Ben sits next to me and tries to hand me his beer. “I’m pretty sure you’ll need this more than I will.”
I ignore him and focus on the water in front of me. It’s so still, without even the slightest breeze. Today’s the hottest day of the year so far.
“He’s over there with Gigi’s family,” Ben says quietly. “You can probably tell by the camera guys staring them down. Like they’re the king and queen.”
“Feels like the whole damn town is here.” I scan the crowd and look where Ben gestured. Oh yes, there he is. And all dressed up at that. Wearing a stylish white dress shirt, black pants, and a black suit jacket with matching black tie. “Did she buy him those clothes?”
“I think Logan probably has his own pants and shirt,” Ben chides me.
“Well, I’ve never seen them before. But then again, I’ve never been out on a formal date with Logan Wild before. I preferred his daddy’s barn. Or the back of his truck.”
“Maybe this isn’t the best time for us to talk,” Ben says. “It can wait.”
“Nonsense!” I say to him. “I’m fine, honey.”
I trail off as Ginny and her mother head this way. “By the way, since I seem to be in the mood for confessions these days, I’m writing my first novel.”
Ben pushes my shoulder with his. “That’s awesome.”
“No spilling,” I warn him.
“Does anyone else know?” he asks me, just as Ginny and Mrs. Rattles reach us.
“Just Logan.”
“Logan, huh?”
“Benny, shut up.”
“Just saying…”
I turn away from him as I stand up to greet Ginny and her mother.
“Did you see the hors d’oeuvres, Macey?” Mrs. Rattles says. “Absolutely divine! I asked Gigi’s mother where she got them, hoping we could do something for Gin’s wedding, but they’re out of our price range. Such a shame.”
“That’s too bad,” I say.
“They would have been perfect for Jane Austen’s chosen couple, wouldn’t it?” Mrs. Rattles wraps her arm around Ginny. “All these people thinking Logan and his Manhattan bride are soul mates…pssha! Never heard anything so ridiculous in my life. My daughter and future son-in-law were born and raised here in Darcy; of course Jane will choose them. And their wedding comes first.”
Ginny looks pale and barely there as she stands next to her mother. She never speaks and never interjects as Mrs. Rattles drones on.
“But Virginia, she’s useless! I asked her for one simple thing, to let me know when the bakery called so I could talk to them myself. And guess what she does—she forgets! I don’t know where her head has gone to these last few days.”
I think I have a clue. Ginny’s looking way past me, and I turn to see Nickel grinning at her from about twenty feet away. He’s got his guitar with him.
“Is Nickel going to play here?” I ask her.
Ginny nods as a big smile takes over her face. “I asked him for a trial run, and he agreed. His whole band’s here.”
Mrs. Rattles scoffs. “The fact that you replaced my dearest cousins with this young man and his band of…”
“Mama!” Ginny shouts so loudly I jump backward. “You haven’t spoken to those cousins in three years!”
Ginny stomps off toward Nickel without another word. I guess some men are worth speaking back to your mother for.
I glance back over at Logan. His eyes find mine, and he heads for us slowly, his lips tipped up in that half-grin he often wears. His black suit contrasts strongly with his rugged cowboy looks, but he’s so sexy I can’t complain. He’s wearing the hell out of that suit, and if he were mine, I’d grab him in a kiss.
But he’s not mine.
