Gigi comes over and clings to Logan, not taking her hands off of him even to take a sip of water out of her dainty little water bottle her father had handmade for her from some famous glass shop in Manhattan. I turn away to talk to Ginny, but I can hear Gigi giggling on my right.
Thank God, the fireworks are starting. Riley and Free are just a few blankets away, and I excuse myself to go join them.
“Hey, girls.”
Free pats the blanket for me to sit down.
“You look hot,” she says. “And I don’t mean because of the weather.”
I give her a hug. “Thank you, sweetie. Are either of you bringing dates?”
“We’re each other’s date tonight.” Free puts her arm around Riley. “Two single women.”
“At least y’all have a date. I’m sitting over there with the two engaged couples, feeling like a loser.”
“You and Flip could make out on the dance floor after the ceremony,” Riley suggests.
“Please.”
Flip is ten years older than me and has never had a girlfriend. According to Dave, he “sort of lost his virginity, once.” I told him I don’t want to know what that means. And while I respect waiting and holding out for the right person, I’m not about to initiate him into the world of sex.
“Pretty,” Riley says as pink and white light explodes in the sky.
“I love fireworks,” I say.
“Speaking of fireworks,” Riley says with a cheeky grin. “How did you and Logan make out in the cell?”
Free laughs.
“Nice try,” I say to Riley. “I’m just going to focus on Ginny. On Ginny getting married.”
Chapter Twenty-One
The bridesmaids and groomsmen pile into the first over-sized carriage. I’m relieved when I end up as far away from Logan as possible, but then his mother calls to him as we’re about to pull away that he dropped his phone, so he gets out and back in and ends up right next to me.
I lean out past him to wave to Ginny and her father in the horse and carriage behind us.
Logan moves his arm so he can lean against the seat, and his hand accidentally touches my bare back. I clench my jaw and don’t look at him. He pats my back awkwardly where his hand landed and then carefully moves it away. Thank God he’s not my partner—this will probably be the last time I have to be this close to him all night.
* * *
Apparently, God has different plans. By the time we get to The Cowherd, a new couple has formed. Flip and Erma.
“What are the freaking odds?” I whisper to Riley as she scoops up Mr. Bingley to put him in my office for the evening.
“Getting better by the minute from the looks of it.”
Flip offers Logan twenty bucks to switch partners with him for the opening dance. Logan hesitates and looks at me. I roll my eyes and ignore the transaction, which does eventually take place. While we’re still at the back of the chapel, Flip offers Logan another twenty dollars so he can ride alone with Erma on the single horse and carriage rides at the end of the night “so we can make out.”
Logan takes this offer, too.
Then, Mama approaches and hands me the Ms. Bennet bonnet for Ginny. I look toward the front of the room as Daddy places the Mr. Darcy cowboy hat on Dave’s head.
Mama looks with me. “The brown lettering is gorgeous, isn’t it? So masculine.”
“It’s very nice,” I agree.
I walk past the wedding party until I reach a pale Ginny standing with her beaming father.
