“So, will you be sitting on the bride’s side, or the groom’s?” Charlie asked.

Jake’s smile faltered. “What do you mean?”

“Team bride or team groom?” Charlie said again, crouching down to lock the trolley’s wheels but keeping her eyes on his.

“Uh . . .” Jake gave her a curious look, and Charlie realized Cass would never have had to ask what Jake’s connection was to the bride and groom.

“Chloe and I were on the same truck, before she moved to Dallas,” Jake added.

“I was kidding!” Charlie knew she had to change the subject and quickly. “Hey, while I have you here . . .” She held out the snowflake topper. “Any chance you’re carrying a set of screwdrivers in your suit jacket? It was working this morning, but I’m thinking the batteries died.”

He took the topper from her, squinted at the tiny screw holding the battery case. “Let me see what I can do.”

“Thanks,” she said. “But isn’t the ceremony about to start? I don’t want to keep you . . . ?”

“A short delay, apparently. Some issues with the flower girl and ring bearer. It’s past their bedtimes.” Jake handed the snowflake back to her. “Hang on. I’ll be right back.”

Charlie took a moment to sit on one of the stools lining the kitchen’s island, rolling her ankles absentmindedly the way she used to when she worked at Souci as a way to prevent soreness in her arches from being on her feet for so long. She pulled an energy bar out of her apron’s pocket, taking a huge bite just as Jake came back.

He held up a small see-through tube, with a red plastic cap, which he popped off with his thumb.

“Thawasfas,” Charlie mumbled.

“What?” Jake dumped the tube’s contents into his palm, pinching a small metal screwdriver between his fingers.

Charlie chewed furiously, trying to get the bar down, but she swallowed too quickly and it got stuck in her throat. She coughed and sputtered, jumping off the stool and looking around for a glass of water. But Jake was way ahead of her, over at the sink with a champagne flute in hand, which he was filling with tap water. He pushed it into her hands.

She took a small sip of the water, hoping she didn’t cough it all over Jake and his fancy suit.

“Thanks,” she croaked out, smiling as she tapped her chest a few times and cleared her throat. “First my low blood sugar incident in the square. Then flat on my back on the trail. Then almost knocking over the cupcake display. Now choking on an energy bar . . .” Charlie took another sip of water. “I promise I’m not always like this. I’m usually pretty good at taking care of myself.”

“Nothing wrong with needing a bit of help here and there,” Jake replied, smiling as he turned his attention back to the screwdriver. He took off the snowflake’s backing and switched out the batteries for fresh ones Charlie had in her purse. They stood close now, and Charlie’s insides got that melty feeling again as she looked into Jake’s face, wondering if he was feeling the same way. It only took a moment’s glance to understand he was. The way he looked at her, like there was nowhere else he would rather be, unraveled Charlie further and she leaned impossibly close to him . . . so close they could almost . . .