I cringe as my sister bats her eyelashes, clasping her hands together underneath her chin. Regardless of her show right now, she’s right about Mama. Every time I talk to her, she sounds tired. I know her new husband is taking care of her, but it still worries me. And Mama has been subtly pushing me to bring Lucy home; it’s nothing compared to Stella’s agenda, however. If that woman doesn’t win come November, I’d be shocked. She as tenacious as the kids at the Juniper Grove Community Center who play basketball like they’re in the NBA. Maybe I should appease her for now.
“Okay, Seester,” I say, using my own variation of sister as I have since I was a child. “I’ll have to check my calendar, but what if I came home in September for your birthday?” As I say the words and watch a wide grin stretch across her face, I know something mysterious and unfortunate will happen between me and Lucy before then. And I’ll get an earful about it while I’m home.
Man, I’ve dug a hole for myself with this lie.
“You’re going to stay with her for three more months? This feels like a ploy for a ‘breakup.’” Stella says.This woman.Too sharp and perceptive for her own good. She’ll make an excellent politician.
“I plan to still be with her,” I say nonchalantly, then I change the subject to ask how Lucas, my brother-in-law, is doing for a few more minutes before ending the call and kicking back with a beer and chicken wings.
Overall, I’ve got a good life going for me, even without Lucy saying yes to my advances. Though it’d be the icing on the cakeif she would. I don’t know what it is about her that is simply and utterly captivating. The primal need to experience her is something I’m slowly losing control of. It’s impacting my dating life.
My real one that I keep on the down-low.
My phone lights with a notification—a message from a girl I dated in college at Juniper Grove University. I read it; she’s wanting me to come over. But then Lucy’s freckled face and hazel green eyes and messy curly hair pop to the forefront of my mind, and I wish it was her I was going to see.
What’s with the hold this lady has on me?
I shake it off and shoot back a text to Gabriella, telling her I’ll come over for a movie.
Might as well entertain myself, even if Lucy saturates my vision all night.
As I get ready to leave, my phone rings again, and I answer my buddy’s call.
“‘Sup, Tate?”
A nervous laugh proceeds his speech. “Hey, man. Glad I caught you. Julia and I decided to get hitched, and well, we aren’t wanting a huge wedding, but I do need you by my side. We are doing a simple ceremony at the church in two weeks with a reception at Julia’s parent’s house to follow. You’ll come down, right? I’m sorry it’s not much notice. We just decided it was time, you know how it is.”
I’m silent for a beat because I don’t know how it is. How does someonejust decideto get married? Isn’t there supposed to be months and months of planning? There are women out there who don’t want a huge barn-style wedding with the whole townpresent? I had wanted to marry Lacey, sure, but I wasn’t prepared to hitch myself to her after two weeks. The engagement was simply supposed to be the next right step.
Key word: supposed.
The engagement never happened.
I swallow my thoughts. “Of course, man. Congratulations. I’m happy for you two. I’ll be there. Text me the details.”
After we chat a bit longer, and I lock up my front door behind me, a thought zooms by me like a baseball while I’m up to bat: I’m going home to Dasher Valley in two weeks for my buddy’s wedding.
Strike one.
Which is a wedding my sister and Gracie will attend since Julia is Gracie’s little sister.
Strike two.
And the two of them are going to want to meet my girlfriend.
Strike three.
Batter out.
Chapter 1
Lucy
My precious and well-intentioned friend, Karoline, gifted me a beautiful purple orchid three days ago while she was visiting from Nashville, and she emphatically told me that the man I was destined to be with would find me when it bloomed come early spring. I was content with the long wait since it’s only June, but…
Frannie, my devil cat, ate it for breakfast this morning.
I’m doomed. Utterly doomed to a life of failed relationships.
