Page 100 of Always a Bridesmaid
“Did you get the rosé?” Violet asked as soon as he met her in front of the bakery.
Ford lifted the bottle, doing his best to not let Dad’s “she thinks you’re a dumb redneck” jab get to him. During his perusal of the liquor store shelves, he’d almost chosen a cheaper brand to test Violet’s reaction.
Especially since the reason she’d suggested he bring a bottle was to keep him in Lexi’s good graces.
Then again, why didheneed to put in effort for that? Wasn’t being part of the wedding party and supporting Addie enough?
Violet let out a tiny squeal. “They had Endless Crush? That’s going on the pro side of staying in Uncertainty for sure!”
Her excitement lifted his mood while punching him in the gut. If good wine was all it took to make her so happy, it didn’t matter if it cost twice as much. He easily spent that on drinks at the Old Firehouse. If it tipped the scales in favor of her staying, even better.
“Earlier, when Lexi was in the bakery and we were discussing place settings, she mentioned wine, and I was hoping you’d remember. She’ll love the hint of watermelon—it’s my favorite, and she and I have a lot of the same tastes.”
His stomach bottomed out again, his erratic swings grating at him. Since Dad’s visit, everything felt off.
None of the puppies had paid a damn bit of attention when he’d run drills this afternoon. Even Pyro had looked at him as if he’d lost his touch.
Irritation surfaced again as they began the short walk to Addie’s house, not due to the location but the topic that’d be discussed ad nauseum. “I can’t wait till this wedding is over and we can all move on with our lives.”
Violettsked. “It’s not that bad.”
“It is. This will be my firstand lasttime playing bridesmaid.”
“Never say never.”
“I’m saying it. Neverever.”
Violet hooked her hand in his elbow. “What if I asked?”
“Then I’d say no.” Ford went to take another step, but Violet jerked him to a stop, her mouth hanging open. “What? That means you’d be marrying someone else, and I could never watch you do that.”
Delight replaced her offense, and perhaps he shouldn’t have stated that so boldly, true or not.
“What’s the deal with this house?” Violet asked, indicating the yellow Victorian on Main Street with the big for sale sign.
“It’s for sale and has been for about a year.”
“It’s beautiful.”
“It’s expensive.”
“Guess I’d better get my photography business going ASAP, then.”
Was she saying…? The only house in town bigger than the old Victorian was her father’s house.
Girls like Violet, they expect the finer things.
Ford studied Violet’s clothes. Problem was, he didn’t know enough about fashion to determine if they were the fancy kind. That and his attention snagged on the way her jeans hugged her ass, and then his mind was headed down a completely different avenue—one called Hard-On Lane.
Dammit, he’d been fine before that visit. Plus, Dad was extremely biased about women. It was always how difficulttheywere, as if Dad were a walk in the park to live with, overindulgence in alcohol and withholding affection and all.
With Addie’s house mere steps away, Ford reminded himself he had a female best friend, and she happened to be one of the most logical people he knew.
Knocking was more a warning than asking to be let in, so after a couple of raps, Ford stepped on into Addie’s place.
And nearly backed out, sure he’d come through the wrong door.
But there was Addie’s signed jersey and the couch he’d helped her move. Although it was covered in sunflowers and yellow ribbon and a myriad of other craft items.
