Page 42 of Blue Jean Summer

Before she could even get out of her seat, Mason took her empty plate and placed a gentle hand on her back. “Sit and enjoy yourself. I can handle a few dishes.”

Hallie looked longingly at the mess of cookware and serving dishes. “But—”

“Let me take care of it,” Mason insisted. “If it will make you feel better, you can hang over my shoulder and tell me what I’m doing wrong.”

“We have a dishwasher, you know,” Hayes said as he wiped his mouth. “A really nice one.”

Hallie sighed. “I know. But I never feel like it gets them clean enough. I just like doing it myself.”

“Do I need to get someone out here to look at it?” Hayes asked.

“No,” she muttered.

Savannah put on a grave face. “Do we need to have an intervention about your need for control?” she asked solemnly.

Hallie rolled her eyes.

Savannah tossed her arm around Zach. “Is your mom actually a robot who’s programmed to do everything by herself?”

“I don’t think so,” he mumbled, though I saw a small smile crack through his stoic demeanor.

“Hm.” Savannah tapped her chin. “We’ll have to keep a closer eye on her.”

“Hush with that nonsense,” Hallie said dismissively. “If y’all don’t cut it out, you’re all going to lose your supper privileges.”

“How about I help you with the dishes?” Mason said.

“I’ll help too,” I chimed in, only to earn a glare from both Mason and Savannah.

Never mind.

The seven of us cleared the table and stacked the dishes by the sink. I felt a little bad about not helping with the cleanup and was about to find a way to pitch in when Hayes took my hand and tugged me through the patio doors.

“What are you—”

Hayes put his finger to his lips and helped me navigate the paths that snaked through the roses. When we were out of earshot, he laced his fingers between mine and slowed his pace.

“I’d ask if you’re getting cold feet and have decided to become a runaway groom, but I don’t think you’re supposed to bring the bride with you when you do that,” I said.

Hayes’s grip on my hand softened. “I’m sorry about earlier. I just…I was caught off guard.”

I looked down at the pebbles that crunched underfoot. “If we’re going to pull this off, I need you to trust who I trust.” I stopped in my tracks. “We both trust Hallie. I trust Mason and Levi. Why don’t you trust Savannah?”

He sighed. “I do. It’s just…This is new.”

I laughed. “Yeah, it’s pretty new for me too. I’ve never gotten married on a whim before.”

“I didn’t expect it to be harder than being a normal couple,” he admitted. “I just thought we’d show up to the ceremony, do the damn thing, and call it a day. We don’t know how to be—you know—together.”

“I don’t think we have to know how to be an engaged couple. I think…it’s a partnership, you know?”

“Partners.” His strong brow knitted together as he worked the meaning of the word over in his mind. “I like that.”

“I’m on your side,” I said gently. “We’re in this together.”

Hayes let out a sharp breath. “I know. I just have a lot riding on this working out.”

I squeezed his hand. “I’m here. You don’t have to do it alone.” I tipped my head toward the house. “That’s why they’re here.”