Page 45 of Speak No Evil

Gwen stared down at the German chocolate cake in front of her, completely stuffed after the malt and the pot pie. The cake smelled wonderful, and she wanted to sit here a little longer while she had her aunt to herself, so she would eat a few bites, anyway. She savored her forkful, pondering what to ask in order to eliminate once and for all the possibility she might have inherited her mom’s reckless behavior.

“What?” her aunt asked. “I can see the question in your face.”

“Did you and Uncle Tim ever argue?”

“Not like your mother and dad. Tim and I have our disagreements, but staying together means enough to us to work things out.”

Will walked into the kitchen. “Supper was delicious.”

Her aunt took the tray from him and handed him a plate with a slice of cake. Will sent a look her way as if checking on her. She shook her head and smiled. “Enjoy.”

Aunt Kathy waited for him to leave and then whispered, “Tim and I think he’s wonderful, if you want to know. You two make a perfect couple.”

Gwen stared at her. Didn’t people need to be in love to get that far?

Aunt Kathy cupped her coffee mug. “I can also see how he looks at you.”

“How does he look at me?”

“Like he might be in love with you.”

Was that true? She had wound up in his bed most weekends, true. But?—

“How do you feel about him?” Aunt Kathy watched her. “Do you love him?”

Did she? “I think I might.”

“Love’s not something you need to think about, Gwennie. It’s something you just know automatically.”

“When did you know? About Uncle Tim?”

“Maybe from the beginning when I first met him. He was coming in off the football field, and I was one of the opposing team’s cheerleaders. Neither of us said as much, but the way he looked at me. It was like I had to get to know him better or I’d be sorry.”

Will had said something kind of like that the first night. And the kiss they’d shared outside Bailey’s an hour ago? He didn’t seem one to demonstrate his feelings in public like that, but he’d kissed her as if…he loved her?

“There you are, Gwen.” Her grandmother came in and set her dinner tray on the table. “Are you finished? I want you to try on your dress one more time.”

15

The ushers seated the last of the late arrivals. The flower girl started down the aisle, tossing handfuls of rose petals. Gwen straightened her gown and took her bridesmaid bouquet of daisies and pink roses from an usher. The wedding consultant cued her and she began to walk, focusing on the group of men standing with the clergyman.

Halfway down the aisle, she passed Will, more handsome than ever in a navy suit that contrasted with his short auburn hair and beard.

Their gazes met. He winked. She closed her mouth before she could gape, but missed a step and had to concentrate to get back in rhythm. They’d only been apart six days, but seeing him now made her want to throw herself into his arms.

He stood in the same pew as Erin, who held hands with her ex-boss, Nikos Metadorakis. She had accompanied him to Greece intent on getting over her secret crush but instead came home even more in love. The surprise was that Nikos had loved her for years.

Gwen took her place opposite the groom and best man, and the organist began to play the bridal march.

* * *

Leslie pulled Gwen over to the side of the parish hall after the ceremony. “Stand on the right. I’ll throw you the bouquet.”

“You can’t favor me. That isn’t fair.” Gwen shook her bouquet at her cousin.

She glanced at her new husband. “I’m hurrying. Gwen, this is a good time for you. You’ve already got a guy on the hook.”

Gwen wasn’t sure. She and Will had talked every night this week, the same as the past three weeks, but Will had kept to neutral conversation about their everyday lives. There had never been a good time to discuss her reaction. Before she’d still been processing and hadn’t been able to explain face to face. That seemed to be the best way, though. If she could work up the courage.

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