Page 48 of Heat Advisory

My phone buzzed. I glanced down at the screen and saw Morgan’s name. “It’s your sister. Let me pick up in case it’s important.”

Jay chuckled. “It probably isn’t, but go ahead.”

I had barely even gotten my hello out before Morgan launched straight in. “Wedding emergency! I have a huuuuuuuuuge favor to ask. I need six more picture frame vases for my centerpieces, but all the craft stores here are sold out, and they won’t make it here in time with shipping. But your store has ten of them. Can you swing by and get them for me?”

She spoke so fast that it was a wonder I understood anything she’d said. “Yes. Text me what they look like, and I’ll grab them tonight.”

“This is why you are the bestest best friend ever!” she replied, shrieking at the end, which I knew Jay heard, based on the way he rolled his eyes as I said goodbye and then hung up the phone.

Jay raised an eyebrow at me. “Real crisis or wedding crisis?”

“Neither…It was actually a wedding emergency,” I replied, using Morgan’s words and smiling.

We had just pulled up to the restaurant when my phone buzzed a second time.

Jay laughed before I even looked at the screen.

“Yes, Morgan,” I answered, confirming his likely suspicion.

“The flowers,” she replied immediately, her voice laced with concern. “What if the florist can’t get my peonies in time? I need a backup plan.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Morgan. Breathe. Your florist likely has a backup plan of her own. Trust her. If not, your wedding planner will know what to do. Everything will be fine.”

“You’re right. You’re right. Okay. I’m fine.”

We hung up again with the promise of chatting tomorrow.

“She good now?” Jay asked as he parked and turned off the engine.

“She’s one Google search away from a full-blown crisis, but for now, I think she’s okay.”

Jay came around to open my door, and just as I was getting down from his truck, my phone rang for the third time.

I didn’t even have to look at the screen. Jay swiped to answer the call and hit the speaker button. Morgan had no sooner started to speak than Jay cut her off.

“Morgan, your wedding will be fine. Stop panicking and call your wedding planner if you have questions.”

“Wait, who… Jay? Is that you?” she demanded to know but didn’t wait for a response. “Why is he…Oooooh. Oh, God, Cora. You’re on a date!”

That last word finished on a squeal.

“Yes, Morgan,” I said, heat climbing up my cheeks. “I’m on a date.”

“With my brother?” she asked, clearly hopeful that what she’d heard wasn’t just a dream.

“Yes, she’s on a date with your brother, who would like to actually finish the date,” Jay teased.

“Well, don’t finish too quickly, Jay. Women don’t like that,” Morgan said and then made a choking sound. “Oh God. I think I just threw up a little in my mouth at that thought.”

Jay rolled his eyes as I chuckled.

“Okay. I’m hanging up. We’ll talk later!” She disconnected before I could respond.

“Turn your phone to silent—or better yet…turn it off entirely.” Jay tilted his head, eyeing my phone. “I don’t trust her not to call back four more times.”

My chuckle now became a full-blown laugh. “She’s not that bad.”

“I would stand here and argue with you about the level of annoyingness of my sister, but I’d like to eat before the end of the century, so let’s just go inside.” He put his hand on the small of my back and guided me to the front door.