Just knowing she’s my wife is everything.
And I’ll move mountains to make sure she stays that way.
I’m talking to Tom, Kendal’s husband, about what it’s like being a dad of two with a third on the way, when a murmur starts behind us. Soft hushes and excited whispers. Something’s happening. I look over my shoulder, wondering if Loren’s about to smash cake in my face or something, but the stir is over the couple coming toward our table.
Lincoln James is here with his wife, Hadley Morgan. Or, as they’re known on social media and in celebrity magazines, HadLink. His latest film just got nominated for an Oscar, I think, and she’s famous in her own right as the newest host ofAmerica’s Hidden Talent. They’re old college friends who reconnected a few years back, right here in Harvest Hollow. Then they fell in love.
A hometown music teacher and the biggest movie star on the planet.
I can appreciate a happy ending like that among friends.
“He’s coming over here,” JoJo squeals, nudging me. She’s the only one of Dexter’s three sisters who’s single. She’s also a big fan of Lincoln James, apparently.
Link offers me one of those chin nods guys do. I nod back, and that’s when I remember I’m wearing a flashing birthday hat.
Nice.
“Hey, Noah,” he says, squeezing past me to Mr. Man-Bunhimself. The two of them shake hands, then move in for a back-slapping man-hug. “I miss you, man,” Link says. “My new PT’s good, but you were the best.”
Beside me, JoJo sighs. And I’m honestly not sure if her reaction is for Noah or Link. Either way, Noah makes quick work of introducing Link and Hadley around to a bunch of star-struck fans.
We learn that Lincoln James used to be Noah’s client a few years back, and now HadLink is at my birthday party.
Totally surreal.
But still not themostsurreal thing that’s happened to me recently.
“I live in your old house now,” Sayla chirps at Hadley, absolutely giddy to meet her. Personal space has never been Sayla’s strong suit, so she pulls Hadley in for a big hug.
“I lived there too,” Loren chimes in as soon as Hadley manages to extricate herself. “We were roommates until last month.”
“Aww. Fun!” Hadley smiles. “My best friend and I loved that place.”
“Nina Bennett, right?” Sayla quips. “You two worked together at Harvest High? She’s a math teacher.”
“Wow.” Hadley’s brows lift. “You’re very … well-informed.”
Loren laughs, stepping in to explain. “I promise you, Sayla is not a stalker. It’s just that you’re kinda famous, and word spreads around a school district. We both teach at Stony Peak. So do our husbands.”
Yeah. That’s right. I’m her husband.
“Go, Gray Squirrels!" Hadley cheers, but then she glances around and lowers her voice. “Your baseball team beat our Bobcats at the end of the season, so I’m being a big traitor right now. But I’m just so happy for you all.” She wrinkles her nose. “After that storm last year. The damage was so terrible.”
Sayla nods. “Yeah, you all got lucky over at Harvest High,but don’t worry. We’re good now. The renovations are almost done.”
“That reminds me.” Hadley cuts a glance across the room at her husband. “Did anyone ever find out who put up that big donation last year? Link and I must’ve told a thousand reporters we weren’t the ones, and we felt so bad every time. We would’ve stepped up for sure, but we were in California on set for Link’s movie. By the time we flew home, someone else had already beaten us to it.”
“And we may never know who,” Sayla says loudly, with an exaggerated shrug.
“Stony Peak got the money we needed,” Loren says. “That’s what really matters.” She moves over to me, looping her arm through mine and pressing her body in close. A silent signal thatshe knows.
Talk about what matters.
When Hadley and Link leave to meet the rest of their party, Dex orders the rest of us to find a seat at the table. We’ve barely sat down when Loren’s phone buzzes.
She casts a regretful look my way. “Sorry. I hate to?—”
“Check it. Of course. Could be your dad.”