“You should join them,” Shan said. He pressed his lips to her temple. “Although we’re engaged. It appears the only single ladies are very young indeed.”
Most of them appeared to be teenagers. Some of them with shades of red hair much like the woman standing next to the officiate.
“No, no. As you said last night, the contract is basically signed. I’m officially off the market.”
“I don’t mind if you do. Chances are one of the young ones will make a leap and snatch it from the air.”
Randi waved at her from the top of the aisle. “You too, Meilin! You’re not married yet!”
And so she found herself standing at the back of a grouping of girls from ten to twenty-five. No one was more surprised than she when the gorgeous pink peony landed in her hands.
Shan’s arms came around her from behind. “It’s beautiful with your dress. Would you like to carry peonies at our wedding?”
Stunned by her capture, overwhelmed with congratulations and friendly pouts from the teenagers, she only murmured, “They’ll be out of season then.”
“Not an issue.”
Of course not. She guessed that what Shan wanted, he generally got. Did that include her? Item—Bride. Bride—Meilin Wu. Check and check. Apparently.
Next they called for the single men. “That means you,” she told him.
“I’m too old for such shenanigans.”
“Not true.” She nodded to Randi’s father being escorted into the group waiting for the garter toss. From the front, the groom, a very handsome older version of Drew, pointed at Shan, then turned his hand over, crooking a finger in a “come here” gesture.
The laugh from Shan was stilted, but he left her side and moved to the back of the group. The groom lifted the bride onto a chair, made sure she was stable, then slid his hand up under her skirt. They stared into each other’s eyes, small private smiles on their lips. The very air around them shimmered with love.
“No feeling her up in front of the kids!” someone from the crowd called out. “Grab the garter, man!”
The garter in question slowly descended until the article made of pink silk and frothy white lace loosened. Carefully it was pulled off over her foot, then the groom placed his hands on her waist and lifted her down, her body sliding the length of his. Meilin’s chest ached with the beauty of their love. What they must have suffered to embrace their feelings so joyously. Not a feeling she’d ever felt for herself in regards to a man unless he was a hero in one of the novels she loved to read at night. How different their new marriage seemed to the one she’d just discussed with Shan. Had they considered all the angles, the repercussions to lives and careers the same way?
“Hands up, gentlemen!” Randi called out. “I want to see everyone’s hands in the air!” Once she approved, her husband shot it like a rubber band into the grouping of men. It seemed the garter was headed for Shan, then a long arm reached out and snatched it from the air.
Drew.
“That’s twice!” Courtney called out, laughing. “You’re doubly in trouble from the matchmakers.”
Shan returned to Meilin’s side never noticing her gaze was locked with Drew’s. “See, the Fates, or whomever are in charge of such things, already know I’m blessed with the next beautiful bride.”
Tearing her gaze from the tall, young Englishman, she smiled faintly at Shan’s hubris.
Now if only they’d serve the champagne.
Chapter 9
Drew endured the pounding that served as pats on the back. It was a silly custom, but if one believed it, then he was supposed to marry the woman who caught the bouquet. In this case, Meilin.
The thought of marrying Meilin left him short of breath.
Scared the hell out of him as well. Lord, he wasn’t ready for marriage, not to anyone. He was leaving California soon and had at least three to four years of concentrated work ahead of him to secure his place in the family business. By then he’d be ready to think about his personal future. The time to date and get to know Meilin would be long past. She might very well have a couple kids by then.
How many months until her wedding? She’d probably told him while dancing. If she had, he couldn’t remember a damn thing about it.
Jack would know. Or Randi would ask. That was the key, watch for when his new mother got Meilin aside, then find a way to be near enough to eavesdrop. He wasn’t above eavesdropping. It was how a guy found out things. Like when his father had presented his mother with divorce papers and demanded custody of Drew. The very argument that had sent his mother rushing from the house in a rainstorm where she’d wrecked her car on slick roads. No divorce. No custody fight. From that dark day it had been just him and his dad until they’d found Randi and Birdie. Talk about Fate taking a hand in things. Now if only Fate would take an interest in his desire to get closer to Meilin.
He felt a sense of hopelessness that the opportunity would never appear. The man with her certainly displayed possessiveness, keeping a hand on her waist or hip. Drawing her close to kiss her temple. Drew had a brief fantasy of Lin reaching for her breast and Meilin decking the knobhead. Pretty much what he wanted to do, given an opportunity.
Drew did notice Meilin didn’t return the signs of affection a woman might have for her fiancé. She didn’t turn into his arms or nuzzle close. Erect and proud, she held her spine straight, a polite smile on her perfect Cupid’s bow mouth. A mouth he knew tasted of exotic honey. Like her dress, her skin shimmered in the sun, reminding him of the way she’d swayed and shimmied on the dance floor, laughing at the antics of her friends. Supple as a willow in a breeze. Not like an unbending flag pole, so polite and calm.
Drew let Martin and the photographer bully him into his place for pictures. First with his parents and sister. Then just his dad. Then with Randi. Then with Birdie. Then with the grandparents from both sides. The only time he felt his smile was genuine was when they made him pose with Meilin, him displaying the garter on his arm, her holding the flower she’d caught. Especially when he’d tipped her backward into a dip to the shrieks of laughter around them. It took great restraint not to kiss her, although he allowed himself a few seconds to stare into her startled eyes. Just long enough to see the jade green warm and a flush wash her cheeks. It took even more strength to let her go and watch her return to her glowering fiancé.
At last the photos were done and he could see relief on the faces of the guests hovering in the shade of the trees and the umbrellas set in the tables now scattered about the yard as the catering staff set up. A small dance floor was being laid on the ground under the open sided tent. Drinks were being handed out and food trays set on serving tables. Cases and cases of bottled water filled tubs of ice, all within easy reach of the guests. Buckets of ice held bottles of beer, wine, and soda supervised by a bartender. How he wanted a couple of those. He stared at Oswald, the third candidate in line for the top spot at Lynford, definitely envying the cold one in the man’s hand.
While the photographer consulted with Martin, Randi patted Drew’s arm. “Nice finish there. I think you embarrassed her and annoyed him.”
Unrepentant, he merely grinned at Randi’s mild chastisement. She huffed out her exasperation with him. “Oh you. Get out of that jacket and tie. Go mingle. Get Oswald to relax a little. Your friends should start showing up soon.”
“At last.” He heaved an exaggerated sigh and tugged on the tie. Although getting Oswald to relax wasn’t so easy. Birdie liked to say the man had been born with a stick up his arse. She wasn’t far off. Not a bad guy, just formal. Stiff. Drew had no problem with the man, but Birdie, now there was a different story. As he watched, she eyed the man in question before blowing out a huff and purposely turning her back on him.
Randi rolled on with her instructions, clearly not seeing the small display. “The little ones will want to be in the pool soon, but hold off a bit before assuming your preferred uniform.” The smile she gave him was lopsided. She kn
ew him so well. He’d already laid out his most obnoxious pair of swim trunks. Ones that would make Birdie scream that she was being blinded.
He bent down and kissed Randi’s cheek. “Don’t get burned, Mum.” She already had new freckles dusting her nose.
“I won’t. There’s an umbrella with my name on it right over there.” She pointed to the table closest to the pool. “I can play lifeguard and queen of the party all from the same location.”
“Like you’ll sit still that long.”
“Oh, I will. Once this party switches to graduation celebration I’m no longer the official hostess. In fact, I think the entire party is now in Martin and Birdie’s hands.”
“Courtney,” he reminded her.
“She’s been Birdie since the first time she realized she could make noises. She chirped then; she chirps now. I can’t think of her as Courtney to save my life.”
Drew laughed and gave her a one-armed hug. “I’ll leave that battle to you.”
Randi’s response was a very dry, “Thanks.”
In a few minutes he was down to his shirt with the sleeves rolled up and held an icy beer in his hand as he took a position next to the still buttoned up Oswald. Or Ozzie as Birdie liked to taunt him. The nickname went over like a lead balloon. The first long pull of his beer went down like rain in the desert.
The last table was set, its umbrella unfurled, and guests flocked to the shade provided, plates loaded with cold appetizers. Food. What an excellent idea. “Come on, old man.” He gave Oswald a light elbow to the ribs. “Get there before it’s gone. They’re not so polite over here about buffet tables.”
That got a tight smile out of the stiff man. “Looks tasty.”
Was it Drew’s imagination or had Oswald just sneaked at look at Birdie? Hm. Hadn’t seen that one coming.
At the table with salads on ice, he met up with Shan Lin and all thoughts about Oswald lusting after his sister disappeared. Lin lusting after Meilin was a problem in Drew’s mind. No matter how irrational.
“I understand you’ve known my father for years.” He opened the small talk. He was known for being friendly, so friendly conversation was called for.
“Yes,” the man responded with cold politeness. “I spent a year of my undergrad in London. Your father was kind and helped me find my way around.” His gaze dropped to the garter now snug around Drew’s upper arm.
Doing his best not to grin, Drew nodded in response to the spoken words. Sounded exactly like Dad.
“We’ve stayed in contact a little over the years, but it wasn’t until he started coming to California last year that we really talked in depth. I’m happy to see he’s found good fortune in his new wife.”
“Very good fortune. She’s wonderful, and we’re lucky to have her and Birdie.”
“A second chance for both. It’s easy to see how they care for each other. For her, a second good marriage is an exceptional fate. I’m sure she’s most deserving.”
Drew couldn’t read the man’s emotions. However, he seemed sincere. “I understand fortune in love is with you as well. Newly engaged?” He plopped a spoonful of potato salad on his plate.
“Yes. An exceptional young woman I’ve known many years.”
* * * *
What in the world could Shan and Drew be talking about? From the shade of an umbrella over Randi’s table, Meilin forced herself to look away and turn her attention to the bride.
Not that she knew Randi well. They’d met a few times at various functions and had somewhat bonded over discussions of décor and wine. Enough that she could see herself meeting Randi for lunch one day should they ever bump into one another on the street.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you looking so happy,” Meilin said.
“I’ve never been this happy. Well, except for a few short months when I was in London many years ago.” The older woman glowed as her eyes sought out her husband near the bar.
“Ah London. Seems Shan also met your husband in London.”
“Court said something about it briefly when he gave me Shan Lin’s name to add to the invitation list. I wasn’t really paying attention. Must have been before I made it there. Court was finishing his masters while I did a semester of my undergraduate there.”
“I’d love to spend more than a few days in and around London.”
Randi’s sparkling green eyes turned to her. “We’d love to have you come down to the house in Sussex. It truly is a beautiful place. The gardens were just coming into full bloom when we left, but we’ll be back long before they peak. Just a couple of weeks here and then back we go. Later in the summer, when Drew finishes the portion of the program over there, we’ll go to Beijing for a few weeks. From the immersion program he’s due to go straight to work in the offices there.”
“I’d heard he was set to begin studying Mandarin soon.”
“Yes. He starts Monday. I’m waiting to meet this friend of his. Jack. Apparently the boy is something of a prankster.”
Meilin smiled. “He is at that. Drew quickly wised up to Jack’s attempts to teach him some very funny phrases in Mandarin.”
“You’ve met Drew?”
“A week ago Friday night. The girls took me out as a last fling before becoming engaged. Jack brought Drew and his sister along. Drew was very charming about the whole thing.”
“Drew is very charming about everything.” Randi smiled with a mother’s fondness. “Smart as a whip, laid back as a Golden Retriever. Don’t let that lazy smile fool you one bit. He’s a sponge and soaks in everything. There’s a reason he’s the lawyer of the family.” She nodded toward Drew and Shan, both still loading their plates. “Wonder what they’re talking about…”
Just what Meilin had been wondering.
The moment to wonder passed as Jack came through the back door of the house onto the patio.
“Jack!” Randi’s daughter called out and sauntered to his side. “You made it in time for the party, but you missed the vows.”
“Sorry, sweet thing. Had to do lunch with the parents. They send their best wishes for great fortune and happiness upon the house of Robinson.” Jack made a short bow and the girl laughed.
“Your daughter is beautiful,” Meilin said.
“Thank you. Court is her biological father.” A slight flush washed Randi’s cheeks. “She’s so much like him and Drew it’s uncanny. I think most people knew she wasn’t Wyatt’s daughter, but few said anything to my face about it.”
“She’s lovely, and yes, I can see a resemblance to the men, but I see you in her as well.”
Randi grinned. “Possibly, but what you see is probably from nurture rather than nature. The Robinson genetics run true in that one. And I suppose that is the infamous Jack.”
Meilin laughed. “The rascal is a distant second or third cousin. I was put in charge of him many times when he was much younger. Let me make the introductions.”
They stood and made their way to where Courtney escorted Jack past the various food tables headed for the bar.
“Jack, a moment,” Meilin said, reaching out to touch his arm. Like the other men, he’d shed his jacket and rolled up his sleeves.
“Meilin Wu! My dearest cousin.” He took her hand and bent to kiss her cheek. “I’m most surprised and pleased to see you here. And who is this lovely woman who could only be a secret sister to you?”
The three women snorted at his flowery speech and ridiculous flattery.
“Randi, may I present to you my incorrigible cousin, Jack Ling. Jack, this is Mrs. Randi Robinson, my esteemed friend, the mother of Courtney, stepmother to Drew, wife of Courtland Robinson, who is a friend of Shan Lin.”
Jack took the hand Randi extended to him and bent over it to place a reverent kiss on her knuckles. “A very important person whom I am most pleased to meet. I’ve long heard your praises sung by your children and have been anxious to pay my respects.”
“A very pretty oration.” An am
used smirk lifted one side of Randi’s mouth. “I’ve heard a lot about you as well, Jack. Welcome and make yourself at home. Within reason.”
Meilin laughed and Jack lifted a hand to his heart, amusement dancing in his eyes. “I see my reputation precedes me. I promise to be on my best behavior.”
“A scoundrel for sure,” Randi replied. “I believe I last saw Drew over by the drinks.”
They turned and saw Drew and Shan standing off to the side, both men with stiff shoulders and false smiles. It was so unlike Shan, and apparently Drew, judging by the gasps from Randi and her daughter, that Meilin had the urge to run up and stand between them. Fortunately Drew’s father seemed to have the same thought and stepped in from a closer position, relieving whatever tension had formed.
From beside her, Randi muttered, “What on earth?”
Indeed. What had the two men found to discuss to create such tension between them when they barely knew each other? As both men looked her way, her stomach sank. Had she been the topic of discussion?
Jack spoke up. “Might I escort you ladies through the buffet line and to a shaded seat? I see my friends are neglecting their jobs.”
“Oh, yes, Jack.” Courtney jumped right in. “Mom’s been up for hours getting this all ready…” Her voice faded as she took his arm and steered him toward the loaded food tables.
Once more Meilin followed the line of Randi’s gaze. It was fixed on Drew and Shan near the bar.
“I think I need a drink,” Randi said.
Meilin could only agree. “I’ll join you.”
Chapter 10
Great. Just great. Drew the cool, the calm, the rational, was now a thing of the past as he knew it. He’d nearly been tempted into throwing his plate of sticky salads in the face of a man old enough to be his father. An esteemed business man who’d known his father longer than he’d been alive.
And he might nearly have gone through with his violent intent had his father not stepped in and diffused the situation. Tension still knotted his shoulders, unusual enough, but for the first time since his first month at Eton he really, really wanted to raise his fists and punch the smug expression off another man’s face. Over time he’d learned to diffuse most situations with a calm word and a confident smile.
Her Unexpected Affair (The Robinsons) Page 10