Page 48 of Fauxmance

Her lips quirked. "Yes, I suppose so. I always enjoy a good wedding."

I smiled. "Glad to hear it. I love weddings, too."

"Do you?" she said. "Interesting."

I tilted my head. "True love, promising to be there for each other, taking care of one another for better or for worse. Is there anything better?"

"Not in my opinion."

"I don't think we've met. Are you one of Cole's relatives? My name's Magnolia. My sister is the one who got married today."

"Oh yes, I believe I heard you two in the bathroom," she said.

I gave a sheepish smile and shook my head. "I'm so sorry about that. We may have gotten a bit carried away. Jasmine loves taking pictures, and well, you only have one wedding day."

The woman studied me more carefully.

"Aren't you the girl who walked in on the arm of that Davenport fellow?"

"Yes," I said. "That was me."

"And he's your boyfriend?" she asked.

"Hmm, it seems that way."

I didn't know why, but I kept the answer as vague as possible.

"I see," she said. "He's a good catch. I hear those Davenports are loaded."

My brow furrowed. "Money has never been that important to me and my family. We have everything we need."

The woman waved that away with a flip of her hand. "Yes, but if you had more, you'd be able to afford anything your heart desires. Your sister, for example, could've gotten a five-tiered cake instead of three. The decorations for this wedding," she went on, "could've been even more extravagant, the floral arrangements all roses instead of a mix of them and other, lesser flowers. You could've put filet mignon on the menu instead of potluck. For that matter, she could've gotten a different wedding planner, the best. All that hinges on money and connections, my dear."

I didn't even know where to start. She wasn't trying to be offensive—at least, I didn't think so. But at the same time, she'd made a lot of statements that I couldn't let go without answering.

"While that sounds wonderful," I said carefully, " my sister actually got a three-tiered cake to represent her past, present and future—the life with our family, life with Cole now, and the one they hope to make together."

The woman kept staring so I went on.

"Also, Jasmine likes the mix of flowers. She loves the elegance of roses but also wanted to pull in the diversity and beauty of wildflowers. Plus, all the food was actually made by a dear friend of my mother who is a four-star chef. Seriously, you should try the empanadas. They're to die for! And I think the wedding planner,Mrs.Wheeler, did an awesome job," I said. "It may not have cost as much as some weddings, but the price tag doesn't really matter. I think the point is to give the bride and groom what they want. Wouldn't you agree?"

I lifted the napkin to dab at my mouth, and when I lowered it, the woman wore a small smile.

"Good answer," she said. "If you are seeing the Davenport boy, I must warn you. I hear he's trouble."

I gave a shrug. "I've heard that, too. But I think I'll make my own judgement. Hayden Davenport has been nothing but a gentleman to me. He's…really wonderful."

"You think so?"

I nodded.

The woman lifted a brow. "And how long have you two known each other?"

"Well, we—"

"Maggie! There you are," Hayden said in a rush. He stopped beside me, sounding a bit out of breath. "I've been looking all over for you."

"Sorry, I was with my sister for a while. Impromptu photo session." I gave him a smile and gestured to the woman in front of me. "Since then, I've just been here having a conversation with this nice woman. Sorry, I didn't get your name?"

---