“I like the way you think, almost Mrs. Hightower.” He drops his forehead to mine. “Let’s close this popsicle stand and get home. You’re not the only one who’s cooking around here.”
I raise a brow at him, unsure what on earth he’s talking about.
“I need to get some buns in the oven.”
I nearly choke. “Buns? Like more than one?”
He laughs. “What can I say? I’m an overachiever.”
Chapter 9
Quinn
“Ellie! Girl, get over here and show me that ring.”
Reaching for her hand, I take it in. The only thing sparkling brighter than this solitaire on her ring finger is her bright smile. Dropping down into the chair beside her, I lean in for a hug. “Oh, I’m just so happy for the both of you.”
One of Ellie’s co-workers brings over a tray of coffees and creamer to go along with the assortment of breakfast pastries Addison brought from Honey Bunz to our monthly girls’ breakfast meet up. Glancing over at the sweet bouquet of flowers at the center of the table I’m certain Tuesday brought along, I feel a twinge of guilt that I’ve had nothing to contribute.
A blush crosses Ellie’s sweet face that rivals her red hair. “To be honest, I was starting to think he’d never ask. I mean, when I arrived here, Addy was engaged, but none of the other boys from station 12 had proposed. Then suddenly, everyone seemed to be planning a wedding but me.”
“Well, I wouldn’t go that far, Ellie. I might have been engaged, but we haven’t planned a thing.”
“Me either.” Tuesday and I giggle in unison.
“It was such a major transition for me, moving here and trying to get my business up and running. I just never had time to plan a wedding on top of all of that. There are days I think Jason wonders if I still want to get married.”
“Same,” Addison cackles. “I don’t think Trevor has any idea what it takes to start your days at the butt crack of dawn in a bakery every single morning. I’m physically and mentally drained by the end of it. Other than occasionally tearing through bridal magazines or Pinterest, I haven’t had the mental fortitude to come up with concrete wedding plans.
Tuesday throws her head back and laughs. “Oh my gosh, it’s like you three are my spirit animals.”
Tapping my fingernail against my lower lip, my mind goes into overdrive. “Hey, maybe it’s the planner in me. But how on earth are we going to manage this? I mean, we will have to space our weddings apart if we want each other to participate. I mean, I’m only speaking for myself. But I can’t imagine anyone else doing the flowers, catering, or cake than the three of you. But weddings can be a big deal. So it’s not like we are going to do them back to back.”
“You know, you’re right,” Addison adds. “It would be a lot to do four weddings, one right after the other. Unless you guys are planning a long engagement. I’ve been shocked I’ve held Trevor off this long. He asks every day if I’ve changed my mind and just want to live in sin.” She giggles.
“No, we are looking to get married soon,” Ellie blurts.
“Same,” Tuesday adds.
I consider their answers. “Well, I’ve never been directly involved in wedding planning like you guys. So I don’t really bring the same thing to the table as you three.”
“Nonsense,” Ellie interjects. “Who do you think will be the wedding coordinator for mine?” She points in my direction wearing a lopsided grin. “The professional planner, that’s who.”
I can’t help but beam at her. It’s nice to feel I might be on equal footing with my friends after all.
“You know…”
We all look toward Tuesday. She’s so quiet and sweet, we often run right over her during these group conversations.
“There’s one other way this could work.”
I tilt my head in confusion, my compadres wearing similar expressions of puzzlement.
“No, it’s crazy. Never mind.”
The three of us jolt forward, pushing her to continue. “What? What?”
“I had to prepare floral arrangements for twins that got married back home in Hanover. It was my first experience at a double wedding. Why not a quadruple one?”
