Chapter 1
Adeline Parker would never admit it out loud...
But somehow...
Her cousin getting married was stressing her out more than it seemed to stress the actual bride.
She balanced two iced coffees in one hand while pushing open the door to Amelia Bennett’s house with the other.
“I’m here!”
“In the dining room!” Amelia called.
Adeline walked inside and immediately stopped.
Sticky notes.
Colour swatches.
Guest lists.
Flower samples.
Three different seating charts.
A laptop covered in tabs.
She blinked.
“...You know normal people hire wedding planners, right?”
Amelia looked up from her laptop.
“I am the wedding planner.”
“That sounds exhausting.”
“It is.”
Adeline handed her one of the coffees.
“That’s why I brought caffeine.”
“My favorite person.”
“I know.”
Adeline dropped into the chair beside her.
“So...”
She looked at the laptop screen.
“...where are we?”
Amelia sighed dramatically.
“Table arrangements.”
“I thought we finished those.”
“So did I.”
Adeline laughed.
“What happened?”
“Gabriel happened.”
“...Fair.”
“He somehow convinced Levi to invite six more people.”
Adeline rubbed her forehead.
“I love your future husband.”
“So do I.”
“But if one more Bennett adds another guest...”
“I’m cancelling the wedding.”
They both burst into laughter.
A few minutes later...
Amelia leaned back in her chair.
“I still can’t believe this.”
Adeline smiled.
“What?”
“I’m actually marrying Levi.”
The room grew quiet.
Amelia looked down at the engagement ring sparkling on her finger.
“It took us long enough.”
Adeline reached across the table and squeezed her hand.
“You two have been through more than most couples go through in a lifetime.”
Amelia smiled softly.
“I know.”
“And now...”
She looked around at the organized chaos covering the dining room.
“...I finally get forever.”
Adeline felt tears prick her eyes.
“You deserve forever.”
Amelia smiled.
“So do you.”
Before Adeline could answer...
The front door opened.
She barely noticed.
She was too busy reorganizing flower samples.
A deep voice drifted down the hallway.
“Amelia?”
Hunter.
Adeline smiled automatically.
She didn’t even think about it.
She just...
Smiled.
Amelia noticed immediately.
A very slow grin spread across her face.
“Oh.”
Adeline frowned.
“What?”
Amelia didn’t answer.
Instead...
She looked over Adeline’s shoulder.
Hunter Bennett walked into the dining room carrying two large boxes.
His dark green Wildlife Conservation shirt stretched across his shoulders.
His hair was slightly messy from the summer heat.
He looked around until his eyes landed...
On Adeline.
He smiled.
Not a big smile.
Just...
His smile.
The one reserved for people he cared about.
“Morning.”
“Morning,” Adeline replied.
Hunter set the boxes on the kitchen counter.
“What are those?” Amelia asked.
“The ribbon you wanted.”
“And the candles.”
“And apparently your fiancé forgot to tell you he’d ordered another hundred chair covers.”
Amelia groaned dramatically.
“I’m never letting Levi make wedding decisions again.”
Hunter chuckled.
“I’ll let him know.”
Adeline watched him unpack the boxes.
He moved with the same calm confidence he always had.
Never rushed.
Never flustered.
Always helping.
Always showing up.
She smiled to herself.
Hunter caught her looking.
She immediately looked back at the flower samples.
Completely oblivious to the fact that he’d been looking at her first.
Amelia watched the entire interaction.
Then looked back at her laptop.
Trying very hard not to laugh.
She failed.
“When are you and my brother just going to kiss and get it over with?”
Adeline’s head snapped up.
“...What?”
Amelia looked completely serious.
“You heard me.”
“Amelia Bennett!”
“What?”
“He’s my best friend.”
“And?”
“There is no ‘and.’”
Amelia raised an eyebrow.
“You’ve been best friends since high school.”
“Exactly.”
“You spend almost every weekend together.”
“We’re friends.”
“You know his coffee order.”
“So?”
“He knows yours.”
“That doesn’t mean anything.”
“He fixed your shop door before you even knew it was broken.”
“Because he’s nice.”
“He drives twenty minutes out of his way just to make sure you get home safely after market nights.”
“He’s protective.”
“He buys flowers from your shop.”
“...He’s supporting a local business.”
Amelia stared at her.
“You are exhausting.”
Adeline laughed.
“No.”
“I am right.”
“No.”
“You are.”
“No.”
Amelia leaned forward across the table.
“You are looking at my brother like you want to climb him.”
Adeline nearly inhaled her iced coffee.
“Amelia!”
Hunter looked up from the kitchen.
“...Everything okay?”
Adeline covered her face with both hands.
“I am so, so sorry.”
Hunter frowned.
“For what?”
Amelia smiled innocently.
“Oh, nothing.”
She looked directly at Adeline.
“We were just discussing how she’s absolutely not in love with you.”
Hunter froze.
Adeline wanted the floor to open up and swallow her whole.
“...Amelia.”
“What?”
“I hate you.”
“No, you don’t.”
Hunter looked between the two women, completely confused.
“...Should I leave?”
Adeline groaned.
“Please.”
Hunter rubbed the back of his neck.
“I genuinely have no idea what’s happening.”
Amelia smiled sweetly.
“You will.”
Hunter blinked.
“...That’s somehow more concerning.”
As he turned back toward the boxes, Amelia caught Adeline’s eye and gave her the smallest, most smug grin.
Adeline rolled her eyes.
She was absolutely not in love with Hunter Bennett.
He was her best friend.
That was all.
Amelia simply shook her head.
Poor, oblivious idiots.
Neither of them had the slightest idea what was coming.
