Thank god the BBQ was open early and served breakfast. Aside from herself, there were a few men—who looked to be pushing a thousand years old—in the corner booth¸ chatting and drinking coffee. Obviously a ritual. It was kind of cute. Must be nice to have friends, especially as long as those gentlemen must have known each other.
“You run this place?” Autumn asked as she cut the pancakes with her fork. Penny stood by the booth. She’d gone out of her way to throw Autumn several smiles at the wedding and had told her to come in anytime. Considering how the last forty-eight hours had gone, she needed the sanctuary. It was exhausting trying to stay ahead of all the dark thoughts about her self-worth, and lack thereof. It was also exhausting—literally—keeping up with Huck.
“Yeah, it’s been in the family for generations. Now it’s my turn to own it. Work it. Love it.”
Autumn took a bite. Wow, these were good pancakes. “That’s really great.”
Autumn had entertained similar dreams once. She’d basically—okay, literally—lived at her grandfather’s shop. Took pride in the work, the family name, and the place itself. Now everything her grandfather had built, every decent memory she had, the roof over her head…were all gone.
“You enjoying your stay in Diamond so far?”
At
Penny’s question, Autumn couldn’t help but glance around. Was this the norm? Did people just chat for the sake of chatting? Did Penny feel some obligation to the out-of-towner? Was she being nice just because Autumn was Jenna’s friend?
Autumn chased the thoughts away. She was always thinking what angle someone was playing. Today, she wanted to believe that Penny was just being pleasant, was a good person who didn’t deserve to be second-guessed.
Besides, Autumn was stuck here for two weeks. May as well attempt to make a short-term acquaintance or two. Especially since there had been a mandatory exchange of phone numbers between the women of the bridal party before the wedding even started.
“Yeah. Only got in last night, but Jenna and Colt’s house is nice, and Huck—”
Penny’s brow piqued, but Autumn caught herself. She was just about to say Huck was nice too, but stopped. Because A) nice didn’t really describe Huck, and B) she didn’t want to give people a reason to gossip.
“And?” Penny took a seat across the table from Autumn, like they were about to dish on the recent American Idol finalists or something. But her face was too angelic for Autumn to sense anything but genuine interest. Maybe she had the people of Diamond figured wrong. They weren’t gossipers. They just liked sharing their lives with each other.
“I was going to say that people around here seem nice, too.”
“People, huh?” she asked with an I don’t buy your shit for a minute expression. “People like Huck, for example?”
Autumn paused, cheeks full, mid-chew.
“Oh, don’t worry,” Penny whispered and winked. “It’s obvious Huck has a thing for you. What with the way he was staring at you last night—and then the way he darted out after you left the reception—I’m not surprised he’s been happy to keep you company.”
“Jenna warned me about gossip,” Autumn said.
Penny nodded. “Yes, it can be brutal sometimes. But it can also be helpful. Besides, Huck is family. We all are. We’d never say or do anything to hurt him or run the rumor mill.”
“We?”
“Basically everyone in the wedding party. We’ve all been friends for a long time. The guys are all older than us girls, though. We went to school together.”
“Ah.” The idea of having friends you referred to as family sounded too good to be true. Which was why such a thing was for other people, not Autumn. She hadn’t been able to count on her own father, much less people who called themselves her friends. Jenna was the closest thing to someone good in her life. Even after college and distance, she’d stuck to Autumn, refusing to let their friendship die.
But I don’t fit in this world.
If Jenna’s wedding had taught her anything, it was that her friend had a life. A good life. With people who loved her and great friends she could count on. Autumn was just one of many, and not even a close one.
“We’d never say or do anything to upset you, either, Autumn.” Penny’s expression turned serious, yet kind. “I hope you know that. I’m excited to get to know you better.”
Autumn tried to smile, but it was tight. Getting to know Penny better sounded great, but she needed to remind herself that this was a two-week gig. Whatever semi-friendship or other relationship she formed with anyone here would be short lived.
“Thanks, Penny,” she said, and took another bite. “So you and the intense looking groomsman are an item, right?” Smooth. Her attempt to girl talk and get to know Penny was failing miserably. But Penny didn’t seem to mind her blunt, unflattering babble.
“Sebastian,” she said with a blissful sigh. “Yeah, he’s my man.”
Autumn just nodded and took another bite, not sure where to go with that. Penny, however, had no problem being chatty. “He mentioned trying to meet up with Huck last night. But said Huck disappeared.”
Autumn didn’t miss Penny’s little wink. “I can tell you where he is now,” she said. “If that’s helpful.”