Chapter 16
No one in the history of the world has ever been as tired as I am. Okay, maybe one or two people, but exhaustion doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel. I’m running on coffee, the promise of snagging the appetizers Gabriel prepared to steal the show, and pure will. In a matter of ten hours, the inn has been transformed. Magnolia Manor has become a wonderland of twinkling lights and white tulle with light blue and gold accents. It feels like I’ve stepped into a fairy tale wedding. Hats off to Celia.
I’d worried at first when all the tulle arrived that we would be faced with a gaudy affair but was surprised by the simple elegance of everything. Just off the back porch, a platform dance floor has been built with tables spanning around it. The head table is beautifully decorated with various shades of hydrangeas. It’s now nearing 6:15, with a rehearsal start time of 6:30. I’ve changed into a slender black dress to help oversee the proceedings while still blending in with the serving staff. Mom and Celia talk animatedly near the caterers” tent, no doubt congratulating each other on a job well done.
The sun is beginning to set, and the view of the light reflecting off the pond is stunning. Tired or not, I take a moment to appreciate the magic of it all.
“Beautiful,” I’m startled from my momentary trance by Ben’s voice. I turn to see him in sleek navy dress pants paired with a light blue button-down, sleeves rolled up. His brown hair is perfectly styled. His shirt, combined with all the blue accents around us, makes his eyes pop. I’m almost too stunned to speak. Almost.
“It really is. Your soon-to-be sister-in-law has excellent taste,” I smile and move to try and remind myself that I’m still working.
“I wasn’t talking about the decorations,” Ben responds, making my cheeks flare. I duck my head, trying to think of what I should be doing right now.
“Anyway, the wedding party can go stand by the drink cart to wait for the bride and groom to come down.” I head over to a small side table that holds a laptop and speaker. I turn on the music selected to play while the guests of the rehearsal dinner arrive. Suddenly instrumental music fills the air loudly, and it startles me. I jump and immediately lower the volume. Ben chuckles as he approaches me from behind. When I turn around, he’s standing far too close. The sound of the piano and violin mixed with how good he smells and looks, causes my senses to go into overdrive.
“Let me get all my facts together. Your mom owns the inn, and you work here in your free time?” he inquires. Ben should really be waiting with the other party guests.
“Yes.” It is a simple answer, but words aren’t really coming right now.
“Yes? That’s all, Dorothy? Usually, you’re chattier, especially when you are arguing that Emily Dickinson was ahead of her time.” He is trying to goad me.
“A. She was. And B. It was a yes or no question. If you were expecting more, you should have been more specific,” immediate regret. I should know by now Ben is always looking for an opening.
“My apologies. What else do you do in your free time?” he corrects.
I try to avoid thinking about you. No, not what I should say. “I don’t know. I hang out with my mom and my friend Sarah Mae. Why the sudden interest in my personal life?” Ben being here today was a surprise, but I’ve managed not to run into him again since this morning. Which would indicate he has no interest in me outside of the school environment. Not that I have had too much time to consider that with all the work I’ve been doing today.
“I’m curious. You don’t talk about it, and now I have a chance for an inside scoop. Who is Amelia Roberts? Published author, investigative reporter, okay golfer, and part-time innkeeper?” He gives me one of his award-winning smiles, and I’m transported into the same world I’m always in with him. Over the last month, this has happened a lot. We talk and laugh, and I forget momentarily that anything exists outside of the two of us.
“I guess a full-time innkeeper. My mom and I also live here. We have our own private apartments on the top floor away from the guests’ rooms. I help sometimes after school or with special events.” Ben follows me around as I check off a few things on my clipboard.
“Wait. You live here? You have access to this view every day?” He sounds truly jealous. “That is pretty cool.” There is no teasing.
“Yeah. I guess it is.” I smile up at him.
“So. Does that means you will be at the wedding tomorrow?” I see an idea brewing behind his eyes.
“Yes. Why?” I question. His eyes light up. Something is definitely brewing.
“Will you be working the event, or would you be allowed to participate?” he asks. Participate?
“I mean, I don’t think the bride would appreciate me trying to marry your brother, if that’s what you are asking,” I chuckle.
“No, I just meant that if at the reception, if you were asked to dance by a guest. Would that be allowed?” He looks nervous.
“I have danced at weddings before, yes.” Is Ben asking me to dance with him?
“You get asked to dance at weddings? By whom?” There is Ben from golf. The one who looks like he might get into a fight.
“Usually, men old enough to be my grandfather and the occasional ring bearer,” this conversation is ridiculous. A memory of me and Tyler at a wedding last summer comes to mind. He offered to help with preparations as an excuse to come over, and during the wedding, we slipped off near the pond to dance. That was my first kiss. I don’t think I should tell Ben that, though.
His face relaxes, and just as he’s about to respond, we are interrupted by none other than Lizzie Roberts herself. “Amelia, who is your friend here?” Real subtle, Mom. I take a step back, remembering where we are. At this point, most of the wedding party has arrived, and I’m holding Ben up.
“Mom, this is Benedict Blake, brother to the groom. We go to school together.” As I speak, she appraises him, then realization hits her.
“Your mentor, Ben?” She has absolutely no tact and still has not addressed Ben directly. He doesn’t seem to mind and instead sees an opportunity.
“Amelia has mentioned me?” Not what he should be focused on. “She’s told me wonderful things about you, Ms. Roberts. It’s nice to meet you.” He’s all charm, but I wish he knew it was wasted. Lizzie Roberts will chew him up and spit him out.
“You can call me Lizzie,” mom says sweetly. What in the world? “It’s nice to meet a school friend of Amelia’s. As much as I would love to chat more, I’m sorry. I need to steal her away.” She slips her arm into mine. “We have a few things to tend to. Enjoy the rehearsal dinner.” She nods and pulls me away. Ben runs his hand through his hair. I watch as Mom pulls me toward the kitchen entrance as he walks toward the wedding party.
“Jesus Mom, that was smooth,” I say as we stumble into the kitchen.
“Don’t Jesus Mom me,” she looks like a cat about to pounce. “THAT is your mentor?”
“Yeah, and…” the kitchen is quiet. Dinner service was shut down tonight to eliminate the traffic through the inn. Apparently, an additional large payment was made to compensate us for our losses. It must have been very large because even Gabriel took the night off happily.
“The way you described him, he might as well have been a troll under a bridge. You didn’t tell me he looked like that.” She pinches my arm. “You’ve been holding out on me?”
“Ouch!” I rub my arm. “Holding out on you?”
“Amelia, that boy is gorgeous. Do you not have eyes?” I didn’t expect this reaction from her. I thought she was angry that I was talking to a boy.
“I mean, yeah. He’s cute. I guess.” I don’t want to tell her, I know! Every day is a constant struggle.
“You guess. Why didn’t you tell me? You barely want to talk about school other than classes. Is there something I should know?” Dang it, she’s hurt.
“No. I mean… I guess I kind of like him, but it doesn’t matter. Remember, after Tyler, I swore off boys.”
“Oh, sweetie,” she pulls me in for a hug. “I know that the Tyler situation was tough. Don’t get me wrong, I have thought of many ways to hurt him without getting caught. However, that doesn’t mean you have to swear off ALL boys.”
I pull back. “I just thought, you know, after everything, you wouldn’t want me dating.”
“Let me be clear. I don’t want you to date Tyler. He’s immature and not good enough for you.” Her voice is level and stern. “But dating, liking boys, it’s normal for a girl your age. I want you to have a normal childhood.”
I contemplate her words. I’ve been entirely dead set on avoiding relationships and dating completely. I just assumed she felt the same. “I didn’t know you felt that way.”
“The only reason I didn’t bring it up is that I didn’t know you were interested in anyone, or that your mentor looks like that.”
“He is really handsome,” I smile. I feel like a weight has been lifted. I’ve been wanting to talk to her about this for a month.
“Yes, handsome would describe the rom-com star,” she deadpans, but I can see a smile forming.
“That’s what I thought of him at first too!” We really are cut from the same cloth.
“Well, now that we have cleared this up, I think you should be off duty for the rest of the night. I’m not saying you have to go to bed, but maybe eat, relax, enjoy a good book in the sunroom.” The sunroom that has a perfect view of the backyard.
“Thanks Mom. I am exhausted.”
“Me too. After the rehearsal, I’ll have the weekend manager finish clean up and I’ll come up. Thank you for all your help. I don’t think I could have pulled this off without you.” She wraps me in another hug.
“All part of the star daughter package,” I shrug.
“I really did get lucky with you. Just remember, the star daughter can have some fun too. PG fun, to be clear, but some fun.” I love my mom.
Benedict
What are the chances that my brother’s wedding gets moved to Amelia’s inn? I was shocked to see her earlier today. I was bummed golf got canceled. Then I spent the entire morning helping Brody calm an inconsolable Alyssa down. He called me this morning, panicked from the country club when they realized the patio would never dry in time for setup.
Alyssa has dreamed of an outdoor wedding since she was a little girl. She deserves it too. Unlike most debutantes in the circles we run, Alyssa is as far from snobby as it gets. She has a heart of gold. I’m still questioning why she’s with my brother. My mom loves her. Alyssa sits with her through her chemo sessions. She has really helped out this past year.
Clair Roberts saved the day when she recommended Magnolia Manor as a replacement venue. I should have made the connections sooner but was under the impression Amelia wasn’t close to her grandparents. There are rumors, but her mom seems to be doing well here. This place is beautiful, and I’m jealous of the view of the pond from the back porch. An image of Amelia sitting on one of the rockers with a book in hand or her laptop balanced on her lap comes to mind.
The last month has been torture. I flirt with her constantly, but she never takes the hint. I’ve tried to take things slow and get to know her. I get the feeling she has probably been burned in the past, the way she talks about fictional men being the only honorable ones in discussions. I was livid when I found out Summer confronted her. She really is clueless. I set the record straight later that day, and of course, Summer pouted and begged me to go into an empty classroom for old times” sake. A make-out session isn’t what I want. I would take one conversation with Amelia over kissing Summer any day.
I know it has been a lot of stress for everyone moving the wedding last minute but thank God for rain. I finally get a chance to see Amelia outside of school. She is more relaxed and carefree. I’ve been able to catch glimpses of her throughout the day. She directed vendors this way and that way, smiling and laughing, in control. She had grown men taking directions from her. It was hot. Then when I saw her looking out at how all her hard work had paid off, I was awestruck. There is no way I’m leaving this weekend without telling her how I feel. Even if it’s just for a moment, one dance on the dance floor. This is the chance I have been waiting for.