“Then I’ll think about it. How’s your day?”

“Good. I worked out, then went over to the high school and watched practice.”

“Oh yeah? How was it?”

“It was better than I thought. The kids were really cool, and there were no asshole parents around.”

“Glad to hear it. Did you watch the one lefty kid pitch?”

“I did, and he’s good. He needs work on his motion, but he’s got a lot of potential.”

I sighed. “I haven’t been to a high school game in years.”

“Well, what’s the point if I’m not playing?”

“Oh, Jesus. Can you see my eyes rolling back in my head from where you are?”

He laughed, and the sound made my heart quicken. “Just about. Anyway, I just wanted to say hi. I’m back at the hotel getting ready now. I have to go over to Sadie’s and take pictures soon.”

“And you have to be there precisely at three o’clock, so you better get going. I’ll see you here after that.”

“Okay.”

But neither one of us hung up.

“April?” His voice was quiet.

“Yeah?”

“I had a really good time last night.”

I smiled as a tingle swept up my spine. “Me too.”

I went a little weak in the knees when I saw him walk in. He looked great in a baseball uniform, hot as hell in nothing at all, and downright delectable in a suit and tie. Watching him come through the door and walk toward me, my jaw dropped open and I may have drooled.

But that was nothing compared to watching him lead his sister down the aisle.

From my position over to the side, I motioned for the string quartet to start the song Sadie had chosen for her processional. His gorgeous face had been stoic as he’d walked arm in arm with Sadie from the building over toward the orchard. But they’d exchanged the most adorable affectionate look at the foot of the aisle as everyone stood, and my heart melted. I knew they were both thinking of their father, maybe even their mom too, and my throat grew tight.

When they reached the end, he kissed her cheek before shaking Josh’s hand, and she smiled at him one last time before he took his seat in the front row.

Wishing I could go sit at his side, I observed the ceremony from the back, then coordinated the recessional and directed the wedding party one way and the guests another. Tyler looked at me as he walked by, and I put my hand over my heart.

Mack and Frannie came over to say hello, and as she hugged me, she whispered, “Holy shit, he looks good in that suit.”

I laughed. “I know.”

“Mack’s dying to talk old times with him. I saw we’re seated at the same table.”

“You are. Sadie asked me to put him with you guys, since Tyler wouldn’t really know a lot of people here.” I turned to Mack. “He’ll love talking about old times. Just do me a favor—don’t mention the documentary, don’t give him any pitching advice, and don’t ask why he can’t just relax and throw the fucking ball.”

Mack looked angry. “What the hell? People do that?”

“All the time. Everywhere he goes.”

“Jesus. People are such assholes.”

I laughed and patted Mack’s lapel. “You sound just like him.”

Inside, I oversaw more wedding photos, checked in with the kitchen and head server, went over the night’s schedule with the deejay, who was serving as emcee, and then sought out Tyler. I found him standing out on the patio by himself, sipping a glass of whiskey and looking out over the farm.

“Hey,” I said, coming to stand next to him. “Hiding out?”

He smiled. “Just enjoying the view.”

“Well, don’t go too far. Dinner will be served soon. And then it’s dancing time.”

He took a big swallow of his drink. “Do I have to? We never finished the lesson. I only have one move.”

“Which you mastered. You’re going to be great, and Sadie will love every moment. And don’t worry, I cut the music so it’s under two minutes long.”

He grumbled something into his whiskey and took another sip.

I patted his shoulder. “Come on inside. You’re sitting with Mack and Frannie. You guys can discuss your glory days from high school.”

He followed me to his table, shook hands with Mack and Frannie, and sat down with them. Several times during dinner, I looked over and saw them chatting animatedly, and one time I heard Tyler burst out laughing. For a moment, I thought of how nice it would be to hang out, the four of us. Or have dinner with Meg and Noah. Grab drinks with Chloe and Oliver. Or hang out with all of them over at Henry and Sylvia’s new house while everyone’s kids played in the yard. I felt a little sad that it would never happen.

Right before the bride and groom’s first dance, Frannie found me over by the deejay’s table. “Hey,” she said. “How’s everything going?”

“Good. Just waiting for Sadie to get back from the bathroom so the dancing can start.”

“Oh yeah, the dancing. Tyler’s pretty nervous about that.” Frannie glanced back toward her table, where Tyler was sitting with Mack and a few other guests. “He keeps threatening to make a run for it.” Then she laughed. “And he offered Mack a thousand bucks to take his place.”

I shook my fist. “I’ll kill him.”

“He’s also mentioned you about, ohhh, 5,862 times. That is, when he’s not speechless, staring at you across the room.”

“What?” My face got a little hot.

“You heard me. You guys have serious chemistry. It really stinks he has to leave tomorrow.”

“Yeah.” I didn’t want to think about it, so I was glad when I noticed Sadie entering the ballroom. “Do me a favor. Can you go tell Tyler to come over here? And don’t let him drag his feet. Tell him I said right now.”

“Well, you might not want to boss him around like that if you’re hoping he’ll ever come back.”

“He needs it.” I gave her a gentle shove. “Go, please. I have to get these dances going before the guests get restless.”

A minute later, Tyler appeared at my side, and together we watched Josh and Sadie take the floor as husband and wife. “Am I next?” he asked, fussing with his tie.

“Yes.”

As their song wrapped up, Tyler glanced at the door.

I grabbed his arm. “Don’t even think about it.”

“How do you know what I’m thinking?”

“I saw you looking at the exit!”

“Oh.” His expression turned anxious again.

“Listen, you’re going to be great, and then afterward, I’ll give you a prize.”

His brow cocked. “Oh yeah? What kind of prize?”

“I’ll think of something good.”

The song finished to thunderous applause, and Josh brought Sadie over to Tyler.

She took Tyler’s hand. “Ready?”

He glanced at me. “I hope so.”

I gave him a reassuring smile. “You’re ready.”

The deejay announced them, and Tyler led his sister out onto the floor as their song began. I held my breath as he took her in his arms just like we’d practiced and began swaying her side to side. I exhaled when I saw that not only was he moving right on the beat, but he and Sadie were both laughing and enjoying themselves. I almost cried when he spun her out exactly the way I’d shown him, and spun her back just as effortlessly. The crowd cheered and snapped photos with their phones. At the end of the song, Sadie threw her arms around her brother’s neck, and he lifted her right off the ground in a huge bear hug and held her there several seconds. I wasn’t the only one who had to wipe my eyes.