“Eh, you might be out of your league this time, bro,” Landry says, wincing when Daisy nudges him again. “Oh, come on.”
And that’s when it hits me—I’m not just worried about them finding out about what happened between Claire and me or that it nearly happened before her divorce was final. I’m embarrassed because Claire couldn’t be further from my usual type, and I don’t want them to say I’ve settled or given up on the kind of woman I’ve been holding out for. Not that Claire isn’t amazing in her own right—I meant it when I said she was the most beautiful and interesting woman I’d ever met. But she is admittedly more worldly than the women I’ve dated before.
I glance over to find Claire’s eyes looking misty, and my stomach lurches.
“You’re right. I’d eat him alive,” she affirms with a cold laugh.
“You don’t think opposites attract?” Daisy poses to Landry.
He purses his lips thoughtfully before he speaks. “I think I’m the luckiest man in the world.”
“Blessed,” Daisy corrects him, and he nods in agreement before leaning in for a quick peck on the lips. “You haven’t gotten lucky, yet, but I plan on changing that soon,” she adds in a sultry tone.
I wrinkle my nose when Landry growls and shoots her a smoldering look, even though I’m grateful for the shift in conversation.
“There you are,” my sister Magnolia says when she appears andreaches out to tug on Daisy’s arm. “Come on, it’s time to cut the cake.”
Daisy whines. “Aren’t we done with all that stuff?”
“Not even close. And what areyoudoing out here? You haven’t even given your best man toast yet.” Magnolia aims the second half of her reprimand at me as we’re joined by another one of my sisters.
I groan, despite having prepared a nice speech. I’m just not a fan of Maggie’s bossy tendencies.
“Ma-ags, you’re not torturing the bride, are you?” chirps Marigold.
Magnolia crosses her arms and glares at her twin. “Someone has to keep things running smoothly.”
Iris and Violet appear then, each of them toting a baby, and I blow out a frustrated breath when I notice Rosemary and my mother making their way over. I’m certain this impromptu meeting of the LaFleur women is just a guise for their investigation, but I suppose I was asking for it after having that heated conversation with a strange woman in front of everyone. I venture a glance at Claire and find her taking in the scene with interest.
“What’s going on?” Violet demands. “Is Maggie trying to direct traffic again?”
Magnolia rolls her eyes. “Have none of you heard of wedding reception etiquette?”
Claire snorts quietly, and my lips twitch as I stifle a smile.
“I don’t get the impression that the people of Camellia care any more for etiquette than we do, especially not after watching them balance those beers on their heads as they danced to that Mardi Gras song,” Iris says sardonically and adjusts the infant in her arms.
“Regardless, it’s Daisy’s wedding,” Mari says gently. “She and Landry will cut the cake on their own time, if they decide to have cake at all.”
“Oh, I’m having cake tonight, one way or another,” Daisy declares vehemently, and Claire lets out a loud chortle.
“Yeah, I think you’ll like that cake better, anyway,” Claire says,making both Landry and Daisy’s cheeks darken, and I realize the rest of us must be missing the punchline of a dirty joke.
“What’s so special about this cake?” Rosemary asks. “Or are we talking about the groom’s cake?”
“Well, Landry’s mom said she made that one herself, so I doubt it’s gluten-free,” Iris mumbles, triggering another fit of snickers from Daisy and Claire.
“Do I want to know?” I whisper to Landry, and he cringes as he shakes his head.
“From where I’m standing, it doesn’t look like our Landry’s been worried about gluten,” my mom says, patting his backside affectionately.
“And I’m definitely looking forward to a piece ofthatgroom’s cake,” Daisy barely manages to squeak out before she slaps a hand over her mouth to contain her giggles, and Landry surprises me again by smiling at her, seemingly amused.
Violet narrows her eyes at Claire, who’s biting her lip and holding back tears at this point. “Wait a minute. You’re talking about sex, aren’t you?”
“Oh, but I’m the one who’s bad at picking up on social cues?” Landry mutters, and Violet screws up her face at him. That does Claire in, and she chokes so hard on her laughter that it becomes contagious.
I shoot her a grin once everyone settles, hoping to convey my remorse after I left her hanging earlier. But her smile fades, and she doesn’t hold my gaze.
