Two of a Kind (Fool's Gold #11)(44)

“We’re in the park,” the lead singer was saying for possibly the eighth time in as many minutes. He had moved from the street to the sidewalk, perhaps in an attempt to intimidate her by appearing taller.

“I know,” Felicia said, hoping she could maintain her air of patience and understanding. In truth she wanted to pick up the nearest large object and beat the man with it until he stopped complaining.

“Why are we in the park? We’re never in the park.”

Felicia drew in a breath. “You’ll have more seating there. We’ve set out chairs on both sides, with a large grassy area in the middle. The sound will travel better without the buildings so close. The food court leads directly to the park, increasing traffic flow. People who didn’t plan to come hear the music will be drawn in. Attendance was up last night by twenty percent, as were CD and T-shirt sales. You’re going to have to trust me on this.”

“I don’t think you have the right energy for this job. Where’s Pia?”

“Unavailable,” Felicia said, doing her best not to grit her teeth. “And if you want to complain, you’ll have to get in line. I believe someone is already putting a curse on me.”

“This sucks,” the twentysomething man told her. “And you bite.”

With that eloquent insult, he stalked away, leaving her clutching her tablet.

She had forty-eight more hours, she thought grimly. With luck, she would be in bed by midnight and able to sleep until six. The same on Saturday. Which meant twelve of the forty-eight hours would be spent pleasantly. She couldn’t say the same for the other thirty-six.

“There you are.”

She sucked in a breath and turned to see Ford striding toward her.

“You let my mother have a booth to find me a wife.”

She started walking. “Get in line.”

“What?”

“Everyone has something to complain about. I don’t want to hear it.”

Ford grabbed her arm. “Hey, my mother has a booth, and she says you gave her the permit.”

She stopped and faced Ford. At least if she went after him, she wouldn’t have to worry about hurting him or being sued. Of course, odds were he would kick her ass, but under the circumstances, that might make her feel better.

“She has a legal right to have a booth in the festival if that’s what she wants. She isn’t doing anything illegal and she paid her fees. It was my job to give her the permit.”

He dropped his arm and stared at her. “But we’re friends. You should have my back.”

Those words cut her far deeper than any knife thrust. She clutched the tablet to her chest. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think it was that big a deal.”

“She wants me married off. She’s taking applications.”

He sounded really upset, she thought. “She’s being proactive. It makes her feel better. You were gone for a long time, and she doesn’t want to lose you again. Surely you can understand that. In a way, it’s funny.”

“It’s not funny to me. You should have told me.”

She tried to see the situation from his point of view. Just because she wanted to be paired up didn’t mean everyone did. Look at Gideon, who avoided all emotional involvements.

“You’re right,” she said, nodding quickly. “I was wrong not to say something. I can see how you’d view my actions as a betrayal.”

Ford shifted. “Betrayal is a little strong.”

“No, it’s not. I was a bad friend. I apologize.”

“Jeez, Felicia, I was pissed, but it’s not the end of the world.”

“It was thoughtless of me.” She felt her eyes burning, and it took her a second to realize she was starting to cry. “There’s been so much going on. I’m trying to be understanding, because the changes are necessary, but everyone is resisting. There’s more pushback than I anticipated and I haven’t slept and now you’re angry with me.”

“I’m not angry,” he muttered. “It’s fine. Seriously. I’m okay. My mom’s probably doing a good thing, right?”

“You’re just saying that.”

“I’ll say anything if you promise not to cry.”

She sniffed. “I’ll do my best. However, once the sympathetic nervous system is engaged, it can be difficult to stop the process.”

He swore.

She swallowed, still fighting tears. “You can go. I’ll be fine. I feel better, knowing you’re not angry with me.”

“I’m not. Really. We’re good. Okay?”

She nodded and he took off at a run.

Felicia walked through the crowds, trying to gather control. She generally didn’t give in to tears, which just illustrated how much stress she was dealing with. Perhaps sugar would help.

In front of her, a boy of eight or nine stomped his foot. “This is stupid,” he yelled at his mother. “I want an elephant ear. They’re supposed to be right here. Why aren’t they here?”

“I don’t know. Everything’s different this year.” She looked at her husband. “It’s just not as fun.”

Felicia clutched her tablet tighter. “The elephant ears are over by the food court,” she said, pointing. “Next to the lemonade stand. It’s not very far.”