The Secret to a Southern Wedding by Synithia Williams

Author:Synithia Williams
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2023-05-30T22:07:41+00:00

* * *

Imani couldn’t believe she’d had so much fun that night. She’d laughed as she caught up with the members of Joi. Sure, all of them had fled Peachtree Cove for college after high school but returned for one reason or another. What surprised her the most was how no one regretted moving back home. Even Joey who’d worked as a lawyer at a prestigious law firm and returned home because of a sick parent. She would have expected him to somewhat regret having to be back home.

“I missed not having my family around,” Joey said. “Don’t get me wrong, we’re the exception and not the rule. A lot of people from high school left and never came back. They still think of Peachtree Cove as the struggling place it once was. We’re not Atlanta and never will be, but we’ve got enough going for us that living here isn’t so bad.”

Imani sat in the booth thinking about what he’d said as the band played their last song for the night. Tracey was already gone. Bernard called and claimed some kind of emergency with his cousin again. She’d been upset and left shortly afterward. Halle hadn’t looked convinced, but as the perfect neutral party also hadn’t said anything.

Now Halle glanced at her watch. “I need to get home. Shania’s at a friend’s house and I told their parents I’d be there by ten.”

“I can’t believe she’s thirteen already,” Imani said. “Where did the time go?”

Halle shook her head. “I don’t know. It feels like I just brought her home and now she’s got one year left before high school.”

“Is she ready for high school?”

“She can’t wait. I wish I could delay it another year or two. High school equals four short years before she graduates and moves on to the next thing. I’ve only got five more Christmases with her.”

Imani cringed. “Oooh, don’t put it like that. It sounds way too soon.”

Halle put the strap of her purse on her shoulder. “Now you know how I feel. Want to walk out together?”

Imani glanced at the bar. Cyril still talked with Brian and Quinton, but the other two men stood holding their keys. She guessed they were leaving soon.

“I need to ask Cyril something.” When Halle raised a brow Imani shook her head. “About the wedding. That’s all.”

Halle grinned. “Whatever you say.”

“Why did you say it like that?”

“I didn’t say it like anything.” She tilted her head and raised a brow. “You sure do look over at him a lot.”

“I’m just looking around the room and taking in the atmosphere.”

Halle laughed and stood. “Sure. The atmosphere. We’ll talk about that later when you’re ready to talk. Give me a call when you get home.” Unlike Tracey, Halle wouldn’t push the issue. She was always there if you needed to talk but understood keeping some things private. It’s one of the reasons Imani never pushed her about Shania’s dad.

“I will.” Imani stood and gave Halle a hug. “Text when you’re home. Drive safe.

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