Jimmy sat in the passenger seat rather than sitting in the back with Ivy's parents. Her mother kept talking about little things, each less important than the one before.

"It's fine, Ellen. Baxter loves our daughter. He's a good man."

Jimmy wanted to confirm his friend would take care of their daughter, but preferred to sit quietly. He looked at his uncle's watch as the car pulled up in front of the church. If only he could tell him about Dawson, Grant would be proud of him for standing by Dickie. Would he tell him about Tate? Probably not since he never discussed his sex life with his uncle. It wasn't a sex life, since she already shut him off.

He entered the nineteenth century church behind Ivy's parents. The scent of candles and old wood hit him like a punch in the heart. The last time he stepped into a church had been for the funeral. He touched his breast pocket. The worn paper was there against his heart.

"Why are you frowning?"

He hadn't heard her approach and shook his head. They didn't have trust and the depth of his loss was personal.

Forcing a smile, he asked, "Is he here yet?"

"No, Dani texted. He's on his way."

Jimmy laughed. "I knew I'd beat him. Is Ivy okay?"

Tate nodded. "She told the minister to plan to start fifteen minutes late."

"Only fifteen."

They strolled towards the others. Ivy stepped forward and kissed his cheek. "Jimmy. I'm counting on you to get him here tomorrow."

"He'll be fine. I won't let him work."

"He's on vacation. Dad and Kasper are in charge." Tate looked at her brother.

"Dad has it under control. He's secretly glad for a reason to go to work every day."

Jimmy laughed. "I don't know what to do on days off."

Doyle snorted. "We know what Bax will be doing."

Tate glared. "You're embarrassing Ivy."

Jimmy wanted to wink at Tate, but she hadn't looked his way.

The minister appeared. "Are we ready to get started?"

Ivy shook her head. "We're waiting on..."

"I'm here. I'm here." Baxter ran down the aisle.

Ivy's face lit up. "We're ready."

Jimmy turned as Baxter greeted his bride. Tate turned too. When their eyes met, she spun away. Did she regret their time together? His heart beat sluggishly. He hadn't regretted a single second, not his hand on her ass as she took all of him, or their quiet conversation, or when he made her come again. Maybe walking out on her, but he hadn't wanted to be kicked out.

"Gentlemen, please stand here. Groom, best man, groomsman."

Jimmy stood next to Baxter. "Are you okay?"

"Just a last-minute problem with my project. I briefed my Dad. It should be fine."

Jimmy laughed. "I was asking as best man to groom."

Baxter's eyes sparkled. "I'm great. This time tomorrow, I'll be married."

"Did you want to talk about your work problem? You are way too happy."

Kasper laughed. "Bax might be the poster child for marriage. It would be a miracle if he changed Jimmy's mind."

Jimmy laughed, but resented the assumption at the same time. "What about you Tarzan?"

"I got word. I'm going on another show to compete with a bunch of guys for one woman while hanging out at an island resort."

"The organist will begin playing and the men will move from the corner to right of center in front of the altar." Baxter walked out. "Perfect. Bridesmaids one by one. Start when the next is three quarters of the way. That's it. Slowly. Now stand here."

Freya walked to the left of the altar. Then Doyle. Next, Jimmy watched Tate walk down. She smiled and giggled, but she wasn't looking at him. Baxter had made a face at her. The minster droned on about the music changing and people standing. Ivy walked down with her father. Baxter wasn't goofing off anymore. Jimmy made a note to have a handkerchief ready; his friend might cry.

The minister explained what to expect. They had a discussion about the recessional. Baxter and Ivy were first, then Jimmy and Tate. He offered his arm to her. She took it and he leaned in to inhale her fragrance. "You look beautiful." Pink spread across her cheeks. Maybe they would share some cake.

With an odd number of girls, Kasper had one on each arm. "It's not as exciting as it looks. One's my twin and the other is married to a great dude."

Jimmy watched as Ivy's father chuckled and patted Joey on the back. It was nice for Ivy to have her family,

As soon as they returned to the house, the full protection was on Ivy. Baxter took the lead role not wanting to leave his intended's side. When he stepped away for scotch Doyle took his place. Ivy smiled at her and continued talking to her friends.

As Jimmy looked around the large formal parlor, he tried to find his favorite green irises. Instead, he realized that all the guests loved Ivy. It was only the hostess. The formal dining room gleamed ready to serve royalty, with fourteen place settings around the long table. The glasses sparkled, and the silver lined up like soldiers next to each plate. That was a lot of courses, Jimmy was glad he was hungry.

"What are you looking at?"

He smiled. He knew her voice, but her scent gave her away. "Wondering if I'll know which fork to use."

Tate let out an exasperated sigh. "She wants to intimidate Ivy's family. "I'll take care of it."

Jimmy followed close behind her. She stopped at Freya and Joey. "Listen, don't be nervous at the table. Just follow my lead or Baxter's. Not Jimmy's though."

Jimmy rolled his eyes, but Freya laughed. "Joey, more scotch." He escaped to the drink cart before his hand reached for the perfect curve of her hip.

He slipped out of the gathering to the powder room before dinner. Even his mother would frown if he excused himself in the middle of a meal. They would all think it was business. Voices in the hall surprised him. Philip and Mrs. Krasinski were deep in conversation.

Philip's voice was clearer. "... Tomorrow."

"It's been over thirty years!"

Whatever happened thirty years before made Philip sad. It seemed preposterous that Ivy's mother would know the Kanes. Jimmy slipped into the small bathroom unnoticed. When he finished, the hall was empty.

Baxter walked over to him. "Don't tell me you're working." Jimmy shook his head. "Why do you look like your gears are churning overtime?"

He looked at his friend and shook his head. Jimmy feared whatever he witnessed wasn't over, but it was his friend's wedding. As he looked around the room, Ivy's mother was smiling at her husband's side. They didn't look like the couple their daughter described as fighting constantly.

Amelia approached him and Baxter. "Jimmy, I've paired you with Tate. I thought you might have a date."

He smiled and shook his head. "I asked Charles to respond for one."

"What about the girl with the different name who sat with us?"

Jimmy chuckled. "Romy? She's an employee, plus she's dating Tate's ex."

"Duncan?"

"No, Tom."

"Mother, what are you talking about?" Tate shifted her feet as she looked from her mother to Jimmy.

"My lack of a date."

"What about the redhead? She was quite stunning."

Jimmy pulled back his shoulders. "She absolutely is and I love her, but she's engaged and she's also my cousin."

Baxter smiled. "You never mentioned Shaun was engaged."

"It happened while we were in Vegas. My boy, Josh, did the right thing."

"Since when have you thought getting down on one knee is the right thing?" Tate glared at him.

He looked at Tate. "When two people love and trust each other. I support Baxter and Ivy one-hundred percent. Where is the bride?"

Baxter turned. "Talking with her mother."

Jimmy looked to the corner. "They don't look happy."

"Just some old history. It'll be fine."

Old history involving Philip Kane. Jimmy felt like he stepped into an alternate universe. Philip Kane came from a generation when heirs in prominent families didn't interact with women who married mailmen.

It was Tate's turn to look at him funny. "I hope you aren't getting sick."

"No. I was thinking."

She laughed. "I didn't know it was so painful for you."

Being close to you is painful. "I see you still have a juvenile sense of humor." Percy announced dinner. As everyone moved towards the dining room, he held her back by her arm. "Did you know your father and Mrs. Krasinski knew each other?"

Tate narrowed her gaze. "No. I doubt it. Come on, my mother won't be happy."

People were still finding their seats. He and Tate sat side-by-side across from the bride and groom. His parents sat to his right and Kasper and Doyle sat to Tate's left. The Krasinskis sat across from Joe and Elena on Philip's end of the table. Jimmy hoped to learn more about their mysterious past.

Thanks for voting ⭐️