"Oh my stars," Delilah whispers next to me, her curls bounce as she practically vibrates with glee. "This is better than my mama's church group drama."
I take a long sip of water, mentally drafting an SOS text to Vinnie.
Kristal swoops back in, armed with a fresh bottle of wine. "Who needs a top-up? Virginia, honey, you look parched. Jefferson, maybe stick to water? We want clear heads for tomorrow's activities!"
"Matt, tell me more about that merger you're handling at Richardson & Wilson," Preston's voice booms across the table.
He launches into corporate jargon, but I'm watching Sarah, and the way her fingers twist the napkin into elaborate patterns.
"You know," Preston says, "we could use that in Charleston. Bell Industries is expanding our East Coast operations."
I catch Sarah's slight tension at her father's words. This clearly isn't the first time he's tried to lure them back to West Virginia. Across the table, Wyatt nods along eagerly, his styled hair barely moving. "Sarah always said she'd move back home after law school," he adds with a familiarity that makes Matt's knuckles go white against his fork.
"And with her legal expertise," Preston adds proudly, "she could head up our corporate division. Even take over the firm one day."
"Dad . . ." Sarah groans.
"Some things are just meant to be," Wyatt says, leaning toward her with a smile. "Like you coming home where you belong, Sarah-bear."
"Ivy." Sarah's voice pulls my attention. The table conversation hangs awkwardly as she completely ignores Wyatt's comment, turning her back to him with the ease of someone who's been dodging the same bullet for years. "I've been meaning to ask you something."
"Hmm?" I attempt to swallow a bite of cornbread that's turned to sawdust in mymouth.
"I know it's last minute, but would you want to be one of my bridesmaids?"
The question catches me off guard. "What?"
"Oh, how lovely!" Dottie's enthusiasm crashes against Magnolia's crafted wince.
"It's just," Sarah continues, her eyes finding mine with that same kindness she's always shown me, "you're already here, and you're so important to Caleb, which makes you important to us, and," she pauses, noticing my expression, "no pressure, of course! Matt thought it would be good for Caleb, and I did ask him to talk to his brother about it first . . ."
Matt mutters something I don't catch, and Sarah's face turns mortified. "You forgot to ask him?"
"I'm so sorry," he says, running a hand through his hair. "Work has been crazy, and I completely—"
"Oh, I feel so silly now." Sarah's cheeks flush pink. "Please, don't feel obligated. I just thought—"
"Well, we already have the dress," Magnolia cuts in with a sigh. "Though I suppose we could just have one less bridesmaid."
"She doesn't have to agree just because of Matt's mistake," Caleb says firmly.
I straighten my spine, refusing to let his strange mood, or Magnolia's thinly veiled jab, taint this moment. "No, I'd love to. Really, Sarah, I'm honored."
"Well, this works great," Carter chimes in with a smile. "Since Virginia and Caleb are paired up as maid of honor and best man, looks like you and I will be walking down the aisle together, Ivy."
Caleb's fork scrapes against china. "I can swap with you."
"Don't worry about it." Carter's smile turns oily, a dimple appearing in his right cheek as he adjusts his salmon-colored tie. "I'll take good care of her during rehearsals."
"Like hell you will," Caleb mutters.
"What was that?" Greg's voice snaps.
Caleb stabs at his plate. "Nothing."
"Perfect!" Sarah tries to redirect. "The bridesmaid dress is this gorgeous azure that'll look amazing with—"
"Her . . . hair." Magnolia's smile could sugar-coat poison as she eyes my blue waves like they're personally offensive, then glances at Dottie as if to saysee what your son brings home?
