Page 115

Under the table, I nudge Kira with my knee, letting her take the lead since I’m not sure how much she wants to say.

“It’s a long story, but…” she pauses, wiping her mouth with her napkin and placing it back in her lap. “I’m sure you’ve seen my most recent viral video?”

Ivy nods, propping her chin in her hands. “I think I’ve watched it at least a thousand times.” She smiles. “Honestly, I think you went easy on them. I probably would’ve done so much worse.”

“Same,” Scout says with a nod.

Kira shrugs, her face falling a little as she seems to recall the memory. “Yeah, well, the judge didn’t see it that way...”

I place my hand on Kira’s thigh and give her an encouraging squeeze.

“I had a choice to lose out on all my contracts and possibly serve jail time or complete a twelve-week anger management program.” She flashes a forced smile. “Naturally, I chose the latter.”

“That’s so unfair,” Ivy says.

“Damn.” Luka sets down his glass. “Kira, I’m sorry… I didn’t know that.”

Kira takes a sip of wine. “And my sister and her kids live here, so I figured it was the perfect place to lay low for the summer.” She pauses. “My therapist has all these rules I have to follow to complete the program. That’s actually why I applied for the position.”

“Awe, kind of like a checklist,” Ivy says, holding her hand over her heart. Leo wraps an arm around her and pulls her closer, pressing a kiss to her temple.

“Yes. It’s been quite the adventure. But I’ve only got two more weeks, and I’ll officially be a feminine rage graduate.” She laughs at her joke, but when she looks back at me, her smile fades.

I must’ve let my mask slip. I squeeze her knee and give her my most convincing smile, as if my heart isn’t quietly shattering at the thought.

“You said your sister lives here?” Ivy asks, and I’m relieved to have the conversation back on a more comfortable subject.

I zone out, lost in my emotions, as everyone falls into conversation. Kira tells them about Greer and her kids, how she works at the hospital while she’s finishing her nurse practitioner accreditation online. And how proud she is of all her hard work. She mentions the Fourth of July and how Guy and I were so kind to entertain the kids so they could enjoy some much-needed sister time. Guy makes a point to bring up how hot she is at least five times.

They talk about the festival, Ivy and Leo explaining how they met while trying to complete her late twin sister’s bucket list, which is what led her to Ashford Falls in the first place. My parents gush over how they knew Leo was smitten with her the moment they saw them together.

Then it’s Luka and Scout’s turn to share their love story, and all the things they did to make last year’s festival their own.

“Isn’t it funny?” Ivy laughs, looking around. “It’s almost like the Phantom Festival has a way of making people fall in love.”

The laughter dies down, and my smile falls as all eyes are now staring at us.

Leo props his elbows on the table and leans closer. A bead of sweat makes its slow, treacherous way down my neck, and I have to concentrate very hard on keeping my face like a wall.

The tink tink tink of a glass pulls our attention away, and we all turn to the source. Guy sets his wine on the table and folds his hands in his lap. “Not to hijack the conversation, but I have an announcement to make.”

“Please tell me you didn’t knock anyone up,” Leo says. Ivy elbows him in the ribs, and he grunts.

Dad places a hand on his shoulder. “Just so you know, I’ll love the red-headed bastard either way.”

“Frank!” Mom’s hands fly to her mouth. “You can’t say that!”

“What?” Dad looks around for support. “That’s the term for a child born out of wedlock, and I’d say there’s at least a fifty percent chance his kid will be ginger since it’s a recessive trait…” The color drains from his face. “You’re not trying to tell us you’re getting married, are you?” He doesn’t wait for an answer. “Because I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

Mom reaches across the table to hold Guy’s hand. “We support you no matter what, dear.”

Guy’s eyes sparkle as they dart around the room. He’s thoroughly enjoying this.

“Well, don’t drag it out. Am I going to be Uncle Luka or not?” Luka asks.

“Unfortunately, no. My seed has yet to find its fertile soil,” Guy says, shaking his head.

“Thank God,” Leo sighs, chasing his relief with a long gulp of wine.