Page 51 of The Wedding Favor

“Maebell,” Mom said sharply. “That’s enough. Iris is an adult. She can make her own decisions. She’ll let us know if she needs our opinions.”

I could have cleared this all up. I could have told her that it wasn’t a real date, that Abe was helping me out, doing me a solid, a favor for a favor. Mae would understand a fake date. Heck, she’d been fake engaged to Chris for a few months. But Mom was right. I was an adult and I didn’t need to tell her my business if I didn’t want to.

“Yeah, what Mom said.” I stood and pushed my chair in, clutching the back of it with white knuckles. “I’m going to go hang out with Lulu. Thankfully, she takes after her dad.”

“I hope you know what you’re doing,” Mae said as I stomped away.

NINETEEN

“Sometimes I used my mind to get ahead, and

sometimes I used my looks. I didn’t have the luxury of being picky in those days.”

—excerpt from the unpublished memoir,

Darling, I Must Say by Gloria Hayes

The Two Harts Fourth of July Celebration was always held the first Saturday in July. I was prepared for a long day of serving up burgers, hot dogs, and pie at the Sit-n-Eat to scores of strangers.

For the special occasion, the Sit-n-Eat opened a little later and closed at five. Ellie kindly released me from clean-up duty. and she didn’t have to say it twice. I decided to wander around before eventually tracking down Mae and Lulu and Mom. The Fourth celebrations had been the brainchild of Ali when she became mayor and, every year since, it had gotten bigger and more extravagant. This year, in addition to the parade earlier in the day, Main Street was sectioned off and filled with vendors of anything under the sun. Further down, there were a handful of carnival rides and games.

My stomach growled as I passed by the food stands. I broke down and got in line for a nutritious dinner of a giant pretzel and a deep-fried Oreo. Tables with umbrellas to block out the July sun had been set up, so I found one a little out of the way and sat.

I pulled out my phone and opened to see a text from Aidan.

Aidan: The tracking number says your package is there. Did you get it?

Oh, I’d gotten it the day before and was still not quite sure what to say about it.

ME: I did get it. Sorry for not texting sooner.

“It” was a gold-plated pocket watch with my initials engraved on the front. On the back, there was a date. Not my birth date, which I had foolishly thought this package was for. Nope, it was Aidan and Missy’s wedding date and under that, their first names.

Aidan: All the groomsmen got one. I couldn’t leave you out.

ME: Thanks for including me. It’s very nice.

Aidan: I could never forget my best girl.

I’d stared at that watch for twenty-five minutes yesterday, wondering what I was supposed to do with it. Was I required to have it on my person on the day of the wedding? And why oh why did I need a pocket watch with their names and wedding date on it? A little something to remember watching the maybe, possibly love of my life marry someone else?

“This seat taken?”

I looked up to see Abe, dressed in shorts and a t-shirt with an American flag on it. “Nice shirt.”

He ran a hand over his chest. “Hallie and I have matching ones. It’s tradition.”

“Where is Hallie?” I asked, scanning the area.

“She’s with Ali. Thought I’d walk around.” His eyes crinkled in the corners as he sat across from me. “What are you doing here all alone?”

“I just finished several hours of being asked, ‘Are the pies gluten-free?’ and ‘Do you have any vegan hot dogs?’ I’ll find the family later.” I pushed my half-eaten pretzel towards him, and he pulled off a piece. “Actually, I’m kind of glad I saw you. There’s something I need to tell you.”

“What’s up?”

“I may have led my sister to believe our pretend wedding date is not so pretend. Sorry about that.” I snapped the deep-fried Oreo in half and handed him one as a peace offering.

“Why?” He sounded curious.