Chapter 26

twenty-six

ALEX

“You have to come with us, Alex,” Steve pleaded with me. “Luke will be on his best behavior if you’re at the restaurant.”

I glanced at Dylan. So far, apart from being surprised that I opened the front door, he hadn’t said much. But that hadn’t stopped Steve from asking lots of questions. However well-meaning they were, it made me realize just how careful I had to be.

The other thing I’d discovered was just how alike Dylan and his brother were—not in looks; they were like chalk and cheese there. But in how they thought. Their quick minds, easy smiles, and dogged determination were almost identical. Which is why it was getting harder to say no to Steve.

I cleared my throat. “You won’t want to hear this, but you’ll survive without me.”

Steve sighed. “You don’t know how wrong you are. Luke has been unbearable over the last couple of weeks. Everything got worse when the florist couldn’t find any peony roses. And don’t get me started on the catering company. When they wanted the final numbers and the deposit for the reception, Luke fell apart. And it wasn’t the price. That was the same as the quote the company gave him.”

I didn’t know much about planning a wedding, but I didn’t think a bunch of flowers and the catering bill were enough to cause anyone a lot of stress.

“We need to corner Luke and keep him with us until he tells us what’s wrong,” Dylan said.

“That won’t be easy. Jarrod’s family is coming to the restaurant. Getting him away from the table will be difficult.” Steve checked his watch. “We need to leave.”

Dylan picked up our empty cups. “We can figure out how to get Luke on his own on the way to the restaurant.” He turned to me. “In spite of the questions my brother’s asked and Luke’s weird behavior, you’re welcome to join us.”

Steve tapped his finger against his chin. “I might have an idea about how we can get Luke away from the table.” He sent me a loaded stare.

I sighed. “I know what you’re doing. You want me to be a decoy.”

Steve grinned. “Mom and Dad like you. Diverting their attention away from Luke would be easy for someone who’s worked in Washington, D.C. Besides, the restaurant’s famous for its barbecue spareribs.”

“And they make incredible burgers,” Dylan added. “The Colorado Ale Works is practically world-famous.”

I didn’t answer them right away. I wanted Dylan to think I was coming under duress, but Steve had won me over at the mention of ribs. “Okay. I’ll come with you. But don’t be surprised if Luke doesn’t tell you what’s wrong. ”

Dylan and Steve’s smiles almost made up for the mess I was stepping into. Only this time, I wasn’t the person who’d created it.