Will lifted a shoulder. “But you didn’t. And I accepted your invitation.”
“And love.” Sophie twisted her wine glass. “Because you love someone so much and want to spend the rest of your lives together and want the world to know.” Her voice held a wistful note.
“Yes, love,” Garrett said. “Love that binds us together.” He exchanged a tender look with Will.
The silence hung for a moment, heavy, anticipatory.
“But you can have all those without marriage,” Tarryn said. “De facto partners have as many rights as married ones in Australia. Why spend all that money on something ostentatious just to prove to people you’re in love? Surely the most important person to show your love to is your partner.”
“People like to share in the love,” Sophie said. “Have you never cried at a wedding or gone gooey inside at how the newlyweds looked at each other? As if the moon and stars were in the other person’s eyes?”
Tarryn smiled. “It’s cute. But I get that same happy feeling when I see them declaring undying love in a bar after two bottles of wine. Will, Garrett, you’ve been together four years now and aren’t married. Why are you defending marriage?”
“We’re not married yet. That doesn’t mean we won’t,” Will said. “Sophie, what about you?”
“I’d like to get married one day. If I find someone I want to be with for the rest of my life.”
“So no quickie divorce for you, then,” Tarryn said.
“I’d hope not, but you can’t ever really tell, can you?” Sophie said. “My parents are divorced. They’re happier apart—they’re both doing their own thing overseas.”
“Do you have siblings?” Tarryn asked. Why was she asking this? It wasn’t like she was particularly interested in the answer. Just being polite, that’s what it was.
“One sister. We’re very close.”
“The Allie you mentioned?” Will asked.
“That’s her. Allie, short for Allison.”
Will jumped to his feet. “Let me cut the amazing pie Tarryn brought. I’d say ‘Tarryn’s amazing pie,’ but we all know Kirra made it.” He bustled off and returned bearing four large slices.
“Is this a quarter of the pie?” Tarryn asked. Her mouth watered. Will’s food was incredible, but Kirra’s pies were next-level.
“Pretty much. I saved a slice for brekkie tomorrow.”
“Maybe Kirra will be voted as one of the people for the fake wedding,” Sophie said. Her gaze hadn’t left the pie since Will brought it to the table. “She’d be great.”
“She would,” Tarryn agreed. “But you might have a hard time persuading her to do it. It would depend who the other person was. My money’s on you two winning.” She waved her fork at Garrett and Will. “All these years together, and neither of you has asked the other yet.”
The men exchanged glances. “We’ll get there, Tarry,” Garrett said. “And when we do, you’ll be the last to know, being so opposed to marriage and all.”
Sophie laughed. “He got you there.”
Tarryn narrowed her eyes at Garrett. “Maybe I’ll vote for you to get fake married.”
“And maybe”—Sophie tapped her fingers on the table and flicked a glance at Tarryn—“I’ll vote for you. Just to see your look of outrage when your name is announced.”
Tarryn widened her eyes. “No outrage from me. Just a firm no.” She picked up her fork and took a mouthful of pie simply to escape the intent look in Sophie’s grey eyes. If she was plotting, she had another think coming.
“You couldn’t say no. This is your town; you want the festival to succeed. Just as you want your emu sculpture to strut her stuff in Silver Creek Park,” Will said.
“I do. And she’ll get there one day. I have a hot line to the Silver Creek Beautification Project committee.”
“Phyll again? Is there anything she doesn’t do?” Sophie scooped some meringue off her pie and ate it.
“She doesn’t leave me alone,” Tarryn muttered. “Don’t forget to get her to back off or you’ll be looking for a new assistant.”
“Better that then you have to find a new fake bride at the last minute,” Sophie said. “I’m starting the Will and Garrett’s Wedding campaign. It has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?”
