Page 4 of Out in the Country

I wave her off like it’s not important. “The point is that it’s innocent and I’ll never act on it.”

“You deserve to be happy too, Hayden Scott.”

“I am happy.” I take her hand and squeeze it in hopes of reassuring us both.

“If you say so. But be warned, I’m going to introduce him to Elyse, and you can’t make that face.”

“What face?”

She rubs the spot between my nicely shaped eyebrows. “The one that’s going to give you wrinkles right here.”

I gasp in horror as I slide back in my chair with my hand pressed to my chest, “I don’t care if you are the bride; there’s no need to be a bitch.”

“You love me,” she says as she cackles and turns back to the computer, while I mentally run through my skin care routine.

“I do,” I agree. “Still doesn’t mean you have to say such hurtful things.” I sniff, and her shoulders shake with silent laughter.

“Done!” Harper cheers as she logs out and then spins to face me. “I’m gettin’ married!” She squeals as her feet dance across the tile and then she launches herself into my arms.

“I’m so flippin’ happy for you,” I say as I hold her tight, because outside of Everett, Harper is my work wife and best friend.

Pulling back, she smiles and wipes a tear from her cheek with her hand. “I just can’t believe it’s finally happening, you know?” I nod as her phone buzzes on the desk. “And my relief is here, so I am officially done!”

Harper shimmies around once more before collecting her water bottle and a few other things to leave.

I stand and then pull her in for one more hug. “I can’t wait to see you on Friday. Text me if you need me to bring anything.”

“As long as Brian is at the altar, that’s all I need.”

We say goodbye one last time, and I settle back in at the nurses’ station for the rest of my shift.

2

EVERETT

“Do you have your tie?”

“Yes.”

“What about your shoes?”

“Yes.”

“Does your belt match?”

I sigh, “Yes.” My forearms rest on the hood of my truck, and I stare at my best friend who is starting to give me an eye twitch.

“I’m sorry if I don’t want to forget anything.”

“You’ve packed and unpacked six times this morning. What could you possibly be forgettin’ at this point?”

Slamming his hands onto his hips, Hayden taps his foot against the wooden porch steps. His posture says he’s annoyed, but that doesn’t stop my gaze from traveling to where his hands grip his narrow waist.

“I like bein’ prepared,” he says in a haughty tone, and I have to hold back my laugh because I know he’s just being…him.

“Hayden, I think you did a great job gettin’ us ready to go. You’ve had a stressful few weeks, so let’s just get in the truck and you can sleep or just relax on the way there.”

“Don’t be cute.” He glares, and this time I can’t help but smirk.

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