Page 165 of Glitched Play

“Fine as in he shook Hayes’ hand, told him he loved his last album, then stood behind the soundboard looking like he was reviewing game footage.”

“That sounds more like J.D.,” Noelle says.

“He asked the producer how many duets were planned for the album.”

I lift my glass. “Research.”

“Exactly what he called it.” Birdie smiles into her drink. “Then, on the flight home, he listened to the demo four times and told me Hayes came in early on the second chorus.”

“Did he?” Annika asks.

“Yes, but that wasn’t the point.”

“It was to J.D.,” Sutton says.

Annika slides another tiny honey jar across the island. “Okay, can we focus? Parker has counted these twice, and if we show up short, he’ll convince himself it’s an omen.”

Birdie picks up the printed instruction sheet resting in the middle of the table. “Whose idea was homemade honey favors?”

“My fiancé’s,” Annika says, shaking her head.

Sutton takes the page from her and reads aloud. “‘Step one: Center label exactly one-half inch from the bottom. Step two: Tie ribbon with two loops, not three.’”

Sutton looks up. “He made directions?”

Annika sighs dramatically. “He said consistency matters.”

Birdie laughs. “You’ve turned Parker into a wedding planner.”

“I created a monster.”

“No,” Noelle corrects. “You created a groom.”

“I didn’t know there was a difference.”

“There isn’t,” Sutton says. “Not once Pinterest gets involved.”

I carefully tighten the sage-green ribbon around another jar. A small white tag hangs from it, printed with SPREAD THE LOVE in gold lettering.

“They’re cute.”

“They’re driving me insane,” Annika mutters, though she’s smiling.

“They’re driving Parker insane,” Noelle says. “He texted me this morning asking if sage green and eucalyptus green were actually different colors.”

“Are they?” Birdie asks.

“Apparently.”

“What happens if one ribbon has three loops?” I ask.

Annika places a hand over her heart. “The marriage is immediately invalid.”

I laugh, reaching for another jar. “Good to know.”

Sutton picks through the pile of ribbons before speaking again. “I wonder who Dad’s going to ask.”

The room quiets just enough for everyone to know exactly what she means.