His gaze swings away from me, panning the parking lot of the B&B that’s base camp for Briar and Liam’s wedding. It’s a gorgeous old Victorian building—a perfect setting for a wedding, especially since the fall leaves are putting on a brilliant display.
He pulls a face. “But I don’t know why they had to have ithere.”
Here being Apple Ridge.
Yes, Briar and Liam are getting married in Apple Ridge.
It’s our fault, to be perfectly honest. We told our friends all about our misadventures here, and to our dismay, Liam announced he had to see the place for himself.
So we went on a colossal quadruple date at the bowlingalley where Cormac nearly lost an eye—Cormac and me, Briar and Liam, Hannah and Travis, and Sophie and Rob. Afterward, we went for a walk, and Briar fell in love with the park with the hot makeout bench.
They’re getting married at Gallagher Park today, and the reception is being held at this adorable bed and breakfast, Apple Hollow, where our parents stayed for their honeymoon. Liam and Briar had thought they’d need to wait a full year to book their wedding, but there was a last-minute cancellation.
Given the part she’s played in all of our love lives, it’s no surprise that Dottie Hendrickson will be marrying Liam and Briar today, just like she married my mom and Cormac’s dad this summer. Most of our friends will be in attendance, including Ann and Nathaniel, who are going strong. While Nathaniel does, admittedly, talk too much, he doesn’t mind at all when Ann turns off her hearing aid.
I smile up at Cormac. “I like it here. I have some good memories in Apple Ridge.”
“Yes,” he says with a wry grin, “the hospital was definitely a highlight.”
“If you say so, Mr. Nikola.”
He rolls his eyes halfheartedly. “How long are you going to keep calling me that?”
“So long it’s possible I might forget your actual name.”
To the surprise of no one who knows him, Cormac won the Nikola award. I attended the ceremony with him in Washington, D.C. Kenji was there, too, so I got to thank him in person for helping me save my favorite face in the world. He was a bit cold at first, which I understand, but at the end of the evening, he pulled me aside and told me that he could tell I make Cormac happy.
He probably doesn’t understand how much that meant to me.
I kiss Cormac, and he makes a happy humming sound under his breath.
God, he’s such a delight. It’s aggravating.
I take his hand, and we walk toward the entrance. I’m taken aback when a familiar woman bursts out of the door of the B&B with a very handsome, and also very familiar man—tall, with olive-toned skin, heavy stubble, and dark swoopy hair.
Wait a second…
I know what this man’s abs look like. I’ve seen them in dozens upon dozens of videos.
“Nurse Bianca?” Cormac says at the same time as I say, “Holy crap, you’re the Shirtless Chef!”
Giovanni Cafiero swears under his breath and ducks his head, as if that’s going to do anything to hide his chiseled, easily recognizable face. He looks like he wants to slink away, but he casts a brief glance at Bianca and settles for a sigh.
Nurse Bianca brightens as she leans in for a closer look at Cormac’s eye. “Your face looks fantastic! Thank God I got you out of there.”
“Did you get fired?” Cormac asks.
She pretends to swat the words away. “Yeah, but it wasn’t your fault. It was bound to happen. So…are you going to this wedding?”
“Yes, we’re both in it,” Cormac says, giving me a fond look.
“This is my sister’s B&B,” Nurse Bianca—or possibly just Bianca now—says with a smile. “I hope you enjoy yourselves.”
She glances at Giovanni, who forces a smile.
“Have fun,” he says curtly.
“Did you do the catering?” I ask him, thinking of Hannah, who would have an aneurysm if she knew he was here.
