Page 1 of Highlands Summer Wedding

CHAPTER 1

The entire island was out of purple ribbon.

Not one single spool left in Vineyard Haven, Edgartown, or Oak Bluffs. The senator’s daughter’s wedding had apparently cleaned out every craft store, florist, and gift shop on Martha’s Vineyard, leaving me—professional wedding planner, alleged adult—standing in a paper goods store contemplating whether purple gift wrap ribbon might work in a wedding.

It would not.

Now I’d have to order some from Boston and pray the ferry delivered it to Vineyard Haven before the wedding.

Normally I’d call my sister, Caitlin, but she was visiting Scotland with her fiancé. And our friend Melissa had flat-out moved there. Apparently Scottish men were either irresistible or running some kind of immigration scam.

So here I was in Vineyard Haven decorating for a purple-themed wedding with no purple ribbons. I considered my options. Flowerscould work instead.

MyfingerstrembledslightlyasI dialedthe florist.

“Sorry,”the voiceon the other endsaidflatly. “We’ve got three daisies and some baby’s breath left. The Senator’s daughter’s wedding cleaned us out.”

I scrolled through my contacts, finger hovering over Eric’s name. He worked next door to that big craft chain store. He’d definitely get me the ribbons. He’d also definitely read too much into my asking for help.

I sighed and hitcall.

Eric answered on the first ring.

“Abby! I was literally just thinking about you!”

My stomach tightened. “I need a favor.”

Thirty minutes later he texted photos of ribbon options from a mainland craft store, along with:Booked a ferry. Be there soon.

Of course he had.

Eric had been trying to turn our friendship into something more ever since I’d moved back from Los Angeles. Calling him had been a mistake, and I knew it.

I slid behind the wheel of my rental car and headed to the dock. When Eric stepped off the ferry, I had to blink twice—the man looked like he’d been attacked by a bridal Pinterest board.

He moved in for a peck on the cheek, and I flashed a smile that I hoped didn’t look as frozen and fake as I felt for accepting his help in my time of great need.

“Should we have breakfast at that cute diner down the street?” he said, a bit too eagerly.

“That’s a great place. Unfortunately, I just ate an energy bar, and I’ve got to get in touch with the catering company.”

“Oh. Maybe I’ll see you this afternoon, then?” He looked at me like I hadn’t just said no.

“The wedding is this afternoon.” From his look, I realized he was thinking I could bring a date. “Eric, I really appreciate this huge favor, but I have to stay focused. I’m working the wedding, not attending it. I’ll Venmo you for everything and book you a ferry back home.”

“I booked the B&B. I thought…”

“Eric… What exactly did you think was happening here?”

“Just thought we could spend some time together.” He shrugged, trying to look casual.

“I barely have time to breathe between the floral arrangements and seating charts. This wedding has a mother-daughter duo who’ve changed the menu four times since Tuesday.” I shifted the ribbons in my arms. “I’m the one who has to smile through it all while reminding everyone this is supposed to be a celebration.”

His hopeful eyes met mine. “Maybe next weekend?”

“Eric,” I said, my voice catching. “I shouldn’t have called you. I only did because I knew you’d come through, and that wasn’t fair. I won’t put you in this position again.”

“It’s fine,” he said, adjusting his grip on the flowers. “Happy to help.”