Page 36 of One Sweet Day is Never Enough

Ten

Gia pulled out of the orchard’s lot. She couldn’t believe it—just like that—she had another wedding account to handle, despite the mishaps of the last one. She’d managed to land this one all by herself, too—well, certainly with Seth’s help, but no one else, apart from Noreen giving her the chance with the couple in the first place. Which, of course, was huge. Noreen was going to be thrilled.

Gia would do her very best and prove herself. She’d come too far to drop the ball again.

And Seth was right—they’d made a great team. She was looking forward to working on the wedding with him, and others, if she were lucky.

Who was she kidding? She felt like the luckiest girl alive right now.

And he’d be coming to the bonfire! Her jaw was actually starting to hurt from all the smiling.

* * *

Seth drovehis red pickup truck down Highway 42. A couple of turns brought him to the right street, where he slowed down to check the numbers. When he found the address, he turned and headed down a long driveway onto the property. A small cabin stood at the end inside a wooded area. He checked the time on the dashboard: 8:30 p.m. Gia said she’d be there by then. He scanned the driveway and recognized her car.

No one had ever accused him of being shy, but it was still a little unnerving to walk into an unfamiliar setting among a group of strangers—most of them—who probably all knew each other. Still, it was now or never. He got out of the truck, grabbed the six-pack he’d brought, slammed the door shut, and headed up the stairs. He gave a gentle knock to the door.

A slender, attractive young woman in denim shorts with jet-black long hair opened it. “Hi there!” she said.

“Hi, I’m Seth. Gia invited me.”

“Of course. Come on in. I’ll take you around back. She’s outside, I think. I’m Angela.” Angela motioned for Seth to follow and led him through the cabin’s snug but comfortable living room.

“Thanks.” He followed her into the kitchen and out onto the back porch. Outside, a large, grassy back yard was surrounded by cedar, hemlock, and sugar maples common to the area. Seth recognized a song from the indie charts playing softly from a set of speakers on the porch.

It wasn’t dark yet, but a fire burned low out in the yard. About a dozen people sat around the fire chatting on backless wooden benches made from split logs and tree stumps. A few others stood around the yard chatting and sipping from drinks. It was an inviting scene.

Angela called from the porch. “Oh, Gia!”

Gia turned and smiled when she saw him.

“I’ve got something in the blender,” Angela said. “Talk to you guys in a bit.”

“Thanks. No problem.” Seth descended the short staircase.

Gia strolled over, hands in the pockets of her jeans. “Hi! I’m so glad you made it!”

Seth flashed a smile. “Me, too.”

She looked cute in a pair of jeans and a crop top with sandals, her blonde hair falling softly across her shoulders.

“Did you find the place all right?”

“Yeah, it was no problem. I had some friends that used to live over here when I was growing up.”

Gia nodded. “Oh, good. And I see you came prepared?”

“Absolutely.” Seth held out the craft beer he’d brought. “Would you like one?”

“Sure, thanks,” Gia took a bottle and he used an opener on his keychain to pry off the lid.

She looked at the label. “This brewery is right near my old apartment in Milwaukee.”

“No way? I love their stuff.”

“Me too.” She took a sip. “Thanks.”

Seth looked at the yard and the house again as he opened a bottle for himself. “Nice place.”

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