Burn My Hart

by Clare Connelly

  It made Laina sick.

  Sighing deeply, she opened the door to the bridal shop and entered. She heard a squeal, and then a bundle of silk chiffon and strawberry-blond hair was launching itself into her arms. “Banger!” Kiki shrieked.

  “Mash!” Laina shrieked back, using the old nicknames they’d given each other during a high school trip to London. Just seeing her friend’s beaming face was enough to make Laina’s bad mood vanish. “You look amazing!” It was true—Kiki was lit with a glow from within that could only mean one thing. “Oh my God,” Laina said as realization hit. “The adoption came through, didn’t it? You’re getting a daughter.”

  “Yes!” Kiki’s eyes were dancing. “I still can’t believe it—Dev and I go to China to pick her up in a month. Right after the wedding!”

  Laina grasped Kiki’s hands happily, her fingers closing around a large ring. She looked down at it and laughed. “Wow. All those climbers must be really disappointed that Mount Everest has been relocated to your finger,” Laina said, lifting the impressive chunk of jewelry up to eye level. “Dev doesn’t mess around, does he?”

  “Nope.” Kiki grinned back at her. Despite Laina’s cynicism about marriage, she was truly thrilled for her best friend, who’d weathered more heartache on the path to happiness than anyone she knew: the loss of her mother, divorce, multiple miscarriages and infertility. The girls had met in ninth grade and become inseparable at their Atlanta private school, with their friendship continuing after Kiki moved to LA for university. Later, when Kiki had needed a getaway after a shattering divorce, Laina had offered her the perfect solution. Her parents owned a second home on the Caribbean island of Moretta, where Laina had spent her holidays growing up. Even though it had meant the unpleasant task of asking her parents for a favor, she hadn’t hesitated in offering the estate’s guest cottage to Kiki. It didn’t take long for Kiki to decide she was staying on the island, finding a bartending job and moving into her own cottage. Eventually she’d met Dev, a fellow Moretta resident who also happened to be a chart-topping rock star, and now they were getting married on the island in just two weeks.

  “So, what do you think?” Kiki asked, pulling Laina over to the dressing area and doing a spin in front of the three-way mirror. On closer inspection, Laina could see that the dress had a faint blush-pink hue—Kiki’s signature color.

  “It’s perfect,” Laina said, glancing at her own reflection over Kiki’s shoulder. She’d been up for work since 5:00 a.m., and it showed. Her dark curls had escaped the loose bun she’d put in that morning, allowing errant springs of hair to dance around the neckline of her navy work dress. Up close she could see that she’d forgotten to put mascara on, not that it mattered much. With her roundish face and a mouth that always looked too wide to her, Laina didn’t think of herself as particularly beautiful. But her eyelashes were her pride and joy, framing her large brown eyes in way that prompted friends to ask where she got her extensions done.

  Kiki was twisting back and forth in front of the mirror, holding her hair off her shoulders in a mock updo. “You’re really up for this? I still can’t believe you’re going to host a wedding on your parents’ property.”

  Laina shrugged. “It was their idea, remember? They almost never use it anymore. Plus they adore you.”

  “They’ve met me exactly once.”

  “To know you is to love you.”

  Kiki dropped her hair and turned to face Laina with a look of concern. “Still... I know this must be at least a little uncomfortable for you. I mean, you haven’t even stayed at their estate in what, ten years?”

  “Twelve. Since I was twenty,” Laina said more tensely than she’d meant to. She relaxed her tone. “But it’s not like I’m staying at the main house—I’ll be in the guest cottage. Besides,” she added, lifting an over-the-top crystal headpiece and placing it playfully on Kiki’s head. “My parents were right—if the press got wind that the rock god of the century was getting married, the paparazzi would be all over his house. Hibiscus Heights is the perfect decoy.”

  “Well, I hope you know how much we appreciate it.”

  “Of course I do. Just remember to keep my name out of it.”

  “Pinkie swear,” Kiki said, and Laina grinned. She knew no further discussion was needed; Kiki had been there to nurse her broken heart several times when Laina had discovered that certain men were only after one thing. And it wasn’t her body—it was what they assumed she had in her bank account.

  “Listen,” Kiki said, looking at Laina squarely. “I feel like I’ve been really carried away with the adoption thing and the wedding lately. I’ve hardly asked about you. I mean, how are things? How’s work?”

  Laina moved to a display of delicate necklaces and started fingering through them. “Well, let’s see. I was up at five to finish a drawing for a client meeting this morning, I checked in on a condo project to find exactly one tradesman working, I spent an hour on the phone talking a client down from the ledge, and then I paid the bills and bought a veggie dog with my entire profits for the month. But I love it,” she said, finishing with a grin.

  Indeed, three years into setting up her own Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design—LEED—architectural firm, Laina’s work often felt like a labor of love. Great progress had been made in recent years with green construction, but passive design was still in its infancy. Even though she’d done nine major residential projects since opening shop and won an award for the city’s most promising architect, convincing clients that a LEED certification would save them more money than they could count in the long run was no easy feat—and her bank account showed it.

  “Mmm. Sounds like you need an assistant,” Kiki said, accepting a necklace Laina was holding out to her.

  “I wish. Running a one-woman show isn’t easy, but I keep telling myself it won’t be like this forever. At least I’m my own boss—I wouldn’t go back to working at a big firm for anything.”

  Kiki fastened the bow-shaped pendant around her neck and glanced in the mirror. “A bit too sweet for me, I think,” she said, taking it off again. As she passed the necklace back, her eyes met Laina’s. “Okay, I have to ask,” she said with a sigh. “Do you ever hear from—”

  “Asswipe?” Laina interjected. “No, never.” As she flicked her eyes away from her friend, they landed on a row of dresses on display. A high-necked, sleeveless bodice with a full skirt of lace. A pale aqua strapless number that reminded her of a mermaid. And a soft, drapey column with sweeping layers—exactly the type of dress Laina would have chosen if she’d gotten married a year ago like she was supposed to.

  It had been twenty-two months since Ward left her, and though she didn’t have a shred of feeling left for him, the memory of his departure still stung. To think she had actually loved someone who would be that cruel to her...it made her wonder if she could ever trust her judgment again. It wasn’t enough that Laina had found her fiancé in bed—their bed—with another woman on a day she’d come home from a canceled lunch date. It was that after the woman had left, he’d acted like the whole thing had been Laina’s fault. I’m sorry you’re hurt, he’d said, as if that were any kind of apology, and then he’d shifted to a passive-aggressive stance. I blame myself. I knew you’d only been with two other men when we met, but I guess I didn’t realize that meant you’d only ever want to do missionary.

  Laina had slapped him across the face when he said that, shocking even herself. And it wasn’t just because she’d been pushed to the depths of humiliation. It was because they’d started out so sweetly, with him leaving love notes in her pockets and cooking her dinner when she came home tired. Because she’d remained patient with him as she busted her butt to get her firm going while he stayed home “just waiting for the right opportunity to come along.” Because they’d planned their wedding and talked about forever as if it were a done deal. And because what he said was true: she really wasn’t that int
erested in sex, and she sometimes wondered if that meant there was something wrong with her.

  But never again. She’d learned her lesson. Men were more trouble than they were worth, and her time and energy was much better put toward rewarding pursuits, like her career. And it certainly wasn’t Kiki’s fault that she’d introduced her to Ward and was now the one getting married instead.

  “Seriously, though,” Laina said, “you know how you’re supposed to go through all those stages after a breakup? I’m finally at indifference. I feel like I could see him now and it would barely faze me.”

  Kiki bit her lip. “Well, I’m really glad to hear you say that, because...”

  Laina stared at her. “What?”

  “I’ve been dreading telling you this,” Kiki said, dropping her face into her hands. When she spoke again, it was through her fingers. “First you have to promise me that no matter what, you’ll still come to the wedding and be my bridesmaid.”

  Laina looked at her warily. “O...kay.”

  Kiki heaved a deep sigh. “Asswipe is going to be there.”

  Laina’s heart plummeted. “You’re joking.”

  “I know,” Kiki moaned. “It’s horrible. It’s just...you know that his parents are my dad and stepmother’s best friends. They were the only family he asked me to invite, and...my father’s done so much for me. I just couldn’t say no. I’m so sorry.”

  “I suppose he’s bringing a date,” Laina stated flatly.

  “Yeah, he did check the plus-one box.”

  Lifting the trailing skirt of her dress, Kiki dropped onto a satin-covered bench. Laina sank beside her and took a deep breath. “You know what? It’s fine. This is good, actually. I knew I couldn’t avoid him forever, and I’ll be so busy helping you I probably won’t even...” She trailed off unconvincingly as Kiki’s hand landed on top of hers.

  They sat in silence for a few moments, and then Kiki turned to her with an excited expression on her face. “What is it?” Laina asked cautiously.

  “I just got an idea. What would you say to a little revenge?”

  Laina shook her head firmly. “You know me—not my style. I believe in karma, remember? It’ll all come around.”

  “Oops, did I say revenge? What I meant was...fun. As in going to my wedding with the world’s hottest guy. And just as a fringe benefit, making your ex wild with jealousy.”

  “When you say ‘world’s hottest guy’—”

  “I mean my cousin James. Honestly, it’s probably against the law to say this about a blood relative, but he’s ridiculous. And single. And supersmart. And loaded—not that you care about that.”

  “So what’s wrong with him?”

  “Wrong? Um, nothing, as long as you don’t let him put you under his spell. Let’s just say he’s...got a way with the ladies.”

  “Ah.” Laina rolled her eyes. A womanizer was the last thing she needed to welcome into her life right now, but showing up at the wedding of the decade alone while her snake of an ex flaunted his new girlfriend in front of her? Just the thought of it was enough to make her crawl into a hole. “Would he even agree to it? If he can have his pick of anyone...”

  “Ha! If he sees a picture of you, I guarantee he’ll jump on it.”

  Laina felt herself blushing. She couldn’t help it—she just wasn’t a seductress by nature, and the idea of being in the company of a man who was used to getting his way with any woman he wanted... It was intimidating.

  But the alternative was even worse.

  “Okay,” Laina heard herself say. “But he has to understand it’s just for show, okay? The last thing I need right now is some guy who thinks I’m going to fall at his feet for whatever he has in his pants.”

  * * *

  “Oh, my God. It’s beautiful,” Jennifer breathed in wonder as she stared. “Bigger than I was expecting, but...perfect.”

  James grinned. “It always looks bigger in real life. Months of photos can’t compare to the real thing.”

  “You’re telling me. Makes me wish I could enjoy it for myself. But I know for sure that it’s going to make a lot of women extremely happy.”

  “My goal exactly,” James said with a smile, looking around the space with satisfaction.

  This was the moment he lived for, the unveiling of the result of years of work to a happy client. Three years ago he’d partnered with Jennifer Liu, a Hong Kong investor, to formulate the development of Revive Fitness Centers. The one they were standing in was only the first of eighteen that would be built across Florida and Georgia over the coming years, and he already knew the huge risk he’d taken to finance it with Jennifer was going to pay off in a big way. Much more than just a gym, Revive featured an Olympic-size pool, sauna, minispa, Keto-inspired restaurant, fitness shop and day care with complimentary childcare—like a county club that was exclusive to women. Membership wouldn’t be cheap, but he knew the clientele would be able to afford it. He’d positioned his flagship center right in Bal Harbour, just blocks from James’s beachfront home in one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Miami.

  When Jennifer turned to face him, a quick image of her naked body flashed through James’s head. It had been five years since he’d slept with her—only once, and before they’d officially formed a business relationship. But from the way she was dressed—body-hugging dress, nude heels, black hair swept back to reveal her slender neck—he was pretty sure she was hoping for a repeat performance. Jennifer was a beautiful woman and he’d enjoyed their night together, even if he hadn’t given her a second thought outside of business since. Not only were clients and business associates off-limits, replay encounters made things complicated. And James did relationships only one way: simple and straightforward with no expectations on either side. Somehow that didn’t seem to stop a lot of women from trying to be the one who changed his mind, which James put down to his unavailability. His work was his life, and though many of his conquests showered him with compliments on his looks, he supposed he just didn’t see what they did when he looked in the mirror. With his sun-streaked hair, permanent stubble and tanned skin, all James saw was the same kid who’d spent his life at the pool, paying his way through university with his lifeguard certificate.

  “What about the cat story?” Jennifer asked, gazing up at him under lash extensions. “We’re opening in a month. We don’t need any bad press right now.”

  James smiled reassuringly. Several months ago, his workers had bulldozed a small section of naturally occurring vegetation to make way for the center’s planned outdoor gardens. But it turned out that five stray cats lived in those bushes, and the woman who fed them every day went ballistic, calling the press and raising a huge animal rights– and environmental-fueled stink. James got it; when he was little, he and his mother used to feed the stray dogs that hung around their concrete apartment complex, and he remembered crying when his favorite mutt failed to turn up one morning. After the woman complained, James had gotten his staff to take immediate action, turning the whole thing into a tall, cool glass of lemonade.

  “It went away,” James assured Jennifer. “I personally visited Mrs. Lopez with photos of the cats in their new homes. When she finally realized they were much better off, she took the protest signs down from her lawn and even called the Herald to share the story. It was the heart-warmer of the day.”

  Jennifer tilted her head at him. “And just like that, Ellison Enterprises was golden again. You must have the magic touch.”

  “I believe that would be you,” James said sincerely. “Both projects I’ve done with you so far have surpassed our projections.”

  “Let’s hope this one does the same,” Jennifer said, glancing around. “As well as the Moretta project. When do you break ground on that one?”

  James’s smile didn’t slip. “I think I mentioned that I’m still working out a couple of details. But I’m going there in two weeks, and I should
be able to work it all out then.” He searched his brain for a safe change of subject. The truth was that the Moretta project was currently stressing him out for a number of reasons, but that was information better kept to himself.

  “I’m sure you will,” Jennifer agreed. “You know me, James—I hate delays. Once I make a decision, I like fast and furious.” She crossed her arms over her chest to squeeze her breasts together slightly.

  “That I do,” he replied, keeping his eyes on her face. He extended his hand to the side. “Would you like to see the restaurant?”

  Jennifer ran a hand down her ponytail and glanced at her watch. “Actually, I was thinking that a celebration drink is in order.”

  James groaned inwardly, his brain scrambling to find an excuse. Just then his phone vibrated in his pocket. Saved by the bell, he thought as he glanced down at the screen: Kiki Becker. His cousin—nothing urgent, and he hated the rudeness of taking a call in the middle of a meeting, but right now he really needed an out. Excusing himself to Jennifer, he walked a distance away from her and picked up. “Kiki.”

  “Cuz. You still single these days?”

  He grinned. Same old Kiki—no pleasantries, just a quick cut to the chase. “As if I’d have it any other way. What’s up?”

  “Just that I’m about to make your day. How would you like to go to my wedding with the hottest woman in Atlanta?”

  “As in a blind date? No can do, cuz—you know that’s not my scene.”

  “I’m betting you’ll make an exception when you see her.”

  “You sound pretty confident.”

  “I am. Laina Rose—you can look her up. But before you do...”

  “Yeah?”

  “Unless she makes the first move, she’s off-limits.”