《Local Flavour: Big Apple (Book 3, the Local Flavour Series)》Part 56 Epilogue: The Reception

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You are Cordially Invited to the Wedding of Quinn Alexander Allen and Lucy Elizabeth McLean.

Sunset Ceremony & Exchange of Vows and Rings

Family and Friends' Blessing of the Union

Candlelit Oceanside Procession

Champagne Reception & Dinner

A locally inspired, oceanside feast designed by Chef Quinn Allen, and executed by Chef Akira Matsumoto

A selection of fresh Nova Scotia scallops, mussels, lobster and haddock simmered in local wine

Lobster, pulled straight from the sea and cooked on the beach; fresh, grilled corn with lime-chive butter

A selection of fresh, butter-poached organic garden vegetables, herbs and edible flowers from Quinn's garden

Beachside bonfire s'mores with homemade lavender marshmallows and honey graham crackers

Oxford blueberry and Honey Hill Farms maple syrup ice cream

Local wine and Sea Glass craft beer pairings for each course.

_____________________

"My God, will you look at them?"

Faye and Keith were in each other's arms, dancing barefoot in the sand with the other couples under the canopy on the beach. Faye gestured over to Lucy and Quinn, who were also swaying to the music; they couldn't take their eyes off each other.

"The way he's looking at her. It's absolutely—" she looked back at Keith to find him gazing down at her with the exact same look in his eyes. Instead of warming under the tender stare, she felt panic twist in her belly.

"Stop that," she commanded.

"Stop what?" He looked down at her with a hint of a smile.

"Stop looking at me like that."

Keith laughed. "OK, I'll close my eyes. Will that make you happy?" He closed them for dramatic effect while they danced.

"Don't be a smart-ass." She couldn't help but laugh at him, slow-dancing with her, his eyes completely shut with a hint of a smile on his face. "You're not funny, you know."

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Keith's eyes popped open.

"I'm a bit funny," he quipped. "Look, I like you, Faye. I've always liked you. I like your big, beautiful blue eyes, your smart mouth, your cute little dimple just to the left of your mouth, and the one on your—"

"Hey!" Faye looked around quickly to see if anyone was listening. "No need to go there. I like you too, Keith. But I told you—"

"You're not getting seriously involved with anyone. You want to keep things casual. You just want to have fun." Keith rolled his eyes. "I know all that. Don't worry, I'm not going to come to your window in the middle of the night like a jerk, trying to serenade you, or pop the question. I just think you look especially beautiful tonight, and I'd like to tell you that without getting punched in the throat." He looked down at her pointedly.

Faye smiled despite herself, activating the dimple. "Thank you," she said softly.

"Hallelujah!" Keith yelled into the night, and she shushed him, laughing.

"I'm not trying to be a bitch. I just want you to know where I stand. Ben and I were together for my whole adult life, and I was totally defined by him. I need to find out who I am before I can commit to anyone again. That is, if I ever want to commit to anyone again. Right now, I just want to be free and unencumbered."

"I get it," Keith said. He held her close in the moonlight. Moments passed, and they swayed to the music without saying a word.

"Still though," he said after a few moments. "Those two look pretty encumbered, and awfully happy to be that way," he said, tilting his head towards Lucy and Quinn.

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"I'm not my sister," Faye retorted.

"I'm well aware of that." Keith tightened his hold around her waist. "Look Faye, I think you're magnificent. I'm not saying we have to get married tomorrow. But I would like to know where this is going. I'm happy to be your beck-and-call boy, but at some point, I'd like to come out about us, maybe even bring you home to meet Ma."

"I know your mother already, and we're a long way off from that," Faye muttered. "Can we please just keep things the way they are? We're having fun. Let's not spoil things by rushing a commitment."

"Fair enough," Keith said, pulling her closer. He was so tall, he had to bend down to whisper in her ear. "But just know. I will wait for you if it takes another 20 years."

Faye scoffed. But as the soft music filled the night air, she stretched her arms around his neck to bring herself even closer into his warmth. She sighed, closing her eyes as her heart thudded in her ears and heat flooded her face.

"Faye!" Her eyes flew open and she started, breaking apart from Keith's comforting embrace.

"What am I supposed to do again? And where am I going?"

Faye sighed. "Lucas, for a huge Hollywood star, you're a bit clueless. We've gone over this a hundred times."

"Explain it to me again, like I'm five," said the handsome celebrity.

Faye rolled her eyes. She caught sight of Marnie standing nearby, trying desperately not to look like she was eavesdropping.

"Go up to our family cottage — now your cottage. You know where it is – just up the beach a ways; where the ceremony took place. In it, you'll find all the stuff. Make the bed with the nice sheets, spread some rose petals around, put the bottle of Prosecco on ice; just make things look nice for Quinn and Lucy."

"The cottage up the beach," he murmured, looking around. "Problem number one: There's like a hundred cottages up the beach and they all look alike to me."

"You bought our family cottage, don't you know what it looks like?!"

"Sort of?" He shrugged.

"Jesus take the wheel," Faye said, rolling her eyes heavenward. "Marnie, could you come here?"

In record time, Marnie was by her side, looking up at the handsome, muscular movie star.

"Yes?"

"Take Lucas here up to our cottage and help him prepare the honeymoon suite. I'd do it, but I have to make a speech in a few minutes."

"Sure!" Excitement shone in Marnie's eyes. "It's this way." She took Lucas' arm in hers; he looked as delighted as she was. She glanced back at Faye and Keith and gave them a huge thumb's up, her eyes dancing with excitement.

"Smooth, McLean. Very smooth," Keith said. "Quinn said these two have been sparking all night."

"Don't you think I know that?" Faye reached up and entwined her arms around Keith's neck. "Now, where were we?"

"You were crushing all of my hopes and dreams."

"Oh yeah, that's right," she said. "Well, not all of them," she said with a wink, pulling him down so she could whisper her plans for the night in his ear.

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