Page 50 of Fauxmance

"I want to believe you, Hayden. You know you're my favorite grandchild." Constance's face went taut. "But I'm sorry I can't. You've never shown dedication or true caring about one thing or another person. Not since—"

"Don't," Hayden said sharply.

His grandmother just shook her head then met my gaze. "Whatever you two have going on, I hope it lasts. He could use a good influence like you, Magnolia. Thanks for the chat."

"Thank you, Mrs. Davenport," I said. "It was an honor to meet you."

"And Hayden," she said, giving him a smile and lifting a hand to his cheek, "oh I've missed seeing your face. Since you’re here and you claim to have changed, perhaps you could find time to come to your cousin Phillipa's wedding a week from now?"

"Absolutely," Hayden said.

Constance nodded with a twinkle in her eye. "And of course, that means you'll also have to attend Annabelle's engagement party the following weekend and Delaney's wedding after that. The cousins would never understand why you'd choose one over the other."

Hayden swallowed but gave a determined nod. "I'll be there."

"Excellent. Bring your young lady with you—that is if you're not onto the next by then."

Mrs.Wheeler came over and spirited Constance away, talking about all the different parts of the wedding, asking if there was anything she liked, what she'd do differently. I watched them go then turned back to Hayden. He was shaking his head.

"I thought for sure that would work," he mumbled. "I thought if she saw me with you she'd…"

"Be instantly won over and change her tune?" I put in.

"Well, yeah."

"Hey," I said, waiting until he looked at me, "I don't know the history of what's going on between you and your grandma, but I'll try to help if you tell me."

He gave a slight shrug. "Gigi offered to bankroll the band if I cleaned up my act. Don't get me wrong, Maggie. I'd never ask her for the money, but I can't exactly refuse it either. The guys and I could use the help."

"Maybe you just have to try harder."

"What do you mean?"

"Don't tell her you've changed," I said. "Show her. She wants to see that you're committed to something, that you care, so show her."

Hayden's forehead pinched. "But how do I do that?"

"I don't know," I said and gave his hand a squeeze. "But I'm sure you'll think of something."

CHAPTER 10

The wedding cake couldn't be cut with a normal butterknife.

It was a multi-layered marble cake, thick in the cake department, light on the frosting. There were only three tiers. But again, they were formidable. A special knife was required.

We'd put in a request with the people at Haven House well in advance. They'd assured us again and again that we'd have use of the proper utensils. Unfortunately, someone had dropped the ball. My sister wasn't taking the news well.

"No cake?" she said, voice thick with tension. "Are you saying there will be no cake at this wedding?"

"Jas, it'll be okay," I said.

"Yeah," Cole said, "just stay calm, and—"

My sister lifted her hands. "Calm? Did you just…tell me to stay calm?"

"It wasn't an order. I was only trying to comfort you."

"Ah well, it didn't work," she said. "And do you know why, Cole? Do you? That would be because cake is the only reason anyone comes to a wedding."

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