At a table nearby were eleven of the twelve book boyfriends. Her year-long column withNaked Runwayhad been a success. They’d offered her another column, but she’d declined. Her platehad gotten a little full, what with her T-shirt business booming and her side hustle as a Fairytale Coordinator.
And then there was the time now spent learning how to not only operate a wand but also cast spells.
Come to find out her mom had been a fairy godmother and her father a warlock. She’d discovered this when Poppie had given her two letters—one from each parent. Letters he’d received upon their deaths, with strict instructions to hold them until he knew she’d met the one she was meant to be with.
In the letters, they had explained she was a Magical and that she would come into her powers when she fell in love with the right man. They had also given her the names of two contacts she could go to for help in understanding her new identity. They lived in a haunted town in Missouri, and their names were Ruby Rae and Sara Ann. She and Stone had already visited the quirky little town of Harmony and its neighbor community, Mayhem, on several occasions. They loved the haunted towns so much that they were considering moving there once they had started a family.
Another tinkling of silverware against crystal pulled Sophie out of her thoughts. It was time for another speech.
“Good evening. I’m Donna, Sophie’s maid of honor and the proud vice president of the Book Boyfriend Connoisseurs Club. That’s right, I have the official job of critiquing fictional men for a living, and I must say, Sophie has set quite a high bar with her real-life choice.”
The audience clapped, especially the two tables filled with members of the club. Considering Sophie’s family consisted of just her and Poppie, she’d invited the book club and the book boyfriends to fill her side of the church. Stone had invited his Navy SEAL buddies and Clarabelle’s family. His family via adoption. And, of course, all ofNaked Runway’seditors and their Glam Team were in attendance.
“Sophie and I met through our mutual love of romance novels,” Donna said. “We bonded over swoon-worthy heroes, epic love stories, and of course, the occasional ridiculous plot twist.”
Stone leaned over and whispered in her ear. “Like the bride is a witch and a fairy godmother? That kind of ridiculous plot twist?”
“Oh, hush up,” Sophie said, playfully swatting his arm.He wasn’t wrong.
Donna continued, “Sophie, with her endless optimism and boundless imagination, always dreamed of finding her very own book boyfriend in real life…thus her approachingNaked Runwayto write a series of columns for them on the subject.”
The book boyfriend table hooted and hollered.
“Little did she know,” Donna continued when their antics died down, “her happily-ever-after was just around the corner, in the form of a grumpy Navy SEAL.”
This caused deep, guttural hooyahs from their tables.
“The only thing making me grumpy right now,” Stone whispered, “is wanting you out of that dress and knowing we’re here for at least another three hours, during which those assholes are going to insist on dancing with you.” He jerked his head toward his friends.
Sophie laughed. She’d told him in no uncertain terms they were staying for all of the reception. The details of both the wedding and the reception had been included in Sophie’s letter from her mom. She’d written,
Sophie, if you’re reading this, then I am not there to help you plan your special day. The thought breaks my heart, and I am so sorry I let you down by not living to see you in all your glory. It is a day I’ve dreamt about since you were born…
She’d gone on to write about how she had envisioned everything, right down to the glass slippers Sophie would wear.
Donna finished her speech and took a seat.
Poppie stood, looking handsome and happy in his tuxedo from the auction. He’d been thrilled when he’d learned he got to keep it. “I’m not much on speeches, but for Sophie, I’d do anything.” He glanced her way. “Sophie, over the years, your spirit has kept me young, it’s kept me alive, and it’s kept me on my toes. Now, you have a new man in your life.” He glanced at Stone. “And before it’s too late to have this marriage annulled, I’d like to ask him a few questions. There will be a penalty for each one he gets wrong.”
“Poppie,” Sophie said. “In case you’ve forgotten, you’re still on probation. If your plan is to shoot rocks at him with your slingshot for every answer he misses, you need to hop over to Plan B.”
This caused some laughter.
“I’m willing to take my chances with the judge,” Poppie said, pulling his slingshot out of one suit pocket and a fist full of rocks out of the other and placing them on the table.
More laughter.
“Son, it’s time to see how much attention you’ve been paying to your courtship. Let’s start with an easy one. Stone, can you tell all of us how it all began?”
Stone grinned, leaning back in his chair. “It all started in a coffee shop when the barista mixed up our coffee orders.”
Sophie laughed, shaking her head. “According to the barista, she got them right. You chose to take mine so you’d have an excuse to talk to me.”
“Umm,” Stone said.
“I think the words you’re looking for, Stone, are, ‘yes dear,’” said Ms. Birdie.
As it turned out Ms. Birdie and Clarabelle had been in cahoots to matchmake Clarabelle’s three sons for some time now. Sophiehad discovered this while at brunch with Ms. Birdie the day after the auction.
