Arriving at the bake-off almost felt anti-climactic to Ford after the great day he’d had with Greer. The event was being held at Hibernian Hall, a beautiful old dancing room that had held many prestigious events in Charleston.
The first thing they did, aside from experience mild panic because the doughnut people hadn’t arrived yet and Greer’s table was empty, was go greet all the brides and their true loves.
“That’s a truly beautiful display,” Greer said to Wesley and Serena.
“It’s on its way,” Serena said back, and tweaked a bunch of flowers she’d put on the table.
“Just wanted to say hi,” Greer said. “We still have tons to do.”
“Oh, wow,” Serena said, eyeing her flowers still.
“Good luck,” said Ford.
“Catch you later.” Wesley grinned.
Serena waved the tips of her fingers and smiled in their general direction.
“They were perfectly friendly,” Greer said low as they walked away. “But not as friendly as they were before the contest.”
“She’s nervous,” Ford said. “That’s all. And focused on what she has to do.”
“You’re right,” Greer said.
They were back at their table. Ford bent over, grabbed one side of the peg wall they’d borrowed from her friend Pete—who’d built it for a school carnival years before—and which they’d painted pink that morning. Greer took the other side. Together they hoisted it onto the table. It rested on an A-shaped frame that kept it secure and standing. The front side with the pegs was perpendicular to the table and made an eye-catching—if currently empty—display.
“This is going to be really cool.” She was speaking to Ford even as she was eyeing her pink wooden backdrop.
He was next to her now, his arms crossed over his chest, his eye also on the display. And then he took a sideways step so he could be closer to her. “May I, madam?” He held his arm out.
“Sure,” she said.
He curved his arm around her waist and pulled her closer. “I’ve enjoyed this day. And don’t worry, the doughnut people will come.”
“If they don’t, we’ll look pretty silly.” She laughed. “Thanks for being part of why I’m happy right now.” She looked him right in the eye.
“That was kind of you.” Deep inside he let a glow of contentment push down any misgivings he had about opening up too much. Holding her felt exactly right. “And I’d like to say, in the words of Gus and Drake, ‘Right back atcha, dude.’”
“I mean it.” She turned slightly, stood on her tiptoes, and kissed his cheek.
“Thanks.” That was more than sweet to him. That was a validation he sorely needed. When Teddy left him, he wondered if he was able to make anyone happy. He turned Greer in his arms just a little bit. “Hey, we’re in a fake engagement. How about a public display of affection? It’s what we’re supposed to do, right?”
“It can’t hurt.”
He kissed her full on the mouth. Then they pulled apart. He liked her. A lot.
Her brows shot up, and her eyes were a little wary. “Are you faking it until you make it right now? Because if so, you’re really good at it. I’m feeling all warm and fuzzy.”
He contemplated telling her the truth, that he was getting a massive crush on her. But at the last second he changed his mind. “I’m absolutely playing the wedding game,” he said. “Am I doing it well?” He strove for a happy-go-lucky grin.
“Too well.” Her face lit up. “The doughnut people are here!” she said, and rushed to the top of the stairs to greet them.
“Right,” he murmured as he watched her go. “The doughnut people are here.” Let her think he was simply pretending. That he thought of her as nothing more than a new and great friend. It was best that way.