“A person?” I asked apprehensively.
Van nodded.
Running past him, I hurried to the front door. Opening the French doors, I rushed to the heavy large one. Cold air met me as I flung it open to the sight of my best friend getting out of Albert’s SUV.
“Vicki!” I screamed as I ran in place. “You made it.”
In no time at all, she was wrapped in my embrace.
“Oh my God. I thought you couldn’t make it. I thought you had something for school.”
Vicki’s eyes were wide as I pulled her into the house. “Nice digs.”
“Do people say that anymore?”
“You know, retro is coming back.”
I turned in time to see Van leaning against the archway beyond the staircase. His arms were crossed over his wide chest, cheeks raised, and he had a sexy grin.
“When did you know she’d make it?”
Lowering his arms, he came our way. “I knew for sure last night.”
“Yeah, we had some arranging to do,” Vicki said. “By the way, I like this guy better than the last one you were going to marry.”
I couldn’t stop my grin. “Me too.” I playfully hit her arm. “We aren’t talking about him anymore.”
“It’s great to have you here, Vicki,” Van said, offering her his hand. “We were just about to have some coffee. Would you like a cup?”
“Yes,” she said too loud. “All the caffeine. Send it my way.”
Soon the three of us were sitting in the kitchen, drinking coffee, and eating muffins from Van’s favorite bakery in Bayfield. The conversation was light and fun, the way it should be with an old friend.
“So this is kind of in the sticks,” she said, looking out the window.
I followed her gaze to the white wonderland. “I hear it’s even prettier in the summer.”
Vicki picked up her mug and carried it to the large windows beyond the fireplace. “I’ll need to come back after the thaw.”
“You’re always welcome,” Van said. He looked down at his watch. “Well, I believe Margaret is to be here soon and that’s my cue to get scarce.”
Getting down from the tall stool, I went to Van, wrapping my arms around his neck. “For the record, I’ve never been so sure about a wedding.”
His forehead tipped to mine. “Me either.”
“You two…” Vicki said, “it’s almost disgusting how cute you are.”
Van laughed. “It’s been a minute since I was called cute.”
“Oh, well, it’s not just you. It’s the two of you,” Vicki corrected. “Alone you’re just…” Her smile met mine. “Super sexy.”
Van’s eyebrows danced up and down. “Okay. Girl talk.” He leaned down, claiming my lips as my hand came to his smooth cheek.
“I’ll see you at the cabin.”
“You will.”
Vicki and I waited as Van walked away. Once he was gone, her voice was lower but with no less enthusiasm. “Damn, girl. This is the whole package.”