Mine to Promise (Southern Wedding #6)(15)

“The little touches with the tree stumps.” Presley points at the center of the tables. “It’s the little details like that which make it perfect.”

I can’t help but smile and breathe a sigh of relief. “I just hope that it’s everything she’s wanted. I tried to think back on everything she told me from the beginning.” I glance around the room, spotting Sofia with Matty walking around, taking in everything. The smile hasn’t left her face since she walked down the aisle. I’m just happy my little situation didn’t put a damper on anything. The phone buzzes in my hand, and I look down to see my timer has gone off. “Okay, I need you guys to take your seats,” I tell them. “It’s showtime.”

“It’s showtime?” Clarabella asks me, confused. “I thought showtime was her walking down the aisle.”

“It’s time for food. Now get to your spots.” I clap my hands. “Chop-chop.” I smile at them at the same time I nod to the singer of the band who comes on the microphone.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” she says in her smooth, soft voice, “if everyone can get to their seat, it’s time to get the party started.”

I zigzag through the room until I’m in front of Sofia and Matty. “Hi,” I say, “it’s time for the main entrance. Follow me.” I motion with my head as we sneak out of the side of the barn, walking around it.

“Where are we going?” Matty asks.

“There is a secret back entrance here,” I inform them. “The stairs lead to the second floor, where you guys will come out, and you’ll make your way down the staircase in front of everyone.”

“Love that,” Sofia says, “and in case I don’t tell you a million times today”—she grabs my hands

—“everything is beyond perfect.”

“You did good, Addison,” Matty adds, putting his arm over Sofia’s shoulders.

“You can’t make me cry,” I hiss at both of them. “Now I have to go into the kitchen.” I open the side door. “Go.”

“Damn, she’s bossy when she’s in charge,” Matty teases me as he puts his hand on the lower part of Sofia’s back.

“It’s the mother tone, like you done fucked up and she’s going to kick your ass.” Sofia side-eyes me as she walks into the door, making me laugh.

I wait for them to both enter before I turn and make my way to the kitchen. I pull open the door in the back and hear Luke yelling out commands. “We have four minutes!” he shouts to them as he walks behind the long silver table. White plates are already placed on it. “I want the plates looking perfect.”

“How’s it going?” I ask him, wringing my hands with nerves.

“Horrible.” The minute he says that, I feel the blood drain out of me. “Oh my gosh, I’m kidding.

Relax.”

“What the H E double L is wrong with you?” I hiss at him, putting my hand on my forehead.

“Relax,” he assures me, “I’ve got this.” He earns himself a glare as my phone buzzes in my hand.

At the same time, I hear all the cheers, so I know they just made their entrance.

“We have two minutes,” I tell him, and he snaps his fingers.

“One minute, people,” he announces, walking toward his staff. “If I say two minutes, they might get lazy.” He winks at me, and I see everyone is doing something.

The first course goes off without a hitch and I stick my head out for a second to make sure Avery is okay. The best thing I did was make sure the kids had someone to take care of them. Luckily for me, someone from Matty’s side and Sofia’s side stepped up to the plate.

I slip out of the kitchen, walking over to the head server, who is standing by the wall with his hands behind his back. “How is it going?”

“Smooth,” he tells me. “Almost time for the second course.”

When I push open the door to the kitchen, I clap my hands. “Next service is ten minutes out.”

The sounds of pots and pans fill the kitchen as the voices go higher and higher as the pressure is on.

“What are you doing?” Presley storms into the kitchen, followed by her sisters.

“Um,” I say, not sure exactly what she’s asking, “working?”

“You did this so much better than we would have,” Clarabella declares to me, her eyes shining, and I wonder if she’s being sincere or if she’s gotten in the sweet tea. Either way, I’m taking it as a compliment.

“No, I didn’t.” I shake my head. “And it’s not over until the last person leaves. You taught me that.” I point at Shelby.

“Yes, you did, and now it’s time for you to come out and enjoy it with us.” Shelby grabs me by my hands, pulling me away from the kitchen. “You have given your orders. If they need you, they know where to find you.”

“I don’t really think,” I start to say but then stop when I see Sofia push open the kitchen door. Her face is in a scowl, so I stop moving my feet.

“Oh, you better get your ass out here and help me celebrate my wedding,” Sofia orders, pointing over her shoulder.

I look at the four of them. When I applied for the job, I was hoping I would get it. Even in the interview I felt like part of the team. The way I came in and they took me under their wing. They accepted Avery without batting an eye. They accepted me with all the baggage I had. They did more for me in the short time I was with them than my family did my whole life. “Fine.”