Nantucket Weddings - Pamela M. Kelley Page 0,23

than usual. And that guy Rick isn’t with her. Did they break up?”

“No, unfortunately not,” Mia said impulsively.

“I take it you’re not a fan?”

“No. I’m not. I stayed with them for a few days right after the fire and—well, it was a long few days. She wants to try to make things work, though, so I’m not saying anything. For now.”

“Yeah, people don’t want to hear it, even when they know better.”

One of Will’s friends walked over and after chatting with him for a few minutes, Mia excused herself to go back to where the girls were sitting. She joined them and they were having a great time until Izzy reached into her purse and pulled out her cell phone to check the time. Her face immediately lost its color.

“What’s wrong?” Mia asked.

Izzy sighed. “It’s nothing. I had my ringer off and missed a bunch of calls and text messages from Rick, wondering when I’m coming home. I’d better call him and see what he wants.”

She called him, and her face grew tense as she listened. Rick was talking loudly but Mia couldn’t make out what he was saying.

“I don’t know what time I’m coming home. I’m not driving. You know everyone here. It’s the same people we always see.” She paused and rolled her eyes at Mia as Rick continued to talk. “Rick, you’re being ridiculous. I’ll be home in a little while. Goodbye.”

She hung up and put the phone back in her purse.

“What was that all about?” Mia asked. Izzy still looked annoyed.

“I don’t know what his problem is. He was going on and on about wanting to know who was here and said he heard I was meeting some guy here. Which is absurd.”

“Why would he think that?”

“I have no idea. He’s been weird like that lately. He wants to know where I am at all times, when I’ll be home and who I’m with. It’s like he doesn’t trust me or thinks other guys are trying to date me.”

“Was he like this before you moved in with him?”

“No. He was a perfect gentleman, and crazy about me. It’s a little much now. He needs to chill. But, maybe we should get going soon, if you’re ready?”

Mia nodded. The party was winding down, and she was full and tired.

“Sure, let’s head out.”

Mia dropped Izzy off and an hour later texted her.

“Everything okay there?” Izzy’s phone call earlier with Rick was unsettling, and Mia wanted to make sure her sister was all right.

A few seconds later, Izzy replied, “All good here. Rick said he just missed me.”

The words were reassuring, but Mia couldn’t help but wonder, for the first time, if her sister was telling the whole truth.

Chapter 10

Angela and Lisa were already sitting at a table when Mia joined them for breakfast the next day. Lisa had a plate of what looked like scrambled eggs with peppers, onions and cheese and a piece of toast, and Angela had a small scoop of eggs and a big slice of some kind of coffee cake.

“That’s Angela’s favorite,” Lisa said with a smile. “Cinnamon walnut coffee cake with sour cream. You have to try it.”

Mia went for the eggs, but instead of her usual toast, she cut a sliver of the coffee cake, poured a mug of hot coffee and joined them. After one bite of the coffee cake, she almost wished she’d cut a bigger slice. Lisa seemed to read her mind.

“You can always go back for more.”

Mia laughed. “I’m going to gain weight living here!”

They chatted about the cookout and what they had going on for the week, while they ate. Once they finished and cleared their dishes away, Mia and Angela went for more coffee, then settled down to discuss what Angela envisioned for her wedding. Mia took notes as Angela talked.

“So, Philippe, as you probably have guessed, wants a big wedding. Sky’s the limit, really. He doesn’t care what it costs. He just wants all of his friends and family there.” She paused a moment and pulled out a spreadsheet that she’d printed off her computer and handed it to Mia. “That’s the guest list so far.”

Mia glanced at the spreadsheet and her jaw dropped as she saw the final number at the bottom.

“Six hundred and fifty?” It would be the biggest wedding she’d ever coordinated.

Angela nodded. “So far. Every day, he thinks of someone else. Everyone he’s ever met is apparently a good friend.” She grinned. “I love him, but our wedding is going to