CHAPTER 41
Lynn strode across the lawn with purpose and zero apology, cutting off whatever conversation Brock was having with her dad.
“Hey, Father Stu,” Lynn said with a grin. “It’s time for us to win the award for Best Man and Best Bridesmaid.”
“Huh, pretty sure I already won that,” Brock added casually. “I was the only guy up there.”
“Yeah, yeah. Technicality.”
“CaroLynn?” Donald interjected, blinking at the interruption.
“Yeah, Daddy?”
“What do you need? I don’t think Bryce’s brother understands what it is you need. Or that you joke so much.”
Lynn grinned. “Daddy, Brock is fluent in sarcasm and I’m getting to what I need.”
Donald turned his attention to Brock. “Are you fluent in sarcasm? Lynn says that’s a sarcastic way of implying someone understands and uses sarcasm regularly. It is not a literal language.”
Brock chuckled. “Yes, sir. Native speaker.”
“Good. CaroLynn’s sarcasm can be a bit much for people who don’t understand it.”
Lynn rolled her eyes and gave her dad a playful smack on the arm. “Thanks Dad, I think. But for the record, Bonhoeffer here can handle himself.”
Donald gave a satisfied nod. “Very good. Then I’ll leave you two to your rudeness and go find your mother.”
Lynn turned back to Brock with a sigh.
“What’s up, Annie?”
“Original. Never heard that one before,” she rolled her eyes.
“You’ve called me every famous or fictional pastor known to man, and I can’t drop a character name?”
Lynn stood taller, wagging her finger at him. “A – I don’t drop character names. I use them to creatively insult people.”
Brock held up a finger. “Wait. So how is calling me names of amazing men of God an insult?”
“Because all of you annoy me. And B – you can’t just pick a character based on their hair and call someone that. It’s lazy.”
“What if I picked it based on your spunky personality?”
“Nope.”
“What about Anne? Or Pippi?”
“You’re spiraling. Let’s bring it in. Why are we here again?” Lynn asked
“Right. The fictional award for Best Man and Best Bridesmaid.”
“Good job, we need to get Bryce and Beth out of here.” Lynn said seriously.
Brock glanced toward the couple, who were still happily chatting in separate groups. “They look like they’re having a good time.”
“Okay, Point Break, think like a man on his wedding night.” Lynn gave him a look.
That got his attention.
She softened. “Look, I don’t know how much they’ve shared about how this all started.
But he still sleeps in the guest room. Dude, this is their wedding night.
They need a clean start. So, you go interrupt her, charm her into saying goodnight, and get her into the car.
Their bags are already packed and in the trunk. I’ll grab Bryce.”
Brock straightened and mock-saluted. “On it, boss.”
He paused, hand resting on her shoulder. “Wait. Why me and not you?”
Lynn’s grin turned wicked. “Because I know my sister. And she knows me. She’ll stay until every dish is clean and every guest is gone. She expects me to push her to leave. But you? She won’t expect that.”
Brock’s laugh carried across the lawn, momentarily drawing Sue and Donald’s attention. But as the two walked past them with determined purpose, Sue just smiled.
She knew exactly what Lynn was up to. As for Donald? Donald simply noted they were walking and resumed eating his dessert without another thought.
Brock found Beth near the far edge of the porch, deep in conversation with her cousin’s wife. She was glowing in the soft string lights, still barefoot, still in her dress, holding her cousin’s toddler.
He waited for a lull, then slid in beside her like he’d been there all along.
“Hey, Mrs. Jensen,” he said with a grin. “Wanna ditch this party with me?”
“Excuse me?” Beth blinked, caught off guard.
He leaned casually against the porch railing, one eyebrow raised. “I’ve been sent by the Bridesmaid Mafia. Operation Just Married is officially underway. Apparently, it’s time you were swept off your feet and into your husband’s car.”
“Lynn put you up to this, didn’t she?” Beth laughed, cheeks pink.
“No comment,” he said easily.
She looked at Jamie, uncertain what to do.
Jamie smiled and gently reclaimed her youngest. “You should go, Beth. It’s your guys’ day.”
She hesitated, then laughed again. “Okay.”
He offered his arm with surfer-boy charm. “Shall we, milady?”
“Hey, Bryce...” Lynn said, walking up to him and the man he was talking to by one of the firepits.
“Oh hey, Lynn,” Bryce said warmly, looping an arm around her shoulders and pulling her into the conversation. “Have you met Eric? We work together at the hospital.”
Lynn smiled politely as she shook Eric’s hand, catching the appreciative glance he swept down her strappy navy-blue bridesmaid dress.
“Nope,” Lynn said cooly. “Haven’t had the pleasure.”
She turned her attention back to Bryce and handed him his keys. “Your bags are in the trunk. And your brother is getting her into the car as we speak.”
Bryce’s expression shifted instantly. “You’re the best.”
He kissed her cheek and walked off—completely forgetting to say goodbye to Eric.
Eric watched him go, then turned back to Lynn. “So... Lynn, was it?”
She didn’t miss a beat. “Nooooppppeee.”
With that, she turned on her heel and walked away without a backward glance.