Page 32 of Stolen Kisses
“All right,” Grace interrupted. “Dinner is on the table and Jack and I can’t wait to talk to you two.” She and Jack pulled out their chairs and sat. Noah followed and Krista sat down last. They’d been seated beside one another and why wouldn’t they be? They were best friends.
Who didn’t seem to get along so well these days.
—
Krista jabbed at a piece of shrimp on her plate of pasta Alfredo. She wavered between mortification that she’d kissed Noah and pissed off that he was pulling away because of it. He was even planning a date with someone else, which made her want to smack him and then run from the room in tears.
She wouldn’t do that, though. She couldn’t.
“Soooooo,” Grace said, sharing a glance with Jack. “We brought you two here to dinner because we want to ask you something.”
Jack nodded. “As you know, we’re getting married in just a few weeks and we’re following tradition. So I need a best man.”
“And I need a maid of honor,” Grace added.
Krista sat up straight. “Are you serious?”
Grace laughed. “I haven’t even asked you yet. But, yes, I’m serious. Will you be my MOH?”
Krista squealed, her mortification and pissed-off mood dissolving to sheer joy. “Yes, of course! Ahhh! I’m so excited!”
“So, am I being asked to be your MOH?” Noah asked, grinning at Jack.
“I was thinking more of a best man. I don’t think you’d look good in pink, no offense.”
Grace frowned. “Eggplant purple is the color since it’s happening right after Thanksgiving. And yes, your kerchiefs will match our dresses.”
“Oh, eggplant is a great color!” Krista said. “I love that.”
“I keep telling her eggplant is not a color, it’s a vegetable. But she won’t listen,” Jack told Noah loudly, then winked at his fiancée. “So you’re a yes, too?” he asked Noah.
“Of course, bro. I’m honored.”
Jack nodded. “We might need a little help pulling this thing off so quickly.”
“Anything you need. I’m your main man.” Noah grinned proudly.
Jack shared a glance with Grace. Then the two looked back at their best man and maid of honor. “We’re honeymooning at the Sawyer cabin. Where Mom and Dad went after they got married,” Jack said.
“That’s perfect.” Noah reached for his drink.
“It’s in the mountains, right?” Krista asked. She’d heard Noah speak of it before. Their family went up there a couple times a year, and she’d always been more than a little jealous. Her family liked to go camping at local campgrounds near the beach. She’d seen the beach a million times. The mountains, in contrast, were new and exciting.
Grace nodded. “The Blue Ridge Mountains. We were hoping one of you—”
“Or both,” Jack said, offering a pointed look at Noah.
“Would have time to go up and prepare the cabin for us.” Grace tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I know it’s asking a lot, but there are only four weekends before we marry. Friends and family will already be in town for the holidays, so I don’t want to move the date out. There’s so much to do. And I don’t trust hiring a cleaning crew. They might miss something.”
Jack turned to Noah. “Do you think you could swing it, bro? I hear the fishing is still good up there. You could make it a multipurpose trip.”
“Of course I’ll do it. My weekends are fairly free.” His gaze slid to Krista.
“Well, I work one weekend a month,” Krista said. “But I’m free this coming one. I can help, too,” she told Grace. “Just give me the address and I’ll meet Noah up there.” Because Noah was good at chopping wood, but he wouldn’t ensure that all the dust bunnies were gone. And dust bunnies and romance didn’t mix. Jack and Grace had been through a lot to get to this moment. As Grace’s friend and MOH, she wanted to make sure their special day and honeymoon was perfect.
Noah nudged Krista with his elbow. “It’s a long drive. We could ride together.”
Krista stubbornly shook her head, keeping her gaze on the happy couple. “Not necessary.”
