Page 89 of Good For Me

Jas

It’s amazing how different the grounds look when I follow River outside at sunset. After a day of kayaking and hiking, we all went inside to get ready for the wedding. During that time, the crew Cash hired must have been hard at work. Even at a distance, I can see the tent that had been empty this morning is now full with lavishly decorated tables and string lights. Rows of chairs have been set up at the far end of the lawn and we head in that direction. As we get close, I see a riot of flowers lining an aisle, candles dotting the path, their flickering lights bright against the growing dusk. The aisle ends just at the tree line, a greenery covered archway set up under the shadow of two towering old pines marking the spot where Will and Eva will say their vows.

“Wow,” I murmur, taking it all in. “This is gorgeous.”

“Isn’t it amazing?” a happy voice asks at my side. I turn to see Everly skipping up to us. She grabs my arm. “It’s like a woodland fairytale.”

“Chill, Lele,” River says softly, prying her hand from my arm. I find I don’t mind much. A few days ago the easy way the Ransome family showed affection had been overwhelming. I’m not used to being around people who hug each other all the time. But after a few days of seeing them interact with each other, it’s almost become normal.

And maybe a little bittersweet. Because I can’t help but wonder what it would be like to grow up in a family like this. To have more cousins and siblings than I know what to do with. To get hugged a half dozen times a day. Last night, after the rehearsal dinner, some of the older cousins built a huge bonfire and we roasted marshmallows and sat out under the stars. Eventually they brought out a bunch of guitars and had a sing-along, like we were in some kind of feel-good family movie or something.

I cast a glance at River as he leads us over to a row of seats near the front. If I was casting a movie, he’d definitely be the kind of guy I’d want playing the lead role. I thought surfer cool River Ransome was hot, but he has nothing on River Ransome in a suit. He must have a damn good tailor, because the slim cut navy suit fits him to perfection, highlighting his tall build, the color seeming to darken the blue of his eyes. His hair is brushed back, neater than I’ve ever seen it, showing off the sharp angle of his jaw. The guy could be a model in GQ, I swear to God.

“I’m obsessed with your dress,” Everly says as we take our seats. “That color is perfect on you.”

“Thanks. You look great, too.”

She beams like I just gave her the biggest compliment ever. “Thank you, Jasmine!”

River leans in to me and I have to try hard not to shiver when his mouth brushes my ear. “She really is that cheerful,” he says. “Like, all the time. Hope you can keep those homicidal urges of yours at bay.”

I smack his arm. “Cheerful people don’t always make me homicidal,” I whisper back. “Just the ones that accost me right before a doctor is about to get all up in my lady junk.”

River laughs so loudly most of the heads in the area turn in our direction. Luckily Everly has turned to greet Rose, Leo, and Fox who are sliding in at the end of our row.

“How’s Will?” River asks his older sister. “Nervous?”

She shakes her head. “A little anxious, I think, but more in an excited way.”

That’s not hard to imagine. Everything I’ve seen of Will and Eva this weekend makes it obvious that they’re perfect for each other. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen two people more clearly in love.

“What about Uncle Cash?” Fox asks, grinning. “He crying yet?”

Rose laughs. “He was looking a little shaky helping Will do his bowtie, but he held it together.”

I raise my eyebrows. “Is Cash sappy?” That doesn’t really fit the image of an international sex symbol rock star, but then again, neither did the dancing banana apron.

“Sappy is an understatement,” River laughs. “Speaking of which, who had him crying before the ceremony?”

“Me,” Everly says, sounding grumpy. “There goes my twenty dollars.”

I stare between the two of them. “You bet money on when he wouldcry?”

“Duh,” Fox says, pulling out a little notebook. “I have after the processional but before the vows. You want in on this, Jas?”

“You all sound awfully mean.” I receive serval boos and eye rolls and I can’t help but laugh. “I’ll pass.”

“Did someone win yet?” Alex asks, sliding in next to Everly.

“Nope.” Fox checks something off in his notebook. “Lele is out already, though.”

“Tough break.” Alex grins, then leans over. “Jas that dress is killer.”

“Thank you. You, uh, look great.” I almost laugh at how inadequate my words are. Alex could be a supermodel and the strappy red dress she’s wearing has more than one head turning in her direction.

“She’s right, you know,” River murmurs in my ear, immediately setting off a wave of goosebumps over my skin. “You look gorgeous.”

I’m just glad I had something in my closet that fit. My purple dress is a floaty chiffon cut in a Grecian style that does a damn good job of hiding my stomach.