“Puh-leeze.” I laughed. “You’re the one who’s perfect, even if you do steal my food like you did when we were little.”
“Was I ever little?” She rubbed her tummy and grinned. “And trust me, I’m far from perfect. Though Phillip did say the same thing.”
“He’s right.”
“Oh, he also said something else.” Crystal quirked an eyebrow. “He said Derrick told him all about your cookie-baking date.”
“Oh?” I tried to act nonchalant. “What did he say?”
“That his mom adores you. And that it was the best four hours he’d ever spent in a kitchen.”
“Ha.” I giggled. “Well, maybe he’s had some bad experiences in a kitchen.”
“No, there’s more to it than that. He really likes you, Mari. Phillip heard all about it.”
I felt the corners of my lips curl up in a smile. No one could blame me, after all. “I really like him, too, Crystal. He’s a great guy. Such a big heart.”
“Big enough to include a petite little thing like you.” She gave me a wink. “Even if you are at the end of the bridesmaid line.”
“He’ll have to travel farther to get to me.”
“Pretty sure he’s willing to make the journey, at least from what I gather.” She shook her head, and I noticed a bit of an eye roll. “Is it wrong to say that I’m having way too much fun trying to picture the look on Sienna’s face when she finds out you two are a couple?”
I shrugged and reached for my milk glass. “Sienna’s not around enough to realize it’s anything more than an attraction.”
“You’re right. She’s not around much. That’s the problem.” Crystal shrugged. “But you know what? I love her anyway. And if I’m being totally honest with myself, I have to admit that she’s always been like this, so I get what’s coming to me for choosing her in the first place. Do you remember what she did to me in sixth grade?”
“Joey O’Shea.” We spoke the name in unison.
“Yeah.” Crystal smiled. “Best favor anyone ever did me. Joey was a piece of work.”
“Whatever happened to him?”
“He sent me a friend request on Facebook. Let’s just say he’s not what anyone would necessarily call a catch.”
“Wow. So I guess we should be thanking Sienna for stealing him away from you all those years ago, right?”
“Guess so. Anyway, I’m happy to be marrying my real Prince Charming. And as for you”—she gave me a knowing look—“I would like to think that, maybe, just maybe, the Lord brought the best man directly into your path. Well, the best man for you, anyway. You can thank me for that later.”
“Thank Phillip, you mean.”
“Whatever.” She finished off her cookie and stood up, then hollered into the living room. “Grandma Nellie, you might as well come back in here. I know you’re still eavesdropping.”
“I don’t eavesdrop.” Our grandmother popped her head into the room. “But I like that part about the best man falling in love with Mari.”
“See?” My sister laughed. “You were eavesdropping.”
Grandma Nellie crossed her arms at her chest and stared at me. “Who could blame me? I worry about this girl.”
“Worry? Why are you worried about me?”
“You’ve waited for a boyfriend so long, I’m tempted to staple a lost dog flyer to your blouse.”
“Grandma Nellie!”
“It’s true. But now, praise the Lord, I can stop fretting.” On and on she went about my reignited love life. Not that I really had a love life . . . yet.
I put my hand up to stop her. “It’s not love. I barely know the guy. It’s just been a couple of months, you know?”
“Your grandfather and I eloped after six weeks. We were married for thirty years and had four babies.” She narrowed her gaze. “Sometimes, the Lord, he works quick.”
“True.” My sister nodded. “Sometimes, the Lord, he works quick.” She gave me another wink.
My cell phone rang, thank goodness. I was ready to be done with this conversation. Still, when I saw Derrick’s number, I couldn’t help but grin.
“Prince Charming calling?” Our grandmother reached for the broom and pretended to dance with it.
I bit back the smile and nodded. “It’s Derrick.”
“Mm-hmm. You see?” Grandma Nellie danced back into the living room, still clutching the broom. I reached to press the button, greeted Derrick with a cheerful, “Hello,” and then felt my heart skip-skip-skip as he asked me to a picnic.
I agreed, of course. And as I ended the call, I also agreed that my grandmother had been right about one thing. Sometimes, the Lord . . . he works quick.
“We couldn’t have picked a better day for a picnic.”
I looked on, all smiles, as Derrick unfolded a colorful quilt and spread it on the ground. Any day at Memorial Park was a good day, but spending an afternoon in this glorious weather with Derrick . . . blissful!