by Virna DePaul
Mason’s father nodded. She remembered him as a giant of a man, but in reality, he was a couple of inches under six feet. His eyes were almond-shaped and the color of chestnuts, and when she was younger they’d always seemed cold. His wide nose had seemed to flare like an angry bull’s when she was in room, confirming his distaste for her. Now his eyes just looked aged and a little bit sad.
She had to wonder how much of her memories had been skewed by her own youthful insecurities.
Lucy could see Mason in him and she wondered how a father could stand to lose a part of himself that way. Was Mason’s sister a comfort to them now?
Would I be a comfort to my parents?
What kind of daughter lets her parents go through losing a child alone?
She looked at Mason’s sister, Diana, as they took seats in the row behind Lucy. She was dressed in a designer gown, her brown hair swept gracefully back from her face and fastened in a smart bun at the nape of her neck, her lashes long and dark and undoubtedly extensions, and she didn’t look grief stricken. But if someone stood Lucy in front of a mirror right now, would they be able to see the pain of losing Gail? Just because they couldn’t didn’t mean it wasn’t there. That it would always be there.
Mason’s mother leaned toward her. “Your dress is lovely, dear. You look like a princess.”
“Thank you,” she said. She looked down at her dress. It wasn’t her, but the back…she liked the back of it. The lace met in a V across her upper back and then it was open to the waist. Sexy in a classy way.
She rolled her eyes suddenly and thought, Keep it up, Lucy, and you’ll be a Stepford Wife before you know it.
“How is Milly?” she asked, unable to help herself.
Evelyn’s face grew soft at the mention of her grandchild. She nodded toward Diana, and said, “Diana is doing a great job caring for her, and the baby is growing each day.”
A tug pulled at Lucy’s heart. Her sister had wanted her to have custody of her daughter, this woman was trying to stop that. Yet…
She caught a brief glance between Evelyn and Diana—a glance containing love and support.
At least Gail could rest well knowing Milly was surrounded by people who not only wanted her, but loved her, too.
The Lancasters were seated, and Lucy looked back up at Jamie. He and the groomsmen seemed to be having some kind of pow-wow, and the wedding planner was in the corner, speaking on the phone and looking like she had just seen a ghost. Jamie’s father looked concerned and his mother seemed to be scanning the area for something…or someone. That was when it dawned on Lucy…. She’d seen Gabe, the best man, and Ryan, Cole, Luke, and Jamie who were the groomsmen, but where was the groom? Usually by now he’d be up front with his groomsmen, eagerly waiting for his bride to appear.
Uh-oh, this isn’t looking good, she thought.
Lucy looked around like the rest of them, and that was when she spotted Jamie’s sister standing in the back. She was incredibly beautiful. Her dress was white with wide lace straps over the shoulders. It was cut in an A-line with a fitted bodice and a wide skirt, decorated with pearls, hand sewn no doubt, that gave it just a tinge of sparkle in the sun.
The dress made her think of Gail and her eyes burned with tears, which she furiously blinked back. When they were little girls, one of their favorite pastimes had been playing dress-up. One year for Christmas they had both received a bridal dress and the whole ensemble to add to their already burgeoning closets full of dress up clothes. They’d spent the entire month of January playing wedding. Lucy remembered how pretty she’d felt all dressed up in the lacy satin dress, and how pretty Gail looked in hers….
“Hey!” Jamie was suddenly standing next to her, bringing her out of her reverie.
“Hi. What’s going on?”
He frowned. “Are you okay?”
She nodded. “I’m fine. Weddings just make me weepy.”
Jamie hesitated, as if he knew she was lying, but then he looked at the couple next to her and smiled. “Come with me,” he said, taking Lucy’s hand to help her to her feet. He led her to a spot where there were no prying ears and then said, “Was Mason’s family rude to you? Because if they were, I swear—”
“No, they were fine, Jamie. I just—I just was thinking of Gail. It’s still hard to believe she’s gone. I mean, I didn’t see her for so long, but now, knowing I’ll never see her…”
Her voice broke and Jamie enfolded her in a hug.
That was all. He didn’t say anything else. He didn’t need to. His embrace said it all. He was there for her.
Finally she forced herself to pull away. “Now it’s your turn. I haven’t seen Eric….”
Jamie ran a hand through his hair. “Eric seems to have bailed.”
Lucy winced and placed her hand on Jamie’s arm. “Oh God. That’s awful. Your poor sister.”
“Yeah. I—I just don’t understand it. Eric’s been in love with Brianne since college. He’s a good guy, but apparently fifteen minutes ago he texted her—”
“He texted her? Oh my God, what a punk! What did he say?”
“I don’t know,” Jamie said. “Yet. I’ve only talked to my parents. I need to talk to Brianne but I didn’t want to leave you alone…especially with those people sitting behind you…without telling you what was happening.”
“Thank you. But you go to your sister. She needs you.” She tugged at her gown—it seemed to have ridden up when she’d stood.
He kissed her lightly. “Thank you, Lucy.” But he didn’t leave. He stared at her with an odd look on her face.
She managed to wrench the fabric back into place, then said, “What?”
“You know the clothes you wear don’t define who you are, right? You’ve heard the old saying that ‘Clothes don’t make the man?’ I know who you are, Lucy and that’s the person I care about. It has nothing to do with what you do or do not wear. I also think that you’re gorgeous. You look amazing in your own clothes and you look amazing in this gown. It’s hard for me to even remember that anyone else is here when I look at you. It’s even hard for me to remember that my sister needs me, but she does, so…”
Breathless more because of the expression on his face than his words, Lucy gave him a gentle push. “Go.”
“I’ll be back,” he said.
* * *
Jamie and Gabe flanked Brianne as they found a private corner in the hotel to talk, one that still gave them a good view of the wedding guests sitting outside. “What did the text say?” Jamie asked his sister. Gabe was standing next to her looking protective…and pissed.
“That’s between Eric and me,” Brianne said with a glance at Gabe, as if she’d already made the statement several times. “And really, I don’t want any of you to be mad at him….”
Gabe snorted. “Unbelievable. The guy left you at the altar—”
“I’m well aware of that, Gabe.”
“Yet you’re protecting that asshole.”
Brianne closed her eyes and shook her head. “You know he’s not an asshole. He’s your friend.”
“Not anymore.”
Her eyes popped open. “You don’t understand.”
“No, I don’t. Because you’re not explaining what the fuck is going on. And he’s not here.”
Jamie held up his hands. As pissed as he was at Eric, as much as we wanted to punch the guy first and ask questions later, he couldn’t ignore the fact that Brianne was being so calm. That she didn’t seem all that surprised—or all that upset—that her fiancé had left her at the altar with only a mysterious text as explanation.
“What’s going on, Brianne? Did you two have some kind of fight?” Jamie asked.
“No, no. Not exactly. But you see…” She took a breath and lifted her chin. “Yesterday, I—I told Eric I thought he was having second thoughts. That if he truly wasn’t one hundred percent sure he wanted to marry me that we should call the wedding off rather than string things out. So you see, he’s only doing what I asked of him.”
Ga
be’s fingers tore through his hair. “Are you insane? The time for second thoughts passed a long time ago. But if he was going to raise them, he should have raised them when you brought it up, before the damn guests arrived. And what made you think Eric was having second thoughts? The guy adores you.” He shook his head. “But it doesn’t matter. He’s obviously lost it, just like I’m going to lose it when I see him. Eric’s dead.” Gabe looked at Jamie as if waiting for him to agree.
“I’m trying to get all the information before I go out hunting for blood,” Jamie said. “It looks bad for Eric, yes, but—”
“But what? You’re okay with him doing this to your sister?”
“No,” Jamie gritted out. “You know I’m not. But you’re completely ignoring what Brianne is saying.”
“Because it’s bullshit.” Gabe turned to Brianne and pointed a finger at her. “You don’t deserve this. And the fact my former best friend did this to you is not something I can forgive.” Turning on his heel, Gabe stormed away. Brianne let out a muffled cry of dismay before taking a deep breath and turning back to Jamie, crossing her arms protectively at her waist.
“Thank you for staying calm and listening to me.”
He gathered his sister in his arms and hugged her tightly. “I don’t know what’s going on, Bri, but whatever you need I’m here. If you want me to hunt down Eric…”
She shook her head.
“Or just help you get rid of all the guests…” He looked over the agitated crowd and saw
heads bowed and close together. People were talking. Gossiping. About his sister. Anger flushed over him, but then he caught sight of Lucy. He calmed, and turned his attention back to Brianne.
To his surprise, Brianne shook her head again. She tipped her head back to look at him. “As embarrassed as I am right now, this is for the best, Jamie. Things…things were going on with me and Eric, things you don’t know and you don’t need to know, and if he’s had doubts, he can’t help that. I encouraged him to dig deep and make the tough call, and he did. In return, I have to deal with an uncomfortable situation, but bottom line—I’ve avoided marrying a man who wasn’t sure about me. That’s something that should be celebrated.” She pulled out of his arms and smiled bravely. “Good thing we’ve already got a party in the works.”
“You still want to go ahead with the wedding reception…just without the wedding?” Brianne had always had a flair for the dramatic but this…
“Yes, I—”
At that moment, Gabe returned. When Brianne looked at him, he simply walked up to her, put his hands on her shoulders, and stared down at her. Then he said, “Whatever you need, squirt. You know I’m here for you.”
Brianne blinked rapidly, obviously trying to hold back tears, and mouthed, “Thank you.”
“So how do you want to do this?” Jamie asked her.
“Let’s get the party started.”
“You’re sure?”
“Very sure. I want you to go out there and have fun with Lucy.” She looked at Gabe. “And you, grab a bridesmaid and have a great time. I’m fine, I promise.”
Frowning, Gabe opened his mouth to say something, but abruptly closed it when Brianne walked away.
Gabe looked at Jamie. “I’m not buying it. She’s not telling us something.”
“Maybe. But we’re not going to get anything out of her right now. We’ll give her what she wants and keep our collective eyes on her. That work for you?”
Gabe looked in the direction that Brianne had disappeared. “For now,” he said.
Jamie sought out Lucy again. If his sister wanted them to party, he had the perfect person to be by his side.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
As best man, Gabe insisted he be the one to notify the guests that Eric had been “delayed.” That there would be no wedding that day. He then continued, “The family and the rest of the bridal party ask, however, that you all join us for dinner, dancing, and a whole lot of fun in the ballroom as planned.” His words were gracious, but the expression he pinned on the crowd communicated loud and clear that he wasn’t asking, he was telling, so they damn well better do as he said or face his imminent wrath. Mutters from the crowd began immediately, but Jamie and his friends, along with his parents, went into damage control and directed everyone to the ballroom.
Lucy followed the rest of the guests as they filtered into the ballroom where the reception was being held. As she stepped through the ballroom doors, she couldn’t help gasping at the elegantly decorated room. She wasn’t easily impressed, but with this place, and this party, she was. She doubted that she’d ever get married, but if she did, this might be how she imagined it. The tables were draped with floor-length tablecloths, some in burgundy and some in black. Linen napkins were folded on top of china plates and set in front of stylishly draped chairs. The centerpieces were crystal and all contained fresh orchids and burgundy lilies that you could actually smell in the air. The lighting was bright over the dining area but more subdued near the stage where the band was setting up in front of the maple wood dance floor.
What Lucy loved the most was the dazzling chandeliers, shaped like crowns, that hung from the ceiling.
“Hey, there you are,” Jamie said from behind her. When she turned to face him, he immediately took her hand. “I’m sorry for abandoning you.”
“Don’t be silly. How’s your sister?”
With his free hand, he rubbed the back of his neck, then looked at his sister, who was standing by the ballroom doors, greeting guests with a strained smile. “I’ll explain later, but she insists this is a good thing. I’m just worried she’s in shock and the fallout isn’t going to be pretty.”
“Then go be with her. I’ll be okay on my own.”
He shook his head. “I have orders to show you a good time. And right now, whatever Bri wants, I’m going to give her, even if that means leaving her alone. Here, why don’t you sit and I’ll grab you a drink.”
She was about to take the seat Jamie pulled out for her at the head table when she sensed someone standing to her right. She turned and saw Diana, Mason’s sister.
“Hi, Lucy.”
She nodded warily. “Hello.”
“I just wanted to congratulate you both,” Diana said. She looked at Jamie. “I’m not sure what’s going to happen legally, but if you’d like…I can try to make time for you both to visit with Milly.”
Lily didn’t miss the implication that Diana didn’t want Lucy to visit the baby on her own. For a minute, the words threatened to fall from her tongue: So now that I’m engaged to a billionaire, I’m suddenly good enough to visit my own niece? Why don’t you go—
She suddenly felt Jamie’s arm around her shoulders. He gave her an encouraging squeeze. “We’d love that, wouldn’t we, Lucy?”
She looked up into Jamie’s brown eyes and took a calming breath. “Yes. That would be wonderful, Diana. Thank you.”
“Good,” Diana said with a wide smile that Lucy suspected she’d practiced all day; she should know, considering she’d been practicing the same smile. Then Diana looked at Jamie and said, “I also wanted to let your family know how thrilled we were to be included on the guest list today and what wonderful accommodations we’ve been given here on the Island.”
“I’m glad you could make it. I’ll pass that on to my sister and parents. Thank you.”
“It’s a shame about the groom. Frightfully embarrassing. But your sister is a trooper.”
Jamie’s smile stiffened at the mention of the missing groom, but he simply nodded and said, “Thank you.”
As Lucy watched Diana walk away, she growled low in her throat. “Frightfully embarrassing, my ass. I’ll show her something frightening—”
“Hang on there, spunky pants,” Jamie said, laying his hand on her shoulder. “Diana only spoke the truth. Despite the act she’s putting on, Brianne is embarrassed. Who wouldn’t be?”
“Still, Diana didn’t have to bring it up. She only did it to…to make herself feel sup
erior.”
“Or maybe she’s just feeling awkward and uncomfortable and isn’t as good in social situations as you’d like to think,” he said.
She narrowed her eyes. “You’re giving her too much credit.”
“Yet how well do you know her, Lucy, that you don’t think she deserves some credit?”
“I know her well enough that she’s trying to stop me from getting custody of my niece. Or are you saying that’s some kind of misunderstanding, too? Have you changed your mind about helping me?”
He gripped her arms and shook her slightly, looking as close to pissed as she’d ever seen him. “Stop it! Of course I haven’t changed my mind about helping you. I was simply suggesting you not be so quick to assume the worst of people. Yes, some people, like my cousin Gretchen’s dickhead of a husband, deserve your censure. But even now, even when I’ve done nothing to make you doubt me—”
“I’m sorry,” she said, placing a hand on his chest and standing on tiptoe to kiss him. “You’re right. She just…threw me. Made me feel out of place. And I hate feeling that way.”
“I know. But you’re not out of place, Lucy. You’re fitting in beautifully. And she’s already agreed to let you see Milly. Don’t you think that’s a good enough sign that you can just relax and enjoy the rest of the evening with me?”
She nodded. “I’d like that. Let’s just put it all away for tonight and have fun.”
Jamie grinned. “Yes, let’s,” he agreed.
They were served a delicious dinner of salmon and rice pilaf and fresh vegetables. Jamie’s sister, who’d left the reception briefly to change into a cute cocktail dress, sat with them and bantered with Jamie and the groomsmen, hardly seeming like a girl who was just dumped at the altar.
Jamie’s parents were great, too, though Lucy could see the edge of worry beneath their determined-to-give-the-appearance-of-having-a-good-time demeanors. The person who seemed to be having the most difficulty, however, wasn’t Jamie or Brianne’s parents, but Jamie’s friend, Gabe.
After dinner and dessert was finished, Brianne took the stage and used the microphone to announce she wanted everyone to have fun. That no one should worry that she was sad or heartbroken. To Lucy’s surprise, even though a couple of the bridesmaids looked like the girls Lucy remembered from her private school days—rich and spoiled and just looking for someone to “mean girl”—they obviously had Brianne’s back. They were already encouraging guests to find their dance partners with the enthusiasm of soldiers carrying out a beloved general’s orders.