“Yeah, but I can handle my sugar. Roar just goes crazy and then passes out. Remember the wedding cake incident?”
“Who knew four pounds of cake could result in so much damage?” Gia shook her head. “At least the bride and groom will have the memory of a three-year-old spewing projectile vomit under their gift table forever.”
“Just try to keep her away from any cake tonight,” Evan warned. “I won’t be around to help Grampa and Phoebe wrangle her.”
“I’m picking you up at ten tomorrow, right?” Gia asked.
“Yeah. I left Lance’s address, phone number, and his mom’s name on a sticky note on the fridge.”
“You’re like the best twelve-year-old surgeon in the world,” Gia sighed.
“They don’t call me Dr. Awesome for nothing.”
They trooped to the yoga studio where Gia stashed the backpack and suitcase inside. She planted the kids on the curb with bottles of water and enjoyed the show around them as the residents of Blue Moon converged on the street and square claiming their spots for the parade.
Her neighbors at McCafferty Farm Supply on the next street over had set up temporary grandstands for the parade judges. Gia could just make out Beckett in jeans and a gray wool coat helping to set up the judge’s table.
“Mind if we join you?” Carter and Summer strolled up arm in arm, glowing with happiness in the falling dusk.
“Sure,” Gia smiled. “We’ve got room for the four of you.”
“Four?” Summer’s hand flew to her belly. “Oh my God. I was just getting used to being part of a two-some! Are we going to need a minivan, Carter?”
“And get rid of the Jeep? Serves me right for keeping expired condoms in my house,” Carter quipped, shooting a belated glance in Evan and Aurora’s direction.
Summer elbowed Carter in the gut. “Too much information, Pierce,” she teased.
Gia laughed and ushered them to the curb where the kids greeted them enthusiastically. She bit her lip when she saw Evan slide just an inch closer to Summer. She guessed the baby and engagement news hadn’t been much of a deterrent to the twelve-year-old.
“So, Gia,” Carter began, slinging an arm around his fiancée. “Are you a good witch or a bad witch?”
“It depends on the day,” Gia winked.
“Speaking of days, what are you guys doing for Thanksgiving?”
“I have no idea. Presumably eating too much,” Gia said. She hadn’t given the upcoming holidays much thought and realized that for the first time in too many years she would get to spend them with her father.
“We were hoping you’d spend the day with us,” Summer said casually, but her sparkling eyes gave her away.
“Thanksgiving with the vegetarians?” Gia asked.
“Well, Thanksgiving and a wedding.” Summer grinned.
“Are you serious? You’re getting married on Thanksgiving?”
Summer giggled. “We want something small, but I want to still be able to wear a spectacular dress which means the sooner the better,” she said, patting her still-flat belly again.
“We would be thrilled to spend Thanksgiving with you. We’ve all got a lot to be thankful for this year,” Gia said happily.
“Good, because now you can’t say no to the next thing.”
“What’s the next thing?”
“I want you to be a bridesmaid,” Summer stated firmly. “Now, I know what you’re going to say,” she said holding up a hand when Gia started to speak.
“We haven’t known each other long, but I like you more than any ‘friends’ I had in the city and you’re practically family … Because of Franklin,” she added, darting a glance at Carter.
“I don’t know what to say,” Gia told her. She was touched. She liked Summer and admired the life she and Carter were forging together. To be asked to be a part of it was sweet and exactly the kind of relationship she’d been looking to build here.
“Say yes,” Summer urged. “Besides with your hair and coloring, you’ll look amazing in the bridesmaids dress I picked out.”
“Well, when you put it that way, how can I say no?” Gia laughed.
“Perfect!” Summer winked and snuggled into Carter’s side. “It’s you and Joey for bridesmaids and Beckett and Jax are groomsmen. Beckett will be your escort.”
19
The parade was an undisputed hit. Gia especially enjoyed the showing of the Higgenworth Communal Alternative Education Day Care. Three-and four-year-olds dressed as farm animals ran amok on the street as their adult chaperones attempted to shoo them back into formation.
Next to her, Carter shuddered when the ringleader, a woman dressed in overalls and a straw hat, waved to him. He gave her a weak smile and Gia swore the hand he raised to return the greeting was shaking.
“Remember your promise to me,” Summer said, through gritted teeth and a pained smile.