Page 21 of The Complication with the Best Man

“It’s a little unconventional. We’re heading to a retirement home.”

I glance at Harper through the rearview mirror and see there’s no joking smile on her lips. “We’re not that much older than you.”

Harper laughs, and I’m sure it’s despite herself. “They started renting out their event space last year. And though we’re going to go through the main doors, the day of your event, your guests would drive around the building and go directly into the event space.”

“Oh okay, that doesn’t sound so bad.” Tamra squeezes my forearm on the armrest between us.

“Fair warning, some of the residents in this place can be… well, I’m not sure I even have a word for it, but you’ll see what I mean when we get there.”

“I’m sure it’s fine. Just a bunch of old people.” Tamra says.

When we reach the end of the winding road surrounded by trees, I pull into the parking lot and see that Harper wasn’t joking. It’s a retirement residence.

“They are,” Harper says. “But they’ve got a lot of life left in them, believe me.”

She chuckles to herself, obviously reliving some memory, and I risk a look in the rearview mirror, wanting to see her eyes sparkle. Since I’ve arrived back in town, I haven’t seen the woman who stole my attention that night. Harper catches me looking, and I dart my gaze, finding a spot and parking the truck.

We get out of the vehicle and make our way to the entrance, the automatic doors sliding open for us when we get close.

Harper walks in as though she’s been here a million times and heads straight to the reception desk. “Hi, Leann. How are you?”

The older woman behind the counter smiles at us. “Great, Harper. How have you been?”

“Pretty good. You’re expecting us. I have a happy couple who’s here to see the event space.” Harper motions to Tamra and me behind her.

“Of course, Dougie knows you’re coming. Let me just call him so he can unlock the space for you.” She picks up the phone and presses a few buttons, holding the receiver to her ear. She smiles nervously at me when no one picks up before hanging up the phone. “He must’ve gotten called to one of the residents’ rooms. Why don’t you head to the space? I’ll track him down, and he can meet you there.”

“Sounds good. Thanks, Leann.” Harper circles around to us. “Well, brace yourself in case we run into anyone on our way.”

Before I can ask how off-center a bunch of senior citizens could possibly be, she turns to lead us down the hallway. I do my best not to check out her ass as she walks ahead, but it’s an impossible feat.

We’ve only made it twenty paces into the building before every head in the leisure room to our right swivels in our direction. There are probably ten or so people in what seems to be a TV room of some kind. Most of them keep watching, but three of them get up and slowly make their way over to us.

“Harper,” an elderly lady with red hair calls.

Harper’s shoulders sag from behind, but when she stops and turns to face the woman, she’s smiling. “Hi, Alice.”

“Good to see you,” one of the old guys with Alice says.

“You too, Melvin. You’re looking good.”

I swear Melvin’s cheeks get a little pink under Harper’s praise.

“Are you guys a throuple?” he asks.

I choke on my own saliva as Tamra’s eyes narrow.

“What’s a throuple?” the third man, who uses a cane, asks.

Melvin shrugs. “Some new arrangement thing my grandson told me about.”

Harper holds up her hands. “We are not a throuple.” Her gaze darts to mine for a beat. “I’m here to show my clients the event space. They’re considering renting it for their wedding.” She gestures to Tamra and me.

Tamra looks confused, but I nod in hello at the three of them.

“Speaking of which, we have to be going. We need to meet Dougie.” Harper walks away without waiting for them to respond, giving them a wave. Once we’re out of earshot, she looks at us over her shoulder. “Sorry about that. They can be a lot.”

Tamra laughs. “They’re adorable. I can’t believe they thought we were a throuple.”

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