Testing Recipes for Disaster (Emberwood #2)

Chapter 23- Lauren

I led Jer to his seat and left him with a plate of tiny sandwiches, cucumber water, and a glass of champagne. I didn’t know how I was going to thank him for today, but feeding him and letting him relax felt like a decent first move.

“You are a magical fairy goddess princess,” I told Sam, making her twirl around for the third time since I’d first seen her. The dusty lavender dress with her dark hair and blue eyes was straight out of a magazine.

“Back at ya.”

Sam linked her arm through mine and rested her head on my shoulder.

“I’m so fucking happy, Laur.”

“I know, girl. And you deserve it.”

I put my cheek on her head and remembered why I’d done all of this in the first place. Not that I’d forgotten , but sometimes the details made the big picture hazy. In that moment, it was crystal clear. I felt some of the weight of the day fall off my shoulders. I was sure it would come back later, but I was going to enjoy this evening, too.

I was impressed that everyone had taken the theme to heart. Even Danny had come in a button-down and suspenders. The only person who didn’t seem to want to be there was Gen’s husband, but he was already on my shit list, so I didn’t particularly care. I did resolve to glare at him until he was uncomfortable enough to fake it.

I was originally worried when Sam said no “regular” shower games because I didn’t know what else to do, but we’d set out a cornhole set, and I’d made a ring toss out of pretty glass bottles, and it seemed like everyone was happy mingling and eating and playing. I changed the playlist from instrumental to a more sentimental mix so people could dance on the empty part of the deck if they wanted to.

“As I understand it, it’s customary for the best man and maid of honor to dance,” Jeremy’s low voice murmured in my ear, nearly making me jump.

“At the wedding , sure. We don’t have to dance now.”

“That’s not how I understand the custom.”

He shrugged and gripped my hand to bring me into the small space, twirling me around and pulling me against his chest. I was vaguely aware of Sam clapping and insisting that Jesse twirl her too, but I was lost in the hazel eyes staring into mine. I wanted to be mad at myself that this was getting so complicated, but if I was being at all honest, it had always been complicated. And if today was any indication, I was in no state to be jumping into complicated when I, by myself, was a wreck. But I thought, just for this song, or just for this night, I could pretend I wasn’t and that everything was fine. Tonight, I could believe this was easy, and the fluttering feelings in my chest could stay.

THE LAST OF THE SMALL group was trickling out to their cars, and I was floating in a cloud of exhaustion and pride. Sam’s Aunt Zinnia came and wrapped me in a hug and smoothed my hair.

“You did a beautiful job.”

She paused like Sam always did when she was waiting for information from some unknown source.

“And I’ll say to you...it’s okay to follow your gut. Tonight, and always. It feels like you’re asking for permission, and I’m supposed to tell you that you have it.”

I opened my mouth to ask how those things were connected, but she was already gliding away.

These psychics are sometimes more trouble than they’re worth , I thought, even though I knew that was a lie. Sam and Zin were treasures.

I shook my head and started pulling tablecloths off tables and gathering up trash and dishes.

“Leave it,” my mom said, looking almost as tired as I felt.

“Oh, it’s okay. I’ll be out of your hair in a minute, I—”

“All of it will be here in the morning. Go get some sleep. We can clean up tomorrow.”

My shoulders relaxed at her words.

“Yeah. Sleep sounds fantastic.”

“You worked hard, Laur. Get some rest.”

Jer was packing up the very few leftover desserts, and the look on his face was adorable.

“Your table over here was pretty popular.”

“Was it? I didn’t notice.”

He tossed me a smirk and snapped up the container.

“I heard your mom tell us to go home, and I’m not arguing. You ready to go?”

“Yeah. I forgot for a minute that I have no car. You don’t mind taking me home? And mayyyyybe bringing me back in the morning?”

I flashed him my most winning smile.

“I’m sure you’ll figure out how to repay me.”

He got the eyeroll he deserved. He threw an arm around my shoulder and pulled me close while we walked down the driveway to his car, dropping a kiss on my head.

“We’re not terrible together,” he added.

I knew he meant working together and pulling off this party, but it sounded like it could mean more.

“Perhaps we’re not.”