Campbell’s laugh rings out. “Like their dog?”
“Spelled different, obviously,” I say.
“Obvs.” She continues to snicker, but Kacey seems to be mulling it over.
“Rachel.” Kacey ticks one finger up, then she does the same with her pointer finger on her other hand. “Or... Blue.”
“Blue or Rachel.” No doubt from some shows she watches. “Have you told your parents your suggestions?”
She nods, pride ringing across her face.
Movement outside catches my attention, and my good mood falters. “They’re here.”
A car’s pulling away. Stanford’s sauntering toward the door and January’s tucked under his arm. He looks like he’s scowling, but January’s giving him doe eyes. Theygot a ride from someone at the ranch, and the driver parks at the far end of the lot to sit and wait.
Stanford’s brows draw closer when he enters and sees Campbell at the bar with Kacey.
“Oh,” Kacey says in a flat tone. “It’s him.”
Campbell coughs, and it sounds suspiciously like she’s covering a laugh. She slides off her stool.
“Isn’t she a little young to be taste-testing cocktails?” Stanford’s trying for casual, but there’s a censuring edge to his tone.
“Hey, Kacey.” January’s purr doesn’t seem fake. She might genuinely like her cousin’s kid.
Kacey ignores her and leans over to Campbell. “Mommy said she hurt your feelings, and I don’t like people who hurt your feelings.” Her whisper’s as loud as a church bell. “And I’m not invited to the wedding.”
January’s eyes mist over, and she glances away.
“And that’s why we’re having a kid-free wedding,” Stanford says. “I thought I wouldn’t have to specify that all the events are child-free too.”
Anger thumps a beat at my temples. “The tasting is a courtesy set up by your wedding planner. If the circumstances don’t appeal to you, we can go ahead and cancel. We’re normally closed Mondays anyway.”
He holds my gaze like I’m bluffing. I don’t fucking care. I’m not the one in the wrong, and Foster House doesn’t need this cocksucker’s business.
Campbell stares at me, and I’m hit with that damn guilt. I don’t want to make her life harder, and having to find another vendor will do that. It wouldn’t be her fault, but she’d take the heat.
“Oh no, it’s fine.” A tremor runs through January’svoice. “Kacey’s family, and I would like to see as many as I can while I’m in town.”
Stanford stiffens and nearly shoots her a glare before catching himself. This guy is a piece of work. “Of course, baby. I just want this wedding to be perfect for you. I know it’s your dream, and I’m going to make your dreams happen.”
Campbell’s knuckles are white on the purse strap across her body. She’s paler than usual, and I miss her natural blush.
Iverson enters, and his features harden when he sees the couple at the counter. “I’m all done, Kacey. Time to go.”
“I want to stay with Auntie Campbell.”
Campbell rubs Kacey’s back and swoops her up. “I know you do. We’ll have to make a girls’ date in a few weeks.”
Kacey wraps her arms around her aunt’s neck. “Can we paint our nails?”
“Nails, hair, it’s all getting done. How ’bout I walk you out?”
“Ooh, I love cherries.” January sits primly on a stool. “Can you add extra to mine?”
Stanford’s gaze drops to the neatly tied stem on the napkin in front of where Campbell was sitting. His shoulders sag just a little, but he catches me watching him. I snag the napkin and toss it, but I keep the stem and tuck it into my shirt pocket. Envy glints in Stanford’s eyes.
That’s right, asshole. Campbell’s too good for even his dreams.
