I stand there staring like an idiot as Sean hustles his mother across the parking lot in the gauzy Central Oregon twilight. Stars are just beginning to prick the sky, and there’s a chill in the air that wasn’t there when I trailed the happy newlyweds down the grassy path to their happily-ever-after.

I’m sorry there’s been a misunderstanding.

We’re just friends.

I keep watching as Bree steps out of her car and confers with Sean. I know I’m being a creeper watching them like this, but I can’t stop. Sean doesn’t see me standing here at the side door, but Bree does. Her gaze holds mine before flitting away, but I see something in her eyes.

Pity.

“Hey.”

I turn at the sound of my sister’s voice, and I know from her creased brow that she heard everything.

“Hey.” I straighten my shoulders and do my best impression of a chick who isn’t losing her shit.

“Are you okay?” Jade touches my elbow, nudging me out of the way of a server wobbling beneath a giant platter of cake slices.

“Sure.” I force a smile. “I get it. Now’s not the right time to meet his mother.”

Jade frowns. “That’s probably not it. He’s a new business owner. I’m sure he was just freaked out about having his mom crash a wedding.”

I wish I could believe her. “Sure. That’s probably it. I should get back to—”

“Amber.” Jade’s grip on my elbow tightens, and her eyes hold mine with a ferocious sort of sympathy. “Whatever happens, give him a chance to explain. Don’t sabotage this.”

I nod and take a shaky breath. “Absolutely.”

She lets go of me, and I get back to working the room. There are old friends to greet, groomsmen to cut off at the bar, and one sly reindeer to herd back outside after the groom’s tipsy uncle releases her onto the dance floor.

When Sean reappears in the doorway, my heart stutters. I watch him march straight back to the buffet and confer with one of the servers. Then he moves to the bar, his chef’s whites a bright contrast to Ginny’s all black ensemble. One of the kids from the culinary school walks over with a tray full of empty cake plates, and Sean points him to the other side of the room.

He’s working. That’s why he’s not looking over here. That’s all it is.

“Amber, I’ve been looking for you.” The mother of the bride sidles up to me and puts an arm around my shoulder. “Everything’s so lovely, sweetheart. What a wonderful job you’ve done.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Parker.”

The older woman smiles and waves at a twenty-something guy in a crisp blue shirt. “Have you met our older son, Bradley?” She beckons him over, and Bradley appears at her side. His eyes are bright azure, and his dark hair is thick and wavy. When he smiles at me, I feel nothing at all.

“Bradley, this is Amber,” she says. “Amber, meet Bradley. He’s been away at medical school, but he’ll be back later this year to do his residency at St. Charles.”

“Pleasure to meet you.” Bradley shakes my hand with a grip that’s firm and warm and a look that says, “pardon my mother,” but also “hello, there.”

My whole body feels numb, but I clear my throat and force a smile. “It’s very nice to meet you, Bradley. Will you excuse me a minute? I need to see if the bartenders are running low on ice.”

I turn and hurry away, needing to get out of here. Needing to stay focused on my job.

“Thanks again, dear,” calls the mother of the bride as I hurry away. “We’ll be in touch later this week.”

I force myself to do a cheerful wave before darting back across the room to where Ginny—who has plenty of ice—tries to hand me a glass of wine. “You look like you need this.”

I shake my head, needing to keep my head clear. Maybe some fresh air will help.

“I’ll pass on the wine while I’m working,” I tell Ginny. “Can I get you anything from next door?”

She surveys the bar and shrugs. “If you have another jar of maraschino cherries, we’re getting low.”

“Coming right up.”

I hurry out of the barn, taking big gulps of sage-scented breeze as I hurry down the path toward the outbuilding where we’re keeping all the food.

Everything’s fine. Everything will be fine. There’s no need to freak out, to start jumping to conclusions.

I’m breathless by the time I reach the other building. Flinging the door open, I nearly collide with Sean.

“Amber,” he says, gripping me by the arms.

“Hey.” I glance down, surprised to see he’s changed out of his chef’s uniform. “Are you leaving?”

He nods and releases me. “Yeah.” His throat moves as he swallows and takes a step back. “Meal service is done, and Josh has cleanup under control. I’ll be back in a few hours to pack up my stuff.”

I can’t read his expression. His green eyes are darting all over the place like he wants to be anywhere but here. Like he’s been caught doing something regrettable. Am I reading too much into this?

Maybe I’m overreacting. I take a shaky breath and offer up the most natural smile I can muster. “It was nice meeting your mother.”

Sean closes his eyes briefly, hands balling into fists. “Right,” he says. “I’m really sorry about that.”

“It wasn’t a big deal.” I wave a hand, letting him know it’s cool. I’m fine. Everything’s fine here. “I was a little surprised to find out your mom is the Chef Melody. Seems like something you would have mentioned.”

Shit. I didn’t mean to say that. I didn’t mean for it to come out like an accusation. I’m still smiling, but Sean isn’t. There’s a muscle twitching beside his left eye, and I know whatever comes out of his mouth next isn’t going to be good. I know.

“Amber.”

My mouth goes dry as I wait for the rest of the sentence. Wait for an explanation or an apology or some indication of what’s going through his head. But Sean just looks at me, those green eyes dark and uncertain.

Give him a chance to explain. Don’t sabotage this.

Jade’s words force me to take a shaky breath, and I will myself not to freak out. I can’t jump to conclusions here. Maybe everything’s really okay.

But Sean says nothing. It’s like he’s lost his power of speech. Like the words he needs to say are covered in barbed hooks and stuck in the back of his throat.

Ordering my voice not to wobble, I tuck my hair behind one ear. “So, uh—are you still planning to stay the night?”

He closes his eyes again and takes a heavy breath. When his eyes open, I have my answer. I have it before he says a single word.

But the words themselves sting more. “You’re an amazing girl, but—”

“No, it’s fine.” I choke out an awkward laugh and take a step back. “Whatever, it’s no big deal.”

Sean shakes his head, hands still clenched in fists. “Things are a little complicated for me right now.”

“Complicated,” I repeat, nodding like an idiot. “You mean the fact that your famous mother has been staying with you all month and you never once mentioned it? That kind of complicated?”

He winces, and I wish I could take back those words. Maybe not the words, but the tone. I hate how bitter I sound, but I’d hate myself more if I didn’t say what I’m thinking. If I let myself simmer on the hurt. It’s like Sean clamming up is having the opposite effect on me.

Sean opens his mouth, then closes it. I see him wrestling with words, but I don’t expect the ones he actually says.

“You’re an amazing girl,” he says again, and I swear to God I’ve never hated any four words more. “I just don’t think I have the bandwidth for this right now.”

I stare at him. “The bandwidth.”

His throat moves as he swallows with an audible click. “We said from the start that we weren’t going to get involved,” he says. “That neither of us wanted a relationship right now.”

I could punch him right now. I curl my fingernails into my palm and force myself to count to ten. Five. Whatever. “We also said we weren’t going to sleep together,” I say. “I guess we’re both big fat liars.”

The look in his eyes is almost enough to make me dial back the snark. But the words coming out of his mouth flip the switch the opposite way.

“I really have enjoyed your company,” he says slowly. “And maybe once things aren’t so messed up—”

“Sure, that’s fine.” I force a smile I’m positive looks like a serial killer’s and take a step back. “Look, I need to get back over there. You have what you need to finish up the job?”

Sean seems to hesitate, then gives a sharp nod. “Yeah. I’m good.”

“Great!”

Tears sting the back of my throat as I order myself to keep smiling like a goddamn Barbie doll. I try taking another step back, but my heel catches on a warped floorboard. Sean jumps to catch me, but I yank myself back and wave him off. “It’s fine. I’m fine. It’s been a pleasure working with you.”

I start to offer a handshake, but bury my fist in the folds of my dress instead. It’s not that formality would be ridiculous at this point. It’s that touching him, even a little, would unravel me.

I edge back again, determined to escape with my dignity intact. That’ll be a first. “It’s been nice knowing you. I’ll see you around I’m sure.”

Then I turn and stumble out the door, gulping back tears as I hurl myself into the darkness.