"Hard to find your tribe when you're homeschooled." Stacia smiled, but for the first time, it seemed a bit forced. "Or if you're not home, you're at the pool. The only people I socialize with are my parents—separately, of course—and other swimmers, who can be intense, viewing their teammates as competition more than friends."
"Well, we're friends," I said.
Her eyes brightened. "Yeah?"
"You brought me flowers and cake. I'm pretty sure that seals it."
Stacia's arms were suddenly around my shoulders, squeezing me so tight it was hard to breathe.
"You're strong," I choked out.
"Excellent upper-body strength," she said. "From all the swimming. Oh, I'm so happy!"
"Me, too. Hey, Stacia?"
"Hmm?"
"Don't suffocate your friends."
"Oh, sorry." She leaned back, and air rushed into my lungs. "I'm a hugger."
"I can see that," I said.
Tolliver came back in with two steaming mugs, set them down on the table, and took a seat in the recliner beside us. "What did I miss?" he said.
"Me almost killing my new bestie." Stacia laughed at Tolliver's horrified face. "Don't worry, Toll. She's fine."
"It was a close one," I said. "That was a lot of hug."
"It was."
"But I'll survive."
As Tolliver relaxed, Stacia watched him in amusement. "So, flowers," she said, reaching into the first bag. "I've actually already chosen most of them, put in the orders. But I had questions about the crowns."
"The what?" I asked.
"The flower crowns," she repeated. Several circles of flowers were placed on the table. "We're going for an ethereal, woodland fairy look."
I laughed then swallowed it back as Stacia stared. "Oh, you're serious?"
"Mmm."
"Very whimsical," I said.
Tolliver scoffed, and Stacia sent him a dirty look. "And how many weddings have you helped plan, Toll?"
"None."
"That's what I thought."
Stacia held one of the arrangements up.
"These will make Coach's event unique. People can take them home if they want, dry the flowers and keep them forever. We'll have enough for the bridesmaids, of course, but there will also be some for guests."
"That's a good thought," I said.
"Thanks, Freya." She gestured to my head. "May I?"
