“I don’t mind,” Vi says. “I’ll even put my hands over my ears if it’s, like, a secret or something.”
Her earnestness makes me laugh a little. I shake my head. “Trust me. It really isn’t that important.” I turn to Wyatt. “Are we going to be on time for the wedding?”
“Yeah. It’s not that far.” Then he adds, “John’s Orangery.”
Geneva’s a terrible human being, but I have to give her credit for decent taste. John’s Orangery is the best place in Corn Meadows for an outdoor wedding. Despite the name, it doesn’t have that many orange trees or the enclosed space for them. What it does have is an amazing garden—surrounded by small, rustic one-story white buildings—and a huge kitchen suitable for catering. Also, dressing suites for brides and grooms. A lot of girls growi
ng up in Corn Meadows dream of getting married there.
But not me. I’ll be dammed if I get married in this town. I don’t know where I want to get married, but it isn’t Corn Meadows. Nice as it is, John’s Orangery couldn’t pay me enough.
“Weird for her to pick the same place again,” I mutter. Knowing Geneva’s propensity for showing off, I can’t imagine her having her first wedding anywhere but John’s Orangery.
Wyatt glances over. “We didn’t get married there. Just had a small private ceremony.” His tone is flat, his eyes narrowed as he goes back to focusing on the road. “No money or time. It was…sudden.”
Ah. Mom told me Geneva was getting married because of a surprise pregnancy way back when. Guess she’s trying to live out her fantasy with her new groom. “Have you met the guy? The groom, I mean.”
“Once, when he came to give her some moral support.”
Wyatt doesn’t elaborate, but I can guess the man must’ve been on Geneva’s side during the divorce.
“He’s”—Wyatt’s mouth tightens, until his lips almost turn white—“interesting.”
His tone says the guy’s a fucking bastard.
“I haven’t,” Vi says. “I’m sort of looking forward to it.”
She’s a bad liar. I turn around and give her a smile, wanting her to know I’ve got her back her no matter how things go today. Besides, even though she might not agree, she’s better off without a mother like Geneva. I’m biased, but it’s obvious she doesn’t care about her child. And Vi has to know, even if she doesn’t want to admit it to herself. Kids always do—I know, from my own experience.
We reach the venue. The place is packed with more vehicles than I thought possible for a town like Corn Meadows. Did Geneva invite everyone she knows in the country?
As I climb out of the Audi, I spot a few vaguely familiar faces from my high school years. Just seeing them takes me back to one of the worst phases of my life, and I can almost feel hives breaking out over my skin. Feeling like I’ve just stepped in a fresh pile of goat poop, I ignore the sensation and grab my purse from the car.
“Kim? Hey, long time no see. Whoa, you’re smokin’ in that dress!”
I look over a shoulder and spot a tall, skinny guy. Dirty blond hair, dark brown eyes and a pointed chin. The suit on him looks awkward and poorly color-coordinated—and fits about like a child trying on his dad’s outfit. But there’s no mistaking that overeager and slightly over-the-top grin.
“Louis…?” Of all people, Geneva’s twin isn’t who I thought would come over and say hello first.
It isn’t like I have any terrible history with him. Considering what’s between me and Geneva, Louis’s and my relationship, such as it is, is pretty benign. He did his best to tell me all the “pranks” Wyatt pulled on me, including the vibrator in my backpack disaster. But there’s something new that sits uneasily in my belly for some reason. It annoys me I can’t put my finger on precisely what’s bugging me.
He’s disloyal.
I almost flinch. But the thought doesn’t go away. He was a bit too eager when he told me what Wyatt had done, even though he was supposed to be Wyatt’s friend, not mine.
If he’s anything like Geneva… She was my friend too, until she wasn’t.
Louis’s eyes dart to Wyatt and Vi. But he doesn’t say hello to either of them.
The mayor of the city hurries over to Wyatt before he can get around the car to join me and Vi. Did Geneva invite him, too? He’s a freak who doesn’t age—he’s always looked like a zombie—and he’s been mayor ever since I can remember. He greets Wyatt effusively, and Wyatt responds with a polite smile. Guess he can’t just ignore the mayor. Even if he doesn’t live here anymore, his parents do.
“I had no idea you were still close to him.” Louis jerks his chin toward Wyatt, sounding mildly disapproving. I’m surprised to find that it grates on my nerves.
Since I’m supposed to be a nice, subdued date who doesn’t do things like make scenes, I put on a bland smile. “We live in the same city.” I don’t elaborate. I don’t feel like revealing any more than I have to.
Louis moves closer, placing a hand on my shoulder. It feels damp through my dress, like mud, and I cringe at the unwanted contact.
As I start to shrug his palm off, Vi says, “Hi, Uncle Louis.”