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Dina was a sight to see as she leapt into action, giving each of the men a printed list of addresses and then the cardstock wedding invitations and envelopes to start writing on. She must have used an hour-printing service at one of the box stores to have them done so quickly.

I didn’t have too much time to think logistics as Cam began talking about the wedding.

“I’ve always seen myself having a wedding with mint green and robin’s egg blue. We can do blue dresses and then more green in the bouquets. We’ve already got Bora on board for the floral arrangements. Coop’s uncle is catering. He does barbecue competitions all over the state. Mags, are you okay with doing my hair?”

“Of course,” I said, my voice coming out softly. “I can’t believe how much you all got done already.” I ran my fingers over an invitation on the table and read the words.

We cordially invite you to the wedding of Cooper Lawson and Camryn Childers.... gifts may be mailed to...

I looked back up at Cam. “Are you sure you don’t want the gifts to be mailed to our place? It’ll be easier for you to go through them there.”

“Oh, honey,” Dina chuckled. “Cooper’s place is Camryn’s place after the wedding.”

I raised my eyebrows, and Cam looked down at the table. Cooper’s mom glanced between us with a worried look, but Dina said, “Mags, you know Camryn is moving in with Cooper, right?”

“Mom,” Camryn whispered, shifting in her seat.

I felt like I’d taken a gut punch. “Of course,” I said quickly, knowing that made logical sense. “It’s just been a long day at work.”

Camryn’s shoulders seemed to relax, but I couldn’t help the tightness in my chest. Cam was moving out in two weeks? I hadn’t thought it would be this soon.

I felt guilty for wondering if she’d still help with rent. I mean, she had a whole human to take care of, growing inside her, but I hadn’t budgeted for living on my own this soon. Maybe I could pick up waitressing shifts at the diner if they needed someone extra. Or find a way to sell something to clients at the salon? But that felt bad too—I wasn’t the owner yet.

Dina was looking at her phone, saying, “Magnolia, I’m texting you a link to dresses in the pretty blue color Cam wants. Can you pick one and order it?”

My stomach sank further. A dress, a gift, a bachelorette party... I was happy for Cam to find the love of her life and start a family, but... I wasn’t sure I could afford for my best friend to get married.

50

RHETT

After wedding planning,Mags offered for me to stay over at her place for what would be the first time since the rodeo when I slept on the couch. But this time, when we got back to the empty house, we walked back to her bedroom.

She sat on the bed, rolling her head in slow circles.

“Long day?” I asked her as I slipped out of my boots.

With a long sigh, she said, “Lots to think about.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, sitting behind her, massaging her shoulders.

“I’m going to sound like a bitch if I say it out loud.”

I laughed. “That means youhaveto say it out loud.”

She glanced over her shoulder at me, then looked ahead, fiddling with the edge of the quilt on her bed. “I wasn’t ready for Cam to move out, financially I mean. We have another few months on our lease, and I wasn’t planning to cover an extra five hundred dollars a month.”

My stomach sank for her. Luckily, accommodations were included with my job, so I didn’t have that stressor on my plate. I could see how much it was weighing on Mags. “You don’t think Cam will pay her half?”

“How can I ask her to pay if she’s not living here and she has a baby on the way? It doesn’t feel right.” She let out a sigh. “Maybe I can find another roommate, just for a little while.”

Good thing she couldn’t see me, because I cringed. Cottonwood Falls wasn’t really a big town. “Why don’t I help you with rent?”

She turned toward me, making my hands slide down her arms. “I can’t let you do that, Rhett. You’re saving for your land.”

I cupped her face in my hand. “Baby girl, when will you learn that I want to take care of you?”

She leaned into my hand, and my chest warmed like she had a direct connection to my heart. “I love you for that. But I think this is one I need to figure out on my own. I need to talk things out with Cam.”