Page 71 of Faking I Do
A pang of something akin to jealousy—if I’d been the jealous type—sliced through my chest. I opened my eyes to find Bodie holding a copy of Taxidermist Today.
“Check it out.” He flipped the magazine so I could see the centerfold—a picture of Suzy surrounded by stuffed woodland creatures.
“Wow.” A gurgle rose in my throat. Hopefully Suzy would keep her animal friends away from the wedding setup.
“So did you decide on ushers? Are we sticking with a maid of honor and no best man?” Suzy drummed her fingertips on the barrel of the pen.
“Can we get back to you on that?” I asked. We had to hash out the details if we wanted to present a united front to the other vendors.
“Absolutely. Just let me know when you’ve made up your mind. I usually have Tuesday and Thursday mornings off. Sometimes a Friday, too.” She gathered her papers. “Y’all can go ahead and keep the wreath if you want.”
Bodie put his hand to his forehead and leaned onto his elbow like he was trying not to laugh.
“That’s very generous of you, but are you sure you don’t need it for a . . .” For a what? A client? How would one refer to a dead person in this particular situation?
“Nope, this one was a loaner. It’s been around enough that people are starting to recognize it. I need to make up a new one.”
“What do you mean ‘it’s been around’?” Bodie asked.
She stood, closing her notebook and hiking her purse strap onto her shoulder. “I mean I loan it out for wakes and funerals. Half the town has seen this one though. Time for something fresh and new.”
“Thank you.” I stood. The sooner I could get Suzy out of here, the less likely it would be that Bodie would insult the only florist available. “We’ll be in touch.”
“Congratulations on your engagement. I sure can’t wait to tell my sister. She’ll get a kick out of?—”
“Remember, it’s a secret.” I put my pointer finger to my lip. “Shh, okay?”
Suzy smiled, nodded, and winked before she disappeared through the front doors.
“How long until she spills the beans?” Bodie asked.
At that moment both of our cell phones rang. “Not long.”
CHAPTER 36
BODIE
I tooka long draw on my beer. I’d called in sick to work today to hide out in the relative privacy of my own living room. After Suzy left the funeral home yesterday, my phone had continued to ring until I’d finally silenced it by turning the damn thing off. How was I to know that agreeing to the wedding charade with Lacey would mean instant notoriety?
A knock sounded at my door. Suspicious of everyone and everything, I tiptoed to the door to peer through the peephole. Lacey stood on the stoop, the giant orange wreath in hand.
“I’m not home.”
“Hurry up, someone’s pulling up to the curb and I don’t recognize them.” Lacey tried the knob.
I peeked again. Sure enough, a white van had stopped at the curb. The driver got out and opened the side door. “It’s probably someone delivering a package to a neighbor. I need an evening off of wedding planning.”
“He’s coming this way,” she hissed at the door.
“Fine.” I fumbled with the lock, opening the door to Lacey and the giant orange wreath as the man reached the stoop.
“Bodie Phillips?” the driver asked.
“Who wants to know?” I tipped my beer up and downed another sip.
The guy launched into song. “Congratulations to you! Congratulations to you! Congratulations, Bodie and Lacey! Congratulations to you!”
“That’s it?” I cocked a hip. What kind of stunt was that?
