by Claire Adams
Rachel’s text tone went off for the hundredth time since we got into the car.
“Ophelia is already there,” she whined.
“I can’t move all of these cars, Rachel,” I said a little annoyed. Without having a job, her outlook on life was a little skewed.
“Well, can you get off at the next exit and take back roads or something?”
“No, I can’t. This is the most direct route. Can you turn off the ringer on your phone? I need to concentrate, okay?”
Rachel pouted her red lips.
I reached for her hand and she moved hers away. “I’m sorry, this is stressful. And with all the plans for the wedding, my mind is a little jumbled right now.”
“Well, I’m stressed too. I’m leaving this all to you, and I have no idea what sort of wedding I’m coming back to.”
She also didn’t need to be leaving at this critical time in planning. We had to secure the vendors as soon as possible so we’d actually have food and music at our wedding. “It will be fine. I’ll let you know all the decisions I make, so it will be like you were there.” Although I still wasn’t sure why she wouldn’t be there. I understood bachelorette parties, but not weeks before the wedding when the actual reception and ceremony hadn’t been planned yet. And Rachel called this a ‘vacation,’ so I assumed I’d be footing the bill for her actual bachelorette party too. I didn’t mind spending money on her; in fact, it was the only time she ever seemed happy was when I gave her my credit card. And if I could see her smiling, I’d give her all of my money. She deserved it.
“I hope we’re not going to be late for the flight,” Rachel murmured.
“That’s why I wanted to leave early. We should be there in plenty of time.”
“We better be, or else you’re going to have to pay fees for us to switch.”
I bit my tongue and concentrated on the road.
If I thought the highway was bad, the people weaving in and out of the terminal drop offs was like participating in some crazy driving obstacle course.
“Right there,” Rachel pointed out the window.
“Yes, I know,” I said glancing over at the sign for the airline. “I need to get over there first.”
“I see her!” Rachel said excitedly. She clapped her hands together a few times with glee.
I managed to make it to the curb without incident. I popped the trunk and got out of the car to get Rachel’s bags. I rolled them to the curb for her.
I looked around, but she wasn’t by the car. Her door was wide open, and I found her closer to the entrance of the airport, hugging Ophelia. I brought the bags to her.
“This is going to be sooo much fun, maid of honor!” Rachel had referred to Ophelia with her official title since the day after the proposal.
I greeted Ophelia and she gave me a quick, terse smile. I had some idea how Sienna felt when faced with Rachel. Ophelia was a tough nut to crack. She was permanently single and not supportive of Rachel in any relationship. I supposed she wanted them to be single together, but that wasn’t going to happen.
“We should go,” Ophelia said. “We’re already cutting it close.”
I moved Rachel’s bags closer to her. “I guess I’ll see you in two weeks.”
She grabbed the handles of the bag. “Thanks for dropping me off. Bye!”
“Wait,” I said reaching for her.
She raced off toward Ophelia without a kiss or a hug.
Okay….
I watched her get safely inside, somewhat stunned that she didn’t even bother to show any affection. Though we were late; she was probably worried about missing her flight.
I needed a distraction from that morning. The traffic back to Key Largo wasn’t that bad, but I was still wired. I wanted to reassure myself that I had made the right choice by letting Rachel go on vacation with her best friend. So, I cleared the rest of my day for wedding planning. And I was going to take Sienna with me.
I went over to her place and rang the doorbell. Once again, it took several rings before she got to the door.
“Oh my god! Enough!” she said from inside.
She whipped open the door. Her eyes were bleary and she wore another tank top, but this time her tattoos were covered by long pajama pants.
“Haven’t you ever heard of a phone?” she asked.
“I texted you.”
“And I didn’t respond. That doesn’t mean come over; it means I want to be left alone.” She groaned and turned around, heading for her kitchen.
“It is the middle of the afternoon.”
“Yeah, well I get up a four in the morning to go to work.”
“Did you close early?”
She opened the refrigerator and pulled out a pitcher of tea. “No, Tony is running it this afternoon. I didn’t sleep well last night.”
“How come?”
“No reason. You want some?”
I nodded. I sat at the breakfast bar and sipped on the tea she offered. “I was thinking that today we should look for dresses.”
“Shouldn’t Rachel be around for that?”
“No, a dress for you,” I said, smirking.
She rolled her eyes. “Today? I don’t want to.”
“Come on, what else do you have to do?”
She leaned over the counter. “Literally, anything else.”
I knew she hated to get dressed up, which was why I made her do it when I could. And this was the perfect opportunity to see her squirm and complain about it. At least that would put a smile on my face.
“Once we get it over with, you won’t have to see another dress until the wedding.”
She thought this over for a moment. “You promise?”
“I cross my heart.”
She finished off her tea and placed the glass on the surface between us. “Fine, give me a minute to change.”
She sulked off to her bedroom, and I had to hold back my laughter. I was going to enjoy milking this day for all I could.
After fueling Sienna with more caffeine, we went to a shop that Rachel had suggested. While Rachel had already chosen a color and style of dress for her bridesmaids, I was given the choice to get Sienna whatever I wanted since she was technically on my side of the wedding party. Which meant I would give Sienna the final decision. It was going to be hard enough to explain a female best man; at least if she was wearing something she was comfortable with then she wouldn’t seem so against the assignment.
She pulled a black gown with long sleeves from the rack.
“That looks like something you’d wear to a funeral,” I said.
Her eyebrows lifted as she considered the dress.
I knew something snappy and sarcastic was going to come out of her mouth, so I preempted that with a choice for another dress.
“How about this one?” It was a pale pink dress.
“I’m not wearing pink.”
My diversion worked. We managed to agree on three dresses for her to try on. She went with all black, but nothing funeral-like. She said it was to match my tux and not detract from the bride. I agreed to the compromise.
The individual dressing rooms were in the back, and I sat down on one of the chairs outside. The doors were just over half the size of the room which allowed for me to see her from the shoulders up. It was a strange set-up. Sienna wasn’t that short, but I could imagine taller women exposing more of themselves while changing. Though I supposed it wouldn’t normally be an issue since men wouldn’t typically be in the dressing room of a woman’s bridal shop.
Sienna closed the door and then pulled her hair up and tied it back with an elastic. “I really hate this.”
“Oh, suck it up; it’s just one day.”
She threw me a look. “Are you sure I can’t wear a tux? That idea is sounding really good right about now.”
“Just try on the dress.”
She curled her lip then turned around. She lifted her shirt over her head, exposing her bare shoulders. She slid her bra straps off and moved her arm to h
ang the shirt and bra on the hook.
I swallowed, unable to take my eyes off her.
Her jeans crumpled to the floor. She kicked them off her feet and stood there with her back to me. My mind filled in the blanks that the door created. Sienna had an amazing body; I’d seen enough of it in the past—that’s how good of friends we were—but she hadn’t ever been this naked in front of me. Even though I couldn’t see the details, I could imagine exactly what I’d be seeing if the door weren’t there.
Someone moved outside of the changing rooms, which distracted me enough to look away from my best friend who was butt naked only a few feet in front of me.
I fought against my instincts and stared at the floor. My eyes started to water as I strained to focus on not looking up. I rotated between looking at my shoes to one stain on the floor.
The door to her dressing room opened. “I feel like I’m not going to be able to eat anything in this dress.”
I looked up and my jaw slackened. She looked incredible. The dress hugged her tight waist, creating an hourglass shape for her body. The tops of her breasts were visible across the neckline. She turned around to look in the full-length mirror next to her. The back had see-through intricate detailing that showcased the muscles in her back.
“You look amazing,” I said, unable to hold back any longer. She needed to have more confidence in her body. And it was an excuse for me to stare at her some more. I pretended to scrutinize the dress as my eyes drank in the sight of her.
She turned around; her eyebrows were lowered. She hesitated but then a wide smile spread across her face.
“You like it?”
“It’s perfect for my best man.”
“Are you sure?” she asked. “This is only the first one.”
“I don’t think we need to see any more.” I didn’t think the others we picked out would compare to this one.
She turned back to the mirror and checked herself out again. “Good, let’s get it and get the fuck out of here.”
Chapter Eight
Sienna
My alarm went off at four that morning, and my eyes sprung open wide awake. I thought of the fun times I’d had with Parker the day before. Granted, the goal of the day was to get a dress, and we accomplished that, but being with him felt like it had before he got engaged to Rachel. He was more carefree and fun, like he used to be. I hoped I’d be able to show him how to have fun again so maybe he would start to see a difference in how his life was with and without Rachel.
And the dress we picked out was breathtaking. I loved how I looked in it, and I loved how much Parker liked it. I needed that boost in confidence from him. I trusted his opinion, and he was always honest with me. The silky fabric of the dress was incredible, and I’d be happy to spend the entire day of his wedding in it. I never felt more beautiful than I had in his eyes.
At the diner, I found Tony smoking again. Annoyance flourished inside of me as I got out of the car.
Tony had the sense to put out the cigarette before I got to him. I wondered how bad his life needed to get before he figured out that I was right.
“You’re going to die, you know,” I said moving past him to the door.
“Everyone dies, Sienna.”
“The whole black lungs and cancer can be avoided, you know.”
“How was dress shopping?” he asked.
“It was fine.”
“Did you find something?”
“Yes,” I said, opening the door and holding it for him.
“Is it pink?”
I coughed a laugh. “Do you know me at all?”
He shrugged. “I wasn’t sure if Rachel wanted to torture you.”
“Well, it's a good thing I’m not on her side of the party. Parker let me pick the color and style.”
“Let me guess: black and covers everything.”
“The first part is right. The back is covered with lace. And there's a little bit of cleavage.”
Tony’s mouth popped open. “Cleavage? You slut.”
I laughed. “It’s classy cleavage.”
“I didn’t know there was such a thing.”
“Well, Parker liked it.”
“I’m sure he did.”
“What does that mean?”
“Well, he has a super-hot best man. I’m sure he’d want to show you off.”
I wrinkled my nose at him. I had issues when guys called me hot. I knew I wasn’t ugly, but I didn’t think I was in the same category as Rachel. I almost didn’t want to be, either.
Tony and I went to work on prepping the opening of the diner. With my mind on autopilot, I thought again about my day with Parker. I hadn’t realized how much I missed him.
Our first customers of the day were the Lamontes. Tony seated them at their table and didn’t bother with the menus since they ordered their usual. I brought their food out and greeted them.
“We missed you yesterday,” Harriet said as I refilled her coffee.
“Oh, I had the day off. I’m sorry I missed you, too. I went shopping for a dress for my best friend’s wedding.”
Harriet’s face lit up. “Are you a bridesmaid? I bet you’ll make a lovely one.”
“Oh, no,” I said. “Actually I’m the best man.”
“Pardon?” Harriet said. “You mean the maid of honor?”
I smiled awkwardly. “No, actually my best friend is the groom, and I’m his best man.”
“How positively wonderful and very modern,” Harriet said. “Don’t you think so, Kenneth?”
He looked up from his plate. “What’s that now?”
Harriet waved him off and glanced up at me. “I’m happy for your best friend. I’m sure you’ll be the best best woman he’s ever had.”
I didn’t know about that. I still think he should have used a guy for the job, but I wouldn’t do anything to ruin this day for him. Even though I didn’t agree with any of it, to begin with.
I left the Lamontes to their meal, mostly to get a break from the questions about the wedding. I didn’t want to think about it anymore.
But life doesn’t usually work out that way. Just before I got to the kitchen, Parker walked in the front door.
“Sienna, dear,” Harriet called over.
I tore my gaze from Parker who was already crossing the room toward me. I hoped he didn’t have another errand to run for the wedding.
“If I could get another fork? I dropped mine on the ground.”
“Sure thing,” I said.
I turned, and Parker was right there. “One second.”
I got the extra fork from the serving station and came back to the table to see Harriet beaming at Parker.
I put the fork next to her plate, and she barely noticed.
“Sienna, you know this handsome man?” Harriet asked.
Parker reached out his hand. “I’m Sienna’s good friend.”
“The one getting married?” Harriet asked with one eyebrow raised.
“That’s the one,” I said, cutting in. “This is Parker. Parker, this is Harriet and Kenneth. Our best customers.”
“It’s my pleasure,” Parker said.
“You are very handsome,” Harriet said.
I looked at her, and she waggled her eyebrows at me. Kenneth only shrugged.
“That’s very kind of you,” Parker said. “But do you mind me stealing Sienna away from you?”
Harriet’s eyes widened, and she grinned madly. “Of course.” She was positively smitten! And unlike any other woman who showed their attraction for Parker, I didn’t mind Harriet at all.
“What’s going on?” I asked Parker on the way to the kitchen.
“Sienna, I need some help today.”
I turned to him. “Parker, I can’t leave right now.”
“I can wait.”
“You’re going to be waiting a while. I don’t think today will work.”
“Don’t worry about it; I have the entire day.”
“If you insist,” I said, fully expectin
g him to leave after he ate.
I almost envied him for not having to work as much as I did. But that wasn’t always the case. Being a tech mogul, his office was anywhere he wanted it to be.
Parker sat down at the corner booth and pulled out his phone. I went back into the kitchen and got to work.
Hours later, Parker still sat in his booth. He didn’t appear bored or even put out. I sort of felt bad; I was his best man after all.
I had been so busy I didn’t even ask him what he needed my help with.
“Parker,” I called from the kitchen.
He looked up.
I waved him over. “Can you help clean up? We’ll be able to leave quicker if I get an extra set of hands. It’s not like you’re doing much.”
“I could use a break from running a billion dollar empire,” he said with a wink.
All of the customers had cleared out for the day. On Friday nights, Tony cleaned the grease trap so I was on dining room duty with Parker.
Parker cleaned the tables while I swept the fallen food and dust under them.
“Have you heard from Rachel today?” I asked without looking up.
“Not yet.”
I scoffed.
“Is there something you want to say, Sienna?”
I stopped sweeping and leaned the broom against the table. “Actually, there is.”
“I’m all ears.”
“Parker, are you sure this is what you want?”
“Of course it is. Why would you ask that?”
“For one, she went on vacation during her wedding planning. Don’t you find that a little strange? I understand you’re paying for everything, but doesn’t she want to be involved in her own wedding day?”
“It’s not strange; she wanted to hang out with her friend. That’s not a crime.”
“It doesn’t seem like she cares about this wedding, or you, for that matter.”
“Sienna, if she didn’t care about me, why would she marry me?”
“Because she’s a—” I wanted to say gold-digger, but my mouth wouldn’t form the words.