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“Are you okay, Jo?” asked Serenity.
She took a breath and smiled. “Just lost in thought. I’m fine. Thank you for inviting me to come along for your bachelor party. I figured you’d want to wait until you weren’t eating for me to begin taking photos.”
Jo had already taken plenty of pictures. Of the bridesmaids’ arrival, the house Serenity rented for them, and their last dress fitting. There’d been a brief reprieve from the festivities while they got ready for the party. Jo and Serenity’s maid of honor left early to get things at the café ready, where Jo took even more pictures, and then they’d stopped in at the shops that would be staying open to get their scavenger hunt together.
“No, you’re not wrong, and I really need to reiterate just how much I appreciate everything you’ve done.”
“It’s been my pleasure. Really, it has. You’re one of the sweetest brides I’ve ever interviewed.”
Her maid of honor, Zoey Davis, scooted her chair closer. “Serenity has always been like this. Even in high school.”
“High school?”
“We both loved Taylor Evans. Blond hair…” She sighed.
“Blue eyes,” Serenity added.
In union, they said, “And the hottest guy in Marshall High.”
Change out the name to Jack Turner, and Jo knew exactly what they were talking about. “I think every high school had one of those.”
“His name was Jack Turner,” Lucy said as she stopped next to Jo and looked down at her. “Remember all the times we’d daydream about his asking us out?”
“Shush!” Jo laughed.
“Wait, Jack Turner? Ethan’s brother?” Serenity asked, looking from Jo to Lucy and back. “Did you two go out a couple of weeks ago?”
Lucy nodded. “They sure did.”
“Lucy!” The blood rushed to Jo’s face so quickly, ice water wouldn’t have cooled it.
Zoey wiggled her eyebrows. “Ohhhh…. The plot thickens.”
“There’s no plot. Nothing is thickening. We’re friends, and that’s it.” She quickly determined the only way to get off the subject of her and Jack was to steer the conversation back to Serenity. “Besides, tonight isn’t about me. It’s about Serenity.” Jo looked at Zoey. “When did you know she was in love with Ethan?”
That was all it took. Well, sort of. Lucy gave her a look. Serenity eyed her, and Zoey seemed the quickest to take the hint, which Jo appreciated.
Just like the meet-cute, the story was cute. Serenity called Zoey right after meeting Ethan. It was interesting to hear it from a different perspective. Serenity said it wasn’t love at first sight, but according to Zoey, it definitely was, and lying to him really bugged her. Zoey had encouraged her to tell the truth but understood her hesitation. Serenity had just broken up with a guy a few months prior who had used her to get into parties so he could further his career. She’d been burned, and she liked Ethan. She just wanted to make sure he liked Renny. That was the name Zoey used for her. It was cute and sounded like a name that would have worked in school between friends.
Jo loved it. As far as article material, it was deepening the story. People would eat up the extra information because it would make it feel like they knew Serenity and because it made Serenity relatable. Not that most people were used for their fame, but people took advantage of others for far more insignificant things, and Serenity’s story would resonate with them regardless. People, no matter where they were, understood the excitement of something new, that tingle of attraction, the sprig of hope that maybe that serendipitous meeting would turn into the start of something.
“Okay, it’s time for the scavenger hunt!” Zoey said.
Jo smiled. “I’m going to stay at the café’—”
“Awww…” Emily said. “What?”
It was sweet that they seemed to genuinely like having her involved. “I’m going to help Lucy clean up and get ready for dessert and coffee.”
Madison gave a small pout. “That’s sweet, but I’ve really loved having you come with us. It’s not often I’m made to feel so welcome by someone. I’m a bit of an odd duck.” She softly laughed.
“You are not an odd duck. You’re eccentric,” Serenity said, correcting her. “Don’t believe a word she says. She’s not only beautiful, but she’s also sweet, loyal, kind to a fault, and the best cheerleader you could ever have.”
June nodded. “Out of the four of us, Maddy is the best, really.”
Emily vigorously nodded. “Yes, agreed.”
“They’re just trying to make me feel better.” She swallowed hard like she remembered something painful. “So, are we supposed to take candids?”
