sure we’re going to be great friends.”
Gwen laughed. “I’d like that.”
“Yes, yes. Do all your getting-to-know-yous. But can you do it while you gather samples? We have much to accomplish today.”
“Like fixing the plumbing in my cottage?” Gwen demanded.
The godmothers looked at one another and blinked. “We don’t know what you mean.” Petty began shuffling papers.
“I hope you don’t buy that innocent act. They’re up to something,” Gwen said.
“She’s new here, Gwen. Don’t go telling stories,” Bluebonnet said.
Something passed between them, but Zuri wasn’t sure exactly what.
“Oh, I see. Well, you’re in for one hell of a ride.” Then she turned back to the godmothers. “But I mean it. Stop it.”
The godmothers were suddenly very, very busy. But that didn’t stop Gwen from fixing each of them, in turn, with a hard look.
“Uh-huh. Well, we better get going. We’ll stop at Bernadette’s for some coffees to wash down those cupcakes.”
“It’s on the list!” Bluebonnet chirped.
Zuri handed the list to Gwen, and the other woman smiled. “It looks like most of today is eating.”
Zuri followed Gwen out the door, and the other woman laughed again. “They want you to taste-test the sunflower seeds they’ll throw instead of rice? To make sure the birds will like it? Oh no.”
Zuri arched a brow. “I . . . really?”
“How are you to know if the birds will like it?”
“I suppose we could try feeding it to them in the park and see if they like it?”
“I don’t know if you’re ready for the Ever After wildlife just yet.”
“They all seem pretty tame,” Zuri said.
“Some of them are, for sure.” Gwen shook her head.
“Earlier, when you told the godmothers to fix your plumbing, what did you mean?” Zuri studied her. “I mean, if you don’t want to talk about it, that’s okay, too. Just tell me to mind my business.”
“Oh. That. Well, once you’ve been here long enough, you’ll know about all their plans for everyone. I’m sure they’ll get you in on their well-intentioned meddling, too. So I’m sure you know about the fake wedding.”
Zuri nodded. “It was part of what made me want to work for FGI.”
“Really? Why?”
“I figured if their godchildren loved them enough to get married to help them, they must be really wonderful people.”
Gwen’s expression softened. “Yeah. They really are, and they have the best intentions. So, the bride, Lucky? She’s my best friend. The groom, Ransom . . . well, he has a best friend, too, if you see where this is going.”
“They’re trying to matchmake?”
“I’ve heard they’re really good at it, but Roderick is so not my type. Plus, I just got divorced, and I don’t need another complication.”
“I am in touch with that. One hundred percent.”
“What are you going to wish for with your wish coin, if you don’t mind me asking?”
“It’s not real anyway. I don’t know. A million dollars.” She shrugged. It was dumb anyway.
“Did they ask you what you would wish for, if you had the opportunity, before they gave it to you?”
“They did.”
“Then wish for that.”
“Wishes. True love. Fairy tales. I just don’t have it in me to believe right now.”
“I know exactly what you mean,” Gwen said.
Zuri had the feeling that she did. “Can I tell you a not-so-secret secret?”
Gwen gave her a conspiratorial smile. “Anything. I’ll be the vault.”
“I’m a wedding planner, and I don’t believe . . .” She was about to say she didn’t believe in love, but that wasn’t true. It wasn’t even true that she didn’t believe in romantic love, because Petunia had reminded her of the Mellenchamp wedding, and it was most definitely the best incarnation of romantic love. “I don’t believe love is for everyone. I don’t believe it’s for me.”
“We should start a club. Ever After Lonely Hearts Club.”
“We could have our meetings up at that big, dark castle.”
“Oh, the woman who owns that? Her name’s Ravenna Blackheart.”
“Ever After Blackhearts. If we name the club after her, she has to invite us for tea and some fancy little sandwiches, right? Or at least a tour,” Zuri teased.
Gwen fixed her with a serious look as she lay the list back on the counter. “Actually, I’m sure she’d absolutely love it.”
“When I first saw this town on the website, I was telling my sister that if they don’t have weddings there, they should. Not every girl dreams of being a princess.”
“Some of us are Evil Queens,” Gwen agreed. “I am dying to see the inside, myself.”
Zuri picked up the list. “‘Candied apple from Snow’s Market’? I