Page 23 of Tempt Me

“Oh, it’s just Dev,” I say.

“Who?”

“Dev Chadha,” I remind him. “He runs the Grater Good. The cheese shop,” I add when Luke looks blank.

“Oh right, the gay Indian dude!” Luke says. I flinch. “He’s cool. What does he want?”

“He wants me to help him with his booth for Magnolia Day,” I say.

“Isn’t that festival, like, a week before our wedding?”

“Yeah,” I say.

“But you’ll be too busy,” Luke says.

I frown. “Luke, it’s the biggest celebration of the year for the town. I’ll make the time.”

He looks about to argue, then swoops my hair back and kisses my shoulder. “Okay,” he says. “Whatever makes you happy.”

“You’ll come, right?” I ask. “I’m sure everyone would love to see you there.”

“Of course,” Luke says, leaving a trail of kisses up my neck. “Anything for my queen.”

This is why I love Luke. He respects what’s important to me.

“So,” I say. “Which seaside bar did Trip get barred from?”

Luke grins. “I think it was both to be honest.”

We laugh.

Later, after a day on the yacht, I return to Magnolia Bay feeling pleasantly exhausted.

I’ve managed to push all thoughts of Caden from my mind and I feel ready to dive into the wedding plans feet first. I’ll ask Joni about flowers tomorrow.

I stop in at the Thorn to see if my parents need anything. Dad is in the front room serving wine and snacks to the guests. My heart sinks. That’s usually Mom’s job. I flash him a quick smile, not wanting to disturb, then head through the kitchen and into my parents’ apartment.

The curtains are closed, and Mom is lying on the couch with her feet propped up and a cold pack resting on her left hand. There’s a damp towel over her eyes, but she moves it when she hears me enter.

“Hi honey,” she says.

“Oh Mom,” I say, hurrying over. “It’s that bad?”

“It’s the heat,” Mom says. “I was all right this morning.”

“Can I get you anything?”

“Would you mind swapping out this cold pack for the one in the freezer?”

“Of course.” I take the now-not-so-cold pack and head back to the kitchen. When she places the new one on her knuckles, she lets out a sigh of relief.

“That’s better,” she says with a wan smile. “Thanks.” She adjusts herself a little on the couch. “How was your day?”

“Good. I spent it on the boat with Luke. Oh, and I went over the seating chart with Lucille.” I pick at the frayed hem of my shorts. “She forgot to put Charlotte at the family table.”

“Are you really okay with having the wedding at Everton Estate?” Mom says.

“Yes,” I say firmly.

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