Page 40 of Close to My Heart

“And Wes is nothing like that. He’s as real as they come,” Fiona said as if she was warning me not to hurt him.

“He’s the most important person in my life. I won’t do anything to hurt him.” He was too good for me.

Daphne patted my hand. “We’re going to plan the best wedding. You’re going to love it.”

As long as that was all I fell in love with.

Fiona pulled out her phone and started to take notes. “You’ll need to schedule an appointment to try on dresses?—”

“I don’t even know where to start.”

“Let us know who you want there, and we’ll arrange everything.”

“Are you sure?” The thought of the things I needed to do to host a wedding in a few weeks was overwhelming. But it might be a good test for hosting events on the property.

“We know all the best places.”

I let out a breath. “I don’t want to call my college friends and ask them to travel. Especially since it’s not real.”

Daphne waved a hand at me. “No worries. We’ve got you covered.”

“Would Izzy and Faith be interested in being the flower girls?” I couldn’t believe I was marrying my best friend and involving his family in my lies. But it was too late to back out now.

Fiona grinned. “Now we’re getting somewhere. We’ll have them try on flower girl dresses at the same time. They’ll love it.”

“Thanks for helping me. You guys are life savers.”

Daphne patted my arm. “You’re going to be our sister-in-law.”

I didn’t mention that it would only be for a few months. It didn’t feel fake when we were talking about dresses and flower girls. It made my heart long for the real deal.

“I need a drink,” Teddy made his way over to the porch, wiping the sweat off his forehead with the bottom of his sweatshirt.

“What are you ladies talking about over here?” Jameson leaned a shoulder against the porch column, his dimple popping in time with his cheeky smile. He was a consummate flirt, but I never had eyes for anyone but Wes.

He’d stolen my heart that day under the slide, and there was no getting it back.

“Weddings of course!” Daphne exclaimed. “Sutton is going to let us take charge.”

Jameson raised a brow in my direction. “So this is the real deal then.”

I smiled. “As real as fake weddings get.”

“You’re having a ceremony, reception, a ring?” Jameson asked as Wes came up behind him.

Wes huffed out a breath. “We need to get a ring.”

“Why don’t you wear Mom’s?” Jameson asked with a glint in his eye.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea. That should go to a real fiancée.” I stumbled over the words.

Wes frowned. “Teddy should have it.”

Teddy had returned to the porch, water bottles in hand that he handed out to everyone. “What should Teddy have?”

“Mom’s ring,” Jameson said, a challenge in his voice. He was expecting push back.

“I don’t want to take something like that. It’s too special,” I said. I didn’t like how real this was starting to feel.

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