I can’t believe it. Of course, at a prewedding dinner for twenty, my friend, the overorganized bride, would use place cards. And, of course, I’m sitting across from the rudest boy in the world.
Psycho! He called me psycho. My hands ball into fists in my lap.
He’s been cordial since we sat down an hour ago, and during a toast, he even caught my eye to mouth, “Sorry.”
Not accepted, buddy. Not. Accepted.
If he weren’t also the cutest boy in the world, this would all be so much easier. I’mnotwatching him interact with his mema sitting next to him. Still, it’s starting to melt my icy mood.
As a cousin to the groom, Will’s related to everyone on Hudson’s dad’s side of the family and is chatting away.
I only know a few people here, and none of them well, except Ava. I’m the nineteenth wheel in this group, even if next to me the bride’s leaning away, talking to some of her extended family. Where’s Tonya, the maid of honor? She’s another person I’d know from the many times I visited Ava at OU, but she’s not here.
My parents and I live in Edmond, and back in the day, I loved to make the trek down to Norman to stop by Ava and Tonya’s dorm. I was a middle schooler visiting my older neighbor at college. I was seriously the coolest, or that’s how I saw it. And even though Ava and the others I met during those visits have all graduated and moved on, I found a love for OU. I hope to go there next year when it’s my turn to run off to college.
But for now, I need to focus on not feeling awkward because I’m by far the youngest person here. Well, me and Will.
The offensive boy laughs at something his mema says.
Is it too soon to excuse myself and escape to the rental house I’m sharing with Ava and the other bridesmaids? Maybe indulge in a long shower and a comfy spot to curl up with my Kindle.
I so need a reset.
And by the looks of it, Will does too. His elbows rest on the table as he twists a thin, handmade blue-and-white braided bracelet around his wrist. He covers his mouth as he yawns, scrunching the slightly pink skin over his nose. The remnants of a sunburn? That yellow shirt lights up his tanned skin, but its radiance is a fake. He’s probably too exhausted even to be rude now.
Oops, he’s caught my stare. As he hides his hands—and the bracelet—under the table, I swing my head the other way.
Ava pulls me into their conversation by leaning forward and asking, “How’s your summer job, Morgan? The snow cone stand, right?”
I swallow my last bit of Parmesan chicken and put my fork down. “It’s good. Fine.”
This is overstated since I’m not a big fan of the job or the cramped hut, to be honest. But hopefully, I’ve sidestepped more questions.
I’m wrong, of course.
Ava’s mom, Fran, pushes salad around her plate as she practically yells down the table. “Morgan, I thought you had a job with that baker on Bryant Street, the cute little place with the pink cupcakes on the sign.”
Uh-oh, with that high-pitched tone, she’s probably had too much to drink.
“Mom, I told you she doesn’t do that anymore.”
“Oh, that’s right. Well, too bad. Otherwise, Ava could’ve hired you to make the desserts for her bridal lunch. Or maybe even the wedding cake!”
She winks and then laughs too loudly. Apparently, the details of my exit from the culinary world are coming back to her.
My cheeks get warm. I send up a desperate prayer she won’t recount the unpleasant situation.
As a server clears my plate and another places a piece of steaming blueberry pie in front of me, Ava comes to my rescue. “What’s it like at Epic Ice?”
Or maybe it’s not so much a rescue as a mediocre diversion since my summer job is decidedly not cool. Will’s eyeing me. I shake myself. I don’t care.
“It’s good. Crowded in the hut during the busiest hours. But it pays pretty well, and I’m trying to save up for a study-abroad trip next summer.”
“Good for you.” Ava sips her tea, ice clinking in the amber liquid. “That sounds amazing. Hudson went on one of the semester-long trips. You’re going to love it.”
“Yeah, I can’t wait.”
She scoops a bite of her German chocolate cake. “Was it hard for you to get off work for the whole weekend?”
