Free A Wedding Worth Waiting For by Katie Meyer

sure there’s nothing going on...”
    The girl nodded, her hoop earrings swaying with the motion. “I’m sure.”
    The other cashier, apparently not wanting to get in the middle of whatever was going on, returned to her station, leaving the now much more subdued Olivia, who quickly checked Sam and then Dani out.
    Once outside, Sam stopped and turned to Dani, blocking her path with the cart. “What on earth was that?”
    â€œThat was the town gossip mill at full steam. Or at least the younger generation’s version of it. The downside to small-town living, I’m afraid.”
    Sam’s head spun. “So you’re saying everyone is going to be talking about me like that?”
    â€œProbably. For now, anyway. Dylan’s a hot topic all on his own, and since you were out with him, that makes you fair game. Generally people are a lot more circumspect when it comes to these things, but Olivia’s young and a bit impulsive.”
    â€œAnd what was that about seeing her with some guy?”
    â€œJacob. He was her boyfriend until he got busted for underage drinking and her mom made her stop seeing him. I wasn’t his public defender—a friend was—but I know he got community service and some substance abuse counseling. As for last night, there were actually several kids in the car. It didn’t look romantic at all. But I thought it might be good for her to get a taste of what gossip can feel like from the other side.”
    â€œWell, it worked, thank you. I’m not exactly comfortable being the center of attention, as I’m sure you noticed. Honestly, I think I might need some ice cream now.”
    â€œLucky for you, I’ve got enough Rocky Road for the two of us.”
    * * *
    Sam unpacked the last of her groceries, still not sure how she’d ended up inviting Dani back to her apartment. Or rather why she’d gone along when Dani had invited herself over. Her new friend had argued that since Sam had groceries that needed to be put away, and Dani had nothing planned other than a dessert binge, it just made sense for her to tag along back to Sam’s place.
    Which was why there were now two bowls of Rocky Road on the table instead of the single peanut butter and jelly sandwich she’d planned for herself. Not that she had wanted to say no, but she was struck by the feeling that she’d never really had a choice in the matter. Dani Post was a force of nature; Sam could only imagine what it must be like to face her down in a courtroom.
    â€œIf you don’t get over here soon, your ice cream is going to melt.”
    Sam grabbed the bowl and leaned against the counter, savoring her first bite of the creamy sweetness. “I actually kind of like it when it gets all soft. When I was a kid, I called it ice-cream soup.”
    Dani made a face in mock horror. “Ugh, my sister did that, too. I never understood it—the whole point of ice cream is that it’s cold. But in the spirit of new friendship I’m willing to overlook what is obviously a serious character flaw.”
    â€œIn the spirit of new friendship, or because you want more details about my dinner with Dylan?”
    â€œTrust me, I already got the details from Dylan. And what he didn’t tell me, my mother and half the town will fill me in on. What I want to know is, what are you going to do now?”
    Sam swallowed hard, the cold treat making a lump in her throat. “What do you mean? I told Dylan I need to focus on my career right now, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do.”
    Dani nodded. “Right, but from what I understand, your biggest problem there is forging the kind of connections that will bring in leads. And that kind of social networking isn’t something you can force.”
    â€œWell, I’m going to have to figure out a way to speed up the process. If I can’t show my boss that I’m earning the trust of the citizens,