“Oh, jeez,” Stuart said, rolling his eyes again. “It’s only the most beautiful thing in the world, so of course it’s your first one ever. You’re so talented, it makes me sick. Anyway—you two should go over now before it melts too much. Oh! And make sure you vote for Erin’s beer, too. The beer tent is that way.” He pointed.

Maddie led the way, weaving expertly among the various groups of people. Everyone was laughing and talking very loud, and no one gave their linked hands a second glance. She and Maddie bumped into Julia and Jos a few minutes later. Jos recognized her leather jacket and tried to take it from Ryann’s shoulders.

“That’s mine!”

“Hey, hey,” Maddie said, playfully pushing her away. “Don’t undress my girlfriend.”

“But she’s so hot in it. Even wearing that stupid T-shirt. She’s going to ruin it for me forever.”

Both Julia and Jos were wearing red T-shirts with “Bridesmaid” on the chest under their jackets.

“You’ll get it back later,” Ryann said. “And I won’t ruin it. I promise. You’ll be just as hot the next time you wear it.”

“Fine, fine,” Jos said. “Oh, and Maddie—that ice sculpture is really something.”

“Holy crap,” Julia said. “It’s incredible.”

Maddie tried to look like she agreed, but Ryann could tell she was more uncertain than she let on, a slight nervousness pinching her lips.

A loud beep came from Jos’s pocket, and she checked her phone. “Shit! My mom is looking for us, and she’s pissed because she lost Dad. Now we have to find both of them.” She rolled her eyes. “Anyway—see you guys later.”

Maddie took her hand again, leading her toward a large canvas tent. They had to show their over-21 wristbands to enter, and it was even more crowded inside than out.

“Damn,” Maddie said, standing on her tiptoes and peering toward the front of the lines. “I don’t know how we’ll ever get a drink in here.”

“I might be able to help you with that,” someone said behind them. She and Maddie turned to see Erin’s wife Darcy standing behind them. Ryann realized now that she hadn’t actually stood near the woman before and was only now aware of how tall she was. She had several inches on Maddie, even. Her platinum hair brushed the shoulders of her stylish gray peacoat, and her cool, icy-blue eyes were twinkling. She had high, aristocratic cheekbones and lush lips, and that bright-white smile was like something out of a toothpaste commercial. She was breathtaking—a Nordic supermodel trolling a beer tent.

“Would you? That’d be great,” Maddie said, seeming unfazed.

“Follow me,” Darcy said.