“Not with that attitude,” River says, and Diane laughs like he’s a comedian.
By the time we finish our “registry consultation,” River has laughed a total of two times, but I’m up to about sixteen. Diane hands me a folder full of wedding-planning brochures.
“Congratulations again!” Diane calls as we head for the exit. “You two are going to have the most beautiful wedding!”
The moment we’re outside, I crumble. “Okay, okay, youtotally won the whole no laughing thing, but you’re an actor, so you had the clear advantage.”
River finally cracks. “That was so funny. I about lost it when you scanned those toilet salt and pepper shakers. I mean, who buys those?”
I have a hard time breathing. “I know, right?”
Micah frowns. “Are we done here? Because I’d rather be literally anywhere else.”
I slap Micah on the back. “Sorry. We were just playing around. I didn’t mean for it to take that long. I’m sure you were bored to death.”
A muscle in Micah’s jaw twitches. “Yeah. Bored.”
I kind of feel bad for Micah but not totally, because he did this to himself. I loop my arm through River’s. “Okay, honey, we should go to the square next. I want to show you the courthouse and the fountain.”
As we walk, I try to ignore the pain in the back of my left foot. I’m going to have a blister soon if I don’t already. I keep trying to adjust how I walk, but it’s not working, and the strap is rubbing my skin raw.
“Excuse me,” a woman says, coming up to us. “I’m so sorry to bother you, but are you River Stone?”
CHAPTER 6
MicahBarrett
Monday, November 23
River grinsat the older woman. “Yes, I am.”
“Oh, goodness. I thought that was you. I’ve followed your career sinceKid Logic. I’m such a huge fan.”
River’s smile falters. “My… career?”
The woman doesn’t notice his confusion. “Yes. I’ve seen that toothpaste commercial where you say, ‘Wow, so minty.’ You delivered that line perfectly. And you were that background dancer in that one music video… I forget who for. And I loved that voice-over you did for that kid’s educational show about recycling, where you were that talking goat. It was the perfect role for you!”
River’s eyebrows rise. “Oh. I see.”
“Can I have your autograph?”
River nods. “Sure. Of course.”
The woman whips out a grocery list from her purse and flips it over. “There. This is perfect.”
As River attends to his fan, I glance over at Cricket, who is rubbing her arms while still trying to hold the bridal folder and the treats from the bakery. “Here, let me hold those,” I say, taking her things. “You cold?”
“A little.”
I shrug out of my jacket and help her slip it on, tugging it over her shoulders. “There.”
She hugs her arms to herself. “Thanks, Micah.”
“I saw a cold front was coming through.” I look at the sky like it clearly shows a cold front coming in to Willow Shade.
Cricket’s gaze turns sympathetic. “If you get cold, let me know. We can share it back and forth.”
I grin at her. “All right.”
