Page 30 of Lyrical

I twirled my hand around. “Okay, okay, and….”

“And I can’t remember what they grow there either. Maybe hemp since she’s an old flower child?” She crunched loudly, pulling another out of the bag and sticking it in the dip.

“Perry, what does that even matter? Now tell me about the location before I go downstairs and ask Stephen.”

“And… surprise!” She threw up her arms, a glob of cheese flying off the end of the rod and sticking to the cupboard behind her. “That’s where we’re having the wedding.”

“What’s where?”

“The farm, silly.”

“Wait, what?”

“The ceremony, the reception, everything.”

“But—”

“It’s a pretty farm, not one where you’ll be tripping over manure. You won’t get your pink dress all dirty. When the weather gets nicer, we’ll all take a drive up there and start planning it out.”

“But, Perry… a farm?”

I’m sure I looked as dumbfounded as I felt. Perry and farm were antonyms. She had a list of wacky fears and tractors was one of them. They freaked her out for reasons she probably didn’t even know. We got stuck behind one once for a half hour while driving down a narrow country road and couldn’t pass. I thought she was going to have a panic attack.

“Yes, a farm.” She rolled her eyes like I hadn’t been listening to her properly.

“Um, tractors?”

She waved her hand like it was no big deal. “I only don’t like them when they’re moving.”

I dragged over the beer dip; I needed to join her. I stuffed a hearty portion into my mouth and wrapped my head around what she’d just told me. By the time I swallowed, I’d realized it was a good thing. Perry seemed really happy about it, and she finally figured out what she wanted. It was cause for celebration.

“And you know I’ve been talking to Stu about Hallowed Realm playing for us.” I nodded. Great band. Not what you’d typically dance to for a wedding, but hey, it was her day. “So, he’s checking with the guys and will get back to me soon on that. They’re playing Summerfest again this year, but since the wedding’s the week before, I might have a shot.”

“Sounds good.”

“I hope this is not all you’re planning on serving. We’ll probably have it all finished before anyone gets here.”

“Of course not.” I finished off the rest of my opened beer. I needed to make several more batches of it, along with plenty else. I had to get my ass in gear. At least I could start cutting up veggies.

“They’re playing at The Groove next month. We should go.”

“I’m in.” I pulled a bag of peppers out of the veggie bin, giving me a sudden craving for fajitas. It’d been a couple weeks since we last made them. Way too long.

“And I still think you and Chase should perform a song, you know, to commemorate our day and all.”

I slammed the fridge closed. “I don’t think so, Perry.” She hadn’t brought that up in a while, and I’d hoped she’d changed her mind. If Chase wanted to play his guitar, I’d watch with stars in my eyes, but me singing in front of a crowd? No.

“But it’s my day, Jills.”

“No.” That argument only worked in my head. “So, what’d you decide about changing your name?”

“Stop changing the subject. And you sang on stage for that talent show thingy.”

Yes, but there weren’t as many people, and I could only see a small fraction looking back at me because of the lights. And it’d been spur of the moment. And the biggest reason of all? I’d finally figured out how much I’d loved Chase and wanted him back. Desperate times and all.

Perry’s bottom lip was about to hit the floor. She was my best friend, and I loved her too. Dammit. “I’ll think about it. That’s all I can promise right now.”

Her face instantly perked, and she clapped. “Now—”

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