And no thinking about the kiss. Again.
Ava pockets the keys. “All right, hand over the list.”
I do, relieved to be rid of it.
“Now, let’s get to work.”
She spends a few minutes connecting her phone to the Bluetooth speaker in the pavilion until an upbeat country song drifts through the open space.
I pick up where I left off with the string of lights as the wind blows through my hair and rustles the leaves.
Elementary-age kids whiz by on their bikes.
“Looking good, ladies!” Hudson calls out, Will following, and my heart jumps into high gear.
Stop that. It was just a kiss. It was nothing.
Still, I expect him to help me like he’s been doing all afternoon. Instead, he joins Hudson and stretches out a string of lights, and I get back at it. I grind my teeth. Why am I disappointed?
Everything is as it should be. We won’t have to work together anymore, and I’m glad.
Good. Fine.
The rest of the wedding party catches wind of our predicament and shows up to help. Soon, we’ve stretched all the strands across the beams and pillars. We move on to setting up tables and assembling centerpieces. As we finish, Fran shows up tohelp.
“Oh, how lovely,” she croons, walking around in her spiked heels, adjusting things as she sees fit. Once she’s reworked three of the centerpieces, she declares the place ready and shoos us off to get dressed for rehearsal dinner. She doesn’t even say thank you for our full day of work.
Forty-five minutes later, I’ve showered and arranged my hair into a messy but cute bun, applied some makeup, and stepped into the flowing lilac dress I brought just for this evening.
Tonya and two other newly arrived bridesmaids join Ava and me as we stroll along the boardwalk toward the chapel. Hudson and several groomsmen join us. Will isn’t with them. I’m introduced to the newcomers, all college friends of Hudson and Ava. They know each other well, so I walk alone behind the chattering group.
The sun has dipped below the tree line, casting long shadows across our path, and the breeze teases loose curls around my face. The strung lights that hang year-round over the walkways between rows of houses glimmer.
I pull out my phone and open the messaging app. My parents said they’d check in this evening. Nothing yet.
“Morgan, wait up.”
My breath catches as Will, showered and dressed to impress, jogs toward us. Towardme. His hair is still damp, making it look even darker. Charcoal pants and a crisp white button-up hug his frame, and he’s shaved away the bit of stubble he had. I would know since his lips were on mine only hours ago.
Don’t think about that.
I curl my toes against the urge to point my feet in the other direction and ignore him. How can I act normal around someone I unexpectedly locked lips with? This boy is wreaking havoc on my emotions.
But that would be rude.
I freeze on a smile and wait.
“Wow.” He stops at my side. “You look beautiful.”
I dip my head. I can’t help it.
My cheeks must be pink, but desperate to act normal, I force my eyes back up. “Thank you. You look nice too. Where’d you get clothes?”
“My family arrived. Thank goodness.” He trails the others, and I fall in step.
“Do you know the other bridesmaids?”
“Not really. Or at least I don’t know them well. How about you? Do you know the other groomsmen?”
