Page 4 of The Other Plan

“Hey, guys!” I grinned as I hurried toward them, closing them both in a hug when I reached them. “Thank you so much for doing this. Amanda got sick and couldn’t bartend, so you’re seriously saving my ass.”

“No problem. I had the night off, and you know I can whip up a mean cocktail.” Jo pulled out of our hug.

As a full-time bartender at JJ’s La Puerta restaurant, she certainly had more than enough skill to pour wine, champagne, and the three signature cocktails Valentina and Eric had chosen for the night.

“I’m just here for the free drinks.” Matt smiled and waggled his dark eyebrows. “Well, that and I need to get some driftwood from the beach to put the final touches on the wedding altar. I promised Aunt Tilly I’d use some wood from the beach here to really make it authentic.”

“You are seriously the best. I’m so excited to see it,” I said.

Matt had started a business as a handyman and a driftwood furniture designer. With his talents for woodworking and his creative skill, he’d quickly grown the business into a thriving enterprise. I’d started to have him custom-make wedding altars for my clients, and when Aunt Tilly saw some of his work, she’d been over the moon to have him create the altar for Valentina and Eric’s wedding. They’d worked together to come up with a driftwood design that would be draped in flowers and sheer tulle and would look incredible on the beach for the ceremony.

“It’s looking gorgeous,” Jo said, and her eyes sparkled while she stared at Matt. His blue eyes glimmered right back at her, and I had to stop from rolling mine.

They were so unbelievably in love that if I wasn’t so happy for them, I’d gag. And I never stopped reminding them that the reason they were together was me. After more than twenty years of friendship and denying their love for one another, I may have let it slip to Matt that Jo had feelings for him and that he should make his move. Sure, Jo wanted to kill me at first for calling them out, but it was time. And even though I knew a lot of relationships ended in heartbreak, there was no doubt Jo and Matt’s relationship was meant to last.

That’s my superpower.

I could tell which couples would make it and which wouldn’t with just a look. After all these years marrying couples off, I could look at a couple and know within seconds if they were destined for happily ever after or divorce court. I almost felt guilty not stopping the ones I knew were doomed, but I knew as well as anyone that they wouldn’t listen to me anyway. And what was I supposed to say?

So, you need to cancel your wedding. You two aren’t going to work out. You just need to trust me on this.

Yeah. Not going to happen. I’d come off like a raving lunatic and be out of a career in no time flat.

“I’m going to head to the beach and hunt down some driftwood. I’ll be back for a cocktail soon, baby.” Matt leaned over and gave Jo a soft kiss. She smiled against his lips then pressed her forehead to his.

“All me. Don’t ever forget that this is all my doing.” I waggled my finger at them as they broke apart. “You’re welcome,” I teased.

“Thank you, Jenna, for meddling and busting us out even though you should have kept your big trap shut, and you’re lucky it didn’t blow up in your face,” Jo taunted back.

“Superpower, JoJo. It’s my superpower.”

She stuck her tongue out at me. “Quit taking all the credit, JennaJenna. We’d have figured it out eventually.”

I snorted. “Yeah. After another twenty-five years. Maybe.”

“I’ll always be grateful you opened your big mouth.” Matt playfully punched my shoulder before giving Jo one last smile and walking toward the beach.

Jo’s gaze stayed glued to him until she caught me smirking.

“What?” she defended.

“You are so crazy in love.”

“Yep. You should try it.”

“Pass.” I scoffed. “Hard pass.”

Her dark eyebrow rose. “Just saying. You’re the one who convinced me to quit distrusting men and go for it with Matt. It may be time to take your own advice. We did make a pact last year not to let dad ruin our chances at happiness. I’ve held up my end of the bargain and trusted Matt. Now it’s your turn.”

“We’re not having this conversation.” I shook my head and pointed to the makeshift bar situated along the tree line. “The only conversation I want to have right now is explaining the signature drinks to you. Just get your ass behind the bar.”

“Fine, fine.” She raised her hands in submission and headed behind the bar constructed of a rustic old barn door perched on two giant wine barrels. It looked classy and rustic and fit the feel of the party perfectly. The beer, champagne, and white wine chilled in metal buckets set in the grass, and the rest of the ingredients for cocktails were in boxes ready to be unpacked.

“Should be pretty simple,” I said as I walked back with her. “Three wine choices, two champagne choices, two beer choices, and here is a sheet of paper with the recipes for the three signature drinks. You can set up the bar however you’d like. If you run low on anything, just wave me down, and I’ll send someone up to Main Street Market to restock you. Any questions before I go change into my dress?”

She sucked her cheek while she read over the list of drinks then shook her head. “Looks pretty simple. Should be good.”

“Thanks, Jo. Seriously. This is a huge favor. I owe you. Big time.”