Page 72 of That Time I Kissed The Groomsman Grump
“At least that’s what always happens in the movies,” Molly says.
“Yeah,” I grunt.
Movies. Books. Not real life.
“Can I tell you a secret?” she asks.
Please don’t, I think. But Molly plows forward. “I’m kind of disappointed Kasey didn’t ask me to be in her wedding party.”
“Hmm.”
“I mean, I get it. She’s already got five cousins. And of course she’s going to include her best friend from LA.” Molly sighs so loud, it’s more like a groan. A pool of sympathy sloshes between my lungs.
“Kasey likes you,” I say.She likes you so much she’s throwing you at me.
“Oh, I know.” Molly shrugs. “We’ve been friends for most of our lives now, and Kasey’s loyal like that. She won’t forget me. But compared to Amber, I’m old news. And now Natalie’s going to be living out there too. She and Kasey and Beau will have their own fabulous little life in LA. They’re the restless ones, always looking for something new. Something different.”
“Hmph.” That spark between my lungs is becoming a knife stabbing my heart.
“As for me, I don’t want anything besides what we’ve already got here in Abieville, which is why I’m so happy to be coming home.” She sweeps her hand out along the horizon—the docks, the lake, the trees. “I won’t apologize for having simple needs,” she adds. “I think that just makes life easier, you know? And I want someone who wants that too.” She drops her arm at her side. “For people like us, this town is more than enough. We’re the lucky ones, don’t you think?”
We. Us. Enough. Lucky.
I try to agree with her, but my mouth is full of stones. As we climb the steps up to the inn, I dig around, wishing I felt something for Molly—even a flicker—but my brain is as empty as my heart. And that inner voice is back now:
No, no, no, no, no.
When we reach the door to the pub, I hold it wide so Molly doesn’t brush up against me. Inside, the space holds the faint scent of beer. The hum of voices mixes with the DJ’s music. The dance floor is already half full of people I recognize. Some of them aren’t even my relatives. In the middle, two of the McCoy triplets are teaching Amber the electric slide.
“I love this song!” Molly chirps.
“Good,” I say.
She eyes me for a long moment, then something scuttles across her irises. An understanding of my limitations. Maybe. Hopefully. Finally. “So, thanks for the ride,” she says.
I duck my head. “Good.”
She pats me on the shoulder. “Try to have fun tonight, okay?”
“Good,” I say.
Good? Why do I keep saying good?
She offers me one last shrug before skippingover to join the women on the dance floor. Across the pub, Olivia, Hawk, and Grant have descended upon the bar. Ford and Three are throwing darts in the back. Up front, Lettie and Nella drape themselves in feathers and crowns. The space is one big throb of excitement. But as I scan the room, all I see is Natalie.
Natalie.
Natalie.
ChapterThirty-One
NATALIE
It wasn’t hard to lose Olivia, Hawk, and Grant. All I had to do was point out that Hudson was bartending, and the three of them took off for drinks. Hudson’s the one Brady said was a good guy. The one employee he thought might’ve quit. So he’ll probably be glad to see him when he gets inside. That is unless he’s planning to stay out in the parking lot with Molly.
I square my shoulders and claim an empty table to set my bags down. Then I adjust my tiara so the combs won’t dig any deeper into my skull. A loose bun seemed like a good choice when I was getting ready. Now I’m not sure my hair will hold up for the rest of the night.
“Hey,” someone says behind me. I’m facing away, but I already know it’s Brady. I can tell from the timbre of his voice. From the way my whole body erupts in goosebumps. Before turning around, I slip Kasey’s bride-to-be sash from the duffle bag. I hold it to me like it’s a shield or a buffer. As if a strip of satin could stop my heart from pounding.
