Whatever I’d been about to say vanished the second I sawhim.
Hands shoved deep into his pants pockets, shoulders slightly hunched, Logan was following the path headed toward the dining hall. Wearing the clothing I’d picked out especially for him; black suit pants and a crisp white shirt he’d left untucked. The top two buttons had been left open and his hair hung loose around his shoulders, while his beard and cheeks had been trimmed neat. Seeing him, my heart skipped a beat. A literal fucking beat, like it had tripped over its own feet.
“Hey,” Logan said, jogging up the stairs.
“Hey there, yourself,” Britta greeted Logan with an appraising look and sly smile. “Thought you weren’t comin’?”
Logan looked at me, right at me. Straight through to my damn soul, it felt like. Clearing his throat, he gruffly replied, “I thought Willow might need someone to show her how to do the funky chicken.”
His words,his stupid words. His stupid face. His stupid eyes. His stupid hand on my stupid cheek and my stupid overblown reaction to it. I exploded into giggles, entirely unintentional, that were rapidly becoming hysterical.
Logan stared at me. “Are you okay?” he asked. When I only continued to laugh, he looked at Britta. “What’s going on? Did something happen?”
Britta hooked her arm through mine, tugging me close. “She’s good,” she said, giving me a squeeze. “Weddin’ just got us a little choked up is all.”
More nervous laughter erupted from me. I slapped my hand over my mouth to try and stem it, my eyes watering with effort. Just then the dining hall doors flung open and several people stepped onto the porch, Jordy among them.
“Mate, I’ve been looking for you. They brought the food out—we’re eating good tonight.” Jordy jerked his thumb over his shoulder. “EJ’s grabbing us a table if everyone’s ready?”
“Perfect,” Britta replied, tugging me toward the doors. “I don’t know ‘bout y’all, but I’m starvin’.”
We filed back inside the hall, currently abuzz with activity. Jugs brimming with plum-colored liquid along with various food dishes had been set out along the tables—baked potatoes covered in chives, deviled eggs, homemade coleslaw, and rabbit stew—the smell alone enough to make your mouth water. There didn’t appear to be any sort of assigned seating; guests were either seated or milling around with plates of food in their hands, talking with one another. Loud music played from a small stereo system and a few people were already dancing.
“Over here.” EJ waved us over with both arms. “Over here, Brit.”
“Lawd,” Britta murmured in my ear. “I don’t know what I’m gonna do about that silly boy—ignorin’ him hasn’t been workin’. An’ if I take him to bed, you know he’s only gonna get twice as riled up—probably try to get me down an aisle or some crazy shit.”
I glanced sideways at her. “And that’s a bad thing?”
Britta snorted. “Yes and no. EJ’s sweet alright, but he don’t make me feel that crazy feelin’ real low in your belly, like. You know, where you just want ‘em so bad that your whole body lights up an’ lets ya know it?”
I sucked in a heady breath. Unfortunately, I’d become well acquainted with that very feeling recently.“Have you had that before?” I asked tentatively.
Britta paused before answering; she’d yet to answer me when we’d reached the table. Sliding onto the bench beside her, I asked, “Britta? Areyouokay?”
She took an audible breath. “Yeah, I had that once, with ma’ husband.” Another pause and a shake of her head and then she was snatching the jug of wine from the center of the table and pouring us both heaping glassfuls. “Cheers to love, sugar,” she said, holding up her glass. “And all the crazy and painful shit that follows.”
“Have you been drinking?” Logan dropped down onto the bench beside me before I could respond to Britta, sitting close enough that I could smell the soap in his hair, and the downright provocative scent that was purehim. Jordy had joined us as well, taking the seat directly across from me.
“Barely.” Thanks to Ella, I was very nicely buzzed, but not even half as buzzed as I suddenly wished I was.
Logan’s frown deepened. “Maybe you should eat something.”
“I’m good, thanks,” I muttered, lifting my glass and drinking deeply.
The sound of clinking glass drew everyone’s attention to the head table where Leisel had risen from her seat, tapping her wineglass with a spoon. All over the dining hall, others began doing the same until the entire room was filled with the discordant clanking of metal against glass. Seated at the same table as Leisel, Jim and Maria were grinning at each other and laughing as they pressed their lips together. In response to their kiss, cheers and jeers rose up among the crowd.
“What’s happening?” I asked.
“It’s an idiotic thing you do at weddings,” Ella replied, dramatically flouncing down on the bench between Jordy and EJ. “When you want the bride and groom to kiss.”
“Weird,” I murmured. Lifting my glass to my lips and finding it empty, I reached for the jug, only to have Logan snatch it away and set it out of reach.
“Hey!” I exclaimed. “What are you doing?”
He gave me a hard look. “What are you doing?”
“I’m having a good time,” I said through my teeth. “You should try it.”
