“Oh, well, let us do that while you go and change for dinner,” her mom says. “We don’t mind rolling up our sleeves, do we, Gracie?”
I’m not sure if Lucy’s mom knows Lucy already changed for dinner and is just being a bitch, or if she’s truly insensitive enough not to notice what her words do to Lucy’s whole vibe.
“Mom,” Katherine says. “Lucy looks gorgeous. She doesn’t need to change.”
“Sorry, darling! If that’s what you want to wear, I’m sure it’s fine. I’ve always erred on the side of caution with lemon yellow, that’s all.”
Lucy visibly deflates. “I can change. I wasn’t sure about this outfit anyway.”
“I think it’s lovely,” Katherine says, and it makes me like her more. It’s nice that she’s protective of Lucy. I don’t remember much of Katherine’s mother from the engagement party, but I’m surprised she’s so critical of a daughter who tries so hard to make everyone happy.
Lucy darts over to me. “Do you mind if I go change and leave you to get on with this?” she whispers.
“You don’t need to change,” I say, keeping my focus on the canapés so I can get out of this kitchen as soon as possible. “It’s a nice dress.”
“But it’s yellow. I forgot how much Mom hates yellow.”
“It suits you.” My jaw is tight, because Lucy is a grown woman who looks great in yellow, and her mom should realize that.
She sucks in a breath. “Thanks, Hunter. I’ll just be a few minutes.”
“Should we help ourselves to drinks?” Mrs. Jones says. Maybe it’s me, and maybe I’m being unkind, but even this question seems to come out as a criticism.
Lucy doubles back to the kitchen and starts pulling out bottles of champagne from the refrigerator.
“I’ll do that,” I tell her. “Go and get changed if you want to.”
She pulls in a breath. “Thank you, Hunter. I owe you.”
I’ve never heard her sound as vulnerable as she does right now. I have the urge to tell Mrs. Jones and her crew that they can help themselves to drinks while I retreat to the game room. But I won’t do that, since it will only put more stress on Lucy.
The canapés are all finished. I take a plate in each hand before making my way out to the guests. “Katherine, can you get the door? Drinks on the porch?”
“Great idea, Hunter,” Katherine replies. “Mom, do you remember Hunter from the party?”
Mrs. Jones turns and gives me a charming smile. “Oh, you’re Ed’s business partner. Yes, of course I remember you.”
“He managed to get us the house for the weekend.”
“It’s a beautiful property,” Mrs. Jones says, and she touches her hand to my arm. “Very good of you to do this for Ed and Katherine.”
“I did the easy part,” I say. “Lucy’s done everything else. Planned everything to perfection.”
Mrs. Jones tilts her head to the side as if to say,Well, not everything. “She’ll feel better when she’s in a different color,” she says, not acknowledging what I’ve said about Lucy’s efforts at all.
Lucky for me, Ed and the rest of the bachelor party join us.
I start to pour champagne, and one of the cousins offers to help. “I can be your assistant,” she says. “My name’s Genny. You’re a friend of Ed’s?”
“Yeah. We’re business partners. And friends. Known each other forever,” I say, handing a glass of champagne to Genny’s mom.
“But you’re based in New York?” she asks.
“That’s right,” I say, pouring the next glass.
“Yeah, I’m in New York a lot for work. Maybe we should swap numbers. We could grab a drink some time.”
My heart starts to thunder in my chest. She’s coming on to me. Apart from the fact that I’m not interested—at all—I’m also supposed to be dating her cousin. Except she doesn’t know that. Am I supposed to tell her? Well, fuck it, everyone else in the house knows.
