Remi shrugged. “That’s for you two to sort.”

“I mean, I’m good, but not Sugar Queen good. Yet. I can admit that.” Reba slid down next to Cherisse, brow raised at her mess of a crown. Her gaze cut to Keiran’s perfect pile then back to Cherisse’s. Cherisse glared. Reba bit her lip, not saying a thing.

As the others got settled in around them, claiming their spots on the floor, Keiran directed his attention to the bags, their little moment seeming to have had zero effect on him at all. She needed to get on that track ASAP. “What we got?”

“Meat. Food things. Driiiinks. Once we get the crowns done, party tiiiime,” Eric sang out, following Ava to the kitchen, leaving Keiran to show the others the DIY flower crown video.

“This shit looks complicated.” Scott poked at the silk flowers strewn about. “But I’ll look really cute in these, no lie. Hmm, I’m already thinking up some makeup looks that’ll go great with these, too.” Scott was doing the makeup for the bridal party, and having seen his work, Cherisse knew he’d come up with something stunning.

“It’s easy enough,” Keiran said, all casual-like, shooting Cherisse a wink.

Oh, he was going to regret that.

#

KEIRAN

The pile of flower crowns had grown significantly as the day wore on. Keiran was actually enjoying the repetitive motion of weaving the flowers so the crown took shape. Who knew he’d be so good at this? Outside of his musical talents, he didn’t particularly have hobbies. When would he find the time? For him, music was work but also the thing he loved, so he wasn’t bothered that he dedicated the majority of his time to it.

But this, he was into. It was sort of soothing.

Another thing he was enjoying was Cherisse cussing up a storm as she struggled with her crowns. Refusing to accept his help and glaring at anyone else who gave suggestions, she’d stormed to the kitchen to help Ava out.

Eric had already excused himself to get started on seasoning the meat, letting it marinate a bit for grilling later.

“I think my ears are still scandalized from all those four-letter words,” Scott joked, poking at Cherisse’s pile. The crowns had gotten marginally better than her initial set, but not by much. “How is she so bad at this?”

“Your pile isn’t exactly going to win any awards there, buddy,” Remi piped up, ready to defend her friend.

“Maybe, but Remi, come on, this is atrocious.” Scott picked up one of Cherisse’s attempts and stuck it on his head. A few flowers dangled off the frame, ready to give up and just fall off.

Keiran agreed but wisely kept his mouth shut. He wouldn’t win any points with Remi if he bad-mouthed Cherisse’s crown. Maxine chose the same route, working studiously on her set as she glanced up every few minutes as Remi and Scott talked. Scott could get away with that. Everyone adored him. Keiran was on thin ice already.