Page 108 of Lavender and Lightning

Lydia

RhettandIjointhe mass of people moving toward the front of the building, shuffling inexorably forward to where the wedding party is greeting the guests.

“We can try to go around the side, bypass this all together,” I suggest under my breath.

Rhett shakes his head, taking my hand to loop under his arm again. I move in as close as I can without physically climbing him, looking up in disbelief as we move within half a dozen people at the end of the receiving line.

“We get this over now, then they can’t make a scene later when we’re not expecting it. Plus, it would look more suspicious if we never spoke with your brother and his new wife on their wedding day,” Rhett says smoothly, face free of any sort of tell to his anxiety.

I huff out a sigh, not liking it but knowing he’s right. This would give us a perfect out if anyone accused us of avoiding speaking with my parents. And etiquette in a receiving line would prevent any sort of extended conversation.

“Miss Lydia! Is that really you?”

I turn at the sound of my name, my customer service smile sliding into place as I approach Mrs. Goodreaux, Ally’s mother. I shake her hand and lean in to kiss her cheek as she does the same.

“Yes, ma’am. In the flesh,” I say, internally cringing at how much fake cheer I’m adding to my voice.

“We’d heard that there’s been a development in your case, but we never expected to see you here! Where have you been?” she goes on, her bright blue eyes genuinely happy.

“Not too far. I’m glad I could make it. Ally looks so gorgeous,” I redirect skillfully.

She doesn’t get to push as I’m moved along by the flow of the queue, passing up a few people I don’t recognize, probably relations of the bride, until I’m forced to a stop in front of my parents.

“Oh, Lydia! I can’t believe it!” my mother crows, throwing her arms around my shoulders and dragging me into a hug.

I don’t bother untangling my arm from Rhett’s escort, or containing my eye roll. “You can lay off the act, Diane.”

“I can’t believe you showed up dressed like this. It’s a wedding, not a funeral,” she hisses in my ear.

I don’t cave to the bait, pulling back to look at my father. His brow is stern as he looks me over and I swallow.

“Hello, Daddy. It’s good to see you,” I say, standing on my tiptoes to press a quick peck to his cheek.

“Lydia. Not been causing any trouble, have you?” he grumbles, voice deep and gravelly.

“No, sir. I’d actually like to introduce you to my boyfriend, Rhett Cooper,” I say, words coming out in a tumble.

“It’s so good to meet you, Mr. Anderson, Mrs. Anderson. Lydia has told me all about you.” Rhett offers his hand to shake.

My father, not one to pass up social niceties, shakes it once firmly, but drops Rhett’s hand like it’s on fire. Rhett offers his hand to my mother, and to my surprise, lifts it so he can kiss the back of her knuckles. There’s a flash in his eyes, the one that he wears when he’s spotted a challenge or a puzzle.

“Has she? Well, we haven’t heard anything about you,” Diane says, giving me a disdainful look before sniffing.

“Ah, well. Perhaps you’ve heard of my pack. Pack St. Clair?” he offers, conversationally.

There’s a moment when my father blinks and his gaze flicks to me before going back to Rhett, the only sign of his surprise. “I have. What do you do specifically?”

“I’m a structural engineer and historian, sir. We specialize in restoration. I’m told you’re a contractor,” Rhett continues, deflecting masterfully.

It’s easy to get my father talking about work, and my mother has too much fundamentalist in her to speak over her husband. A masterstroke that makes Rhett look good while taking the pressure off me to carry the conversation.

“We’re holding up the line. We’ll have to catch up later. Lovely to meet you,” Rhett says in a pause in my father’s monologue.

We move off before either of them can recover. Thankfully, one of their friends steps up and they’re too busy to stop us. Despite one last nasty look from my mother, I can’t say that went horribly. We move with the flow for a moment before I tense, realizing that the bridesmaids and groomsmen are next.

“Lydi, you look pale.”

I jump at the sound of Jason’s voice and whip around to him standing next to me. I gather him up in a tight hug, which he returns.

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