“How was I supposed to know he was married? And what married man comes to a single woman’s house alone?” her brother replied.
“Ugh! My friends. My friends do. Wade is my friend, Trent is my friend, Dare is my friend, Ryker is my friend—they’re all my friends. Everyone here is my friend. Plus, it’s not the eighteen hundreds! Now back off or so help me I will ruin your social lives and don’t for one second think I won’t. Remember senior year of high school,” Olivia said, crossing her arms and glaring at them.
Stone’s jaw tightened and Damon gave a little smirk at the memory of the prank Olivia had pulled on Stone. She’d made a fake print ad for the school paper that featured a smiling Stone with the text emblazoned across his chest: Explosive diarrhea can hit anyone, even the captain of the football team. Educate yourself on the benefits of fiber.
“We’re not teenagers anymore, Livvy,” Stone said tightly.
“Exactly! So back off, Stone. You and Damon are being jerks to every guy I know, and there’s no reason for it. All you’re doing is hurting me when you do that. These are my friends and they don’t want to be around me because of you two.”
Damon didn’t show what he was thinking, but she saw Stone grimace just slightly. “Kane won’t be as well-behaved as I am,” Stone warned.
“Yeah, well, you two can start leading by example and be nice to the men in my life.” Olivia let out a deep breath and then turned to see three of her friends approaching.
Damon growled next to her as Granger stopped in front of her. “Olivia, would you like to dance?”
“I’m Stone. Who the hell are you?” he asked Granger.
Olivia rolled her eyes.
“Hi, I’m Greer,” Greer said with a wink as she grabbed Stone’s hand and yanked him forward. “You’re my dance partner,” she said to him as she dragged him away.
“And you’re my dance partner. I’m Cassidy,” Cassidy Davies smiled and grabbed Damon’s hand.
They dragged the brothers to the dance floor before they both turned to look over their shoulder and winked at Olivia. Yeah, she had really good friends, all thanks to Ryker. If only her brothers could appreciate that.
“So, dance?” Granger asked.
“I’d love to.”
Edie looked around for a spot to sit down and saw a table in the back that was empty. It wasn’t until she set down her champagne that she saw a person was sitting in the back in the shadows.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know the table was taken.”
“It’s not. Please, have a seat.”
“I’m Edie Wecker. Are you friends with the bride or groom?”
“Sebastian Abel. I wouldn’t say I’m really friends with many people.”
Edie nodded as she sat down. “I understand that. I lost my husband several years ago, but I still feel like I’m on the outside looking in.”
“I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you.” Edie sighed and looked out over the crowd. It was exhausting always acting as if she were okay. She’d made great strides in the past year, but weddings still made her sad. They made her remember her own happy marriage and the dreams that had been crushed when he’d been killed. “So, bride or groom?”
“Groom,” Sebastian said. “You?”
“Groom. My brother, Walker,” she said, pointing to her brother dancing with his wife, Layne Davies Greene, “and I grew up in Shadows Landing. He’s married to Ryker’s cousin.”
Sebastian nodded but didn’t say anything further. His eyes were glued to someone and Edie turned to follow his gaze. “Oh, you know Greer?”
“Who’s she dancing with?” Sebastian asked, not answering the question.
“I think his name is Stone Townsend. He’s one of Olivia’s brothers. She’s Ryker’s attorney.”
Sebastian nodded again and then got up. “Thank you. If you’d excuse me.” Sebastian was about to step out into the darkness of the night before he paused and turned back to her. “I don’t know if this will mean anything coming from a man you don’t know, but I take it your husband was a good man because you seem like a good woman.” When Edie nodded, he continued. “My one friend lost his wife but has found love again. It took time, but he’s happy once again and I can’t help but think your husband would want that for you. My friend told me Tate never would replace his first wife, but that there was room enough in his heart for them both.”
“And what about you? It’s clear you’re not happy. Greer is that way,” she said, nodding toward the dance floor. “Yet you’re walking away from her,” Edie said, challenging the stranger.
“There’s a difference. You’re a good person, Mrs. Wecker. I’m not.”
And then he was gone.
Edie sighed. She didn’t feel like a good person. She felt lonely. She felt afraid. She felt guilty. All because this spring she was going to take the first steps to try to do just that—be happy.
Edie looked to where Layne and Walker were walking toward her. They always made sure to include her and finally their actions were paying off. Edie was ready to step out of her comfort zone. Since her husband had died, she hadn’t traveled to anywhere but Keeneston. This spring she was going to Europe and she was going to take every opportunity to do all the things she’d never normally do. She was going to go to a dance club, she was going to kiss a stranger, she was going to drink coffee at a café, and she was going to let go of the guilt, the anger, and the grief she was holding onto.
“Are you excited about the trip?” her brother asked as he took a seat next to her.
“I am,” Edie said truthfully.
“Well, we have news,” Layne said with a smile. “Some more people from Keeneston are going to join us. It’ll be such fun.”
Edie nodded her head and listened as they talked about the trip, about their daughter, little Carolina Miles Walker Greene. She was named after their state, her grandfather, and her father. She was also spoiled rotten by both of her namesakes.
“Oh, Kenzie is going to throw the bouquet,” Layne said excitedly. “Come on, let’s go wish them our best. They’re leaving directly for their honeymoon.”
Edie got up and followed the crowd. She glanced behind her to find Sebastian stepping in from the shadows and paused. He caught her attention and held up a business card before sliding it into her purse. “If you ever need anything, Mrs. Wecker.”
He turned his back to the celebration and walked off into the night.
Ryker and Kenzie smiled at each other as she held the bouquet in her hands. On the count of three, she threw it high in the air. The flowers arched and she cringed when she thought it might miss the single women gathered all together.
Kenzie saw the flowers miss the single ladies, hit Ryker’s cousin-in-law Walker on the head, and then fall right into his sister’s hands.
Edie stared down at the flowers and her head shot up to stare at Kenzie. There was a mix of fear and guilt in her eyes as everyone clapped and cheered for her.
“Attention, I have one more bouquet to throw!” Kenzie said, taking everyone’s attention away from a petrified-looking Edie.