Page 45 of My Best French Wedding
“What can I say? He has good taste.”
“How is it tasteful to proposition someone’s fiancée while he’s standing right there?”
“Oh please. Anyone with half a brain could see our issues from space.” Hildy pulled out a lip gloss, reapplying without a mirror before popping an Altoid. “He knows we’re never going to make it to the altar.”
16Hildy
FOUR DAYS BEFORE THE PRESCOTT-SCHAFER WEDDING
BEYNAC, France—The Château de Beynac came into view long before they reached the village that shared its name. The massive stone fortress towered above the surrounding landscape like a giant gargoyle. You’d have to be a lunatic to storm those walls, Hildy reflected, hanging back as the rest of the group started their trek up the steep and twisting cobbled streets. Talk about picking your battles.
When she reached the castle, Hildy wandered past the wooden entrance gates to a grassy quadrangle bordered by watchtowers. A low stone wall marked the edge of the precipice, beyond which the landscape unfurled with a dramatic plunge. The view of the valley was even more spectacular from up here.
She was taking pictures for reference when someone approached, clearing his throat to alert her to his presence. Hildy knew it was Walter before she turned around. He’d obviously followed her; the only question was why.
“If you’re thinking of pushing me over the edge, fair warning. I will take you down with me,” she said, preemptively.
He came to stand beside her. Their eyes met, Hildy using hers to transmit a silent,well?
“Now why would I want to do that?”
“Eliminate the competition.”
“That would be cheating. I’d rather beat you on an even playing field.”
Hildy had other questions.Since when? Have you forgotten I know the real you? How does sucking up to Maude qualify as fair?But she contented herself with a small snort. “Okay, Mr. Honorable.”
She rubbed the spot between her eyebrows where shemightbe developing a matched set of wrinkles. It was too soon for Botox, but Hildy would not have said no to a magical plumping serum. Especially if she was going to be standing in bright natural light next to Walter Burns.
“Headache?”
“I’m fine. Just getting the lay of the land.” She moved away, pretending to read a placard explaining some significant historical event.
“I never thought I’d be in a place Richard the Lionheart visited,” Walter said, joining her.
“Is that what you’re going to write in your story?”
“I don’t know.” He sounded cagey, like he was regretting mentioning it. “Is that whatyou’regoing to write?”
“No, I’m going to do a Freudian analysis of the male need to erect giant phallic towers all over the landscape.” There she went again, talking to Walter about dicks. Speaking of Freudian. Hildy took a cleansing breath. “It’s nice of Fiona and her family to plan all of this. The excursions.”
Walter didn’t respond right away. “Do you remember Carlee and Carlton’s wedding?”
Hildy considered denying it, but it was as much her memory as his. “Yep.”
“I always thought that’s the kind of ceremony I’d want.”
“Disney-themed?” she asked, distracted by the effort not to yell,Why are you thinking about weddings?He couldn’t marry Maude. Because of the cheating, obviously. Which Hildy still hadn’t told him about.
“I didn’t mean the costumes.”
She shrugged, out of guesses. It was too hard to think over the chorus of worry in her head. What if I tell him and he doesn’t believe me? What if I tell him and it turns out I’m wrong? What if I don’t tell him and it ruins his life? What does it mean that I don’t want that to happen? What kind of nemesis am I?
“Sincere,” Walter said, oblivious to her spiraling. “Down-to-earth. More about the people than the trappings.”
“I don’t know. These trappings are pretty sweet.” She gestured at the panoramic view, as if she could physically redirect their conversation onto safer ground. “Not your average beach resort. It’s so cool how there’s another castle everywhere you turn.”
“Very cool,” he agreed, looking ever so slightly suspicious of her sudden interest in architecture.
