Page 1 of The Wedding Driver
1
Tonya Johnson took the line that Foster Landon tossed and secured the old wooden boat with the nameThe Wedding Driverproudly displayed on the stern.
“Are you ready for tomorrow?” Foster asked as he jumped onto the dock. Weddings always put him in a good mood. Odd for someone who had sworn off romance for the rest of his life.
“I’m not the one getting married.” She glanced over her shoulder. The sun had disappeared behind the mountains, casting a fiery glow over Lake George. She’d lived here her entire life, and she couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.
Except maybe in Foster’s arms.
“Someday, some man is going to swoop in and sweep you off your feet.” Foster offered her a helping hand as they navigated the stairs toward his house, which needed a lot of work. Well, not according to Foster. It was fine for his needs.
That wasn’t a false statement.
“You should know me better by now that I don’t want that.” She didn’t want any member of the opposite sex to come in and romance her like she was some prize. For a couple of years, she’d known exactly what she wanted in a man, and he had a name. All she had to do was get the courage to ask him out.
He chuckled. “Would you like to stay and have a drink? Maybe catch up on that show we’ve been watching. I believe another episode dropped. Or do you have family obligations with your sister’s wedding?”
“They have the best wedding planner ever. It’s all taken care of. As long as the wedding driver shows up on time, it’s all good.”
He poked her biceps before opening the door.
Sometimes the way Foster behaved felt like flirting. However, he never carried it further. His gazes often lasted longer than they should, but not so long she could consider them an invitation. He always treated her with respect. He did things like open doors for her and take her elbow when she was in high heels and needed to navigate rough terrain while working a wedding where he was contracted to be the wedding driver,which was as many as she could talk the couples into.
“You’re never going to let me live down being late that one time.”
“Nope. Never.” She smiled. “Do you have popcorn?”
“I also stocked up on hot chocolate and marshmallows.”
“Oh. Well, I’m not leaving now.” Her sisters both thought she was crazy. Foster spent his time dealing with his ex-wife and mourning the death of his daughter. According to Tayla, Foster was emotionally unavailable. That because he continually chose to live in the past while Tonya was standing right in front of him, he’d never make that giant leap.
Her grandfather had a different opinion, only his required her to do something.
“Why don’t you make yourself comfortable? I’ll get our snack.” Foster winked.
She plopped down on the big brown leather sofa, tucking her feet under her butt and wrapping herself in a soft fleece blanket. Her cell buzzed. She pulled it out of her back pocket.
The bride.
“Are you panicking?” Tonya didn’t bother to say hello.
“No. Yes. I don’t know,” Tiki said. “This wedding has turned into more than I expected.”
Tonya bit her tongue. SayingI told you sowouldn’t be too smart right about now. She’d been planning weddings since before she graduated college. She only finished her education because her parents and grandpa would have flipped out if she hadn’t. However, her business had become successful her sophomore year and has continued to grow.
“What’s concerning you right now?”
“Want to come over? Or I can come to you?”
“I’m not home yet.” Tonya sighed. She’d given up many nights with Foster for her family or because of his ex-wife. Not that it mattered. She should be scrolling through the dating app that she’d downloaded again but hadn’t re-registered her account. She’d decided that she was finally going to ask out Foster.
Again.
“Where are you?” Tiki asked.
“Foster and I just finished a wedding.”
“I see,” Tiki said.
