Page 25 of Wicked Pickle

Bailey laughs. “Maybe it’s ‘All My Ex’s Live in Texas.’”

Marietta tilts her head. “Have you ever even been to Texas?”

Jenna pushes Marietta’s shoulder. “Girl.”

“What!” Marietta rubs her arm. “I don’t think she has! She never told us.”

Symphony turns to me. “They’re actually dancing to Mozart. The quartet practiced a number just for them.”

Of course, they did. “Classy,” I say.

Rhett catches up to Bailey. “Dean. I didn’t realize you were coming.” He glances at his wife. “I thought we didn’t know where he was.”

Bailey smiles evasively. “But he’s here!” She tugs on Rhett’s hand. “Come along. We should make the rounds.”

Rhett glances at me once more, then he’s hurried off.

“Can I get you something to drink?” Symphony asks. She seems chagrined that I’ve been accosted by family. She knows I would never have wanted to be here.

I stand. “I’ll get it. Anything for you ladies?”

“More champagne!” Marietta calls. “Allthe champagne!”

I head for the bar. The women already have glasses, so while the bartender pours me a bourbon, I steal an entire bottle out of the ice.

The man turns and notices, but my scowl keeps him from saying anything.

Marietta whoops at my return. “You are the best! Symphony, he’s a keeper!”

Right. The man who brings the booze is the clear winner.

I pop the top off the bottle and fill Symphony’s glass. The others move theirs closer.

“Thanks,” Symphony says. “It’s going to be an epic night.”

It better be.

Flashes pop as Bailey and Rhett move behind the wedding cake.

“We better get over there,” Marietta says.

“I think I’ll stay here with Diesel,” Symphony says.

Interesting.

Jenna nods. “Yeah. Bailey got you into this. She’ll understand.”

The two of them take off.

The wedding crowd drifts toward the tower of frosted flowers.

“Maybe we could take a walk?” Symphony suggests. “Now that the reception is getting looser, more of your family is probably going to come over here and piss you off.”

“Probably.”

“Come on.” She drains her champagne glass and picks up the bottle. “I’m not needed for anything. I’m sure as hell not going to try to catch the bouquet.”

I wonder why that is.

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