He almost laughed at that. He hadn’t thought about work since he’d gotten up this morning. All he could think about was Olivia. “Agreed. On one condition.”
“What’s that?”
“You take your own advice and stop harassing the staff.”
She lifted her chin, diamond earrings dangling against her short, stylish silver hair. “All right,” she said, relaxing a bit. “Touché.” A gleam entered her eye. “You and Harper Wilson looked stunning walking down the aisle.”
“Mother—”
“Wouldn’t it be something if you married one of Anita’s best friends?”
He paused. It would be something, all right. But Harper wasn’t the friend filling his thoughts. “I have one more condition,” he said.
She frowned. “It isn’t like you to be difficult, King.”
He nearly groaned out loud. He hated being called King. What a pretentious moniker. And stating a second requirement wasn’t being difficult. Then again, when had he ever pushed back at his mother’s requests? Seldom, if ever. “No matchmaking. No mentioning my marital status. And absolutely no harping on me beingutterlyalone.”
Her perfectly groomed eyebrows compressed as she squinted at him. “I’m just concerned about you, dear.”
“I know.” And she did mean well. “Justlet it go for tonight. Okay?”
She eyed him a little longer, then nodded. “I will.” She rose on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. “Go have fun.”
For the next hour or so, he followed his mother’s edict and tried to enjoy the reception as much as he could. He worked the room, something that came easily to him, especially with the residents of Maple Falls. He’d grown up with these people, but as soon as he graduated from college, he’d moved to Little Rock and gone to med school. He never exactly reconnected with his hometown the way he’d fit in when he lived there before, and when his parents moved to Hot Springs after Paisley graduated, he was even less involved. But today he visited with everyone, answered their questions about his work, heard a few more compliments about him and Harper, and ended up dancing with her for the bridal attendants’ dance.
His duties were done. He would have left if he could, but his mother—and probably at this point his father—would never forgive him.
But he could get some fresh air.
He started to leave the main room, intending to go outside even though it was probably still ninety-nine degrees and 100percent humidity. He was surprised to see Harper coming back indoors, and that gave him an idea of how to pass the time until he could make his exit. He held out his hand. “Dance?”
“Um, not right now. I hurt my foot a little while ago.”
“Want me to take a look at it?”
She waved him off. “I’m sure it’s fine.”
“You should probably stay off it to keep it from swelling.” He looked at her feet. “I’m sure those heels aren’t helping.”
She nodded. “Thanks for the advice, Dr.Bedford.”
“Anytime. Just save me a dance at the next wedding. Maybe you’ll be Maple Falls’ next blushing bride.”
“Hey,” she said, feigning offense. “I thought this was a no-teasing zone.”
“No teasingme,” he said, glad to have some lighthearted conversation. “You, on the other hand, are fair game.”
She smirked. “Laugh it up, Chuckles,” she said, slipping off her shoes. They were back at the entrance of the main room, and she glanced at the bridal table where Olivia was sitting. Alone. “Olivia’s free. Why don’t you dance with her?”
The exact person he was trying to avoid, and he’d been successful most of the evening. He was sure she was dodging him too. He was about to tell Harper no, then realized he’d have to explain why he was refusing when he’d just asked her to dance. “Uh, sure.”
Wait. Maybe this was his chance to make amends. He wasn’t completely certain he could, but it was worth a shot. He walked over to the bridal table where Olivia sat alone, staring at one of the small vases of flowers that decorated the long table. He gulped, his palms turning damp. After another deep breath, he said, “Olivia?”
She looked up at him, surprised, then averted her gaze.
“Uh... would you like to dance?”
Anger flashed in her eyes, and it was clear she was primed and ready to tell him to buzz off. Or worse. But then she nodded. Perhaps she’d realized the same thing he had—better to let everyone think things were nonchalant between themthan to draw attention. After all, he’d already danced with Harper, both his sisters, and Erma McAllister. No one would guess he and Olivia had any sort of history together. She rose from the table and followed him to the dance floor.
