The phony smile falls from her face and she takes a step closer to me. “I want to talk to you.”
“No.”
An exasperated sound escapes her. “Later. Come on, Theo. We need to talk.”
“I have nothing to say to you,” I bite out.
“But there are things I need to tell you,” she practically whines. I don’t miss that tone in her voice. Not at all.
“And I don’t want to hear whatever it is you have to say,” I tell her, my voice low. My anger obvious. “We’re through, Jess. I’m not interested in your feelings or your misgivings about marrying Craig. That’s on you. You made your choice. I have nothing to do with this anymore.”
I leave her where she’s standing, making my way toward Kelsey, pleased to see her engaged in an animated conversation with my mother. I love that they get along. She gets along with all of my family. Jess did as well, but I think they like Kelsey better. I know I sure as hell do.
“There you are,” I tell my girlfriend, slipping my arm around her slender waist and pulling her in close. She goes with me easily, pressing her cheek against my shoulder before I lean down and drop a light kiss on her lips. “You okay?”
“I wasn’t feeling well earlier, but I’m okay now.” She smiles weakly. “I’ll tell you about it later.”
Concern fills me and I press a light kiss to her forehead. “You sure you’re all right?”
“I’m fine. Really.” Her gaze slides toward my parents, who are now both walking with my grandmother. “Your grandma is so sweet.”
“She’s pretty feisty,” I say, enjoying the easy way we all walk together toward the restaurant. “I’m sure you two will get along great.”
Kelsey laughs. “I get along with your entire family. They’re all so easy to talk to.”
I chance a glance at her, not wanting her to know what I’m thinking. But what I’m thinking is this: she’s come a long way from the woman I first met. The one who was very skeptical, a little distrusting, and full of attitude. That woman had her defenses up—they were constructed of impossibly tall, steel walls. These last few weeks, she’s become open and warm. All that earlier tension and mistrust is gone. I think I had something to do with that.
I actually know I had something to do with that.
“You look gorgeous,” I whisper close to her ear. “That dress should be outlawed.”
“I’m completely covered up,” she says, her brows shooting up.
“Your legs aren’t.” My gaze dips to her chest. “Neither is that.”
She laughs. “I thought it was just sexy enough to cause a stir, but not too big of a stir.”
“You would be correct in that assessment,” I tell her.
“Wait until you see what I have planned tomorrow.” Her smile is devious.
Mine turns wicked. “Can’t wait to peel you out of this later tonight.”
“If you’re lucky,” she teases.
Fuck yes, I’m going to get lucky.
So is she.
We eventually make it to the restaurant, where the manager greets Kelsey personally. This impresses my parents and grandmother, and I explain that Kelsey works at the hotel and she’s the personal assistant of the owner of the entire corporation.
Now they’re even more impressed.
The party is escorted to a private room in the back of the restaurant, and when we walk inside, there are three long tables set up for everyone to sit at. I head straight for the last table, knowing the bride and groom won’t want to sit there. They’ll want the spotlight on them the entire weekend, which is their right. It’s their wedding, after all.
I settle in with Kelsey by my side, my parents across from us and my grandma sitting next to my mom. There are menus resting on each plate, and I pick it up to give it a cursory glance.
“It’s a limited menu tonight,” Kelsey explains to everyone. “This is what we usually do for events like these. Makes it a lot easier on our kitchen.”
“So smart,” Mom says, her generous smile aimed right at Kelsey. “You enjoy working here, Kelsey?”
“I love it. Wilder Corp is a wonderful employer.” Worry seems to flicker in her gaze, making me frown, and then I remind myself I’m being ridiculous. Kelsey has nothing to be worried about.
And neither do I.
“Tell me what happened earlier,” I murmur close to her ear when the servers enter the room and cause a commotion. My parents start freaking out, panicked over what they should order, which stresses my grandmother out too. Weird.
Kelsey turns to look at me, our faces so close I could easily dip my head and kiss her. But I don’t. Not yet. “What do you mean?”
“Why you were late to the rehearsal?”
“Oh, right.” She frowns, her forehead wrinkling. “It was the strangest thing. I suddenly felt nauseous. So nauseous I ran into the bathroom and vomited.” She looks vaguely embarrassed.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Concern touches my voice, and she sends me a weird look, like she’s surprised I care. “Are you still feeling nauseous?”
“Oh. No, it passed.” Her smile is one of relief. “Alex made me leave work early and let me stay in one of the rooms. I took a nap. That’s why I was late. I overslept and had to get ready in a hurry.”
“And this is the result?” I whistle low, my gaze appreciative as I obviously scan her. “Imagine if you’d had more time. You probably would’ve killed me dead.”
She rests her hand on my knee, her touch searing me through the fabric. “I bet you want to slip your fingers under my skirt.”
“I definitely want to slip my fingers somewhere,” I tell her, reaching for her thigh when I hear someone call my name.
Glancing over my shoulder, I spot Jessica standing at the head of the table, a hopeful expression on her face and with Craig by her side.
Fucking great.
“Be nice,” Kelsey whispers, and I wonder if she saw the disappointment on my face when I spotted them. Or maybe she just…knew.
She’s intuitive like that.
“Hey, Jessica, Craig.” I rise to my feet, and Craig pulls me into a hug, slapping my shoulder extra hard. I then hug Jessica, but I keep my distance, considering her earlier words made me angry.
Kelsey stands as well, flanking my side, and I wrap my arm around her shoulders, holding her close. “This is my girlfriend, Kelsey,” I announce proudly.
Craig stares at her, bug-eyed. He doesn’t even try to hide his obvious surprise. “Holy shit, cuz. You found yourself a knockout.”
I laugh, but I sound annoyed so I stop. “Kelsey, meet my outspoken cousin, Craig.”
“Nice to meet you,” Kelsey says, holding out her hand.
He takes it, pumping it up and down, staring at her in wonderment. “Great meeting you too. Glad you could make it to our wedding.”
“Hello. I’m Jessica,” my ex says, thrusting her hand toward Kelsey, who takes it gingerly. Almost as if she doesn’t want to touch her.
That’s my girl. With my…ex-girl. This is awkward.
“I’m Kelsey. Hi. How are you?” She sounds breathless. Carefree. She releases Jessica’s hand and immediately slides her fingers through mine. Forming a united front. I relax a little once she does.
“Tired,” Jess answers honestly. “Nervous. Tomorrow is a big day.”
“I’m sure,” Kelsey says, arching her brow. “Planning a wedding is a stressful thing.”
“I’ll say.” Jess’s nervous laughter makes me uncomfortable.
I don’t know what she’s trying to get at, but I don’t like it.
“Well, I’m sure everything will turn out wonderfully tomorrow. You can’t go wrong, having your wedding here at Wilder,” Kelsey says, almost sounding like a commercial.
“That’s right. Theo mentioned you worked here at the hotel,” Jess says.
I never said one word to her about Kelsey or where she works. Someone’s been doing some digging.
“Yes, I’m assistant to the owner, A
lexander Wilder,” Kelsey says proudly.
“Oh, really? We ordered our save the date cards and invitations from Noteworthy. His wife works there,” Jess says.
“I know,” Kelsey says. “Caroline is my friend.”
“Oh really?” Jessica appears surprised.
“Kelsey is very close to a rather large group of women who all work in downtown Carmel,” I say.
“Mostly,” Kelsey adds. “We lost one of our friends when she moved to Las Vegas to live with her boyfriend, who plays for the Raiders.”
“No shit?” Craig asks, sounding interested. “Which player?”
“Mitchell Anderson,” Kelsey tells him.
“Well I’ll be damned. I think he’s from around here too.” He sends Jess a questioning look. “Too bad you’re not friends with her, babe. You could get us season passes or something.” Craig turns his attention to me. “Does your girlfriend get you into games at the new stadium?”
“No, we haven’t made it over there yet.” That’s not a bad idea, though I’m more of a Niner fan.
“That’s a damn shame. They gotta be good for something, right?” Craig guffaws and Jess sends him an irritated glare. He doesn’t even notice. “I’d be taking advantage of that perk like, all the time.”
Of course he would. Because Craig likes nothing more than to take advantage of people on a constant basis. The asshole.
Yeah, I really need to let go of my bitterness over what they did to me once and for all. I’ve moved on. I’ve found someone better. Craig can have Jessica. They’re a perfect couple.
I’ve got all I need right here.
With Kelsey.
Twenty-Two
Kelsey
I don’t really like Theo’s ex, and I believe the feeling is mutual. She’s giving me uneasy vibes, and while I want to be decent toward her, it’s proving a little difficult. At first I wanted to rub it in her face that Theo moved on with me, but that was…before. Before I started to really care about Theo. Before I realized that we were never pretending to be in a relationship at all.
We’re actually in one, and I’m pretty sure…
I’m falling in love with him.
So how can I leave him now for a new job somewhere else, when I have such strong feelings for him? When I saw him earlier standing at the altar with the rest of the groomsmen, he immediately stood out. So tall and handsome. His gaze locked with mine, I could see all the emotion there. How happy he was to see me.
All I could think was that man is mine. He belongs to me.
And yes, that sounds cheesy and ridiculous, but it’s true. I was overwhelmed. Theo is mine. And I am his. I can’t leave now, no matter how great the opportunity is. Or how exciting it would be, to live in a foreign country and make new friends, learn new things. Live new experiences.
I have everything I could ever want, right here. Right now.
With Theo.
When the realization hits you that everything you could ever want is standing right next to you, you kind of hang on to him for dear life, as if you’ve lost all sense.
And that’s sort of what I’m doing now. I loop my arm around Theo’s and lean into him, and he smiles down at me, his gaze dark and even a little naughty. I love naughty Theo. I love sweet Theo too. And smart Theo. When he starts talking about finance and math and numbers, I don’t get bored. Not at all. Because I just—love him that much.
Oh holy shit, yes. I’m not just falling in love with him. I am so in love with this man.
Conversation is being made, but I’m not really saying anything. I’m tired of us talking to Jessica. She can go speak with her other forty-eight guests. She’s currently studying my outfit with unabashed judgement firing her eyes. Clearly she has a problem with me. And I suppose it has everything to do with the fact that I’m with Theo, and she’s not.
Well too damn bad. She had her chance and she cheated on him for months. That’s on her. The best thing she could’ve ever done, too.
Because now he’s with me.
Someone calls Craig’s name, diverting their attention, and they leave us to go talk to them, which fills me with instant relief. We settle back into our chairs, both of us quiet, Theo’s parents watching us from across the table. They don’t say anything either, and all that silence starts to build up, until I feel like I’m about to burst but then…
“I never did like her,” Theo’s grandmother says, her shrewd gaze landing on me. “I think you’re a major upgrade.”
We all burst out laughing, even Theo’s parents. His grandmother appears quiet pleased with herself, though Jim admonishes his mother for saying that.
“Jessica is in love with Craig, who’s still your grandson,” Jim reminds her.
“Oh, that boy is a buffoon. I wish her luck, having to deal with him on a daily basis. And if they have children? Goodness, she’ll be raising him and the kids.” She shakes her head.
They change the subject and start chatting about other family members. Theo whispers in my ear, “Thank you.”
I turn to realize his face is directly in mine. And it’s a beloved face. His warm dark eyes. His deceptively wicked mouth. The stubble that’s always lining his jaw at about this time each day. “Thank you for what?”
“For coming with me tonight. For tolerating my family. For tolerating Jessica.” A weary sound leaves him, and his smile is tired. “This is a lot. On me. On you. You’ve been a good friend to me, Kelsey.”
“A good friend?” I raise my brows. “Is that all?”
My heart starts racing wildly, and I worry he might give me a disappointing answer.
“No. You know that’s not all. I’ve been telling everyone you’re my girlfriend.” He suddenly looks just as worried as I feel.
“Good to know. Because I’ve started telling everyone you’re my boyfriend,” I say lightly. Well, it’s not one hundred percent true. I told Eleanor he is, and that’s it. But I swear I’m going to tell everyone we’re together.
“Really?” His expression is very, very pleased. So pleased, he looks pretty damn arrogant, and I can’t resist leaning in and pressing my mouth to his. “That makes me happy,” he says when I pull away slightly
“It makes me happy too,” I murmur against his lips right before he kisses me again.
We are completely disgusting lovebirds throughout dinner. We feed each other bites since we ordered different entrees for dinner. We shoot each other longing glances every once in a while, like we’re dying to get out of here (newsflash—we so are). His parents notice and send each other questioning glances, though I can tell they’re happy about it. Even his grandma has something to say.
“You two are going to set the room on fire if you keep looking at each other like that,” she says right after our dinner plates were taken away, making me flush. Making Theo laugh.
Speeches are made and I tune them out, too preoccupied with how I’m going to tell Alex that I’m not leaving after all. He’ll completely understand, though I’m sure the managers at the other locations will be disappointed. Alex told me they interviewed other people, so they have options, but they were both pleased with me the most. They’ll find someone else to fill their positions.
It just won’t be me.
Craig’s father is in the middle of giving a long, droning speech when I lean over and whisper in Theo’s ear, “I need to go to the restroom.”
“Hurry,” he says, his voice urgent. “I think we can bail out of here once the speeches are over.”
Laughing quietly, I rise to my feet and scoot around the edges of the crowded room, finally making my way to the restroom.
It’s when I’m leaving the stall and about to wash my hands that I stop short.
Jessica is at the sink, staring at her reflection in the mirror as she applies a fresh coat of lipstick.
Offering her a quick smile, I go to the only other sink, which is next to hers, and hurriedly wash my hands, ready to buzz out of there when her words stop me.
“He’
s still in love with me, you know.”
I slowly turn around to find she’s still staring at the mirror, her gaze meeting mine.
“You’re delusional,” I tell her, because I know it’s true. He doesn’t love Jessica. He hasn’t for a long time. Yes, old residual feelings might be churned up tonight thanks to seeing each other in a wedding atmosphere, and the same could be happening to her, but he’s not in love with her. I know he’s not.
“It’s true.” Jessica puts the cap back on her lipstick and opens her tiny purse, dropping it inside before she turns to fully face me. “We were together for five years. You can’t fall out of love with someone that quickly.”
“You certainly did, considering you’re now marrying his cousin,” I say snidely.
“Who says I don’t still love Theo?” She crosses her arms. “I do. I can’t help it. Sometimes I have major regret over what I did to him. Like today. If everything would’ve gone as we originally planned, I’d be married to him right now. I might even be pregnant with his baby.”
Realization hits, but it has nothing to do with Jessica and everything to do with Theo. And a baby.
Maybe I’m…
Oh God. I haven’t had my period yet. And with everything that’s been going on the last couple of weeks, I sort of forgot about it. I need to check my app that keeps track of it. I think I’m late. No, I know I’m late. Holy shit.
I could be pregnant.
Normally, this would scare the absolute crap out of me, but right now, I feel nothing but happiness.
“But you’re not,” I remind her with a faint smile. “And that’s your loss.” I head for the door and pull on the handle, pausing for only a moment. “See you around,” I call to her as I exit the bathroom.
A heady combination of pure joy and satisfaction races through my veins, and it’s like I’m floating. I make my way to our table and settle into my chair, surprised to see dessert already waiting for me.
“Cheesecake,” Theo says, and I notice he’s already eaten half of his. “My favorite.”
Wedding Date (Dating Series Book 6) Page 18