Antonio - Ashlee Price Page 0,30

there. I'll drive, and you can use your crutches to get from the parking lot to the church. Same with the barn."

"Barn?"

"Bob's Barn. That's where we have all our parties. We'll get to our table and then you can just sit in your chair all evening. Eat. Drink. You don't have to do anything."

"Wow. That sounds like fun," I remark sarcastically.

Antonio says nothing.

"Wouldn't you rather go with someone you can dance with?" I ask him. "I'm sure there are plenty of women in this town who would love to go with you."

Like Sally said, he's a doctor. He's educated. He's respected. He has money. He's still fairly young. And he's hot. Surely, any other woman would be happy to accompany him to the wedding.

"I'm asking you," Antonio tells me with a serious expression.

Damn it. He can be persistent, can't he? I just don't understand why it's this he's being persistent about and not me staying. Or is it because I refused to stay that he's insisting I come to the wedding?

I sigh. "Give me one reason why I should go with you."

He looks into my eyes. "Because you're leaving soon. Don't you want to make the most of your remaining time in Summerset?"

I don't answer. I hate to admit it, but his reason isn't bad. It makes sense, actually, to do something with your time when you know it's running out. True, going to a wedding where you don't know a single person might not be the best use of time, but at least I'll be able to spend it with Antonio. After I leave, I may never see him again, which suddenly saddens me.

But is it really okay for me to go with Antonio?

"What about Lara?" I ask him. "Are we bringing her?"

"Sally will take her," he answers. "She's not going to the wedding because her son has a basketball game that afternoon and then they're going to an arcade after. She can bring Lara with her."

Of course he's already thought that far ahead. Just one more thing.

"I don't have a dress."

"Really?" His eyebrows furrow. "Sally said you do."

I do? Oh. That green dress.

"I believe she said it's in your closet. She's willing to lend you a pair of shoes to go with it and do your hair and makeup as well. Anything else?"

Seems like he and Sally have everything planned.

"Is she going to bathe me, too?" I ask sourly.

"If you need help," Antonio answers.

I sigh. "I was just kidding. I'll bathe myself. It's the least I can do. In fact, the only thing I can do since you and Sally seem to have taken care of the rest. You two make a good team, don't you?"

"When we have a common goal, yes. So you're going?"

I shrug. "Looks like I don't have much of a choice."

I just hope I don't regret it.

~

I'm already regretting it, I think as I cross my legs for the third time in the past ten minutes while seated in my padded wooden chair.

I was fine in church. Even though I didn't know anyone, all eyes were on the bride and groom at the altar so I didn't feel out of place. Now that we're in Bob's Barn, I do. Nearly everyone is out of their seats, chatting. Even Antonio has left his. And some of them are glancing in my direction, some even staring, before exchanging whispers. No doubt they're wondering who I am and why I'm here with Antonio.

I slump in my chair as I let out a deep breath. Maybe I shouldn't have come.

"Would you mind telling me where you got your dress?" a woman asks as she approaches me. "I do love how it looks."

I sit up straight as I look at her. Purple dress. Salt and pepper hair down to her shoulders. Red eyeglasses. As our eyes meet, her plump lips curve into a broad smile. Warm. And expectant.

What was she asking me again?

"I'm afraid you'll have to ask Sally," I answer once I remember. "She was the one who bought it."

"So it's true then." She occupies the empty seat next to mine. "You're the one who's living with Antonio."

My eyebrows go up. She's heard about me? Living with Antonio? Well, that's true, but somehow the way she said it makes it sound like Antonio and I are a couple.

I'm about to make things clear but she speaks first.

"I'm Diane, by the way." She offers me her hand. "I'm Bernie's wife."

I shake it but give her a puzzled look. "Bernie?"

She