Page 38 of Bumping into You

“Get lost?” Trent asks me.

“Where did you go?” asks Holly, staring intently at me. “Are you getting stressed about the wedding?”

I chance a glance at Niall, and, sure enough, he’s looking at me, his eyebrows raised as if questioning me.

Get a grip, Gwen.

I smile at the group. “Nothing’s wrong, and I’m not worried about the wedding planning. Everything is all taken care of. I just needed a minute. Now, are we just going to sit here, or are we getting some ice cream?”

I don’t even wait for them to join me as I walk right into the icecream shop to look at the different flavors.

The others trickle in a few at a time while the rest of the group holds our tables.

My phone pings with a message from Becca before I’ve ordered.

Becca

Sorry I missed your call. I believe everything is set for the Fieldman and Steiner luncheon tomorrow. Are there any last-minute things you want me to look over?

“Auntie Gwen, look at the ice cream I picked out!” Maggie tugs at my shirt.

“Hold on, Maggie, I just need to take care of this real fast,” I say. My attention is on my phone as I think through everything that will be needed to take care of this plated lunch for 200 people.

Gwen

Has all the silverware been polished and the extras packed? You know how people tend to drop their utensils.

“Auntie Gwen, look at my ice cream,” Maggie tugs again.

“One moment.”

Becca

Yes, we have everything already set up with extras for everything held in the back room. No need to worry, just wanted to let you know we were good to go.

“Auntie Gwen!” Maggie persists.

Gwen

Ok, keep me updated if anything happens.

I put my phone away and turn to look at Maggie’s ice cream. Maggie, of course, picked the chocolate flavor and added gummy bears, sprinkles, chocolate sauce, and whipped cream.

“Maggie, that looks so yummy!” I exclaim.

“Yes, it’s going to be scrumptious, even though it’s a littlemelted because you took forever to look,” she says.

Feeling a little bad, I watch as she skips out the door back to the table. I chuckle at her use of “scrumptious,” such a big word for a little girl. She’s always trying to sound like a little adult.

I order a scoop of chocolate in a waffle cone, topped with whipped cream and salted caramel sauce, and head to the tables and take the only open seat—next to Niall.

“That show was such a delight,” says Mom. Dad nods in agreement.

“It’s a good thing they provided towels,” adds Margot. “The cruise staff wasn’t kidding when they said we’d get wet.”

“Luckily, my hair is almost dry now,” says Vivian.

Laughing, we all eat our ice cream. Being too short to reach the ground, Maggie kicks her feet back and forth. She looks like the happiest five-year-old in the world.

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