Brian was the end of the line, having dropped his chair near his uncles, and it seemed Oliver grew bored with the game just about the time he reached him. After handing Brian the rock, who assured him it was the best rock he’d ever seen, Oliver left it with him and went back to where Nora was using blocks of wood to make a tower.
As Siobhan watched, Brian turned the rock over in his fingers a few times. Then he brushed his thumb over the surface and tucked it into the pocket of his jeans.
Over the next couple of hours, thanks to easy conversation, old stories and a lot of laughter, the overall tension in the group seemed to melt away, and by the time talking of firing up the barbecue grills started, Siobhan was feeling maybe not relaxed, but definitely less stressed.
Emma, who was married to Mike’s cousin Sean and seemed really warm and friendly, was wandering throughthe groupings of family with a small notebook. Siobhan wasn’t sure what that was about until Emma reached her.
“I’m doing the burgers and dogs count,” the woman explained. “Hamburger? Cheeseburger? Hot dog? One of each? And Oliver put himself down for a hot dog and I just thought I’d confirm he’d actually like a hot dog and didn’t just ask for what Nora was having.”
“Oh.” She’d had some vague idea she and Oliver would duck back into the camper when mealtime came around, but she had a hunch trying to separate her son from his plan to eat hot dogs with his new best friend wouldn’t go over well. “He loves hot dogs, and I’d like a cheeseburger, please. Is there something I can do to help?”
Emma looked around, and then laughed. “Honestly, I think there are already too many people helping. Just relax and enjoy the down time before the little ones are refueled.”
“Oliver’s going to sleep well tonight, for sure.”
“I think we all will.” Emma looked around and then leaned in close. “Listen, there are going to be two potato salads. If youlikepotato salad, make sure you take a little of each and no matter what, you love them equally.”
Siobhan’s hand went to her mouth, stifling a giggle. “Whose are they?”
“Terry’s and Beth’s. About nine years ago, there was some confusion about the summer cookout sign-up list thanks to a spill-proof tumbler lid that wasn’t at all spill-proof, and they both brought potato salad. Nobody would admit to liking one more than the other, and they just keep bringing them, waiting for some unsuspecting person to like one more than the other.”
“So in Kowalski-speak, this would be a Potato Salad Grudge Match of Doom?”
Emma’s laughter turned heads. “Yes! Who told you about the doom?”
“Steph’s mentioned it a few times over the years, how the family uses it to mean epic or whatever. Just a childhood thing that nobody outgrew.”
She put her hand on Siobhan’s arm. “Exactly.”
“And Steph also told me she tried not to let this be a Wedding of Doom, but she stopped fighting it once the family group chat latched onto it.”
“Resistance is futile, as they say.”
“Emma, I need that food count,” Leo shouted.
The family patriarch had a booming voice and Emma rolled her eyes. “And there’s the family’s official PA system.”
Twenty minutes later, while most of the family was occupied setting up the tables under a canopy and loading them with condiments and everything else they needed, Steph joined Siobhan in sitting on the grass to watch Nora explaining to a rapt Oliver how caterpillars became butterflies.
“There you are,” Siobhan said, giving her friend’s pink cheeks and mussed hair a sideways glance. “I was looking for you earlier.”
“Sorry.” Steph grinned. “Kyle and I needed a little nap.”
“And that’s why you’re in a cabin with solid log walls and not a camper.”
She laughed. “One hundred percent. But how areyoudoing?”
“I’m good,” she replied, realizing it was mostly true.
“You know, if you want to leave, I’ll understand. I know everybody wants you to stay—especially me. And Brian, of course. But nobody expected this and I get that it’s a lot. I don’t want you to stay just for me if it’s toohard. Brianna can be my maid of honor.” She paused and took a shaky breath before giving Siobhan a falsely bright smile. “Third time’s the charm, right?”
The way Steph was putting up a brave front for her benefit brought tears to Siobhan’s eyes. Shereallydidn’t want to let her friend down. And the damage was already done. This family was sure Oliver was one of them and leaving wouldn’t change that. As long as Brian took her boundaries seriously, it might be okay.
“I don’twantto leave. I want to be your maid of honor.” She blew out a breath. “I told Brian I would wait and see how I feel tomorrow, but mostly it’s up to your family. Oliver is having a good time and I promised him he could go in the pool, so as long as everybody is chill, as Brian put it, I’ll probably stay.”
Steph winced. “I can promise you we’re all devoted totryingto be chill, but this situation knockedeverybodya little sideways.”
“So far everybody’s been great. Let’s just focus on you and your wedding and see how it goes.”
