I park my truck in my assigned space, throw open the door, and slam it shut. The loud metallic noise does little to calm my boiling temper. “Args!” Muttering to myself about asshole men, I stomp toward my condo.

“Oh, my. I bet that rage has a man at the end of it.”

I lurch to a stop and take a cleansing breath and blow it out before answering. “Hello, Ms. Edna.” I try for a polite smile.

Ms. Edna didn’t miss a thing. “It’s Belinda’s brother, isn’t it? He’s quite handsome and rugged-looking, now, isn’t he?”

I had learned soon after moving into my apartment never to question Ms. Edna or Ms. Blanche. The complex matriarchs have a knack for keeping on top of everything. They are sweet old ladies, and if you live at the renovated White Oaks Mill Apartments, then you understand you have two new grandmas.

I feel my lips thinning. I might have thought he was handsome last night, but not anymore. “Yes, ma’am.”

“Is he as striking as he appears on the television?” Ms. Edna asks, a naughty twinkle in her eyes.

I shake my head, “How did you…” Nope. I’m not going to ask how Ms. Edna knew who Belinda’s brother was when I didn’t. “I don’t really know. I couldn’t see over his huge ego.”

Ms. Edna chuckles. “It will all work out as it’s supposed to, dear. You go and take a nice hot bath with that new bath oil you ordered from Eve’s Garden, the gardenia scent should do nicely, and I’ll bring you over some of my fruit punch and a few nice warm cookies that Blanche made.”

I perk up at the offer of Ms. Edna’s fruit punch. “Yes, ma’am. Thank you, Ms. Edna.” I’m halfway to my door when I pause. How did Ms. Edna know about my new bath oil? It was just delivered yesterday. I shake my head. Nope. I’m not going to ask.

I’d just sat down in the warm, soothing water when my bathroom door crashes open. I screech and jump, causing a wave of water to spill over the side of the tub. “Rachael!” I scream, my heartbeat taking flight. “You scared me to death!”

“What did that dipstick say?” Rachael’s eyes are on fire as she marches in and flips the toilet lid down before making herself at home.

I would talk with my best friend about personal space, but I’d be wasting my breath. “Ms. Edna?” I ask, but really didn’t need to—that would be the only way Rachael could have found out so quickly.

“No, Ms. Blanche,” Rachael answers.

“Figures,” I mumble and lean back, resting my arms on the sides of the tub. “Well, Elias, who will now be known as dipstick, thought we were being nice to Belinda to get to him!”

A spark of ire flashes in Rachael’s eyes. “He didn’t.”

I let my head fall back with a bump on the tile wall. “He did. He was rude, and he thought we were either using him as a way to finish our renovations or riding on his name and media presence for promotions.”

Rachael adjusts to sit cross-legged on the seat. “He’s such a dipstick, but he looks so nice on television. You know, I was even considering applying to be on the show. I still might. It would serve him right if they accepted us and then he’d have to work with us and act all nice like he does on television.”

I don’t catch what she said because I’m too far gone thinking about exactly how nice in person Elias Holt really is. Very nice. His eyes are green. I’d never picked that up on television. A sparkly muddled green, maybe hazel would better describe them. And he had muscles that go on for days. I doubt I could wrap my hand around his… I shake my head from the Elias fog it’s been in and get back to dipstick Elias. “He’s somewhat handsome if you can look past his wanker personality. And get this—he’s the guy from the bar.”

“What?” Rachael’s eyes grow large.

“You know, the one you wanted me to have bathroom sex with is none other than Elias Holt, Belinda’s brother. Why didn’t we recognize him? I know why, he had that fuckin’ ballcap pulled so low. What a great disguise. The joke’s on us, right?” I give a frustrated sigh.

“No way!” Rachael giggles and dramatically gasps. “You said a bad word! I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this upset. Not even when Johnny Bergamo pasted your pigtails together in the third grade.”

I may feel a twinge of guilt for reacting the way I did this afternoon. Just a twinge. Which I know will dissipate soon. I hope. It’s not my usual personality to slam someone like that. But it did feel kind of freeing. At least, before the guilt set in. “I’m sorry, Rachael. I know we were depending on the money from Belinda’s wedding. I promise I’ll get busy placing more ads tomorrow.” We have to get money coming in somehow. Henry needs braces, and we have a house to finish. Whose crazy idea was this anyway. Oh, mine.

“Hey, it’s not your fault. All the blame lands right in dipstick’s lap. We’ll get the money. We’ve only been advertising a few weeks. I bet we’ll be booked solid by June.”

June is only a month away. The reservations would have to start rolling in for that to happen. “On the bright side, Ms. Edna’s bringing over fruit punch. Want to stick around?”

“Oh, goodie. Yeah, but we both work in the morning, so just a little glass,” Rachael says, walking out the door just as quickly as she’d breezed in. I love that girl. We’ve been best friends since kindergarten when we shared crayons and invented our own language, so we could keep our secrets private.

I push the drain lever with my toe and get out of the now-cold water. Ms. Edna’s fruit punch has a deceptively hard kick. It’s fruity and sweet, with a delicious burn as it slides down your throat. After the first few sips, you no longer feel the burn. We learned long ago that a little goes a long way towards complete annihilation. Over the years, many have tried to pry the recipe from Ms. Edna, but she’s got it locked up like a vault and only shares her famous beverage on special occasions. I suppose being insulted by a jerk must qualify.

By the time I’d dried off and pulled on an old pair of NC State sweats and t-shirt, sans bra, Ms. Edna had already left her goodies.

“Here ya go. Drink up.” Rachael hands me a small juice glass filled to the rim.

I take a cautious sip and wait for the kick. “Ahhhh.” I hiss as the alcohol hits and seeps through my body. I sit down on the couch and take another sip, which is even better than the first. “Ms. Edna made an exceptionally good batch of fruit punch.”

Rachael giggles. “I still can’t believe those precious old ladies drink this stuff. Do you think they get plastered? I mean, I just can’t imagine it.”

Rachael giggles again, a sure sign the magical beverage is beginning to work. “I think I’m already at my limit and I still have half a glass.” Rachael holds her glass up and stares as if she’s waiting for the amber liquid to tell her either ‘Stop’ or ‘Bottoms up.’ “I’m glad Henry is staying with a friend tonight, and I hope you’re not going out with Banks later. He came by the bakery earlier today and asked about you.”

I curl my feet under my butt and grab a pillow from the corner of the couch. My head was already beginning to spin. I definitely wouldn’t be going out with Banks tonight. “No, he asked, but I didn’t know what would be happening with Belinda today.”

“Banks is really nice. He has a great job, and you always seem to have a fun time with him.”

I do have fun with Banks. As with all small towns, the pickings are slim. I went to school with Banks. He was the quarterback of our high school team. He’s handsome and sweet, and we do have a very nice time. “Banks is very sweet.”

Rachael rears her head back and gives me a skeptical look. “Sweet? You’ve been dating off and on for years. Why hasn’t anything ever developed between you two?”

I raise a brow and look in Rachael’s direction. At least I think that’s what my eyebrow is doing. “Who’s saying it hasn’t?” Oh no, the fruit punch is already working. I shouldn’t have admitted that piece of information. Rachael won’t ever let it go now.

“April! You bitch!” Rachael jumps and pokes me with a finger. “You fucked Banks? And you never told me? I thought we were best friends! How long has this been going on?”

I rescue Rachael’s empty glass and set it on the coffee table beside my half-empty one. That certainly explains the language. Rachael rarely lets herself fall back into her old behavior. Not since Henry. “You know we’re best friends, Rach. I didn’t tell you because…”

Rachael plops back down on her side of the couch and slumps back against the cushions. “You thought I would feel bad because I closed up shop after Henry was born?”

“Yeah.” I slapped my hands together, making them pop loudly. “Like Fort Knox.”

“Oh, April. Only a best friend would do something stupid like that. So, it’s serious between you two?”

“No. It’s not serious. We both date, hoping to find someone, but you know what failures my dates have been. Banks is nice and dependable, and we both know we’re not going anywhere. He’s… safe.”

Rachael nods over-enthusiastically. “So, it’s just about mind-blowing sex.”

“Nice sex,” I clarify. “And only occasionally.” It’s more like conveniently scratching an itch. When Banks itches, I scratch it for him, and when I have an itch that I absolutely can’t reach by any other method, Banks is more than happy to accommodate.

“Sex should be sweaty and dirty and make you pass out afterward from blissful exhaustion. That’s the kind of sex that stays with you for years. Not ‘nice.’ I’ve got to tell you, April. I’m beginning to think I don’t know you at all.” Rachael says before toppling over and smashing her face on the couch cushion.

I stare at my best friend, thinking the same thing. I know for a fact she’s only been with Henry’s father, and once again, I wonder who the mystery man is that put that heated glow on her face as she described the kind of sex I’ve never had.

The next afternoon, as I finish up with my last customer of the day, I look up to find Belinda and her brother deep in discussion on the sidewalk in front of the store. He’s still wearing that stupid ballcap. The bell above the door rings as Ms. Camden and her daughter come in.

“May I help you, Ms. Camden?” I ask, but my eyes are still on the two outside.

“Just let me look around, dear. I want something special for my foyer.”

“Sure, just let me know if I can help you with anything.” I pretend to be busy as I watch the conversation play out. Belinda nods and kisses her brother on the cheek. The bell rings again as Belinda comes in while Elias watches from outside with a somewhat contrite look on his face. Our eyes meet, and I feel a jolt from his green eyes connecting with mine, just like they did at the bar. He’s so hot—why does he have to be such a jerk? I tear my gaze from his, as Belinda cautiously approaches the counter. “Good morning, Belinda.” I give her a big smile. It’s not her fault her brother is a dipstick.

Belinda offers a slight smile. “April, I know you’re busy, but could we talk for just a minute?”

Poor Belinda. I hate that I played a part in her unhappiness. My eyes go once again to the store window, and I’m slightly disappointed when Elias is no longer looking inside. Instead, his head is bent over his phone. I check Ms. Camden’s location and take Belinda into the back room. “Of course, Belinda. I’m sorry things turned out the way they did.”

Belinda looks like she might cry at any moment. “April, I know my brother can come across a bit harsh at times, but I hope you’ll let me explain.”

“Belinda, I don’t think your brother wants you to have the wedding here.”

Her lips press together tightly, and I’m afraid I see water gathering in her eyes. “Please, April. Just listen.” Belinda waits until I nod before she speaks. “When I was ten, our parents were killed by a drunk driver. Elias had just graduated high school and was supposed to start college in the fall. We have an aunt and uncle that could have taken me, but Elias knew I needed to be with him. So, he got a job working on our uncle’s construction crew. Can you imagine being eighteen and suddenly you’re responsible for a ten-year-old? He gave up everything for me. When I was thirteen, Elias auditioned for a home show on our local cable network. Not because he wanted to, but because the pay was double what he was making working construction, and he wanted me to be able to go to whatever college I wanted to. As you know, he didn’t stay local for long. The big network discovered him, and we moved to Los Angeles, and suddenly our money troubles were over. And with that came different types of problems. It was hard at first to navigate through all the phony and insincere people. Some were better than others at disguising their true intentions. Elias and I have both been hurt in the past by believing in someone, only to be disillusioned later.”

I had no idea about their personal lives. I admire what Elias did for his sister, and Belinda was right—I’m sure it was very hard to do. And people taking advantage of them…I can only imagine how hard that must be. “I’m so sorry for what you’ve been through, Belinda. Please believe me when I say I never wanted to use you or your brother’s connections.”

Belinda’s eyes soften and pull at my heart. “Oh, I know that, April. And Elias knows it, too. I’ve told you our story, so maybe you’ll give him another chance. He’s very sorry.”

I lean back to check on the Camden’s and look toward the window. Elias is staring right at me. Even though his eyes are shaded by his cap I still feel his piercing eyes. Ms. Edna was right—he is handsome. Today he has a scruffy beard with a black t-shirt stretched at the shoulder seams over rugged, worn blue jeans. I wish I knew what he was thinking. I suck in my lip and look away first when my body responds to him in a very embarrassing way. I cross my arms over my chest. I’m not sure it’s smart to have any more dealings with him. “I don’t know, Belinda. I think it may be better…”

“Please, April. Just give him a chance. At least let him apologize.”

How can I put out the hopeful light that surrounds Belinda? I nod, Belinda smiles and rushes out of the backroom before I can change my mind. I follow her as the bell above the door rings when Belinda and Elias change places. When I look up, Elias is standing before me. Just his presence touches something inside me. My attraction to him is only complicating matters. I’m glad I have the counter between us, because suddenly I feel weak in the knees.

“April,” Elias says as he removes his cap and gives a polite tip of his head, with none of the jackassness from the previous day.

“Mr. Holt.” I try to keep it neutral, but I must have failed from his reaction. I probably should have met him halfway, but I can’t help the way he affects me. I want to strangle him and kiss him.

“I deserved that. I don’t know if there’s anything that I can say to make you forgive me. I’m not proud of my behavior. I can only offer up my love for my sister and living the life we do for way too long as an explanation. I sometimes forget there are genuine, caring people in the world without an agenda. But I hope you will reconsider helping Belinda with her wedding. She has her heart set on White’s Manor, and on you.”

I drum my fingers on the counter as I consider his apology. He seems earnest and remorseful, but I would be crazy to get involved. But then there’s Belinda—my eyes drift to the sweet girl looking hopefully in the window, watching our every move. I give her a smile, and Belinda points her finger at Elias and glares. My lips pull at a smile. “Well, I’m sorry. That sounds like a horrible way to live. Just for the record. I never wanted my house on your show. Rachael and I are doing just fine on our own.”

Elias holds up his hands in surrender. “I completely understand. And you are. The brickwork on the patio is professional quality. It’s hard for an amateur to accomplish a quality herringbone pattern, but you certainly did.”

I get a zing out of Elias Holt complementing our DIY skills. For sure, I’m not going to mention how long it took to complete. “Thank you. We worked very hard, and we’re proud of what we did.”

The bell over the door rings again and we both look up as Ms. Camden and her daughter leave and Belinda comes in with a questioning smile on her face. “Well? Did you make up?”

Elias pulls Belinda into his side and shrugs. “I don’t know. It’s up to April.”

His green eyes meet mine, and I feel myself warming in certain parts of my body. Which is a totally inappropriate way to feel about a client. They wait for my answer, and I sigh and admit defeat. “We have less than two weeks to get everything done. Belinda, I’ll need your help every day.”

Belinda’s eyes sparkle as she bounces on her toes. “I promise. Whatever you need. Thank you, April!” She runs behind the counter and gives me a hug, then just as quickly heads for the door, calling over her shoulder, “I’ve got to go call Wes and let him know the good news!”

I glance at Elias, and we both laugh at the whirlwind that just left. “Is she always that way?”

Elias nods, his eyes following Belinda out the door before he turns back around. “Yes. Isn’t it wonderful?”

I can’t help noticing the love between the two. Now that I understand a bit more about their relationship, I understand the strong connection. I really can’t imagine how he did it. “You’ve done a wonderful job raising a very grounded young woman. She’s very lucky to have you for a big brother.”

“Thanks.” Elias looks uncomfortable with my comment. “Have you had dinner yet?”

My heart somersaults—did Elias Holt just ask me out to dinner? I fight down the fan girl inside me. I sneak a glance at his handsome face as I calmly straighten supplies to play it cool. As much as I want to, going out with him would be a bad idea. He’d just apologized, and I don’t want anything else to get in the way of Belinda’s wedding. “Umm,” I nervously pull my hair back from my face as I try to come up with a reason to say no.

Elias clears his throat and shifts on his feet as if he were actually nervous. “I mean, we probably need to get started planning, right?”

The wedding plans. I could slap myself silly right now for thinking anything else. I mean, really—why else would Elias Holt be asking me out to dinner? “Sure. Just let me lock up. I’ll meet you outside.”

I run to the back and dig around in my bag till I find lip gloss. A quick trip to the bathroom to fluff my hair, and I’m as good as I’m going to get. One look in the mirror and I’m calling myself all kinds of a fool. It’s not a date! My heart is beating out of my chest and my cheeks are flushed. I lean closer to the mirror and frown; my eyes are actually starry. I’m pathetic! “It’s not a date,” I say to the silly girl in the mirror. If anything, it’s a business meeting. I look down at my blue slacks and pink cotton button-up shirt, with the store logo, Pots of Posies, monogrammed on the right front chest. Which had been perfectly fine for work, but not for a professional dinner meeting. I’m even wearing white lace-up sneakers. I sigh, snapping the lights off; it will simply have to do.

After locking up, I fall into step beside Elias. He takes the cap out of his back pocket and pulls it on.

As he puts a hand on the small of my back, he asks, “I thought we could go to Sixth Street Diner, if that’s okay?”

I know by the twinges on my skin the exact spot his hand is touching on my back. “Yes, that’s fine.” We step down from the sidewalk, and his hand drops away.

“Belinda took me on a tour of the town yesterday, and I noticed the diner. It’s a very charming town. Have you lived here your whole life?”

I wish he’d put his hand back. “Yes. Other than going to college. This is home.” We walk in silence for a few minutes, and I let myself wonder what it would feel like to be on a date with Elias. Dangerous, for sure. “So, I know how you got from Ohio to Los Angeles, but how did you two get to North Carolina? If you don’t mind me asking.”

Elias gives a kind of half chuckle before answering. “Belinda fell in love with a Marine three years ago while we were in North Carolina filming a renovation.”

“Ahhh.”

“Wes is a really great guy. He loves Belinda and makes her happy.”

I stop in front of the diner, and our eyes meet. “You’re an incredible big brother. Believe me, not all brothers are like you. I have three, and I shudder to think what my life would have been like with them in parent roles. What you did? Giving up your plans to basically be a dad? That was a great thing.”

Elias shrugs uncomfortably at the praise and reaches to hold the restaurant door open, allowing me to enter first. “Not really. She was so little and so lost without Mom and Dad. I couldn’t leave her, too. We were all we had left of our family. I think it helped us both heal.”

Once we were inside, he holds up two fingers to Melissa, the hostess, who pulls menus from beneath the counter and leads us to a booth in the back. She takes our drink order and leaves us the menu to look over. Once she’s behind Elias she turns around and mouths, “he’s hot,” then gives me a thumbs up. I grin and nod in agreement. Melissa was one grade ahead of me in school and we’ve always been friends.

“What would you recommend?” Elias asks as he takes off his cap and flips open the plastic coated super-sized menu.

I don’t imagine there’s anything on the menu that he’s accustomed to. I don’t recall a single kale salad or Vegan Cashew Basil Pesto. I hold up my own menu to cover my smirk. It wasn’t like I needed to look at the menu—I had it memorized years ago. But I’ll help him out. “They have a really good grilled chicken with vegetables if you’re health-conscious.”

His head pops over the top of the menu in his hands. “And if I’m not?”

For a moment, I simply admire his chiseled good looks before bowing my head and retreating back behind my menu. “Well, you can’t go wrong with their burger and homemade fries.”

I’m surprised when he orders the burger and fries. By just looking at his toned body, he must have a daily exercise routine. He probably runs miles a day to stay looking that tight. I can’t even remember the last time I was in a gym. Probably high school. Lately, my exercise has been lugging fifty-pound bags of mortar up two flights of stairs.

“Tell me what we need to do to get things started for the wedding,” Elias asks.

Right. Belinda’s wedding. “Well, tomorrow I want to set up an appointment with the caterer. I need to know what colors Belinda wants to use, and she’ll need to pick out flowers. We’ll talk about how Belinda wants to decorate, the setup, and anything special she wants.” The caterer will be Rachael, so that won’t be an issue. I hope. I’ll just have to convince Rachael not to call Elias “dipstick.”

Melissa brings our drinks, and we both take a draw on our straws. I didn’t picture him as an orange soda kinda guy.

Elias sets his drink down and leans back, throwing an arm over the back of the booth. “I don’t know if you’ve considered bodyguards and ways to protect the guests.”

Bodyguards? I rest my arms on the table and lean forward. “What do you mean?”

“Many of the guests will come with their own protection, but we need to have all bases covered. Entry points will need 24-hour coverage the day before the wedding to keep paparazzi from sneaking on the grounds and hiding until the wedding.”

Is Belinda really that high-profile? “I…I didn’t realize that would be necessary.” I stare off into space without an inkling of how to go about hiring protection. Our town is so small, we don’t really have much in the way of police presence. Well, there’s Ryan, the sheriff, and his deputy Allen, but they wouldn’t be enough.

Elias reaches into his jeans pocket and pulls out his phone. “If I may offer my services, I have a very good firm I work with on occasion, and I can give them a call.”

I turn my attention back to Elias and nod. “Please. I have no idea where to even start. Thank you, that would be wonderful. Whatever you need, just let me know.” A few strands of his dark hair fall forward as he dips his head to tap out a message on his phone and I have the strangest urge to run my fingers through the silky misdirected lock to push it back in place.

Once he finishes the message, he lays his phone face down on the table and takes another sip of his soda. “We’ll need to reserve a hotel close by, also.”

I’m still hung up on that misplaced lock of hair, and it takes a moment for comprehension to sink in. “A hotel?” I mutter, rolling my eyes. “An entire hotel?”

He chuckles, looking at me with a smile. “Has April shared her guest list with you?”

I shake my head. “No, just the number of guests. Why?”

He holds up a finger. “Just a minute.” He picks his phone up and types a message before looking up to ask. “What’s your phone number?”

I purse my lips and give him a curious look. “Is this a new way to get my number?”

He chuckles, “No, I’m having Belinda send you her guest list. She’s already sent out a save the date email. You need to know what you’re working with.”

In only a few minutes my phone rings. As I scroll through the guest list, my mouth drops open. What have I gotten myself into? Politicians, actors, comedians, models, even a famous chef, and… “Oh, my gosh! Is that the guys from Filthy Arc?”

Elias crosses his arms and rests them on the table as he leans forward. “Shhh. Yes, we grew up with some of the guys. They will be playing at the reception, but we need to keep that information completely private. I don’t need to tell you what a circus it will be if word gets out.”

I’m nodding in agreement, but inside, I am a quivering mass of goo. No wonder they need security. I can’t wait to tell Rachael! “Filthy Arc will be playing at White’s Manor?”

Elias chuckles and nods. “Yes, they’ll pay a few sets, and we’ll have a DJ for dancing.”

Wait. This isn’t good. What was I thinking? “They’re the biggest band in America. Probably in the world. They play in sold-out coliseums, not my barn. “Elias, you were right. I can’t do this. We just aren’t capable of something this big.”

Elias doesn’t look concerned at all. “Of course you are.”

Is he crazy? Our first event. Ever! “No. We’re not. This isn’t just a wedding. This is an event of epic proportions! Half the people on this list are…are…”

He interrupts, “People, just like you and me.”

“No.” I shake my head and stare at the ultra-rich and famous names on the list. “Not like me.”

He reaches across the table and takes my cold hands. I feel an instant warmth from his touch, and my heart does a fluttery thing. Our eyes meet, and I swear I see the room light up. I feel a buzz go through my hands and travel all the way to my stomach. “April. Listen. I promise, the people may have big names, but they are all nice. Nobody has been invited that isn’t a close friend. Trust me on this. You handle the wedding part, and I’ll handle the rest. We can do this. Together, we can give Belinda the wedding of her dreams.”

He has the most handsome smile I’ve ever seen. His teeth are so white and straight and his lips…I bet they’re soft. His thumbs are rubbing the backs of my hands, and I want to whimper. I don’t even think he’s aware he’s doing it. With all that going on in my mind, I only smile and nod. Our food arrives, and he releases my hands. I want to shove the food on the floor, so we can get back to touching.

“As long as we keep the guest list and Belinda’s real identity secret, everything will be fine. If word gets out, it could turn into an ugly mess, and I don’t want my sister’s wedding ruined.”

I nod in agreement. “Yes. Definitely. Don’t worry, my business partner and I will keep everything confidential.”

“After the wedding, we’ll send you approved photos with signed waivers to use for advertising.”

“That’s very thoughtful. We would appreciate that.” That would be a big boost to our business.

This time, I fly into Rachael’s condo while she’s reheating a carton of Chinese takeout. Teriyaki chicken, from the smell of it. Henry must not be at home. Rachael is a stickler for Henry not eating takeout. “Okay, keep calm.” I toss my keys on the bar and hop up on a stool.

The microwave dings. Rachael grabs the box, bypassing the plates, and snags two forks from a drawer. “That’s impossible. When someone says to keep calm, it is chemically impossible to actually stay calm.” She hands a fork to me and puts the food between us.

I grab the box, irritated that Rachael isn’t paying attention to the seriousness of the situation. “Rachael, listen to me. We have exactly twelve days to pull off the biggest wedding of our careers.”

Rachael blinks and makes a grab for the box. “Huh? You mean we got a new wedding?”

Sighing, I take my phone from my pocket. “No. It’s still Belinda’s. Elias apologized, and we’re back on.” I open the message from Belinda and touch on the attachments to bring up the document. “But look at this guest list.”

Rachael’s brow rises as her eyes scan the file. I can tell by her exaggerated expression she’s gotten to the good parts. With her mouth gaping like a fish struggling for breath, Rachael looks up from the phone. “Is this for real?”

I slump back on the bar stool, now worried about how we’re going to pull off the event of the decade in such a short amount of time! “Yeah.”

“Do you think we should contact Meghan and ask for advice?” Rachael teases.

I roll my eyes. “Oh, come on, Rachael. This isn’t a royal wedding. It’s big, but not that big.”

I grin as I watch my best friend dance around her kitchen. I haven’t seen her this carefree in years. “April. It’s going to be huge!” She stops mid-dance and turns toward me. “Oh, no. We’ll need security.”

“Elias is going to handle that. All we have to concentrate on is the wedding. With a partially renovated house.” My stomach begins to turn, and I feel a bit nauseated.

Rachael steps closer. “No, don’t look like that. We can do this.”

I swallow and ask, “Are you sure?”

“Of course. I’ll do the food. Right?” Rachael pulls a drawer open and takes out a pad of paper and pencil and begins to scribble away.

I can tell her mind is already organizing and planning the whole thing. “Who else would we get? Yes, you will cater. But you’ll need extra wait staff.”

She stops writing and looks up, tapping the pencil to the corner of her lip as she considers the question. “No problem. I have at least two dozen I’ve used in the past at the bakery. Do you know what this will mean for us? We could never afford the type of advertising this will give us… for free!”

“Hold up. We can’t tell anyone till afterward. Elias is going to send us a few pictures we can use, but not until everything is over. It could ruin Belinda’s wedding if word got out.”

“Okay, okay. But maybe we could take a few pictures on our own. Not of Belinda or Elias, but before and after pictures of the venue.”

“Maybe. But I’ll need to get approval first. Can you pull a tasting menu together for tomorrow? Dinner options, appetizers, and several flavors of cake. Belinda seems like a very traditional girl, so nothing over the top.”

Rachael’s hand begins to fly over the notepad again. “Sure. I’ll get to work on it tonight.”

I can’t believe she didn’t say anything about the band. “Did you notice the name of the band that will be playing?”

She pauses and looks up as her fingers finish a word. “No. There’s going to be a band?”

I nod toward my phone. “Keep scrolling.” I wait while she scrolls through the document. Rachael’s eyes scan the page, and her face loses color. Her eyes shoot to mine, and I know she found their name. What I didn’t expect is her lack of excitement.

Rachael’s eyes don’t leave my phone. “Will the whole band be here?” she asks.

I eye her closely. She’s trying too hard to act normal. Something isn’t right. “Yeah, they’re friends. Aren’t you excited to finally get to meet your crush?”

She shrugs, “Oh please. That was a lifetime ago. Not my type of music anymore.”

That wasn’t the reaction I expected. “I’m going to go call my mom and have her walk me through everything, so I don’t forget something. I’m meeting with Belinda in the morning at the shop. We’ll swing by the bakery around noon. Will that work?” I jump down off the bar stool, but she’s still staring at the phone. “Rachael?” I say again.

“Huh?” Her head pops up and she hands my phone back. “Yeah, sure. See ya tomorrow.”

As I leave, I’m a bit stunned. I’ve never seen Rachael like that. She’s always been so confident in the food she prepares. Maybe she’s just feeling overwhelmed, like I am.