Page 93 of My Best Friend's Mardi Gras Wedding

It sounded like fun, no doubt about it.Something she’d never done before.Something she couldn’t do in Elton, Iowa.Or maybe anywhere in Iowa to be honest.And she certainly couldn’t do it with Josh in Iowa.Or Ellie.Or Kennedy.People she was starting to care for, no matter how reckless or overreactive that might be.

But this was Andrew.Andrew’swedding.And Paisley was already put out by them being gone in New Orleans all day.It was kind of Tori’s fault too.If Josh hadn’t been her plus one, there wouldn’t have been an alternative to the tour that got cancelled and everyone would have stuck close to Buckworth today.

“You’re here for me,” Andrew said, before Tori could reply.“I…appreciate that Josh is here as your date and I don’t want to be a jerk, but you’re really down here because of me, right?”

“Well, because of yourwedding,” Josh replied pointedly.

Andrew didn’t respond to that.“I’d really like for you to come back to Buckworth with me.”

Tori frowned.She wouldn’t be going back just with him.It would be with the whole group from Iowa.And if she did go back to the plantation, it would because of the wedding activities, not to bewithAndrew.

She knew that Josh was rubbing Andrew the wrong way.He was concerned she didn’t know Josh well and that she was either taking this too seriously and was going to get hurt or make a fool of herself.But she wasn’t choosing between these two men.She should be able to have her best friendanda romantic interest.

She frowned at Andrew.“Once you’re back at Buckworth, you’ll be with Paisley.Why do you care if I’m there?”

He cared because he was worried about her being with Josh.Obviously.But why?Clearly Josh wasn’t going tophysicallyharm her.And yeah, she might get her heart broken, but that was what Skype calls and ice cream and puppies were for.Why was Andrew this adamant about her not getting closer to Josh?

“Do you want to spend some time together later?”Andrew asked.“I’d love that.I can get away and we can…go for a walk or something.”He leaned in, suddenly looking strangely earnest.“I’d love a chance to talk more.I think…there are some things that we need to talk about.”

That was weird.

She looked at Josh.He met her eyes directly.“Your choice,” he said.“I’m going wherever you’re going.”

“I don’t want to keep you from the burlesque show if you want to go,” she said.

“There’s nothing I want to do more than be with you,” he said, and she could see the sincerity in his eyes.“If you want to go back to the plantation, just say the word.”

So she wasn’treallychoosing one guy over the other.Josh would come back to the plantation with her.That was probably the best decision.She sighed.“Okay, I should probably go back,” she told Josh apologetically.“The club sounds so fun, but Andrew’s right.I am here for the wedding stuff.”

There was a flash of what could have been hurt in Josh’s eyes.She was supposed to have returned to New Orleans for Mardi Gras forhim.And she would have—of that she was certain—if she hadn’t been coming for the wedding.But, well, shehadcome for the wedding.Too.

“We’ll go to the burlesque show next time,” Josh said, no sign of hurt evident now.

She loved the sound ofnext time.She smiled and nodded.“Okay.”

He held out a hand to help her down from her stool.She took it at the same time Andrew grasped her elbow for the same reason and she ended up sliding to her feet awkwardly, in spite of being held on both sides.

Okay, this was all just weird.

Andrew dropped his hold on her after she had straightened and grabbed her purse, but Josh linked his fingers with hers as they started for the door to Trahan’s.

“Hey, I’m going to the Stiletto with Ellie and Kennedy,” Owen called to Josh.

Josh nodded.“Figured.”

Owen grinned and gave him a thumbs-up.

“Owen likes burlesque?”Tori asked.

“Owen likes anyplace he can drink and flirt,” Josh said with a laugh.“And now that he’s got someone to drive him home, he’s happy.”

They stepped out onto the sidewalk and waited for the other Iowans to join them.

A brass band was playing up the block and Tori took a step to the corner to look down and try to catch a glimpse.The band was at the end of the street and was coming in their direction.But it was more than a band.It looked like a parade.At the front was a cop on a motorcycle leading the way and clearing a path.Right behind the bike was the band and behind them were what were clearly a bride and groom, carrying parasols and dancing.Following them was a crowd of people, waving white hankies and dancing in the street.

“A wedding parade?”Tori asked Josh as he moved in beside her.

He nodded.“A wedding second line.Huge tradition here.Usually they parade from the wedding venue to the reception.”

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