She ladeled out the hot chocolate while Telford schooled his features.He thought how much Cam would have enjoyed rocking up to the wedding activities—an unexpected, unknown prodigal.He would have probably hired a video crew or social media influencer to follow him to make the dismay really blow up.
Portia handed over the hot chocolates and a copper-colored gift bag filled with a variety of chocolate selections.
“That was a yummy stop, and I’m definitely tempting fate wearing white,” Ayana mentioned, sipping her hot chocolate.
Telford couldn’t remember the last time he’d had hot chocolate, and he sipped cautiously, shocked at the explosion of flavors on his tongue.
“You’ve gone quiet,” she said after they’d walked a couple of blocks.“Are you having second thoughts?”
“No,” he said honestly.“I don’t think I could have chosen a better partner for my Montana quest.”
She laughed.“Quest.I like that.I feel like I’m in a Harry Potter book.”
“Definitely a first for me.I’ve been thinking how much Cam would have loved this excursion.The possible family.The wedding that everyone assumes we’ll be attending for mybrother.”He made the air quotes with the fingers of one hand.“He would have gotten such a laugh showing up at the wedding or one of the events with a big-ass grin, all innocence and bonhomie and an assistant filming it all.”
“Is that what we’re going to do?”
He stopped on the street and faced her.Actually, showing up hadn’t occurred to him.
“I was thinking a more subtle approach,” he admitted, wondering if his style and caution would disappoint.
“The shark.”
He nodded.Might as well let her know what she was getting for the year and what she wasn’t.
“Well, we’re not exactly lying.We are here for the wedding.Ours.”She paused, staring at something across the street.
Sweet Pea Flowers.
“I should have thought of that,” he said softly.They had roses in the room, but brides had bouquets.Did she feel like a bride?
They entered the small store, and he inhaled the fresh, earthy, floral smells.
“What flowers do you prefer?”
She walked toward a large refrigerator.“This,” she said softly.“The burnt orange floral bouquet.”
It was fairly small and simple with autumn colors and what looked like dried flowers and leaves tucked among the muted fall-colored roses.The stems were wrapped with tan netting and ribbons that trailed down.
“A lovely choice.”A young woman approached her.“I made it this morning as a sample to post on our social media site.”
“I love it.I love earthy colors, but full disclosure, don’t get me started on jewel tones.”
He wondered if she considered her coat—the unexplainable yellow gold with the creamy fleece and brown faux fur—earthy or jewel but kept his mouth shut.Probably Husband 101 rules.
“Why not pick a couple more bouquets for the room,” he suggested “In a color and style that you think suits.”
That way he’d learn more about her.Hopefully.
She did.He paid.Tipped for delivery to their hotel room, and Ayana palmed the bouquet, which he had to admit looked spectacular when held close to her face as she inhaled the fragrance.
“Are you disappointed that you’re not having the whole”—he swept his hand out to the side—“fairy-tale wedding thing?Did you dream of being a bride as a little girl?”
“No,” she said, looking up at him, eyes clear.“I never planned to marry so this is sort of an amusing bonus, a wedding adventure that has a time limit and an easy out for us both.”
The time limit seemed more important to her than the money, and he wasn’t quite sure how he felt about that.
“For the plot,” he said remembering how she’d said that a couple of times before—reminding him of Cam.
