Page 95 of Promise Me Sunshine

“Uh-huh.”

He parks at the very end of the line of cars. And just sits there.

“Miles—”

“Okay, okay. Look. In a town this small…if you’re theguy whose entire family dies in a car crash…you’re sort of famous? In a terrible way? Right after they died I had some…outbursts.” He gives me a wry look.

“I’m familiar with the concept.” Worst inside joke ever.

“Well, it felt like everyone was sort of afraid of what I might do or say after that.” I wince at how painful that must have been, and he lets out a long sigh. “Kira’s the town sweetheart. When we started dating, everyone seemed to sort of…accept me again.”

“But then you broke up.”

“And she was very mad and very hurt and she stayed here and I left. So…yeah. I have no idea what we’re about to walk into. With Kira or with everyone else.”

I consider this. “Okay, yes. That sounds scary.”

And now I see why he brought me here.

“You love Cody, right?” I ask him. “Youdefinitelywant to show up for his big day?”

Miles nods.

“Great! Let’s go eat barbecue and do the Cupid Shuffle. If anyone judges you or treats you weird they can take it up with me. Today, I’m your enforcer.”

I slam out of the car and he follows suit. “That simple, huh?”

The ceremony is taking place along the side of the barn, and luckily we can sidle up and stand in the back behind the folding chairs. Miles gets a few nods, a few smiles, and I get a few wide eyes and up-and-downs. But then the music starts and a redheaded man with a cane starts down the aisle. The groom, I assume. He makes his way to the altar (a plume of willow branches), turns around, and breaks into an absolutely soul-melting smile.

I crane my neck to see the bride and I’m extremely beguiled by the woman in black leather pants, Louboutins, anda black button-down charging down the aisle. She only has eyes for Cody. When she makes it to his side, she rests one hand on top of the hand he’s resting on his cane. It stands between them and they lean in toward one another for a quick pre-ceremony kiss.

“Oh, my God.” I swoon and quickly grab the nearest man. Luckily it’s Miles. He looks down at me. “I want to be them,” I whisper.

He smiles, searching my eyes, and looks back up at his pal at the altar.

The ceremony is brief and sincere and they just can’t stop kissing each other.

Next up is barbecue and dancing. Miles and I stand at the outskirts. He hasn’t said hello to anyone yet. I bump his shoulder with mine. “Should we go say congrats to Cody and Tasha, was it?”

He clears his throat and scans the crowd.

“And by should we,” I continue, “I mean we should.”

“Right. Yeah. Okay, let’s go. Oh shit.” He’s taken one step and stalled. “It’s Kira. She’s coming over here. I can’t tell if she’s mad.” His eyes are boring into mine, his hands jammed into his pockets. “What should I do?”

“Say hello, be sweet. If you think she’s open to it, a light hug. Tell her she looks lovely, if you think she does.”

There’s no substance to my advice, but he’s wholly latched to it. “Okay.” He nods resolutely and then turns to face the woman inching her way toward us. She’s got strawberry blond hair and is absurdly pretty. She’s wearing a lilac dress and a nervous smile.

“Hi,” she says shyly, one hand behind her back and the other doing a little wave.

“Hello,” Miles says sweetly, quoting me verbatim. “How are you?” He goes in for a quick hug. “You look nice.”

“I’m good. Thanks.” After their hug, her eyes dart to me. “Hi, I’m Kira.”

“Lenny,” I say with a hand gesture that starts as a shake and ends as a wave. Kira’s a waver, not a shaker. “Nice to meet you.”

“You too.” She pauses, stares at Miles’s shoes for a moment, and then perks up a little. “I’m so glad you came, Miles. Cody will be so happy.”

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