by Dylann Crush
“I’ve got an image to uphold. If you’re going to work on my campaign you can’t be running around looking like that.”
Reagan glanced back and forth between her parents. “About that. I wanted to wait until after the wedding to tell you this, but I’m not going to be joining you on your campaign. I’ve decided to take the promotion at work instead.”
“You don’t mean that, lambchop.” Her dad shook his head, his lips set in a tight line.
“Oh, Reagan.” Her mother sighed. “We have to stick together. For the good of the family. Everyone needs to do their part.”
Reagan forced a smile. She hadn’t intended to get into it before the wedding but having her dad immediately challenge her as soon as she arrived made her want to get it over with. She couldn’t put up the front any longer. Her time with Zach had taught her she needed to be true to herself. “Mom, you know I would never do anything to intentionally hurt our family. But I’ve had a lot of time to think over the past few days and it’ll be for the best.”
“You’ve been thinking?” Her dad nodded. “What’s brought on all this thinking?”
“This trip…just the process of getting here. I realized I lost focus on some things that were important to me.” She hadn’t expected her dad to be overjoyed by her decision, but she also didn’t want to risk him making a big deal out of it right before Teddy’s wedding. “You know, maybe we should focus on the wedding right now and talk about this later?”
An awkward silence stretched between them. Her mother looked to Reagan’s father to figure out how to respond. She always followed his lead.
Her dad let out a sigh. “Of course. Go get cleaned up, and we’ll revisit this tomorrow. I’m glad you’re here, sweetheart.” He made a move like he wanted to come in for a hug but thought better of it and rocked back on his heels instead. “Where’s this photographer you dragged with you? I don’t like you springing this on me at the last minute, especially since he hasn’t signed a non-disclosure yet.” He walked over to the desk and pulled a piece of paper out of a folder. “What bungalow is he in? I’ll need Simon to take this over and get it signed ASAP.”
“Dad,” Reagan put her hand on her dad’s arm. “The photographer is Zach Anderson. You know, from high school?”
“What?” He squinted and shook his head. “The hockey player punk?”
Reagan backed up, taking offense at her dad’s choice of words. “Punk? No. I mean, he played hockey, but he was always a nice guy.”
“Dammit, I warned him once to stay away from you. What room is he in?”
“What are you talking about? He’s the whole reason I even made it here at all. I don’t get—”
“The room number?” Her dad used his non-negotiable voice, the one she didn’t dare challenge.
“Four, but—”
“Go get cleaned up before someone sees you like that. Damn Anderson bastard probably took pictures of you all the way down the coast. Crabs, Reagan?”
“I was lucky he loaned me anything at all.”
Her dad paused in the doorway and turned around. “You’re wearing his clothes? For Christ’s sake, what else did you share with him over the past four days?”
“Ross, the wedding,” her mother interjected.
“You better find someone else to snap some shots.” Dad glowered, his eyes narrowing to slits. “Because I’m about to send Zach Anderson back where he came from.”
“What the hell, Dad?”
He stomped down the path, through the trees, in the direction of Zach’s bungalow.
Reagan turned to her mother. “What’s Dad talking about? When did he ever warn Zach to stay away from me?”
“Honey, what’s that smell?” her mother pinched her nose.
“Forget it.” Reagan grabbed her bag and pulled it down the path toward Zach’s room. She needed him at the wedding. Not only to take the pictures but to figure out what she wanted to do about the growing attraction between them. Ignoring it wouldn’t make it go away. And for the first time in her life she’d let herself think about a future that didn’t revolve around her father’s career. That was Zach’s doing. He’d helped her find her footing and she didn’t want to lose it now, not when she was so close to working toward what she really wanted.
Her bag bounced over the uneven terrain. Hell, she’d come back for it later. If she didn’t get to Zach before her dad lit into him, there might not be enough left of him to fight for.
23
Zach hummed to himself while he ran one of the fluffy towels over his hair. As he wrapped another large bath sheet around his waist a knock sounded at the door. Maybe Reagan had decided to stop by sooner rather than later. Hopeful he’d find her on the other side of the door, he walked through the open living room area and swung the door open wide.
“Couldn’t stay away, huh?” His smile faded fast as he took in the angry frown plastered across Senator Campbell’s ruddy face.
“I thought I told you to keep away from my family. What do you want this time? Money?”
Zach backed away from the door. “No, sir. I don’t want anything. I ran into Reagan at the airport and wanted to help out an old friend.”
“She’s wearing your clothes. She offered you a job taking pictures of my son’s wedding. What lies did you tell her?”
“Nothing. I didn’t want to leave her stranded. I had some time, I—”
“You followed her here so you could blackmail me again. I know your kind, Anderson. Always looking for an easy buck. Stay away from my family, and you’d damn well better not go near my daughter again.” He jabbed his finger in the air, pointing at Zach. “Look at you. Tattoos, long hair. You’re what’s wrong with the world today.”
“Dad!” Reagan’s voice cut through her dad’s rant. “What are you doing?”
The rage in Senator Campbell’s eyes dissipated. His chest deflated a little at the sight of his daughter. “Come here, lambchop. I’ve warned you about people like this. Turns out your good friend, Mr. Anderson, was only helping you so he could get a chance to blackmail us with pictures of the wedding.”
“What?” Reagan looked from her dad to Zach.
Zach felt exposed, especially since he stood with water dripping down his body from his shower, in nothing but a towel.
“What’s he talking about? Is this true?” Her eyes begged him to clear himself from the accusation.
How could he tell her the truth without breaking her heart? Without breaking whatever fragile bridge had begun to span the distance between their worlds?
“Reagan, I—”
“Of course it’s true,” Senator Campbell interrupted. “Tell her about the tabloid rag you’re working for.”
Scazzoli? How could he possibly know about Scazzoli?
Senator Campbell scoffed at the look of confusion on Zach’s face. “You underestimated who you were dealing with, boy. I’ve got feelers out, especially with the potential for a damaging smear campaign. Who do you think was offering to buy the pictures you promised?”
“I told him I wasn’t interested.” Zach turned to Reagan, feeling his slim chance of providing an explanation slipping away.
“Told you, sweetheart. You can’t trust anyone.” Her dad’s arm wrapped around Reagan’s shoulder. She stood stock still, the color draining down her face.
“Let me explain.” Zach wanted to go to her, force her to listen to him. What started out as a potential job had turned into so much more. Why hadn’t he already told her how much she’d changed him? How much she’d come to mean to him in the past few days? Now he wouldn’t have the chance.
“Pack up your things and get the hell off my island,” her dad said, not even bothering to meet Zach’s gaze.
“I’m sorry. It’s not what you think. If I could have a chance to explain—”
“You’ve had your chance. You have five minutes to grab your stuff and get down to the dock.”
“But you need a photographer. Can I help with—”
�
��You’ve helped enough.” Senator Campbell cut him off. He mumbled into Reagan’s ear. “Let’s get you back to your room. You need to get cleaned up and out of those”—he fingered the edge of Reagan’s T-shirt—“rags.”
“Reagan, please.” Zach took a step toward her, but the senator put his palm out to block him.
“Five minutes or I’ll send in my security detail to help you pack.”
Dammit. He’d really fucked up this time. The whole trip to Florida had been for nothing. A giant clusterfuck.
And Reagan stood in the middle of it all. He sank down on the edge of the bed and ran his hands over his cheeks. How did he let it go so far? He never should have let Scazzoli blackmail him into it in the first place. Or at least told Reagan about it when he backed out of the deal. They could have laughed it off, and he’d be slipping into his tux, looking forward to taking the sister of the groom for a spin around the dance floor.
“Dad, stop.” Reagan didn’t even look at Zach as she turned to face her father.
“Let’s go. I’m not going to let this punk ruin your brother’s wedding.” The senator jerked his head toward the door as he held his hand out to Reagan.
“If you make Zach leave, you’re the one who’s going to ruin Teddy’s wedding, not him.” She clamped her hands to her hips and leveled a stern glare at her dad.
“What’s going on?” Teddy stepped into the room.
Zach waited to see how it would all play out, his gaze trained on Reagan.
“Zach’s a good person. We’re down a photographer and he’s the only one who can help. I know you’re worried about security so I’ll take personal responsibility to make sure no pictures get leaked.” Reagan held her ground.
Her dad clenched his jaw and shook his head. “You don’t know him like I do. He’s only out for himself, he’s—”
“If he was only out for himself, would he have stood up for me at the security checkpoint in Louisville and undergone a strip search when I made an accidental bomb threat? Would he derail our travel plans to rescue a dog we hit on the highway and pay thousands of dollars for her surgery so she didn’t get put down?”
Zach let his head hang. Yes, he’d done those things, but his motives hadn’t exactly been altruistic and pure.
“He’s your responsibility.” Senator Campbell pointed a finger at Reagan.
She didn’t flinch.
“And as soon as the wedding’s over, I want him gone.”
“Dad, don’t be ridiculous…” Teddy tried to speak up but his dad didn’t stick around.
With one last icy glare at Zach, Senator Campbell turned on his heel and stomped out of the villa.
Zach stood. If he could just explain. “Reagan, I—”
“Don’t. I didn’t do that for you, I did it for Teddy. Now, please get dressed.” She turned toward the door and even though every part of him wanted to reach out and stop her, force her to listen to him, he let her go.
But the look on her face gutted him. Like he’d betrayed her a thousand times over. Whatever trust they’d built over the past few days had been blasted away by her dad’s revelations.
“You aren’t thinking about running away, are you?” Teddy asked.
Zach had all but forgotten Reagan’s brother had walked in on the showdown. “Sorry about that.”
Teddy thrust his hands in his pants pockets and leaned up against the doorway. “I know we don’t know each other very well, but my sister is willing to put herself on the line for you. Is there something you want to tell me?”
“No. I mean, I’ve done some shots for the celeb rags in the past. When I ran into Reagan, I did make a call. But as I got to know her again, I changed my mind. Told the guy I was out. I have no intention of selling any shots to anyone. I wanted to be here for her. I should have told her.”
“Yeah, you should have,” Teddy agreed. “Reagan puts up a big front. But she’s one of the most loyal, selfless people I know.”
Zach thought of the way she’d given away the cupcakes, how she’d sacrificed her ride on the last train of the day to help a little girl find her parents, and how she’d cradled the matted beast in her arms, insisting they find an emergency vet, even though it would mean delaying her arrival at the wedding. He nodded, more to himself than in agreement with Teddy.
“Once she lets you in, you’re in,” Teddy continued.
Zach’s head snapped up. “What are you saying? You think I still have a chance?”
Teddy shrugged. “Who knows? But I do know that she stood up for you to our dad. And I’ve never seen her do that for anyone before.”
The twinge echoed through his gut, and Zach put a palm on his abs. Was it too late? Seemed like someone was handing him a second chance. He’d do this, for Reagan. Prove to her that he deserved her trust, that she could count on him, and that he was worth fighting for.
“I saw Maria on my way over. Should I go track her down and send her over to alter your tux?” Teddy asked.
Zach bit his lip. This was it.
“Dude, you in?” Teddy asked.
“Yeah,” Zach said. “Go get Maria. I’m in. All in.”
Reagan ran the coral gloss over her lips one more time. The flower situation had been sorted out, the guests had been seated, and the harpist had her fingers poised on the strings, ready to begin. All they needed now was Cal. He’d run back to the bungalow for the rings, the one thing Reagan had put him in charge of.
She stood at the back of the site where the ceremony would take place and surveyed the scene in front of her. Cal and Teddy would walk each other down the aisle and stand under an archway made from driftwood. Garlands of white and ivory roses wrapped around the arch. They’d say their vows with the sand, sky, and setting sun behind them. It would be a challenging scene to capture on film due to the changing light. Zach stood to the side of the chairs that had been set up for the small group of family and close friends in attendance. He had his camera propped up on a tripod and another one slung around his neck.
They hadn’t spoken since her father tried to kick him out. Reagan had been shocked by her dad’s revelation, and the heavy realization that Zach had merely been using her settled like a bag of rocks in her gut. She would have loved nothing more than to see him tossed into the speed boat and sent packing. But she’d vowed to give Teddy and Cal the best wedding she could, so she’d put her personal feelings aside, at least for a few more hours—another sacrifice for the good of the family.
Zach may have tried to play her, but she’d get the final word. Even if the whole trip had been a joke to him, he still made her realize a few things about herself. She might not be the best judge of character or the first one to jump at the thought of embarking on a nerve-wracking adventure. But Zach had shown her she did have it in her to stand up for herself and not be afraid to go for what she wanted out of life. She supposed she’d always be grateful to him for that, even if everything else had been a show.
It would be a long time before she’d be able to trust herself around a man again. She thought he was different, that he cared for her. He proved her dad’s point that she couldn’t trust anyone. That everyone was out for him or herself. Reagan’s breath hitched in her throat. She wouldn’t, she couldn’t, let him see her cry.
Satisfied that everything was going according to plan, she made her way back to the dressing room where Teddy waited.
“Ready, big brother?” Reagan asked, tapping on the doorway before she entered the room.
Teddy turned to her, a huge smile on his lips. “Absolutely.”
“You look incredible. Dashing and debonair.” She leaned in to give him a kiss on the cheek. “Oh crap, I left a mark. Hold on.” She undid the clasp on her gold evening bag and swiped the lip gloss off Teddy’s cheek with the handkerchief she’d stocked in her emergency kit.
“Thanks for everything, sis. You really outdid yourself. The location, the flowers…it’s perfect.”
Reagan fanned her face with her hands. “Don’t make m
e cry. Maria spent a half hour on my makeup tonight trying to make me look presentable.”
Teddy pulled her into a hug. “You look more than presentable. You always do. That dress is sheer perfection, and you look ah-mah-zing. Zach’s going to go out of his mind when he sees you in it.”
Reagan pushed back from her brother. “Zach? He’s lucky I haven’t clawed his eyes out.”
“I don’t usually interfere in things—”
“Since when?” Reagan asked, clamping her hands on her hips.
“So sometimes I give some brotherly advice. It’s my wedding day so you have to listen to me. I think you should give Zach a second chance.”
“Are you kidding me? The man lied to me. He tricked me into inviting him to your wedding so he could make a quick buck.” Reagan looked away to dispel the nervous energy flooding her system at the mention of Zach’s name. She settled for adjusting the boutonniere on Teddy’s lapel, even though she pinned it herself and had already fiddled with it twice.
Teddy stilled her hands by catching them up in his. “Hey. I think he’s telling the truth. When you got off the boat with him, you had this glow about you.”
“It was sweat. I’d spent three hours in a commercial fishing boat with fish guts sloshing around my feet.”
“God, you’re stubborn. It wasn’t sweat. You looked good… lighter… maybe even happy?”
Reagan sighed and flopped into a chair. “It’s not fair that you know me so well. I was happy.” She wrapped her arms around her waist. “He made me feel things I’ve only dreamed about.”
“With a bod like that, I can imagine he made you feel things.”
“Theodore! Get your mind out of the gutter. You’re about to walk down the aisle.”
Teddy moved behind her and kneaded the muscles of her exposed shoulders. “Exactly why you need to give him a second chance. I found my Mr. Right. Have you considered the thought that Zach might be yours?”
Zach? No, Zach couldn’t be Mr. Right. He was all wrong for her. From his rogue hair to his heavily inked torso. He didn’t fit the image of what she envisioned for her happily ever after. How could her dad send out Christmas cards with a picture of a guy who looked like he’d be more comfortable as the leader of a biker gang than a politician’s son-in-law?