Chapter 24 Eva
What do you mean there are no chickens?”
Maddy is yelling into the phone so loud that customers inside my café pause their conversations to gawk at her. My hand reaches out to pull the phone away so I can take over this conversation before it gets out of control.
“What’s happening with the chickens?” I ask, pressing my hand to my forehead.
“We don’t have any,” Sal, the lodge’s head chef, informs me. “A bird flu has knocked the poor buggers out, so we can’t get them in time for the wedding.”
“Right…” I breathe, then follow with, “What other animal can we sacrifice for this wedding?”
Sal lists a few options, none of them satisfying Maddy when I say them out loud. It isn’t that all the chickens have magically fallen off the face of the earth, but Sal and his team can’t secure supply for the event.
Since Maddy left my apartment last week, she’s been on edge.
The shoes I’d picked up from Manhattan were too tight, but given that they were custom-made, she has to grin and bear it on her wedding day because it’s too late to do anything else.
I joked about wearing flip-flops, but it didn’t go down well.
On top of this, the minister performing the ceremony has come down with shingles, so there was a last-minute call around to have someone replace him.
All those problems are somewhat resolved, yet something is still bothering her. The night Myles came to my apartment, Maddy simply said they had an argument about his mother. I assumed it was over table settings or something but decided not to push Maddy to open up about it.
Instead of talking about it, she snaps at everyone, which is getting tiresome. I also assumed she got her period, but I don’t want to rile the bridezilla and mention we are definitely no longer in sync. Therefore, the period sisters’ ship has sailed.
“Sal, let me get back to you in fifteen minutes.” I end the call, glancing at Billie, who looks just as worried about Maddy. Between the two of us, we’ve been trying to talk Maddy off the ledge all week.
Maddy has taken an Oreo cheesecake donut from the glass display, munching on it with a frantic look in her eyes. It’s her third donut in a row, but neither of us dares tell her to take it easy.
“Why don’t we do the beef and fish? There’s also the vegetarian option for those who want neither,” I suggest softly.
“Georgina insisted on chicken. She doesn’t eat anything but chicken.” Maddy raises her voice again.
“Maddy, there is no other choice here. I’m sorry, but as your maid of honor, I need to put my foot down. Georgina will need to eat something else.” Taking a deep breath, I follow with, “We can get her a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken. Then she can’t complain she ain’t got no chicken.”
Billie laughs, but Maddy narrows her eyes with an exaggerated sigh. I keep my smile at bay, though the image of Georgina eating a bucket of chicken at the wedding is hilarious. This is going to be an exhausting day, and it hasn’t even reached lunchtime yet.
“I’m the one who has to deal with her, Eva. For the rest of my life,” she enunciates, refusing to lighten up. “This wedding needs to be perfect. It’s almost like you don’t care because it’s not that important to you.”
“The wedding will be perfect and I’m doing my best here,” I emphasize, trying to ignore her jab. “It’ll be perfect, just with beef.”
Bowing her head, she grabs her purse from the counter. “I’ll go deal with this.”
Maddy doesn’t say goodbye, only sulks while leaving the shop. I glance at Billie, tilting my head in confusion, then rush to follow Maddy until we’re outside on the sidewalk.
Thankfully, the weather is warming up and the sun is shining for once. My skin so desperately needs it after the long, cold winter we’ve had. The warm weather means more people are out strolling the streets, which is great for business.
“Hey, what’s gotten into you?” I question, stopping her at the front of the store. “I understand you’re stressed, but from day one, you said this would be easy. Why are you letting something as trivial as chicken get to you?”
“This is the biggest day of my life, and so many things are going wrong,” she complains, bringing her shaking hand to her forehead.
“That’s why I’m here,” I remind her, then smile softly. “You know… to take the stress off you.”
Maddy crosses her arms. “Yeah, well, you’ve been busy.”
My hands slip into the pockets of my jeans as I smile at the elderly lady walking past with her two toy poodles.
Maddy’s tone comes across as cold and resentful, and I try to ignore the nagging feeling she suspects something has happened between Aston and me.
She’s not one to keep a secret, so if she was onto something, I’m sure she’d tell me.
“I’m trying my best here, Maddy. Let me worry about all of this, okay? We have the bachelorette tomorrow night, then the rehearsal on Saturday.” As she drops her gaze to the sidewalk, I place my hand on her shoulder. “By Sunday, you’ll be Mrs. Whitney. You need to relax and be in the moment.”
Maddy nods in silence. Then slowly says, “Okay, beef it is.”
She presses the button on the new silver BMW Myles’s parents bought her as a wedding gift. Maddy has never cared for cars and was happy to drive her red Jeep around town. With a noticeable weight still resting on her shoulders, she gets into her car and shuts the door.
I wait for her to open her passenger window to say something, but she drives down the street instead, leaving me standing alone.
My shoulders curl, prompting me to take a deep breath and pull my phone out of my back pocket to text Aston.
For the past week, Aston’s father insisted he attend meetings.
Why they were so important before the wedding is beyond me.
It’s easy to see Harvey Beaumont barely lifts a finger, instructing all his workers to do his work, including Aston.
Aston is the CEO, though he never gave a straight answer when I asked what it entails. He has a lot of power, that much I know, but ultimately, his father owns the company, and Aston’s shares are no match.
In the space of five days, Aston’s driven back to the city twice and flown to Boston for the day, so I didn’t get to see him at all.
We texted with our usual flirtatious banter, but not once did I want to admit I missed him.
He mentioned last night he would be driving back to Cinnamon Springs after dinner with some clients from Manhattan. So, I assume he is here.
I type quickly, hoping he’ll respond.
Me
Is it just me, or has Maddy turned into bridezilla this week?
The three dots appear, and then his text flashes on my screen.
Aston
It’s not just you. This morning, we got into a fight about cereal.
Me
Okay, now I don’t feel as bad. What are you doing today? Are you getting ready for the strippers tomorrow night?
Aston
What answer will make you so jealous that you’ll want me to come over and fuck your pretty little brains out?
Me
Nice try, buddy.
Aston
I’m with Roland at the country club in Cherry Tree Creek. He’s just introduced me to his friend’s daughter, who has joined us. Have I told you I despise golf?
Me
Wait! Is this a setup?
Aston
I’ve red-flagged her. She has a Hello Kitty golf club.
Me
Um, how old is she?
Aston
Ten
Laughter escapes me as I reread his texts. Aston is super competitive and always has been. In high school, he used to get into fights with other teams all the time. I’m surprised he never got expelled.
Aston
She’s kicking my ass, it’s rather embarrassing.
Me
Watch out, she’ll post it all over socials and your reputation will be ruined.
Poor baby. I’ll try to be nice to you then.
Aston
Luckily, I don’t believe in socials so my reputation may be salvaged. If you want to be nice to me, I can think of many ways, starting with you naked on all fours.
Me
We made a deal, remember?
A few seconds after I hit send, my phone rings with Aston’s number flashing on the screen.
“No,” I answer with a grin. “Be a good boy and stick to the agreement.”
“Firstly, this kid really is kicking my ass, so I think you should feel extra sorry for me,” Aston responds in his velvety voice, which does nothing to curb my desire. “And secondly, you know the wedding is three days away—that’s a whole seventy-two hours.”
“I think you can survive,” I tease, leaning against the green lamppost. “Besides, not to gross you out, but since you’ve grown up with Maddy, I think you’re accustomed to the girl talk. I’m possibly out of action for the next few days.”
“You think that will stop me?”
“Um, yes!” I scowl, but my body reacts immediately with a flurry in my stomach. “You do know what I’m referring to?”
“Yes, Everleigh. I’m well aware of how the female reproductive system works.
However, there are other places I’ve yet to explore.
” His voice stiffens, and like me, I assume he is struggling with this stupid rule I put into place— let’s pause until the wedding is done .
It’s Maddy’s special day, and we must focus on her.
“Okay, maybe it’s best we end this conversation.
Golf pants are tight and leave nothing to the imagination. ”
Unable to hold back my laughter, I follow with, “Bye, Tiger Woods.”
I’m grateful Georgina is not part of the bachelorette, nor is Maddy’s mother. Patricia checked herself into a hotel with a day spa to de-stress before the wedding. From my observations, I think Patricia has had enough of Georgina. Honestly, I don’t blame her.
Beaumont Manor has a beautifully landscaped garden, so setting up the long wooden table in the middle of the large open patio makes sense.
Draped from the wooden pillars are festoon lanterns to enhance the lighting, and because it’s still cold at night, I rented some outdoor heaters and positioned them near the tables to keep everything nice and toasty.