“She loves you,” Peachy said, interrupting her thoughts.
“What—”
“She loves you. Lori, I mean,” Peachy explained as the honor guard marched into place. They stood with all the guests, listening to a young lieutenant call out commands. Finally, with swords drawn and raised, Tyler and Georgie began their procession under it. Afterward, followed closely by the wedding party, they beat a path along the cedar trail to the area set aside for formal pictures. All around Aydan and Peachy, happy voices built in volume.
Pulling Aydan along with her, Peachy began moving toward the parking lot. “I shouldn’t have come, but thank you for letting me stay.”
Stopping just short of her limo, she turned to Aydan. “I don’t love her,” she said. “She’s my friend and I got a little crazy, possessive crazy. Besides, seeing the way she looks at you…what kind of friend would I be if I did something to mess with that? I’m so sorry for the way I acted. I hope you won’t take it out on her?”
Of all the things she had prepared for this wasn’t it. It was hard not to like this vibrant redhead and she could certainly see why Lori would appreciate her friendship. “Do you mean that?”
“Yeah, I do,” she affirmed.
“Would you like to stay? I mean, Zoe did invite you…”
Peachy, squeezing her arm, cut off her invitation. Laughing, she noted, “Zoe will be fine. Take a look over there,” she said, pointing to the long line of servers, all moving with trays loaded with flutes of champagne. “Talk about a target-rich environment.”
While Aydan had never heard the phrase before she supposed it was apt. There did seem to be an abundance of lovely young women among the caterers, not to mention the musicians, and the private security. Grinning at the revelation, she nodded to Peachy. “I see your point. Still, please don’t leave on account of me and Lori.”
“It’s the right thing to do. I saw the ceremony and that’s what counts, and I can see how she looks at you and that’s all I needed to know.”
She climbed into the back of the stretch limo. “And Aydan…I’ll be expecting an invitation to your wedding. Promise me you won’t forget,” she begged with a wink. And then she was gone.
Aydan stood firmly fixed in the vacuum left by Sue Ellen Peach. Moving only when she sensed Lori close by, she turned, seeing her concerned face. She blurted, “She doesn’t love you.”
“No, she doesn’t.”
“Do you love her?”
“No, I don’t. It was never like that.”
“Like that?” Aydan asked, curious to understand what she meant.
“Like the way I feel about you.” Lori added quietly, “The way I love you.”
How very upside-down, turned around, and utterly curious this whole thing was. Curious, and heady, and completely unfathomable. “Good, because I’m in love with you, and just in case you don’t know, I don’t play well with others.”
She watched as Lori’s sweet lopsided grin made its way to her blue eyes. Nodding she offered her hand, leading them back across the lawn to join the other guests.
Surreal and incredible, walking so openly and proud, she couldn’t resist the urge to squeeze the hand holding hers. “You know,” she teased, “I have expectations.”
“I know you do, princess.” Turning to take her in her arms, she brushed her lips against Aydan’s cheek, delivering just the gentlest of kisses.
Looking up into Lori’s striking blue eyes it was so easy to appreciate her confidence. So many people counted on her strength and in that moment, she knew she could too.
“I love you, Aydan, and I promise—I’m all in.”
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