They’d had a therapist on set when they were filming Sky. Sam had met with Dr. Gilliam throughout production and three more times after they’d wrapped. She’d been happy with the way he was processing the dark source material they were working with and kindly reminded him her door would be open if he wanted to speak with her again or if he just wanted a referral. He felt comfortable reaching out to her, but he had a feeling this particular thing wasn’t something he needed to see someone about.
“Maybe I should get back out there. It has been a while.”
“Get back out. Just do us all a favor.”
“What?”
“Do not tell Mom.”
Sam laughed as he leaned back against the truck. “You know I’m not stupid.”
“She will fly back here. She will have every eligible maiden from here to San Francisco lined up at those Big Rock gates. She will call up every soror with an unwed daughter—”
“I know, I know.”
“She’ll hit the pageant circuit, man. You’re not Jesse. She’ll have no problem selling any parents on you. Plus, you’re her baby.”
Sam rolled his eyes even though he knew it was true. Parents weren’t supposed to play favorites, but Zach was their dad’s favorite and he was their mom’s. She’d never done a damn thing to hide it. There was no reason to feel bad for Jesse. He was their grandmother’s favorite and that took the cake. Either way, Sam knew both his parents were still waiting to see all of their sons married off in their weird old-school way. And he knew his mom was beyond impatient for a grandchild. Zach and Evie were on their way there, but if she could double her odds, she wouldn’t hesitate to start playing matchmaker.
Sam had a much better, simpler plan. He’d do his best to track down Cha-Cha on his own, just to talk. Just to see if that spark he felt was real, and if that didn’t work, he’d wait until Helene got back from her honeymoon and casually ask how her friend from the after-party was doing.
* * *
The look on Helene’s face when she climbed out of her car changed Sam’s whole mood. Yeah, he was still a little out of it and he had mentally committed to finding a woman who might want nothing to do with him, but at least this week he could focus on his friends and their union.
He’d showered and changed, then met up with Jesse, Zach, and Delfi, their family friend who was also the ranch’s recently promoted general manager. Zach had since stepped back from his more hands-on approach to greeting important guests, but since Helene was an A-list priority and a friend of Sam’s, Zach wanted all hands on deck to assure her and her family that the boatload of money they’d shelled out to clear the ranch for three days would be well worth it. Jesse never greeted guests, only business associates and important vendors, so Sam figured he was taking this opportunity to quietly fawn over Helene in person. Helene had that effect on people.
She and her sister, Robyn, arrived ahead of the rest of the wedding party so they could have a quick chat with the wedding planner, Joan, then catch their breath before the festivities kicked off.
“So we’ll have one of our valets, Will, bring your things over to the Bluebird cabins and then we’re all set for the rehearsal at four. If you need absolutely anything you let us know,” Delfi said.
“Thank you again, you guys. I’m excited to be here. I’m so excited to be getting married here. I’m just excited,” Helene laughed.
“We’re excited for you,” Sam replied.
“Ignacio and his family should be here in about an hour and so will my parents. We’re gonna head to our room and then I’ll probably mosey back over and meet them.”
“Great,” Delfi said.
Just then the double doors to the lodge opened and Will ushered another guest inside. The whole group turned to see who was joining them.
“You’re here!” Helene squealed. She rushed across the lobby and pulled the slightly shorter, but much fuller woman into her arms.
Sam looked around Joan’s shoulder and had to squint to make sure he wasn’t seeing things. When Helene stepped back, gently taking the woman by the shoulders, he knew for sure he wasn’t crazy.
Cha-Cha was on the scene. She looked different from the night they’d met. No shiny sequin jumpsuit and rocking about 75 percent less makeup. She was wearing jeans, a T-shirt with some Sailor Moon fan art on it under a hooded cardigan, and a pair of ice-blue Chucks. Her long triangle-part box braids were pulled back in a ponytail, but she still looked as beautiful as Sam remembered, her full lips and her high cheekbones practically glowing. Sam was glad to have confirmation that he hadn’t been a fool trying to get with her. She was a ten.
“I’m so early,” she groaned, apologetically. “I thought there was going to be a lot of traffic and I didn’t want to be late.”
“Are you kidding? Never in the history of weddings will anyone complain about people showing up on time. This is cosmic balance for the fact that my cousins will definitely be late.” Helene looped her arm through Cha-Cha’s and brought her back over to the group. Sam didn’t miss the way her eyes flashed wide when she saw him. A second later though, the shock or maybe the horror that had registered at seeing him vanished. She fixed her face with a sweet, friendly smile and seemed to focus her attention on Zach.
“Everyone, this is my friend Amanda.” Helene went around and reintroduced everyone.
“Thank you so much for having us. You have such a beautiful place here,” Amanda
