Audrey beamed. “Chris really stepped up. It’s so lucky he came to the airport with us.”
“Very lucky,” I murmured.
Or very well-planned. I didn’tthinkChristian would get Alex sick, but convince him to pretend illness? Maybe. It was an ungracious thought, though, and I hated that seeing Christian had taken me right back to that suspicious headspace. It didn’t matter why he was here. He wasn’t my problem anymore.
Branson clapped his hands. “Well, Caitlyn has been cooking up a storm. Why don’t we all eat and then we can go over the itinerary for the rest of the wedding week?”
We all filed into the dining room, where two extra leaves had expanded the oak table to accommodate ten people. We still had to crowd in tight, knees and elbows knocking, to fit everyone.
“Good thing we’re all friends here,” Reece joked as he squeezed in beside me.
I was just relieved Christian had ended up on the other side of the table, next to Audrey and Macy.
“Yeah,” I agreed. “It’s cozy. How are things at the resort?”
“Good.” Reece tugged at his suit jacket. “Branson is going to have to fly back to Little Rock next year, because he’s not the only one getting married.”
There were exclamations around the table.
“Congrats, man,” Bolton said.
“That’s so exciting!” Macy added with her usual effusive flair.
“I’ll have to call Marisol after we’re done with dinner,” Caitlyn said. “I’m so happy for you.”
He grinned. “Thanks, but I didn’t mean to steal your thunder. Carry on being the bride of the hour.”
Caitlyn preened. “I will, thank you.”
We passed around platters of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, cobs of corn, and stuffing. I filled my plate fuller than was good for my health, then ate every bite.
With Christian across the table, shooting me hopeful looks, I needed the comfort.
“The rehearsal dinner is on Friday, the day before the wedding,” Caitlyn was saying, as she gave a rundown of events. “Macy arranged a bridal tea party for Thursday. Bran’s mom should be here by then. The boys will be having a bachelor’s party, but?—”
Audrey pointed a finger at my brother. “There better be no strippers, young man!”
“No,” he said, then cast a look toward me. “At least, I don’t think so. Bryson and Silas planned it all.”
“No strippers,” I confirmed.
“Who’s Silas?” Tessa, one of the quieter bridesmaids, asked.
“The wedding planner,” I said, before my brother took it into his head to tell everyone about my complicated relationship—or lack thereof. I’d love to proclaim Silas as my boyfriend, but we just weren’t there yet.
Even if I would love to tell Christian that I’d leveled the fuck up.
“Oh, that’s nice of him,” Reece said. “I didn’t know wedding planners helped with that part.”
“Not usually,” Caitlyn said, “but Silas has become a friend to us all.” Her eyes twinkled as she looked at me. I gave her a warning look and shook my head. She wouldn’t be deterred. “A better friend to some of us than others. Right, Bryson?”
“Ooh,” Veronica crooned. “Does someone have a secret lovah?”
Christian scoffed. “Must we gossip like high school girls? It’s so tacky.”
She patted her hair. “Why, thank you for the compliment. I had no idea I looked so young!”
“What else is planned for the week, Caitlyn?” I asked, eager to move on from this topic.
