For once, my sister let something go. Her face softened as she said, “I’ll finish closing up and meet you in your office, okay?”
I nodded. “Thanks, Palmer.”
She reached for my hand and gave it a squeeze. “Of course. I love you, sis.”
Fighting back tears, I drew in a shaky breath. “I love you too.”
“Why are those two over there pouting?” Palmer asked as she walked up and handed me a glass of wine.
My eyes followed her gaze to where my brother and Brody were sitting alone at a table.
“Who knows with those two,” I said before I took a sip of my drink.
“Apparently, Brody told Brax to invite some single women to this party.”
That caused my heart to do a weird drop. Would he really do that? Was he hoping to get in one last weekend of meaningless sex before Monday, when we were set to head to the Justice of the Peace together? “Why?”
“Who knows. Maybe they both want to get laid.”
I looked back over to the table and stared at Brody. He was listening to something Braxton was telling him, ignoring the party going on around him, his head bent and a look of concentration on his face. The idea that Brody might want to sleep with someone before he was officially off the market made me sick to my stomach.
“And where in the hell is Harlee?” Palmer asked. “I swear, if she snuck off with Thomas to have sex, I’m never talking to her again.”
I sighed. “At least one of us is having sex.”
Palmer huffed. “Right? At this point, I’m ready to pull that hot waiter over there into a closet and have my way with him.”
I giggled.
Palmer turned to face me. “What did Dad want, by the way?”
“He wanted to make sure I was okay. Thanks for not telling him and Mom that Jack is back in town. I was hoping to keep it on the down low until after today. I want them to focus on Addie.”
“I can’t believe he emptied your bank account, Sutton.”
After Jack showed up at the store, I’d broken down and told Palmer about the money he stole. It felt good to talk to someone other than Brody and my lawyer about it. I’d also gotten good news—the judge had ordered Jack to replace the money, plus the lost interest, which honestly was next to nothing. “He has until Monday to put it back or risk going to jail.”
Palmer sipped her wine while we both looked around the room. As Addie had requested, the party was being held in the large space above The Maine Bakery. It was a cool and convenient event space to have in the middle of downtown. My folks had catered the food, and they’d let Ruby, their longtime employee, take care of all the planning, included managing the serving staff. I had to hand it to her, she was a natural. No wonder my parents loved her so much.
“I don’t even know half of these people,” Palmer said. “I honestly didn’t think so many people would show up with such short notice.”
I let out a laugh. “Please. They all want the free food and the gossip.”
“True that.”
We both sighed at the same time, then chuckled.
She looked over at the buffet table. “Oh, Lord. Looks like it’s time to eat. Do you have a speech ready?”
I snapped my head up to look at my sister. “What do you mean, a speech?”
“Well, you’re like the hostess. Don’t you have to give a speech?”
I frantically looked around for Brody. “No, that’s for the wedding. I mean, we don’t give speeches at the…at the…whatever kind of party this is! Shower slash bachelorette slash bachelor party. No one gives speeches at those.”
Palmer lifted her brows and gave me an are-you-sure-about-that look.
“Oh shit,” I whispered as I stood, heading for Brody. “I have to go!”