“It’s the iconic Sunshine Monday special.”
Hayden used the plastic knife to cut the liver, and it was so tender the serrated blade broke through with ease. “I’ll let you know if I plan another buy-two-get-one sale. It was successful for us too. And even better, it broughtcustomers from other cities here. Many of them didn’t know we existed.”
“How did they find out?”
Hayden took a bite of liver, humming his approval before he swallowed. “I put ads in every paper I could find within a fifty-mile radius. It was expensive, but I think it will be worth it in the long run. Maybe George will want to go in with me on some advertising next time we have a sale.”
“Uh...”
“What? You don’t think he’d be interested?”
Tanner hesitated. He’d scheduled a meeting for Wednesday morning to announce that he’d bought the diner. That was only two days away. Hayden was his best friend, and he knew he could trust him to keep a confidence. “George doesn’t own the diner anymore. I do.”
Hayden dropped his spork. “Seriously? You bought Sunshine?”
“Yep.” While they ate, he explained everything to Hayden, asking him not to say a word to anyone. “That includes Jasper,” he said. The old man was currently manning the front of the hardware store while Hayden took his lunch break.
“You got it.” His friend grinned, looking like the all-American baseball player he used to be before blowing out his arm pitching in his one and only pro game. “Congratulations, man. This is fantastic news.” He paused. “You’re not changing the name, are you?”
“Absolutely not. I do have some changes in mind, though. I’m just working out the details.”
“Cool.” Hayden went back to eating. “Don’t get rid of the liver and onions. This is fantastic.”
“I won’t. Every senior citizen in Maple Falls would have my head.”
“Except Erma. She hates liver and onions, but Riley’s threatening to add it to the reception menu.”
Hayden’s wedding. How could he have forgotten about that? “I’m afraid to ask this, but why?”
“Because Erma is still insisting on wearing her prom dress, even though Harper has taken her shopping twice to find something from this decade.”
“How bad can it be? It’s just a dress.”
“I’ve seen the dress. It’s hideous, two sizes too small, and feels like drapery fabric. I’m on Riley’s side with this. Although it’s put me in the doghouse with Erma. What is it about weddings that make normally sane women lose their minds? I’m glad we’re only doing this once.”
“Has Harrison decided when he’s throwing you a bachelor party?” Tanner asked, referring to Hayden’s eldest brother who lived in Missouri.
“I didn’t want one. Henry and Harrison have a hard enough time getting off work. I didn’t want them to have to figure out how to throw a party too. That reminds me.” He picked up a napkin and wiped his mouth before he grabbed a business card off his desk. “Riley wanted me to give you this the next time I saw you.”
Tanner set down his cheeseburger and took the card.Sam and Rick’s Formal Attire. A date was written on the bottom, along with a time. “Tuxedo fitting?”
“Yep. A week before the wedding.”
“And a month from now.” Tanner put the card in his shorts’ pocket. “Riley’s organized, isn’t she?”
“Very. Right now she’s working on pairing up the bridesmaids and groomsmen.” Hayden scooped up the last of the mashed potatoes and brown gravy. “She has you and Anita together, by the way.”
“Oh.”
Hayden looked at him, frowning a little. “That’s all right, isn’t it?”
“Sure. Why wouldn’t it be?” Tanner crammed the rest of the burger in his mouth and immediately regretted it as he fought to chew the too-large piece.
“You seem uneasy.” Hayden closed the takeout container’s lid and threw it into the trash can next to his desk.
Tanner swallowed. “Well, I’m not. I’m fine, and being paired with Anita is fine.” More than fine, but she wouldn’t think so.
“Good. Riley has this plan for the reception too. She wants all the bridesmaids and groomsmen to be announced in pairs right before Riley and I have our first dance. Each pair will dance with each other, and then once we dance the guests will be invited to join in.”
