Page 155 of Lavender Lake
On our way, Lucy and Eloise waylaid us, forcing us to stop.
“It was such a beautiful ceremony,” Eloise chirped. “Hadley looks stunning, doesn’t she?”
“She does,” I agreed.
“And look at you, you tall drink of water,” Eloise said, batting her eyelashes up at Cas who peered down at her with an amused smile.
While Eloise engaged Cas in conversation, Lucy grasped my elbow and turned me away for a measure of privacy.
“Amber Winston is here,” Lucy said.
“Amber’s here?” My brows slashed together.
Lucy nodded and gestured with her chin to the other side of the tent.
Amber was standing with Harlan, her hand on his forearm while they talked.
“Why is she here?” I asked, concern bubbling up within me. It wasn’t like she was friends with Hadley, or with me.
“I guess she came as that young man’s plus one,” Lucy said.
“But why would shewantto come to Hadley’s wedding?” I asked with a frown of confusion.
“I don’t know,” she admitted. “I hope she doesn’t cause any trouble.”
“You and me both,” I murmured. “I think she’s making a play for Harlan.”
“Harlan? Oh, yes. Well, he’s very charming. I met him and his brothers when they came into the store a while back. As for Amber, I’ll keep an eye on her.”
“Thanks,” I said. “Why don’t you and Eloise find a table? Food should be served soon.”
Lucy squeezed my hand, and then went to extract Eloise from her flirtation with Cas.
“I think she wanted to detach her jaw and swallow you whole,” I quipped as Cas and I continued toward the mobile bar.
“There’s an image,” he stated, looking at me with a raise of his brows.
“Behave,” I warned.
“Only for a few more hours,” he said. “You think we’ll be able to get away with dancing together?”
“You are the best man and I’m the maid of honor,” I said. “I think we can get away with it. So . . . Amber is here. She’s standing with Harlan.”
“Amber?” Cas looked away from me to peer at the guests. His jaw clenched. “You think she’s going to start shit?”
“Iknowshe’s going to start shit.”
“Then we’ll run interference,” he said. “All day if we have to. She’s not ruining their wedding.”
“I should probably pull Harlan aside and give him a head’s up.”
“That’s a good idea,” he said.
We stepped up to the bar to order.
“What are you doing?” I demanded. “You’re a guest today. Not a bartender.”
Wade grimaced. “One of my bartenders called out, so naturally I wound up doing what I do best.”
