Ava returns, a tote bag hanging over her shoulder. She grips the back of a chair. By now, only Hudson, Will, and I still linger near our end of the table.
Hudson touches her arm. “You look stressed.”
“Evelyn doesn’t feel well. She thinks she’s having some sort of allergic reaction to the allergens here. It’s different from in Houston.”
“Uh-oh.” He squeezes her fingers.
“It’s fine.” She whooshes out a breath. “Everything is fine. She says she’s sure she’ll feel better by morning. She went on to bed.”
I nod. “Of course, she will. Everything will be great.”
“It turns out she’s put off several tasks until the last minute. She should be able to work on most everything tomorrow, but I’m going to get my parents to help me tackle the guest favors tonight.”
Hudson scoots his chair back. “I’ll help.”
Down the table, Ava’s parents have started up another fight. This time, a bit louder. Her smile falters.
So much for curling up with my book. “I can help too. The three of us can knock it out in no time.”
Ava perks up. “Oh, thank you, thank you. I don’t think I can handle my parents right now. And guess what.” She lifts the tote bag for Hudson, a genuine smile spreading across her lips. “I have all our matching shirts for tomorrow! You’re going to love them!” She unfolds a pink one, jiggling it so the wordbrideshimmers in its gold lettering.
“Nice.” Hudson doesn’t manage much enthusiasm.
Not noticing, Ava throws it back in the bag and then hooks an arm through his. “There’s one for everyone. Yours says ‘groom,’ of course.” They walk away, heading toward the sidewalk. He kisses her forehead.
I catch Will’s eye, and the expression on his face says, “I really doubt I’ll love the shirt.”
I can’t help but agree.
But then our moment of agreement ends when he says, “It’s going to be so weird if yours says ‘psycho’ and mine says ‘rudest boy in the world.’”
I glare. I think my mouth drops open. Is this how it’s going to be all weekend?
“Too soon?” He rubs the back of his neck. His lips quirk into a half smile. “Truce, at least?”
The wordpsychopops into my head. “No chance.”
I leave him standing there as I follow Ava out to my car, thinking about all the ways I plan to avoid him over the next three days. Shouldn’t be hard.
CHAPTER FIVE
WILL
Twenty minutes later, Hudson and I are headed out to his truck, Ava close on our heels. “Hudson, wait. I thought you were helping.”
She might’ve said she wasn’t worried about getting everything done. But with her lips drawn and her eyebrows creased, it doesn’t look like that’s true.
I slide into my seat as Hudson grips her shoulders. “Relax. We’ll be back in about thirty minutes, and then I’ll be all in. Dollar General closes at ten. You don’t want Will going without a toothbrush, right?”
“No, definitely not.” She slumps and then cranes to wave at me through the passenger window. “Especially since he needs to make up with Morgan.”
Before I can get a word in, Hudson hugs her, climbs into the cab, and cranks the engine. “Be back in a few.”
Ava waves us off.
“You know, she’s right.” He adjusts the radio. “You need to make things right with Morgan. If for no other reason than I’m begging you. Ava’s stressed as it is. Her parents fight every step of the way. She can’t take more bickering. We’re starting to wish we’d eloped.”
“Your parents would kill you. And I’ve tried to talk to Morgan. She hates me.”
