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His mouth twisted. “No, no objection.”

“Fine. Oh, and Iamgoing to Cassie’s game on Sunday. Because I promised her.”

“Right and you never back out of a promise, do you?”

“Not if I can help it, no. Have a good day,” she said sweetly, grabbing her sewing supplies and walking away. At the moment, she felt anything but sweetness toward him.

And when she got to her bedroom, she whipped her arm back and flung all her supplies onto the bed, her sewing kit hitting the wall with a thud.

Darn that man. Coop always could make her temper flare.

Chapter Five

Sunday morning, Taylorhelped Julie make brunch for the female half of the wedding party. Her bridesmaids, Nicole and Lindsey, were seated outside on the patio as they all forked into quiche lorraine. Fresh berries along with salad and homemade lemon poppy seed muffins complemented the meal thanks to her and Julie’s combined culinary talents. They’d had a blast cooking together and, in the end, the meal did turn out delicious.

Mimosa was the drink of choice and, after a couple of refills, all four of them were in a very giddy place.

“I can’t wait for the wedding,” Nicole, the kindergarten teacher, said. She was a longtime friend of Julie’s. “Julie’s the first of us to plan a wedding. She’s our lab rat.”

Taylor blinked, but Julie only giggled. “That’s right. You’re putting me out there on the front lines. Making me test the waters first.”

“You’ve got a secret weapon, Jules. You’ve got your very own tailor, Taylor. Get it?”

“Good one,” Lindsey said, chuckling. She was the music teacher at the school and apparently had a lovely singing voice. “I can’t wait to see your wedding gown.”

“Well, that’s why we’re all here, isn’t it? To see how all the gowns fit.”

“And I’m here, totailoryour gowns, if they need it,” Taylor said, grinning. The champagne drink was definitely going to her head too.

More giggles.

“You and Lindsey aren’t far behind,” Julie added. “Summer will be here before you know it and then we’ll all three be married.”

“So, the three of you are engaged?” Taylor hadn’t gotten the memo, not that she even had a prospect in the fiancé department.

She glanced at each one of the girls, suddenly feeling a bit left out. A tinge of envy swept through her, the feeling completely foreign. She’d never been envious before. And maybe she wasn’t now, exactly. Maybe, she was just wondering what she was missing out on. It made her question her goals and priorities. She wasn’t allowing herself a personal life, she was dead set on keeping the promise she’d made to her mother, to herself. While everyone else seemed to have both, a love life and a career.

“I’m getting married in July,” Lindsey said, her voice elevating. A combo of nerves and excitement. “It’s coming so quickly, I can hardly believe it.”

“And my wedding is in September,” Nicole added. “So much to do.”

“I can imagine.” She sighed and then remembered her manners. “Congratulations to both of you…actually, all of you.”

Julie put a hand on her arm, looking at her far too seriously, an underlying question in her eyes. “Thanks, Taye.”

She snapped out of it quickly. No need to worry her cousin. “Wow, those mimosas pack a punch. I’m gonna need strong coffee.”

Julie bounced up. “Like mud?”

She nodded. “Like mud.”

“I’ll be right back.”

And an hour later, after drinking a strong dark roast blend, Taylor was feeling herself again. That momentary bit of envy gone, she was back on track and sitting on the sofa with Julie. The two bridesmaids went first, coming into the parlor in true fashionista style, big smiles on their faces as they modeled their light rose chiffon gowns. The bodice was form-fitted with pale pink and white sequins, and the skirt flared from the waist. Perfect for a spring wedding.

Her maid of honor gown was of the same light rose coloring, but a bit different in style. Julie had wanted it that way, so Taylor had made variations to her gown.

“These look beautiful on you,” she told the two bridesmaids, rising from her seat. “But I think, Lindsey, you’ll need more of a hem if you plan to wear those shoes.” She bent to tug on the hem and pin it in the right place. “The dress is dragging on the ground a bit. It’ll get too dirty without a little adjustment.”