Page 41 of Just One of the Groomsmen
He cocked his head. “I wouldn’t say that. I moved into this town, pissed that it was so small and that my parents had relocated us, and you made the transition so much easier. Then you introduced me to the guys, and my life got better than it’d ever been. Most people don’t have friendships like that, ones that withstand high school and college and marri—well, guess we’ll see about the marriage.”
The words slammed into her chest, radiating pain, and she understood Tucker’s frustration over losing cases no matter what he did, because this felt like a case she couldn’t win, regardless of how much she argued.
“I feel so lucky to have you guys, too,” she said. “You’ve always had my back, and words can’t express how much I appreciate that. But I don’t wanna get in the way. I like Lexi. You two make each other happy—I’ve never seen you so happy.”
If she needed to step aside to keep that going, she could do it.
Shep reached out like he was going to grip her shoulder, something he’d done hundreds of times, but then he glanced around and seemed to realize this interaction could be reported to his bride-to-be and dropped his hand. “She’s coming into town later today so we can get the cake squared away.”
AKA, don’t go near Maisy’s Bakery this afternoon.
He probably didn’t mean it that way, but she made a mental note anyhow. The last thing she wanted was to make a scene and become the talk of the town.
Maybe I should go buy a cupcake now. I suddenly feel the need for one. Plus, like, a dozen doughnuts.
“Hey, I can see your shoulders slumping, and I know this girl who’d kick your ass if we were playing ball and I tried to pull that defeatist attitude.” Shep chucked her chin, and she had to work for it but managed to prop a smile on her lips. “I’ll talk to her. It’ll be okay.”
As much as she appreciated his trying to make her feel better, Addie had played poker enough with him to know that he wasn’t 100 percent sure about putting money on that bet.
Which reminded her…
She dug into her bag and pulled out the envelope of cash from the other night’s poker game. “Lexi should at least get her winnings.”
“I’m sure she’d tell you not to worry about it.”
“But I want her to have it, and I wrote her a note, and maybe it’s lame, but can you just give it to her anyway? Please?”
“Of course.” He took the envelope but seemed to be looking more through it than at it. “Sometimes I think we should just elope. Forget cakes and decorations and the money and tryin’ to keep two families happy. It’s all getting in the way ofus.”
Weddings were always talked about as these joyous occasions, and while Addie had seen Lexi’s anxiety-inducing to-do list, she clearly had no clue what all planning a ceremony and reception entailed.
So she resolved to keep working on the items she could. She’d take her gazebo measurements and find someone who knew about decorating with tulle, and even if Lexi didn’t want herinthe wedding, she could ensure the gazebo looked like the best damn altar either side of the Mississippi.
…
The end of the leash zipped right out of Tucker’s hand as he caught sight of Addie up on a giant ladder Wednesday afternoon, yards of gauzy white fabric in hand, a string of lights draped over her like rope on a mountain climber. His puppy ran for her, and when he jumped up on the legs of the ladder, Tucker lunged forward to steady it.
“Sorry,” he called as Addie dropped the fabric and gripped on to the nearest support beam. “He’s stronger than he looks. Come ’ere, boy.”
He made kissy noises that the puppy ignored in favor of circling the floor of the gazebo, sliding around like it was an ice skating rink. Tucker dove for the leash but accidentally bumped the ladder and sent it wobbling again, so he decided to let his dog run wild until Addie was safely on the ground.
“You really should have a spotting partner to hold this steady,” he joked.
The metal creaked as Addie descended the ladder, and since he’d gripped both legs to brace it, her ass was suddenly in front of his face and he no longer remembered what he’d been saying. Yoga pants today, and they didn’t leave a whole lot to the imagination.
Though he still let his run wild.
“Before you two showed up, my ladder was doin’ just fine.” As soon as her feet hit the ground, she spun to face him, and he knew he should drop his hands and step back.
Instead he inhaled her fruity shampoo and took a moment to soak in having her caged in his arms.
“What on earth are you doing up there anyway? Did someone hear you were helping with wedding planning and make you the official town decorator?” He lowered his eyebrows. “And what festival have I forgotten about?”
He started running through them in his mind. He’d missed the barbecue festival—his favorite of the festivals, although he now stayed far away from the deviled eggs.
The scarecrow one wouldn’t be for another month.
Football fest happened during homecoming week, and again if the high school and/or Auburn made playoffs, and then the Bama holdouts would come out and things would get rowdy.
