Toronto Collection Volume 2 (Toronto Series #6-9)

by Heather Wardell

  When he nodded, she said, "Okay, then why not Nicky and Owen in there and Mel in Nicky's room?"

  Spending my last night as a single girl surrounded by his things, in his bed, felt wrong, but I couldn't think of a reason that I could give Linda.

  "I know," Mark said suddenly. "What if I go in with Owen and Melissa and Wendy take our stateroom? Then the girls can hang out."

  "And so can Mel and Wendy," Austin said, grinning.

  Mark shook his head, smiling, but otherwise ignored Austin. "I think it works. Plus, Wendy, didn't you say you'd be up really early?"

  She nodded. "Melissa's hair appointment's at eight, and we'll need to be ready before then. I was figuring we'd hit the breakfast buffet but if you're going to be elsewhere we can order room service instead." To me, she added with a smile, "But you'll have to go get your cappuccino yourself. Not sure room service does those, and I don't take the 'maid' part of 'maid of honor' that seriously."

  I pouted at her then turned it into a smile. "Fine. I can manage that, I think. I've been to the coffee area so often I can probably get there in my sleep now."

  Linda pondered for a moment then said, "Sure, that works. You guys should get your stuff sorted out now and then you can have the evening to relax before the wedding. Any big plans for the night?"

  Nicholas said, "I'm going to read at the quiet pool, but that's it for me."

  "I'm back at the casino," Owen said. "Mel, want help taking your stuff to Wendy's?"

  I didn't need that much, just my wedding gear plus my overnight stuff and my computer and ereader in case I wanted to do email or read for a bit, so I shook my head.

  "Well," he said, "then I guess this is goodbye until tomorrow." He gave my hand a squeeze. "See you there."

  He got up and was a few steps away when Linda said, "Owen!" Before he could fully turn back she'd gone on. "You're leaving your bride on the night before your wedding with just a handshake? At least kiss the poor girl."

  He flicked a quick glance at his watch, and I realized he must have yet another tournament booking. I hated that he was questioning whether he had time to kiss me, and I didn't even want him to if he was going to be like that, but I stood and we gave each other a quick kiss on the lips.

  "I hope you'll show a little more enthusiasm tomorrow," Linda said, rolling her eyes, "but whatever. Bye, honey."

  "Bye," Owen said, then he kissed me again, just as briefly, and took off.

  "Ready to pack?" I said to Wendy, because I could feel Austin watching me and didn't want to see his 'told you there's not enough passion between you guys' expression.

  "You got it." She stood and smiled at Mark. "Is my pack mule ready?"

  He made a weird braying sound and we all laughed.

  Once the three of us got into the hall she grabbed his hand and squeezed it. "Thank you. You're brilliant."

  He shrugged. "I figured you guys would want to hang out together tonight, and one night in Owen's room won't kill me."

  "You'll mostly have it to yourself. He hasn't gotten in until two or three in the morning on any night he's been at the casino."

  Wendy turned her head sharply toward me, and I winced knowing she was thinking of the chocolate buffet I hadn't attended with the excuse that I'd been with Owen, but she just said, "Well, then that's perfect."

  Yup. Perfect.

  While Wendy and Mark checked out the view from my balcony, which was on the opposite side of the ship to theirs, I packed up everything I needed and left the cuff links I'd bought for Owen out on the dresser where he'd see them. We carted my stuff to Wendy and Mark's room then he gathered his own things and we went back to drop them off. All the moving done, Mark and I exchanged key cards then we all stood looking at each other.

  "What are you supposed to do the night before your wedding?"

  Wendy laughed, and Mark said, "Whatever you want, I think."

  The quiet pool flashed across my mind, but I forced it away. "Would you guys be willing to hang out with me, maybe watch a movie or something?"

  Wendy raised her eyebrows. "'Willing?' We'd love to. Mark brought some DVDs. Want to check them out?"

  I did, and we ended up watching the first Hatchet Monster movie in their room. It was a lot of fun watching with them since we all knew what was coming and quoted lines before they happened, and I kept my attention focused on the film and didn't think even once about what tomorrow would bring or about how the movie would have been even more fun with Nicholas there too.

  Once the murderous mayhem was done, Mark said, "Well, it's a bit after nine so I guess I'll let you ladies have the place to yourselves."

  Wendy rested her head on his shoulder. "Thank you. You're terrific, you know that?"

  He kissed her hair. "I try."

  I wanted to give them a bit of space, and I also wanted a hot chocolate before bed, so I said, "Wendy, I'm going to hit the coffee area. Can I get you anything?"

  Her eyes lit up. "Hot chocolate and maybe a cookie?"

  I turned to Mark, but he shook his head. "I'm good." He stood and held out his arms. "Have a great night, and in case I don't see you beforehand have a wonderful wedding."

  I hugged him. "Thank you."

  Leaving them to say their goodbyes in peace, I headed toward the coffee area but then changed my mind. I sent Wendy an email from my phone to tell her I was going to take a walk so she didn't need to rush Mark out the door and made my way to the second-highest deck. The highest, where the quiet pool was, wasn't a safe place for me to be, but I wanted a few minutes alone.

  I stood on the deck, sheltered from the worst of the cool wind by a support beam, watching as the water slipped away past the ship. This time tomorrow, I'd be married. It was really going to happen.

  As I tried to wrap my head around it, a woman's voice on the other side of the beam said, "I've been looking for you," in a tone so sexy it made me blush.

  As I realized I knew the voice, Austin said, "Have you?"

  "I have." I heard high heels clicking on the deck. "I'm disappointed. I was sure you'd come find me."

  I wanted to run away, wanted to go over there and slap Nicole's face, wanted to slap his too because he was after her. He'd said he'd had his eye on someone and I knew he'd thought she was hot right from the start.

  Furious that he'd do that to Nicholas, I was about to burst from my hiding place and tell him off when he said, "Why would you think I would?"

  No flirtation in his tone at all, and Nicole stood silent for a moment before saying, "You know why. You're definitely my type, and I think I'm yours too."

  Her confidence impressed me though I didn't want it to. With his lack of encouragement, I wouldn't have been able to persist as she was doing.

  "You are," he admitted, sounding reluctant. Then he cleared his throat and added, "Except for one thing. Nicky."

  I stood frozen, not wanting to interrupt now, since that was the last thing I'd have expected him to say. I had to hear more.

  Nicole's "what?" sounded as surprised as I felt.

  "You were dating my brother and that's a line I won't cross."

  But he'd been willing to cross it with me?

  "I'm not suggesting we date," Nicole said, and her heels clicked again. I could almost see her moving closer to him, maybe running her fingers over his cheek. "I'm suggesting we spend tonight and tomorrow night making each other very happy."

  A sound, unmistakably a kiss, drifted over to me. Then another and another. I cringed and tried to figure out how to escape, but before I could Austin said, his voice firm, "Not going to happen, Nicole. Not ever."

  The sounds of her heels said she backed up at least a few feet. "But--"

  "Nope."

  "You'll regret this," she snapped at him and stormed off.

  "I already do," he said wryly once her footsteps faded away.

  I stepped out from behind the beam. He looked at me and laughed. "Last time Nicky was listening in on you and me, and this time it's you listening in on me and
her."

  "I wasn't 'listening in'." I moved to stand beside him. "That was sweet, you know. Refusing to... well, you know."

  He gave me a light bump with his elbow. "Don't spread it around. I have a reputation to uphold."

  "Oh, I think you're upholding it just fine. You did kiss her, right?"

  "She kissed me, Mel. And she's damn good at it."

  "Well, good for her," I said, not wanting to discuss Nicole's kisses. "But I don't get why you didn't go for it."

  "You wanted me to go for it?" He shook his head. "Now she tells me. Nicole, wait!"

  I punched his shoulder. "Of course I didn't want you to. Why would I? But I'd have expected you would."

  He turned away and stared out at the moonlit water. "Frankly, so would I. It just seemed... not right. After how she used Mom's money, and how nasty she was to Nicky too. He's a good guy even if he's a bit of a loser. Even if she hadn't overdone it in the spa I'd have said no because of Nicky."

  I didn't like the loser comment but I let it go because his reason surprised me. "But I was with Owen and you still suggested..."

  He didn't speak for long enough that I was about to ask him flat-out why I hadn't been off-limits, then he said, "It doesn't matter now."

  "It matters to me." I made a connection. "You don't think Owen's a good guy? Is that why you were okay going after me?" Owen couldn't have been cheating on me, could he? And Austin found out somehow?

  To my surprise I felt a brief flash of something like relief. If he'd cheated, I couldn't marry him. That would be my out.

  But of course, I didn't want an out. "Tell me."

  He shook his head slowly. "Let it go, Mel."

  As if I could after that. "No. Tell me."

  "Okay, fine." He turned to me. "I didn't think there was a chance in hell you'd still be with Owen by this point."

  I stared at him. "Why not?"

  "You do remember the slide. Right?" His voice was a low rumble and it set all my cells vibrating.

  I nodded. No point pretending I didn't any more, since he'd known I did the whole time.

  I expected him to be triumphant that I'd admitted it, but he hardly seemed to notice. "Owen doesn't think about anyone but himself." He held up a hand. "I know, that's rich coming from me, but I do think about my women and want them to be happy. Satisfied. I love pleasing women. Owen just wants you around so he can check off the 'get married' box on his life list."

  He waited as if he expected me to comment but my mind had gone blank. Was I really nothing but a check box to Owen?

  "I remember the slide too, Mel, trust me, and I just don't think Owen can satisfy you like that. I thought you'd figure that out on the cruise and break it off so I wanted to make sure you thought of me as an option for some fun. I don't think there's any passion in him. Other than for gambling, maybe."

  I winced, and he turned away and said, "See, I told you I shouldn't tell you."

  I didn't know what to say. No, Owen and I hadn't had anything like those moments on the slide, but it wasn't like he was lousy in bed either. He always made sure I was satisfied.

  My stomach twisted. After he was satisfied. His needs always came first.

  No, not always. Not when he'd been drinking. Then--

  As I realized with a shudder that I was facing a lifetime of getting my husband drunk whenever I wanted really hot sex, Austin turned back, his face serious and his eyes intense. "Look, Mel. I don't think I'm ever going to get married. I can't imagine being with one person forever. But you can. It seems like that's what you want. And if you marry Owen tomorrow I don't think that's what you'll get. I think you'll eventually realize you want more than he can ever give you."

  I stared at him. Nobody had been so blunt with me before and it sank in though I didn't want it to.

  He put a gentle hand on my shoulder. "I'm sorry, for what it's worth. I probably shouldn't have said anything. I wasn't going to. But you deserve to be happy beyond your wildest dreams and I just don't think Owen's that guy."

  We looked at each other without speaking. I knew he meant every word he'd said, but I didn't know if I believed him. Owen and I had been fine before the cruise.

  High heels on the deck alerted us that someone was coming, and Austin gave my shoulder a squeeze and stepped back.

  I turned with him to look at the tall blonde woman who'd arrived, and as she raised her eyebrows he said, "Gorgeous, can you give me a minute? Just have one more thing to say to Mel. She's scheduled to become my sister-in-law tomorrow, poor girl. Imagine being related to me!"

  Her eyebrows went down and she smiled at me. "Sure. Congrats, by the way." She pointed down the deck. "I'll meet you over there?"

  "Perfect," he said, then waited until she'd walked away before returning his attention to me. "Mel, think about it, okay? Think hard. If you love my brother, nothing else matters. Just figure out how you feel and then do what you have to do. Got it?"

  I nodded, and he gave me an awkward hug with none of his usual finesse. "I'm sorry," he said into my ear. "I've been watching from the start of the cruise and I know. Do what will make you happy, okay? Don't marry Owen unless you're sure."

  I nodded again, my mind whirling, and he squeezed me tighter then said, "Well. I'll see you tomorrow. Have a good night."

  "With all that thinking?"

  He laughed. "Do your best. Bye, Mel."

  "Bye," I said softly, and watched him walk to the blonde, who smiled at his approach and cuddled into him as he put his arm around her and led her away.

  I stared out at the water, replaying our conversation and trying to figure out what to do with everything he'd said.

  He was right, damn him. I did want to get married once and stay that way until death did us part, and I didn't feel the same passion for Owen that I'd felt for him on that slide, or for Nicholas when his fingers had brushed my lips.

  But he was also wrong, because I didn't think passion was the most important part of a marriage. Owen and I had been fine before, and we'd be fine again.

  Do what will make you happy.

  I'd been so happy to marry Owen, happy to finally have found a husband-worthy guy. Now, though--

  Two parts of Austin's comments linked up in my mind, "if you love my brother" and "I've been watching and I know" mashing themselves together into one startling thought.

  "My brother", not "Owen". If Austin had been watching, he'd have seen how Nicholas and I were together, and he no doubt remembered what I'd said at Courtney's bachelorette party. He knew how I felt about Nicholas, and he thought I should go for it.

  Could he be right?

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  At a little after one in the morning I gave up trying to sleep.

  I'd brought the promised hot chocolate and cookies back to Wendy and we'd had our snack while checking our email. My dad had written me, saying he was sorry he hadn't pushed harder to come along and wishing me a great wedding, and a bunch of the horror club members had written too. I answered them all, thanking them and promising pictures later, and to Dad I said that I also wished he was with me.

  Email done, Wendy and I had tucked ourselves into bed. I'd heard her breathing shift into sleep almost immediately but couldn't turn off my frantic mind.

  No Dad to walk me down the aisle. I knew he'd always wanted to do it, and I'd always wanted it, and yet here we were. Maybe he hadn't pushed hard enough, maybe I hadn't made it clear enough that I wanted him there, but regardless, it hadn't happened. I was okay without my friends, although I'd have loved to have more of them with me, but not having my dad at my wedding hurt.

  Nowhere near as bad, but still annoying, was the shawl I'd left behind at that shop. I couldn't help imagining how pretty it would have been wrapped around my shoulders at the wedding. Though I knew it was useless to obsess over it, I couldn't seem to stop. I'd made the wrong decision and I could never reverse it. The shawl had been perfect for me and it was gone forever, and that felt like a bad sign.

  Austin
's words wouldn't leave me alone either, his unusual honesty making them impossible to ignore, and the whole mess of things in my head meant that the longer I lay in bed the further away I got from sleep.

  I hadn't finished my novel as I'd wanted to before the wedding, and if I wasn't going to sleep I might as well try to write, so I got up and quietly put my clothes back on in the dark so I didn't wake Wendy. I scribbled a short note in case she woke up, then took my computer and walked out into the silent halls.

  As if my route had been pre-programmed into me, I went straight to the quiet pool. I didn't expect Nicholas to be there at such an hour, but even so my heart sank a bit when I saw the deserted deck. We'd had such fun there together, and a part of me wished I could see him right now. Of course, the rest, the self-preserving part, knew that would be a disaster.

  I settled onto a lounge chair in the alcove where we'd watched the movie and powered up my computer, watching the moonlight shimmering on the pool water as I waited. Once the computer was ready to go, I pulled up the book's file and reread the last scene to put myself there with Larry and Lizzie, in the clearing facing the monster with no idea what to do.

  I still had no idea what to do, but I remembered Nicholas saying that the story had needed to come to this moment, had kept Larry and Lizzie together for a reason, and I decided to let the perfect ending write itself. I took a long deep breath, let it out slowly, then laid my fingers on the keys and watched them go.

  They had no weapons, no way to defend themselves. All they had was each other, and that didn't seem like enough. Lizzie turned to Larry. "What do we do?"

  He shook his head and his stunned expression terrified her even more. "I don't know."

  Lizzie made herself look back at the monster, but it didn't seem to know either, the vague illusion of its face turning from Lizzie to Larry and back again.

  For a single moment they all remained frozen as if waiting for a signal. Lizzie wanted to look at Larry, look into his eyes where at first she'd seen nothing but contempt for her and lately had thought she could see something far more inviting, but she couldn't tear her attention from the monster. It was watching her, she thought, and she didn't know what it was planning to do.