Free Love Me Tender by Susan Fox

quickly. “No way. He’s like Evan. They’re mentors.”
    â€œAnd friends. It’s obvious you’re close to both of them.”
    â€œI guess.” Her smile was self-deprecating. “It’s kind of hard to believe that a girl like me can be friends with men like them.”
    Madisun, like Dave, was closemouthed about her personal life. Still, the gossip mill had enlightened Cassidy. She knew that the young woman’s father drank and had trouble keeping a job. Her mom hadn’t finished high school and was raising Madisun’s eight younger siblings.
    â€œYou’re hardworking, smart, and nice,” Cassidy said. “You’re exactly the kind of woman they’d like and respect.”
    Madisun’s only flaw, as far as she could see, was that she could be too serious. On a whim, Cassidy went over to one of the large flower arrangements on a sideboard and tugged off a few freesia blossoms from where the loss would never be noticed. She tucked a couple of pink blossoms into the left pocket of Madisun’s shirt, a bright, almost mischievous touch against the stark white uniform. Into her own pocket she tucked a couple of peach-colored blossoms.
    Then, hearing excited voices from outside, she said, “The hordes are descending. Karen and Jamal are married.”
    â€œMay they have many happy years together.” Madisun’s tone was dead serious.
    â€œUh, yeah.” Who knew, maybe the newlyweds would be like Sheila and Ken Cousins, or the white-haired dance teachers Jimmy B and Bets, rather than like Cassidy’s parents or her brother and his ex-wife. Sprinkled with magic dust, as she’d said to Sheila. An odd wistfulness sent a pang through her heart, but she shook it off, reminding herself she was the realistic one who didn’t believe in chasing crazy dreams that might end up breaking your heart.
    She and Madisun hurried toward the bar to help Roy and his staff.
    The next hour went by in a whirl as staff served drinks to guests. Adrenaline overrode Cassidy’s fatigue as she worked with Madisun and assisted the other staff.
    The excited chatter stopped dead when the bridal party, fresh from being photographed in the town square, arrived with bright smiles. Karen looked stunning and glowed with happiness. Tall and shapely, she wore an off-the-shoulder ivory gown with lace and seed pearls. Her glossy dark brown hair was caught up in an artfully simple style, accented with a headpiece that matched the dress. Robin had said that her gramma Brooke was doing Karen’s hair.
    Jamal, a striking man with a smile that wouldn’t quit, was her perfect match. He wore a light gray suit, a crisp white dress shirt, and a silver-and-black-striped tie. He was, Cassidy had learned, half African American and half Puerto Rican American. The clothing looked great against his beautiful skin, which was the color of dark coffee.
    Madisun stepped forward with a tray of flute glasses filled with the bubbly passion fruit drink that Karen had chosen for the party, and served the bride, groom, then the rest of the wedding party.
    The bride and groom had wanted an informal celebration and decided against a receiving line. Instead, they began to circulate around the room, chatting with their guests.
    Cassidy checked that the wedding photographer was on the job, moving around unobtrusively and snapping informal shots. Then she picked up another tray of flutes filled with the peachy-gold punch. The drink was nonalcoholic, because Jamal, Brooke, and two or three others were recovering alcoholics. The guests who really wanted booze could get drinks at the bar.
    She greeted Karen’s family, who were staying at the Wild Rose, and said hi to townspeople she knew, refilling her tray as needed and trying to ignore the pins and needles in her leg. A fresh tray in hand, she gazed across the room at Dave, who looked great but slightly uncomfortable in a dark gray suit, cream shirt,