“I can’t wait.”
I was also glad Vaughn and Bailey had had their bachelor and bachelorette parties months ago. There had been much drinking involved. At least this way, I could avoid a glass of champagne if Bailey had wedding-eve drinks without it being weirdly noticeable.
“Me neither.”
As soon as Bailey left to deliver Dahlia’s coffee, I let out a shaky exhale.
I couldn’t tell Jack about the baby. Not until after the wedding. That way, I wouldn’t be trapped in the same room with him for hours while he had that knowledge.
26
Emery
Bailey and Vaughn had taken over Main Street.
Literally.
They’d gotten permission to block the street, and car owners were asked to move their vehicles the day before in preparation for the wedding. Why? Because the ceremony was taking place at the gazebo at the top of Main Street. The many guest chairs were set out in front of the gazebo, down onto the street. It meant anyone who didn’t get an official invite could watch from a distance.
The chairs wore white linen coverings and bows the color of pink cherry blossoms. A white aisle strewn with cherry-blossom petals had been laid between the chairs and all the way up to the gazebo and altar. The gazebo’s pillars had been wrapped in fresh-flower garlands of white roses and pink peonies.
The sun shone brightly.
The waves sparkled in the distance.
Tourists wavered on the boardwalk, cameras out, taking shots of the beautiful bride and groom as they recited their vows.
Sitting in the front row beside Jess, Dahlia, and Ivy in our matching pale-pink bridesmaid gowns, I stared up at Bailey and Vaughn feeling a strange mix of joy and envy. The way he gazed at her was awe-inspiring. Like he couldn’t believe she was real and that she was his.
I wanted that for Bailey. I was overjoyed for her.
Yet, I was afraid I might never find the same.
Shrugging off my worries, I smiled through blurry tears at the couple. Vaughn, as always, looked striking, no matter what he wore. In a tux, he looked like a movie star.
And Bailey … she was a beautiful vision in golden ivory. The Jenny Packham gown fitted perfectly to Bailey’s elegant figure and had a 1930s vibe to it. The bodice was embellished with hand-sewn beads. It had sheer cap sleeves and a plunging V-neckline. A delicate silk ribbon accentuated Bailey’s small waist and tied into a small bow at the back. The silk-chiffon skirt pooled in elegant layers around her feet.
The stylist had coiled Bailey’s bright auburn locks into a complicated updo. She wore a simple, elegant, beaded vintage headpiece that matched the dress perfectly.
A hush fell over the guests as the officiant, Kell Summers, invited the bride and groom to recite their vows.
Vaughn’s father, a very distinguished, handsome man who was way too charming for his own good and made me blush up a storm, handed his son Bailey’s wedding band. Taking her left hand in his, Vaughn gently guided the band down her finger until it nestled beside her impressive engagement ring. Then he clasped her hand between both of his, gazing deep into her eyes.
“It is an understatement to say that I never expected you, Bailey Hartwell.”
Bailey beamed at him as we all tittered, remembering how at odds they’d been before they pulled their heads out of their asses and realized they cared about each other.
Vaughn stared lovingly at her as she smiled that glamorous smile of hers. “How could I anticipate someone like you? How could I hope that someone like you existed?”
Tears welled in my eyes as Bailey’s brightened with emotion.
“I spent torturous hours trying to find the perfect vows, the perfect words. Cursing myself for being a man who is not great at expressing his feelings. Knowing how important it is that you understand the depth of what I feel for you. Then a wise man reminded me that I don’t need to be a poet to do that.” Vaughn drew her closer so he could hold their joined hands to his chest. “There is nothing and no one in this world who means what you mean to me. And I want you to know that my every action, my every decision, my very purpose in life is to protect what we have. To love you. To make you happy. To make sure you never regret a single moment spent by my side.”
I swiped a tear off my cheek as Bailey leaned in to kiss Vaughn. A sweet, soft, intimate kiss given as if she’d forgotten they had an audience.
Another tear fell down my cheek, and as I moved to wipe it away, there was a hot tingling sensation on the back of my neck that had nothing to do with the morning sun.
A shiver chased the tingle down my spine. I turned my head.
My gaze cut through the seated guests, transfixed by the couple in the gazebo as Bailey recited her vows.
I was about to turn back to listen when my eyes locked with his.
Jack.
He sat on the other side of the aisle, about seven rows back, next to Cat and Joey Lawson. His gaze was fixed on me, his expression searing.
My belly knotted.
Joey saw me looking in their direction and waved exuberantly.
Despite my heavy worries, Joey always made me smile. I grinned at him and waved back before turning around.
I caught Jess’s eyes as I did, and she gave me a sympathetic smile. She reached for my free hand, the one not wrapped around a bouquet of peonies, and squeezed it tight.
I squeezed hers right back.
Not long later, I was momentarily distracted from my concerns about bumping into Jack. The photographer took so long with the pictures on the boardwalk, at the inn, and on the beach, Jess felt faint and Bailey excused the bridesmaids from the rest of the photo shoot.
Dahlia, Ivy, and I walked Jess back to the hotel where Cooper, Jeff King, Michael, and Jack were waiting together. The sight of Jack standing among them, looking sexy in his tailored suit, brought my earlier worries crashing back.
“You okay?” Jess asked as we approached the men.
“Why are you asking Em if she’s okay?” Dahlia frowned. “You’re the one who was about to pass—oh, Jack, right? Gotcha.”
“I’m fine.” I gave them all a strained smile.
“That was the least convincing fine I’ve ever heard,” Ivy commented.
Cooper strode toward us, a deep scowl on his face. “You all right?” He took Jess from us, running his hands down her arms. “I was just saying they had you out in that sun for too long.”
“I’m fine, I’m fine.” She rested against him, looking wilted. “I just need a glass of water and some shade.”
Before any of us could say a word, Cooper escorted Jess into the hotel.
Michael and Jeff approached.
“Do you need us to stay with you?” Dahlia asked under her breath.
“I need to talk to Jack alone.”
“C’mon, dahlin’, let’s get you girls a drink.” Michael took hold of Dahlia’s hand and gestured for us all to go inside.
“I’ll be right in,” I said. Michael nodded and wrapped his arm around Dahlia’s waist.
For a moment, I was a little taken aback at the way Jeff gazed so fiercely at Ivy. She stared up at him like she’d never seen him before. To be fair, he looked incredibly handsome in his suit.
“Drink?” he asked her.
“Sure.”
He held out his arm, and she took it.
They never broke eye contact the whole time.
Interesting.
My attention moved past them to Dahlia and Michael. As they neared the hotel entrance, Michael whispered something in Dahlia’s ear that made her laugh.
My gut twisted, watching him grin as he opened the door for her.
Ivy and Jeff followed them inside.
Finally, I couldn’t avoid him any longer. Especially since he was walking toward me.
“You look beautiful,” Jack said, sincere and sexy.
I scowled at him.
His lips twitched like he thought I was cute, which was more than mildly irritating. I was hot, a little n
auseated, and I wasn’t allowed to drown my sorrows in champagne. And I loved champagne. It would be a bad idea to piss me off.
I tilted my chin up and straightened my shoulders as I forced myself to meet his gaze. “I just wanted to say that I’d like to enjoy my friend’s wedding without having to deal with this.” I gestured between us.
“Em—”
“We’ll talk after the wedding. Just … leave me be for now. Please.”
Jack exhaled slowly, shaking his head a little. I could feel his exasperation. But then he nodded, his soulful eyes boring into mine. “I can do that.”
I sighed with relief. “Thank you.”
Once inside, the hotel’s air conditioning cooled my heated skin, offering me a small reprieve from physical discomfort. If only its powers extended to my emotional agitation. Seeing Jess and Dahlia with their guys and Ivy and Jeff standing together near Cat and Joey, I hurried over to them. While Jess and Joey drank water, everyone else had a flute of champagne in hand.
“Emery?” Cat held one out to me.
“You know, I’m a little hot. I think I’ll just have some water.”
Jess reached behind her on the table at their backs and grabbed a glass for me. I gave her a grateful smile.
“You look pretty, Emery,” Joey said, gazing up at me with his usual bright adoration.
As always, it made my heart feel a million times bigger.
“And you look very handsome in that tux.”
He beamed at me. “Will you dance with me first? A guy’s gotta stake his claim.”
I struggled not to laugh. As did everyone else. Except Cat, who shot Cooper an amused but accusatory glare.
Cooper chuckled. “Why am I getting the look?”
“Because where else would he have heard something like that?”
“Oh, it wasn’t Uncle Coop.” Joey shook his head. “I read it in one of those books you like so much. The ones with the motorcycles on the cover.”
Cat paled. “You did what? Did you take my e-reader?”
“Yeah.” He shrugged.
“Joey, what have I told you about that? When we get home, we’re going to have a discussion about privacy and not touching things Mom has expressly forbidden you to touch. And I also want to know how much you’ve read.”
Joey looked chagrined, his gaze downcast. “It was a chapter. You came back into the room before I could read much of it.”
“Joey …” She sighed heavily.
He winced at her disappointed tone.
“Hey.” I smiled down at him, trying to distract them both. “Of course, you can have the first dance.”
His melancholy melted away and he hugged into my side, his arm around my waist. I held him to me as I took a huge gulp of water. Joey was a bit of a contradiction. Exceptionally bright, a gifted musician, he knew more about the world than other kids his age. He was precocious and confident. At the same time, he was still innocent and affectionate.
“What’s with the books?” Dahlia asked Cat.
“They’re romance novels.” Cat worried her lip. “Dark romance novels. With the kind of stuff in it I don’t want my kid reading. Jesus. Can you put a password on an e-reader?”
“Yeah,” I replied. “I’ll show you how.”
Cat seemed surprised by my offer but smiled gratefully. “Thank you.”
“Jack,” Cooper said, and I turned to see Jack striding across the lobby. He slowed but didn’t stop, his eyes dropping to where Joey clung to my side. His expression warmed as he shot me an tender look before turning to Coop. “Drink?”
Jack shook his head. “I better get inside, grab my seat.”
“Sure? The happy couple might be a little while yet.”
He flicked a look at me before replying to his friend. “I’ll catch you later.”
Guilt suffused me. I knew there was probably nothing more Jack wanted than to hang out with Cooper, but he was abiding by my wishes to avoid me today.
Unfortunately, his abidance didn’t last long.
“Emery, Joey, I hate to cut in, but I’m going to.” Bailey pulled up beside me and Joey on the dance floor. She was glowing with bliss. And a handsome, dark-haired man around my height with dreamy bedroom eyes accompanied her.
“Emery, this is Soren Michaelson. He’s an old college friend of Vaughn’s and lives in Manhattan. Soren, Emery used to live in upstate New York but now owns the boardwalk bookstore.”
Oh, hell no.
I hadn’t believed Bailey would try to play matchmaker at her wedding. But why not? It was definitely something she was capable of.
And she was doing it!
“Do you mind, Joey?” She asked.
Joey glared at Soren Michaelson. “I’ll allow it. But don’t get your hopes up, buddy. I’ve staked my claim.”
Soren grinned. “I respect that.”
“Hmm.” Joey cut me a look. “You want to dance with this guy?”
It was one of the hardest things I’d ever had to do, holding in my laughter. “If you’re okay with it, Joey?”
“Sure. Mom says I shouldn’t monopolize your time.”
“Will you dance with me?” Bailey held out her hand to him. “I am the bride.”
“Yeah, so you’re already claimed.”
“Come dance with me, Joe-Joe.” He took her hand. “While we dance, Aunt Bailey will explain to you how girls aren’t something you can just claim like a ball from the lost-and-found. Mmm’kay?”
Soren chuckled. “He’s a character, huh?”
I nodded. “He’s wonderful.”
“Dance?” He held out his hand.
Seconds later, I was in this stranger’s arms, still smiling about Joey.
“You can’t blame the kid,” Soren teased, eyes dancing over my face. “He has great taste.”
My cheeks heated. “Thank you.”
“So”—Soren swayed us a little more, his hand tightening on my back—“things I already know about Emery Saunders: Vaughn is protective of you.”
My eyes flew to his. “How do you know that?”
His lips twitched. “Because he threatened to castrate me if I, and I quote, ‘didn’t treat Emery with the respect and manners a lady deserves and attempted any funny business with her.’”
Vaughn said that?
Soren’s amusement grew at my shock. “He obviously cares about you, and it takes a lot to make an impression on Vaughn, so I’m already intrigued. I also know you run your own business, you have men falling in love with you before they’re even in high school, and you are the most beautiful woman in this room.”
A person could roast marshmallows on my cheeks, I grew so uncomfortable with his flattery. “And you do not know how to take a compliment.” He laughed and drew me closer until my chest brushed his.
Before I could respond, a shadow fell over us.
“Can I cut in?”
Jack.
We stopped dancing under the scowling façade of the father of my unborn child. The father who still didn’t know. The father who had promised he’d avoid me tonight. The father who was glaring at Soren Michaelson like he wanted to rip off his head.
And because I did not want to cause a scene at Bailey’s wedding, I murmured, “Of course.”
Disappointment clouded Soren’s expression. His grip tightened ever so slightly. “Later?” he asked me.
As nice as that sounded, as much as I’d love the opportunity to find someone who could drive Jack Devlin out of my heart, I was not on the market for a relationship.
Other than the mother-child kind.
I gave him a vague smile and nod, and he released me.
Seconds later, I was in Jack’s arms.
I tried to keep a distance but he pulled me close. Despite my struggle to keep thoughts of our night together out of my head, the memories flooded in. Although it had ended disastrously, I couldn’t deny that sex with Jack was beyond my wildest imaginings.
Gazing anywhere but at his face, I whispered, “You promised.
”
He bent his head to mine, his lips brushing my ear and setting off a cascade of shivers down my neck. “Don’t make me stand by and watch you flirt with someone else.”
I jerked my head away and glowered. “Why? You’ve done it to me for nine years.”
Remorse and pain flooded his eyes. “Em …”
“I don’t want to dance with you, Jack, but I don’t want to make a scene. Will you please let me go?”
“Okay.” He loosened his hold to tilt my chin up, forcing my eyes to his. “But only right now. In this moment. I can’t let you go beyond that. I can’t.” Jack shook his head solemnly. “We’re not done, sunrise.”
No, we weren’t.
Just not like he thought.
Tears threatened to choke me, so I hurriedly pulled out of his grasp and walked away, trying to look calm as I made my way off the dance floor.
Unfortunately, the scene I’d tried to avoid found me anyway.
It was hours later. Our group of friends were crowded near a table at the back of the room. Bailey and Vaughn stood with their arms around each other, laughing and joking. Vaughn’s dad was dancing with Bailey’s mom, while Bailey’s dad had coaxed Cat and Joey onto the dance floor. Iris and Ira were laughing uproariously at something Old Archie and Anita were telling them a few tables over.
Dahlia, Michael, Jess, Cooper, Ivy, Jeff, Jack, and I stood in a huddle. It was a mark of how deep the connection between Cooper and Jack must have been that they seemed to fall so easily back into their friendship, despite their jagged past.
I attempted not to act overly aware of Jack’s presence as we all chatted.
We were having a wonderful time.
The Truest Thing: Hart's Boardwalk #4 Page 20