Once everyone has eaten, Liv clears her throat, drawing the attention of everyone around the table. “We have an announcement to make.”
Griffin barks out a laugh. “Holy shit. Again?”
Emmy holds out her hand, palm up. He slaps a one-dollar bill down, and she slips it into her pocket with a grin—her cheeks puffed out like a chipmunk from all the food she’s shoved into her mouth.
“I’m not pregnant,” Liv says defensively. “It’s about the wedding.”
Mama tosses her napkin down on the table. “It’s about damn time.”
“Gigi!” Emmy says, disappointment dripping from every syllable. “Not you too.”
Mama pats her pockets. “Can anybody spot me a dollar?”
Pops pulls out his wallet, hands over the money, and turns to Liv. “You were saying?”
“We decided on a small ceremony in June. Just our closest friends and family at the wedding barn. I already checked with Ruby. She has two months off from touring, so it works out perfectly.”
Wilder’s affectionate gaze stays locked on Liv as she slips her hand into his. He brings their joined hands to his lips.
“That sounds wonderful, but that only gives us two months to plan,” Mama says. “I’ll put a call in to the florist and get started.”
Griffin opens his mouth to speak, but I cut him off. “Dibs on best man.”
He elbows me in the ribs. “I’m older. I should be the best man.”
“You were the best man last time.”
Wilder’s first wife, Jess, was taken from us in a tragic accident four years ago. We never thought we’d see Wilder happy again, but Olivia brought him out of the darkness. I think we all fell a little in love with her before Wilder realized what was happening. She’s a good woman. Having her in his life healed a part of him we thought would never be repaired.
Wilder whispers something to Emmy Lou. She reaches into the pocket of her overalls and pulls out a quarter.
“Call it,” he says seconds before he flips the coin onto the table.
“Heads,” I shout at the same time as Griffin yells, “Tails!”
When the quarter lands heads up, I fist pump the air.
“Don’t worry,” I tell him. “I’ll let you be my best man someday.”
“Liv? Do you mind?” Griffin nods in Emmy’s direction.
Liv rolls her eyes and cups her hands over Emmy’s ears. Unbothered, she shoves one of Mama’s chocolate chip cookies into her mouth and shimmies her shoulders.
“Good luck finding someone to marry your ass,” Griffin says.
Liv sighs and releases Emmy.
“Are you two finished?” She doesn’t wait for a response and hands Callie a small box with an envelope.
“What is this?” Callie asks, her brow furrowed.
Liv gestures to the box. “Open it.”
Callie pulls out a small note card and reads it to herself. Her throat constricts as a line of tears forms on her lashes. “You want me to be a bridesmaid?”
“Maid of honor. If you want. No pressure.” Liv smiles nervously. “We’re not really doing bachelor or bachelorette stuff, so you won’t have to plan anything. It’s more of an honorary title.” She takes Callie’s hand and squeezes. “You’re important to me.”
Callie blinks rapidly. “I’d be honored.”
