“She was Ava’s college roommate. I’ve met her several times.”
Noticing our attention, Tonya cracks a smile and glides our way. She pulls Morgan into a hug. “Wow, you look so grown up. I can’t believe how long it’s been since I’ve seen you. How’s life?”
“Good. How are you and Matt?”
“We’re great.” She taps my arm and lowers her voice to sultry tones. “And who’s your friend?”
I’m pretty sure she already knows.
Morgan clears her throat. “This is Will, one of the groomsmen.”
Yeah, like my shirt wouldn’t clue her in.
“Hey, Will. You two are getting chummy over here, whispering away. I guess things are going well?” She winks at Morgan as if I’m not sitting here and then leans in to whisper in Morgan’s ear. “Ava was right. You look great together.”
Morgan’s mouth drops open, and I pretend I didn’t hear.
Just when Morgan seems on the verge of responding, Tonya spins around. “Okay, everyone, listen up!” She claps. “We’ve got an awesome day planned for you!”
Morgan’s cheeks are the color of a cherry-flavored ICEE.
I laugh, lowering my voice. “It’s because we have matching shirts. Of course, we look good together.”
This doesn’t seem to soften her mood as she twirls strands of that long dark hair around a finger.
Tonya’s husband, Matt, stands. “Our day is going to start with”—he rubs his hands together—“a cruise on the lake in our friends’ party barge!”
An excited murmur erupts, and even I’m optimistic. I haven’t been out on a boat in ages. Will there be tubing? Wakeboarding?
Matt scoops up a clipboard. “And later this afternoon, we’re organizing a bocce ball tournament for the guys.”
“And, ladies.” Tonya flips her red curls over her shoulder, then winks at Ava. “We’ll be at the spa for facials and massages.”
“Things are looking up. Lake time in the morning.” I rub my hands together like Hudson did. “And we don’t even have to be around each other this afternoon.”
Morgan grins, then salutes me with her mug. “Excellent point. This is going to be a great day.”
Mrs. Thompson, still wearing spiked high heels, claims the audience. “Sounds amazing, Tonya. How lovely. Now, everyone, let’s hop on outside, snap a photo, and then finish our bagels on the boat.”
She starts ushering everyone out, but before Morgan and I get a chance to step toward the door, Fran pulls Morgan aside, her thin frame rigid. Curious, I hang back.
“Listen, Morgan, I—we—need you to work on a few things today.” She holds out the wedding checklist she must have swiped from Evelyn’s house and puts on a sorrowful expression. “Do you think you can do that for Ava? You’ll have to skip the family activities today, but we would sure appreciate it.”
Morgan’s mouth is agape. As hurt wells up in her eyes, I can’t blame her. “Um, well, I guess I could help a bit. For Ava.”
“Oh, honey, you’re so sweet. I knew you’d come through.” Fran shoves the list into Morgan’s hand. “I mean, it makes sense since these are family activities, and you’re the only one who’s not family. Well, besides Tonya and Matt, of course. But they planned the day.”
Wow. Just wow. I cannot believe this woman. My hands ball into fists.
Morgan unrolls the list. “Which one would you like me to do?”
“Oh, all of them, really. Just start at the top and work your way down. The rest of us will just be so busy.”
Morgan’s shoulders slump. “Okay.”
At a sudden surge of protectiveness, I consider telling Fran off, but it wouldn’t get through to her pea-sized brain. And Morgan would volunteer anyway, for Ava’s sake.
So, before I can stop it, my mouth opens, and I hear myself say, “I’ll help her.”
