“I didn’t know either.” I shrug, looking away for a second and then back at her pale face. “But it makes sense, doesn’t it? You and Dad got married here. So did Grandma and Grandpop. It feels like…being part of the family history in some way.”

“You’re dating someone?” Mom’s hand flattens on the clear wall between two images, as if seeking support.

Why is she this scared just at the mere thought of me dating?

“No, Mom! I’m not dating. You think you and Dad wouldn’t know if I was?”

Her face relaxes as if a giant load has been lifted off her shoulders, and her reaction irritates the heck out of me.

All my time apart from school is spent either at the inn or at home. Since my grandpop was diagnosed with a heart ailment a few years ago, they’ve moved right next to us.

To say I’ve had a sheltered upbringing would be an understatement. I don’t just have helicopter parents who revolve around me, but helicopter grandparents too.

“But…someday I will, and everyone will have to be cool with that.”

“Autumn—”

Before Mom can shoot me with her death glare, Mr. Big opens the door separating the main inn with the offices at the back and pokes his head inside.

“Laura, the bridal party is here. I’m sure you’ll want to greet them.”

“Thank you, Mr. Big.” Mom immediately jumps into the role of hostess and forgets about my nonexistent dating life.

Or I thought so, until she turns around at the last minute and says, “You get changed and start working on the wish box. We’ll talk about this later.”

Mr. Big follows her out, but not before I mouth him a thank-you and he returns it with a wink.

I walk into the office, my hands grazing over the huge birch table. Mom hasn’t changed a thing in this place. Not only the office but the entire inn is exactly as it was when she inherited it from Grandma. I wonder how I’ll run it someday.

* * *

“How are my girls doing?” It’s almost midnight when Dad saunters into the inn.

“It was a blast, Dad.”

I drop the note cards littered with best wishes from the guests for the bride and groom on the table. These will be included in a wish box, which we’ll gift to the newlywed couple before they leave. They’ll probably treasure these notes all their life.

“You know the bride and groom met in kindergarten? Can you imagine being friends with someone for so long and then realizing you want to marry them? That’s epic.”

I’m lying flat on the couch, watching the hanging ceiling lamp. When my parents don’t reply, I turn around to face them.

Surprisingly, they don’t look as amused and exhilarated about this as I am.