Rolling my eyes, I drag Ashlea out to my refrigerator. She opens it, and there are six bottles of Moët Champagne on the door.
“Yay!” cries Ashlea.
“Did you do this?”
Kris smiles and nods. “And I may have lied about cooking you something.”
I cock my head to the side. “What have you done?”
“Hiding in your oven are takeout containers from the Thai place in town. I was going to try and pass it off as my own.”
He rubs the back of his neck and looks sheepish. The only word I can think of to describe him is adorable. Throwing my arms around his neck, I kiss him.
“Thank you.”
“So, you’re not mad?”
“I’m totally mad,” interjects Ashlea.
We both look at her.
“Why?” we ask unison.
“You have a fridge full of bubbles, and I’m getting married tomorrow. There’s no way I can drink that much.” Ashlea throws her arms in the air. “It’s not fair!”
Disentangling myself from Kris, I hug Ashlea.
“We can have one bottle.”
Ashlea gives me a sideways glance. “Yeah, I guess.”
Kris laughs. “Okay, ladies, I’m outta here. I have a groom to look after.” He puts his hands in his pockets. “Walk me to my car?”
“Sure.” Turning to Ashlea, I ask, “Are you okay to serve everything up?”
“I’ll start with the bubbles, then work on the food.”
Shaking my head, I grab Kris’ hand, and we walk down the path to his car.
“You know this path is a death trap.”
“You sound like Todd.”
Kris shrugs. “Doesn’t make him wrong.”
“Just because you two have a penis doesn’t make you right,” I counter.
“Whoa! You’re using the penis card? It’s got nothing to do with that, it has to do with this path is dangerous.”
We hit the bottom of the stairs, and I wind a hand around his neck. “There’s no other way up to my home. I’ve installed lights for night, the stairs have been prepared, there’s not much else I can do.”
Kris looks up the hill, and his lips turn down. “I’ll think about it. There’s gotta be something.”
His gaze comes back to me, he smiles and cups my face.
“See you later?”
Kris tilts his head back, exposing his neck and laughs. “Yeah, babe, I’ll be back.”
“What’s so funny?”
“I’m just happy you want me back.”
Chapter Seventeen
Kris
The café is closed, but TB is in the kitchen cooking us breakfast. It doesn’t seem right on one of the biggest days of his life, but he said he needed to keep busy. I’m sitting on a stool near his stainless-steel worktable that’s in the center of the room. The bell above the door to the front of the cafe sounds, and we both stop talking and look in that direction. Shannon walks in, her red hair is perfectly styled.
“I thought I’d find you here.”
Shannon grabs another stool and sits next to me.
“What are you doing here?” asks TB as he flips over a piece of bacon.
“I knew you’d be a bundle of nervous energy, and as your female best friend, I wanted to be here for you.”
“Female best friend?” I ask loudly as I stare at TB.
Shannon shrugs. “Well, you’re his male best friend, but you haven’t exactly been around. He needed a friend.”
TB puts his spatula on its side and taps it repeatedly on the grill. “Ashlea is my female best friend.”
Shannon giggles. “Yeah, keep telling yourself that. Okay, so the wedding is at eleven. Is your suit pressed?” TB nods. “Do you have the ring?” she asks, looking at me.
“There’s a ring?” I ask straight-faced, leaving my mouth open.
“Oh, I get it, you think you’re funny.” Shannon puts her hands on her hips and tries to look mad.
Reaching out, I squeeze her arm. “Be cool. I have it.” I tap my imaginary top pocket.
“What do you want for breakfast, Shan?”
“Pancakes, and does he have it?”
TB turns and shakes his head. “Not yet. It’s safe and sound at Mom and Dad’s.” TB points his spatula at me. “Stop teasing her.”
“See, I told you I was his best friend,” whispers Shannon then louder, “Did Ashlea’s parents arrive?”
“Yep. They are staying with Mom and Dad.” TB looks at me. “How’s my sister and bride-to-be?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I reply, feigning innocence.
Shannon giggles. “It’s a small town.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
TB puts bacon on a plate and puts it on the table in front of us.
“It means that Shannon probably knows more about you than you do at this point. So, spill it, Shan, what do you know?”
Shannon picks up a piece of bacon and takes a bite. “Well, you aren’t staying at the motel, Mr. Mortimer told Mrs. Monroe, who’s seeing your dad, that you moved out. And Mrs. Monroe told my landlady that your clothes are at your dad’s but that you haven’t spent a night there. And, of course, Sophia has been seen around town without you. So, the natural assumption, knowing your past history from TB…” she smiles at him, “… is that you’re staying with Athena.”
I sit back and look from Shannon to TB. “My dad is seeing someone?”
“Funny. Nice try at avoiding a conversation.” Shannon grabs another piece of bacon.
Leaning over, I too grab a piece and shrug. “Athena and Ashlea are fine.”
Shannon laughs and points at TB. “Told you! You owe me ten dollars.”
“You made a bet?” I ask.
“Yeah.” TB nods, puts down his spatula, and places his hands on his hips. “So, you’re seeing my sister again?” There’s an edge to his voice, a protectiveness.
“It’s more than that. It’s always been more than that.”
TB’s face slowly transforms into a smile. “About fucking time you pulled your head out of your ass.”
“I’m sorry.”
TB nods. “You should be.” Then he picks up his spatula and turns back around.
“Aww, did I just witness a guy moment?” Shannon has her hands together next to her face and tilts her head, the picture of innocence. “You two are so special.”
I shove her. “Shut up.”
“Yeah, Shannon, shut up,” replies TB in a sing-song voice.
The bell for the door goes off again, and then we hear, “Anyone here?”
“Out back,” yells Shannon.
Todd wanders in, dressed in civvies. “Good morning.”
“Hey, Todd. Breakfast?” asks TB.
“Nah, I’ve eaten. You all ready for today?”
“I wish the day would hurry up. All this preparation is killing me,” replies TB.
“Really?” I ask.
“Yes. I love Ash, and I want her to have her perfect day but me? I’d be happy if the day were over, and we were off on our honeymoon.” He waggles his eyebrows up and down. “Are you still right to drive the girls?”