Page 119 of Peaks and Promises

“Yeah. I know it’s last minute, but Luke’s a groomsman, and so are Zachary, Garrett, and Josiah.”

“And Levi Bailey,” Penelope added.

Theo nodded. “Yep, even the brother-in-law. It would be weird if you weren’t.”

“Way to make it sound like you’re including him by default,” Melanie said with a teasing smile.

Theo scowled at her. “I’m not including him by default. When we were planning everything, I didn’t think he’d be here. But he is. So he should be in the wedding.”

“You’re such a guy,” Melanie said. “Have you asked him to be in the wedding?”

“I don’t think he needs a proposal,” Theo said.

Luke chuckled. “Yeah, Mel. It’s a brother thing.”

“Oh!” Penelope’s glasses slid down her nose, and she pushed them up with her finger. “I just thought of something.”

Theo gave her an affectionate grin. “What’s that, Penini?”

“Well, if Reese is in the wedding—and I think he should be—that means we have an uneven number of bridesmaids and groomsmen. Which isn’t the end of the world, so there’s no pressure. But, Summer, would you like to be a bridesmaid?”

My mouth dropped open, and for a second, I had no idea what to say. No one had ever asked me to be in their wedding. I’d never even been to a wedding—not a traditional one, at least.

“Don’t worry about the dress,” Penelope said. “The store accidentally ordered an extra one and I haven’t returned it yet. If it doesn’t fit, we still have time to get it altered. And if that won’t work, I don’t know, we’ll figure something out.”

“Summer and I could get different matching dresses,” Melanie suggested. “Then there’d be four bridesmaids in one dress and two in another. That wouldn’t look weird.”

“That’s a great idea,” Penelope said.

“Oh…I…” I sputtered a little as emotion washed over me. “Thank you. I would love to. But are you sure?”

“I’m positive. I know this is”—she gestured between me and Reese—“you know, what it is. But that’s okay. I’d love it if you were a part of our wedding.”

“I’d be honored,” I said. “I’ve never been a bridesmaid.”

Penelope smiled. “Then it’s even more perfect. Nate’s also invited, of course. All the kids will be there.”

“Thank you.”

I took a slow breath as I processed what had just happened, while Theo and Luke started talking about football. Melanie and Penelope leaned closer to have a side conversation about wedding details. Reese casually put his arm over the back of my chair, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Was he doing it because we were in public? Or was something else going on?

I didn’t know.

And as happy as I was to be connecting with his family—it would be invaluable to still have friends once he was gone—it was hard not to feel the weight of reality resting heavily on my shoulders. Plus, the threat of Axel was still never far from my thoughts.

I needed to reach out to my mother. I’d never expect her to openly help me, but she might let something slip.

Reese caressed my shoulder as he talked, almost as if he wasn’t aware of it. His body language was protective, and I found myself leaning closer, sinking into his strength. It felt good.

Too good.

Because it wasn’t going to last. And I was going to have to figure out how to live with that.

CHAPTER 28

Summer