Mercedes shoulders rose and fell.“Yes, and her bridal shower is this coming weekend.There’s so much to do before then, especially since I’m in the wedding.”
“Yeah, Deanna’s been complaining, too.She’s just happy it wasn’t later because then she’d be dealing with report cards at the same time.”
Mercedes tapped his hand.“Don’t get me wrong; I’m thrilled for Carli and Blake and honored to be asked to be in the wedding, but I wish we could have had the bridal shower a bit earlier and not the weekend before the wedding.”
He hadn’t even thought about that.“Is a bridal shower usually earlier than the week before?”
“Yes, unlike the bachelor party where some ridiculous men think it’s a good idea to get the groom drunk and incapacitated the night before, the bridal party usually likes to have the shower at least a few weeks to a month or more before, so there’s time to organize and put everything away in the new house.”
“Blake already has a house with stuff.”
“He does, so Carli put lots of household decorations and more feminine stuff that Blake doesn’t own on her registry.Are you guys having a bachelor party for Blake?Carli hasn’t said anything about it.”
“Yes, but it’s only a few friends, Blake’s brother, Harrison, plus Brian and me.We’re just going to a bar and grill for some drinks.Blake absolutely forbids any of the typical bachelor party shenanigans.”
Mercedes raised one eyebrow.“Like strippers and such.”
“Yeah, he’s a spoilsport,” he teased.
A frown appeared on her face.“Do you like going to things like that?”
He had, once upon a time, but it didn’t hold any interest for him at the moment.Because he’d been living with Mercedes, the most beautiful woman he’d ever known?
“Not really.It was fun and exciting the first time or two, but you have to grow up at some point.”
Now a true smile blossomed on her face.He’d said the right thing.
The server showed up with their food, and they started to eat.Once he’d had a few big bites of his burger and nibbled on a couple fries, he wiped his hands and said, “I was wondering if you could help me with something.”
“More than the Level Two book?”
Was this too many favors from her?“If it’s too much, tell me.”
“What is it?I’m happy to help you in any way I can.”
He took a deep breath.“I want to give a short speech at Carli and Blake’s rehearsal dinner.I won’t do the wedding because that’s for the Maid of Honor and Best Man.But she’s my sister and the one I’m closest to because of our ages.”
Mercedes’ expression was one of grace.“I’d be happy to help you.Do you plan on speaking it or signing it?”
Staring at his plate, he shook his head.“My speech isn’t great, so probably sign.Although they aren’t having an interpreter for the rehearsal, so I guess I might have to voice it.It’s only Blake’s parents who won’t understand.”
She reached over and touched his hand.“Would you like me to voice it for you?”
Relief washed over him.“Would you?That would make it far more meaningful, right?Her brother and best friend.”
“I’d be happy to.Have you thought of what you want to say?”
He retrieved his phone from his pocket and scrolled to his notes app.—Carli was my first friend…—
Biting her lip, tears sprang to her eyes.What was she crying about?Was it that bad?
“This is a beautiful way to start.We’ll absolutely make it great.”
At her answer, his shoulders settled.If he ever needed more evidence that she was the perfect woman, she kept providing it.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Most of the guests were here, if the full tables were anything to go by.Mercedes counted again and came up with the same number.Far more than she and Deanna wanted to pay for.In her world, a bridal shower was done at someone’s home or a small local hall.You decorated it with pretty streamers and fancy platters that some of the family provided.That wasn’t good enough for Blake’s mother, Audrey Wentworth.
