad worry about him. No matter how much he missed those relationships and had tried to fill the void with the friendships he’d made becoming a part of the Peachtree Cove community, Imani would never fill that spot because he didn’t view her as just a friend. He didn’t want Imani for a sister figure or as a replacement for his cousins.

But did he view her as something more than that? Could they really make anything work if their parents were getting married? He knew how she made him feel, but was he ready to handle a serious relationship? What would he do if he lost her the way his dad lost his mother? Or worse, they didn’t work out and his dad’s dream of a rebuilt family was lost forever?

“You’re right, Dad. I should try to view her that way. We’ll rebuild the family.”

eighteen

Imani’s eyes popped open the next morning. It took a second for her vision to clear and adjust to the sunlight filtering in from behind the curtains illuminating the smooth white ceiling. She’d spent the day before helping Tracey at the inn, then they’d stayed up late, sitting around the table in the kitchen, talking and laughing about old times, present day concerns and future hopes. Halle even joined them via a quick video chat, but couldn’t come because of an event with Shania.

Imani missed having close friends around. In Florida, she had Towanda and some of the other doctors at the hospital, but they were work friends. People she laughed and talked with during the day and occasionally went out to lunch with or got together with after work for drinks, but that was it. They talked about the hospital, patient woes and only touched the surface of the deeper problems they might have at home. Imani hadn’t had the chance to open her heart and tell her true feelings to anyone in a long time. Going back to work was going to be hard, not just because of having to navigate the doctor of the year scenario, but because she wouldn’t have her mom, Tracey or Halle around.

“Well, it’s not like you have a lot to confide when you go back,” she mumbled to herself. Work, slim dating prospects and even less time to pursue the few good prospects was what her life was like back in Tampa.

She got out of bed and stretched her arms. Tracey had given her a toothbrush and toothpaste the night before, so Imani went into the adjoining bathroom and freshened up before going downstairs. Instead of finding Tracey in the kitchen, she found a Black woman standing behind the massive island pouring grits into several bowls.

“Oh, hello,” Imani said.

The woman looked up at her and grinned. “You must be Imani. Hey, I’m Shirley Cooke. I make breakfast and the pastries here. Tracey said you’d be down for breakfast soon. I hope you like cheese grits, smoked sausage, scrambled eggs and fresh baked biscuits.”

Imani’s stomach answered for her and grumbled loudly. She pressed a hand to her midsection and returned Shirley’s knowing grin. “You’re speaking my language.”

Shirley chuckled. “Everything will be ready in a few minutes. The couple staying here requested breakfast in their room, but I’ll have you and Tracey’s food ready in the dining room. She’s out back going over the plant delivery for your mom’s wedding. You can go out and listen to what they’re saying and make sure it’s what your mom wants.”

“Plant delivery?”

“Tracey has a contract with a local nursery to bring over shrubs or extra greenery if there’s a wedding. Your mom ordered some extra items.”

“Oh, yeah, okay.” She nodded even though she hadn’t known about a shrub delivery for the wedding, though it could have been mentioned in one of the various wedding prep discussions she’d tuned out. “I’ll go catch up.”

“Everything will be ready in about fifteen minutes or so.”

“I’ll let Tracey know,” Imani answered then went out to find her friend.

Tracey and Brian Nelson stood behind a dark blue Blazer with the name Nelson’s Nursery in bold white letters on the side. Imani walked up to the two of them. Tracey’s back was to the building so Brian noticed her first. He stopped talking and nodded in Imani’s direction. Tracey stiffened before spinning around. When she saw Imani, she relaxed and smiled.

“You’re finally up?”

“Yeah, I’ve been up for a while. Everything okay?” She glanced between Tracey and Brian.

“Everything is good. Brian was telling me about his trip to Augusta last night. I don’t need all that,” Tracey said with a snap of her fingers. “All I need is to know is if the decorative plants Imani’s mom ordered to go around the gazebo will be here on time for the wedding.”

Brian looked as if he wanted to say something, but when Tracey glared, he shrugged as if he no longer cared. “Whatever, Tracey. I’ll have the plants here on time. You mentioned a change in what you’ll need?”

Tracey nodded. “Yeah, I left the list inside. Let me go grab it.” She looked at Imani. “I’ll be right back. He can let you know what we’re renting for your mom’s big day.”

Imani watched her walk away. When she was out of earshot she turned back to Brian and pointed over her shoulder. “What’s that about?”

He shook his head. “Nothing. You know me and Tracey were always like oil and water. I’m back to minding my business.”

He was right. Back in high school Brian used to always rub Tracey the wrong way. Tracey claimed she only tolerated him because Imani and Halle both had crushes on Brian. She never understood why her friend disliked him except for her saying he was too full of himself.

Imani raised a brow. “Were you minding her business?” Tracey hated for people to get into her business.

Brian shook his head. “Not anymore.” He pointed toward his vehicle. “So, the plants. I’ve got some samples in the back. Want to see?”

She was intrigued to know exactly what business of Tracey’s he was minding, but she’d get the information directly from Tracey. No way was she going to potentially stoke the wrath of Tracey by talking about her with Brain.

“I guess so. It is my mom’s wedding.”

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