Page 14 of The Sweet Part
“Let’s sit down,” Sophie says. “There’s lots of empty chairs.”
“Those seats are taken,” May says. She turns to me. “I feel bad that Hailey has to do last minute extra work to accommodate us.”
“I’ll go help her. The chairs are stored in the basement.” I used to play here with my cousins sometimes.
I go down to the basement. Hailey’s voice carries as she confirms the bride has everything she needs in the bridal suite. As I step closer, I see she’s talking to Rowan, my cousin Cooper’s fiancée. She always has a serious expression except when she’s with Cooper. Rowan works with Hailey at her wedding planning business, Love Junkies.
“Hey, I came down to carry some chairs,” I say.
“Great!” Hailey points to them. “Rowan, can you get extra white slipcovers from my office so they match?”
“On it.” Rowan hurries upstairs.
I pick up the chairs. “Sorry for the unexpected guests. Shayla and Owen okayed it.”
Hailey steps closer. “I didn’t know you were dating a single mom.”
“Just a friend thing. I’m doing some repairs on her place over on Catoonah. It’s going to be an inn soon.”
“Oh, I know all about that place. It’s across the street from Mackenzie and Harper. May’s nice.”
“Yeah, she is.” My voice comes out husky. “See you later.”
I head upstairs.
“You look natural together,” Hailey calls after me. “Sometimes you find someone you can relax around, and that can be a perfect fit.”
“No matchmaking,” I throw over my shoulder. Aunt Hailey has a well-earned reputation for being a matchmaker. According to her, she helped all of her friends find love. Now she’s working on the second generation, all the kids of her friends. My cousins and I like to find our own dates, thank you very much.
I set the chairs on either side of the back row. People can still get by them if they need to. Rowan puts on the white slipcovers and leaves.
Sophie sits happily on the end seat. “Mason, sit next to me.”
May stiffens. I gesture for May to go into the row.
She takes the seat next to Sophie, who says, “Leave room in the middle for Mason.”
May sighs and scoots over one.
“You’re very popular,” she says to me after I take my seat.
“I know.”
“Where’s the cake?” Sophie asks me.
“In the ballroom. We’ll have cake when it’s time at the reception.”
“What’s a reception?”
“It’s the party after.”
“Oh.” She grins and kicks her legs. “Awesome.”
My parents walk in and stare at me sitting next to two strangers. Mom recovers first. “Mason, did you bring guests?” Mom has a short bob of brown hair that emphasizes her sharp features, especially those all-knowing eyes.
“Yes, this is May and her daughter, Sophie. They’re my plus two.”
“Hi,” Mom says, looking from me to Sophie and back to May.
