Page 86 of Love at Teamsgiving
Apparently, Shane had a minor addiction and these were a last-minute addition to the dessert bar because she wanted to show him that he was forgiven.
The sunflowers, lilies, carnations, and dianthus nestled in woven baskets are like nature’s smile. The band Mikey hired tunes in the background and sounds great. I make sure everything is set and have no doubt Erica and Shane will have a perfect day that will lead to a perfect future.
The kind I want with the best man.
I’m at the salon with Erica and the rest of the bridesmaids, finishing getting ready. A horse and carriage are picking us up, courtesy of one of Shane’s uncles. After the rehearsal dinner last night, I have a feeling his family could’ve handled the wedding planning.
Then again, perhaps the bride and groom-to-be didn’t want their hands in all of it. Wish I’d learned that lesson. However, if Mrs. Cruz and Mama hadn’t been so involved, Mikey and Iwouldn’t have realized in time that we were all wrong for each other.
But now we’re getting a second chance.
I let out a sigh as I apply rouge to one of Shane’s sisters’ cheeks. “It’s fixing up to be a wonderful day.”
“Thanks again for hosting us here,” Erica says.
“Of course. What are friends for?”
Just then, my phone beeps, but it’s not the sound from a text. It’s the security app like at the rehearsal dinner. Joey and Charlie claimed to have re-homed the critter that kept setting it off last night. Also, we’re here. I look around, wondering if it’s a glitch.
Shrugging, I say, “Must be the squirrel again.”
Erica holds up her hands. “If you apologize again for last night, I’ll pull my hair out of this fancy updo. Anyway, Shane prefers it down.”
My jaw lowers. “If that’s the case, I would’ve styled it differently.”
“No, I’m already sweating like a little pig in a blanket. It needs to be up.”
My phone cuts off our laughter. “I’m going to check the back.”
The ladies resume their conversation and I hurry in my heels to the back room that has an exit to the parking lot behind this row of buildings.
A key slides into the lock.
My pulse quickens.
The door opens, blinding me with sunlight.
A large figure takes shape and I blink a few times, looking at the male version of myself.
“Asher?” I ask, shielding my eyes.
My twin glances around as if suspicious, then wraps his arms around me in a brotherly bear hug. “Juniper!”
“Careful. Watch the hair and makeup. We’re getting ready for a wedding.”
“I know. Mama told me,” he says.
“I assume she also gave you a key?”
He nods, eyes sharp as he looks around.
“Why didn’t you come through the front?”
“Oh, um, I parked back there.” He thumbs over his shoulder.
I nod and my sibling Spidey senses tingle. “Having been in Thailand all this time, I expected you to be tanner.”
“Must be the Russian genetics.” His attention drifts to every corner of the back room.
