Chapter Three

“I'm Freddie,” he said, offering out his hand.

“Zoey,” I replied, setting down the spoon and taking his hand. His hand was strong and firm. A well-practiced handshake. “It's nice to meet you.”

He smiled again, and I felt a warmth rush to my cheeks, especially with my hand still in his. I pulled away and tucked some loose hair behind my ear. Little butterflies danced in my stomach, and I found myself hoping that Freddie would keep me company all night.

“How do you know the bride and groom?” Freddie asked, making conversation as he glanced around the room. The reception hall was starting to fill. It was a beautiful open room that looked out over the green grass and a small creek where Carlson and Cecelia had said their vows. White tulle and satin complemented with shades of dark blue ribbons wound through the room.

“Oh, I don't actually know them,” I replied. “I just happened to have the right dress on today. I totally snuck in. I don't think anyone even noticed.”

I leaned back and motioned to the dark blue satin bridesmaid dress I wore. Despite the flattering cut, there was no mistaking it for anything but a bridesmaid dress.

Freddie laughed, the sound making my soul feel lighter. His laugh was even better than his smile.

“You have excellent taste,” he replied. “But I hate to tell you; three other women are wearing the exact same thing. I've been told that's a terrible thing to happen at a party like this.”

“Shoot.” I grinned at him, enjoying our banter, even if it wasn't my best work. “The bride is my cousin,” I explained. “On my mother's side. That's why I got placed at this fancy table.”

“Ah, I see.” He looked around the table, seeing Carlson's parents' names as well as my aunt and uncle's names at their seat placements. “And where's your date?” Freddie asked, looking at his plate setting. “I hope I didn't steal his seat.”

“No, you didn't steal anyone's spot. I didn't bring a date,” I replied. I had said it enough times to my mother and aunt that I didn't stumble over the words or even feel guilty anymore.

“So I don't have to worry about 'Zoey's Date' showing up and kicking me out of my chair?” he asked, holding up the small card in front of him. “Zoey's Date”” was clearly printed on it.

My cheeks flushed with mortification. “Nope. Don't have to worry about him at all.”

“He couldn't come?” Freddie asked. He sounded nonchalant, but I thought he sounded hopeful. Or maybe it was just me hoping that he was interested in my dating status. Maybe he was still worried about someone coming and stealing his chair.

“I've been too busy with work and school to date anyone,” I explained. “Plus, not having a date really annoys my mother.”

He set the card back down on the table in front of him. It now looked like he was my date. I wasn't about to say anything. I was enjoying his company.

“What about you?” I asked. “Is some pretty girl or boy going to come to kick me out of my seat?”

Freddie grinned at me, and my heart sped up. I was ready to be let down, though. A guy like him, handsome and funny, had to have a dozen girls after him. Or he was interested in the other team. Guys like him were always taken or gay.

“I was only able to come at the last minute, so I don't have a date either,” he replied. “Not that I had a girl to bring anyway.”

Hope sprang up in my chest, and I pretended to straighten my salad fork so he hopefully wouldn't see the smile or the blush on my face.

Single and interested in females. I no longer hated this table.

“And how do you know the groom?” I asked after making sure my fork was relatively straight next to the plate.

“I was unfortunately not wearing the right dress,” he replied. He winked at me. “I know Carlson from playing rugby. We played in college together.”

“In Paradisa?” I asked. At Freddie's surprised look, I added, “I know Carlson played with the Paradisa Royals during his semester abroad. It would explain the accent.”

“I have an accent? What accent?” he asked, face deadpan and serious. And entirely without an accent.

I fumbled for a moment, wondering if I had misheard the previous accent to his words. He didn't sound British or Scottish, but it wasn't quite Australian or South African.

He chuckled. “Just teasing,” he said, with his original soft lilt on every word. “I'm actually terrible at the American accent. I can't seem to get my 'a's to come out correctly.”

“I thought it was excellent. I totally believed you,” I replied, liking that it made him smile. “So, you met Carlson in Paradisa. Do you still live there?”

“When the royal family lets me,” he replied with a shrug. He reached for his drink and took a sip. It looked like he was drinking whiskey on the rocks.

“And what do you do there?” I asked. “I mean, what kind of work do you do? Are you in the medical field like Carlson?”

“No, not medical.” Freddie looked at me, tilting his head slightly like he was trying to figure me out.

“So... rugby?” I asked. I didn't want to dig into his business, but a job seemed like an essential part of someone's life.

He looked me over again. “I was never good enough to be professional. My brother might have been. His name's Henry. Perhaps you've heard of him. He got married recently.”

I thought for a moment. Carlson and I weren't especially close and I didn't know all his friends. I tried to have a good relationship with him, But other than sharing a love of medicine, we didn't have a lot in common. He grew up in New York so we didn't have the same social circles.

I shook my head. “I don't think I've heard Carlson talk about him.”

A slow smile spread across Freddie's face as he set his glass down. His head cocked slightly as he looked me over. “I work in a family business.”

“That sounds interesting,” I said, hoping he'd tell me more.

“You'd think so.” He picked up his glass and took a sip, his voice slightly bitter.

I was about to ask more when the rest of the table arrived. Loudly.

“Well, that was just about the best wedding I've ever seen,” my aunt announced, flopping into her chair with a pleased look. My uncle greeted me with a pat on the shoulder before sitting next to me. The groom's parents, John and Carla, sat next to Freddie.

“It was almost perfect. Other than a few small things that got tripped up,” Carla replied, giving me a cold glance. I did my best just to smile politely.

“I thought it was just lovely,” Freddie said quickly. “I'm so very happy for them both.”

Both mothers turned and zeroed in on Freddie, suddenly noticing that there was someone unrelated at the table.

“Are you Zoey's date?” Carla asked, looking him over suspiciously.

“If only I were so lucky,” Freddie replied. He grinned at Carla. “I'm Freddie Prescott. It's a pleasure to meet you.”

The man oozed charm. He smiled at Carla and then grinned at Aunt Linda, and I swear they both fluttered their eyelashes like schoolgirls. I couldn't really blame them. He was handsome.

My uncle cleared his throat softly and looked at me.

“Oh, right. Freddie, these are Carlson's parents, John and Carla,” I said, realizing I should make introductions. I could feel my face heating. “And these are my aunt and uncle, the parents of the bride.”

“Tim Reynolds,” my uncle said, holding out his hand. “And my wife is Linda.”

My blush deepened as I realized I hadn't given their names, just their relation to me. I was not made for social things like this. I always forgot the rules.

“A pleasure,” Freddie assured them, not looking at all like I had gaffed. “I think I'm seated at the best table in the room.”

The adults laughed, and I tried not to chug my wine. Luckily, our food started to arrive. Being at the parents' table did have some perks, like getting food first. The waiter took the silver serving spoon from our table, whispering apologies about it being there in the first place.

Freddie grinned at me, and we both chuckled.

“You never did tell me how you know the correct usage of sedating unruly guests,” Freddie said, taking a bite of his meal.

I quickly swallowed my bite of chicken. “I'm a nurse.”

“Our Zoey just graduated from nursing school last week. Top of her class at one of the hardest schools in the state,” my aunt informed him. “She even has a job at the hospital already.”

I blushed hard. My aunt was clearly bragging about me.

“Top of your class?” Freddie asked, sounding impressed. “You must have loads of practice knocking trouble makers out.”

I liked the admiration in his voice, and so I just sat there smiling like an idiot.

“We're all so proud of her. She's been a nursing assistant at the hospital for six years,” my aunt decided to explain. “They practically begged her to become an RN. She'd worked there long enough that she already knew how to do everything!”

“That's not quite how it works...” I said.

“Of course that's not how it works. My son is a doctor,” Carla replied. “He knows how to do everything. Nurses just help.”

I smiled through gritted teeth. “That's not quite how it works either...”

“Well, maybe Zoey will go back for her MD once she's been an RN for a bit.” My aunt crossed her arms. “The women in our family are certainly smart enough for it.”

“Well, they are smart enough to marry well,” Carla replied casually.

Freddie's eyes darted between the two women as he watched the tension increase between them. I wondered if he still thought this was the best table at the wedding.

If I were him, I probably would snarf my food and run.

“Congratulations on graduating and the new job,” Freddie said quickly before one of the other women could say more. “Are you doing anything to celebrate?”

“I'm taking two weeks off of work,” I replied. “My new job doesn't start until late-June, and I've been doing nothing but work and study for the last few years. I'm taking a vacation.”

My aunt and Carla both opened their mouths to say something.

“It sounds well earned,” Freddie said before either had the chance. He smiled at me, and I knew he meant it.

“Thank you,” I told him.

“Does anyone need a drink?” Uncle Tim asked.

“I do. I'll come with you,” John said quickly.

The two men darted away, leaving Freddie and me with the two women.

“She's using our cabin on the river for her vacation,” my aunt said. “It's just one of our graduation presents.”

I was extremely grateful for the cabin, but it was the only graduation present they were giving me as far as I knew. I didn't say anything, though.

“You have a cabin?” Carla scoffed. “How quaint.”

“It's this beautiful place in Stevens Point, right on the river, but close enough to town to have everything a person could need on vacation,” my aunt told Freddie, lifting her chin and smiling with superiority at Carla. “It's usually booked solid this time of year.”

“I really appreciate the cabin, Aunt Linda--” I started to say, but Carla cut me off.

“Is it the cabin you offered the newlyweds?” Carla asked. “The one they turned down because they wanted our beach house in Florida?” She smiled at Aunt Linda, but it wasn't a kind smile. She turned back to Freddie. “I adore our beach house. We were going to go there after the wedding, but I gave it to my son because he deserves the best.”

“I suppose a tiny beach apartment might be more comfortable for a couple of newlyweds who never want to leave the bedroom,” Aunt Linda replied to Carla. “I'm sure when they have children, my cabin will get used every summer. It's so big and roomy. We'll all be able to visit and have adventures. I don't think you and the future grandkids will fit in your little one bedroom beach apartment.”

“It's a house,” Carla corrected.

They both spoke using polite words and fake smiles, but there was no kindness. It was a war between the two of them. I thought about going to the bar with the men, but that would mean leaving poor Freddie to fend for himself.

I reached for my wine and tried not to grimace.

“Are they always like this?” he whispered as the two women argued politely about the correct way their very hypothetical grandchild should be spoiled. The two women smiled without warmth as they debated. It may have looked like smiling, but they were simply flashing fangs at one another.

“It's been nothing but competition between the two of them since the engagement was announced,” I told him. “I'd hoped that the wedding would help bring them together, but...”

I shrugged and made a vague motion. I didn't understand their feud at all. Why couldn't they just get along?

“Well, I think two weeks in a cabin sounds marvelous,” Freddie said, carefully placing his knife and fork on the plate, indicating he was finished. “What are you planning on doing there?”

I grinned. “Nothing. And it's going to be amazing.”

He chuckled. “I can appreciate nothing.”

“I mean, I plan on doing lots of things, but there is no schedule and no requirements,” I clarified. “It's a break from my busy life.”

“That's what a vacation should be,” Freddie agreed. “What kind of things are you doing without a schedule?”

I loved the way he said schedule. It sounded so much fancier than when I said it.

“There's fishing, and tubing, and swimming. There's an ice cream store with the best ice cream ever. I also plan on eating cheese curds and pizza until I can't walk, and then I'll just go float on the river.” I sighed with pleasure, just thinking about it. “Or, I might just stay in bed all day and watch the river flow by and then watch lightning bugs and stars.”

“Sounds like heaven,” Freddie said.

“I think it will be.” I grinned at him.

“Wait, you said lightning bugs?” Freddie asked. “What are those?”

“Some people call them fireflies,” I explained.

“You mean the little bugs that fly around and glow?” Freddie looked confused. “I thought they made those up for cartoons.”

I chuckled. “Nope. Very real. And very magical.”

“We don't have anything like that in Paradisa,” he explained. “Do they really glow?”

“Yes,” I said with a smile. “There should be some out tonight. Would you like me to show you some? They'd be right outside.”

“I'd love that.” His eyes met mine, and I went breathless.

I had a feeling I would show that man anything he wanted.