And even though her father was still alive, if she could have Jeff back for just one night, Amanda would have asked Jeff to walk her down the aisle. It was impossible to believe he’d been gone for five years. One awful night, one icy intersection, and he was gone forever. Kate had been the lucky one; she was in the car, too, but despite a large scar on her left arm that she’d kept covered ever since the accident, she came out unscathed.
“He’s not going to know what hit him,” Kate said. “I’ve never seen such a beautiful bride.” Amanda reached out and took Kate’s hands in hers.
“You’re going to find love again, too,” Amanda said. Kate squeezed back and looked away.
“This weekend isn’t about me,” she said. “And I couldn’t be happier for you and Pete.”
“I know that. But Jeff would have—”
“I don’t want to talk about it.” Kate tried to pull away, but Amanda wouldn’t let her go.
“It’s been five years. He would be so proud of you—”
“Mandy, please.” Amanda was proud of Kate, too. After a year of grieving, she went to Guatemala and taught English to local schoolchildren. Then, when she returned to Iowa City, she became involved with a nonprofit foundation that Jeff had supported. And she’d remained single all these years. Amanda knew Kate had loved Jeff since she first laid eyes on eight-year-old him flicking marbles in the driveway. He didn’t even give her a second glance when she trampled over to play with Amanda. Amanda loved Kate like a sister. And now that she had Pete, she understood how utterly love could transform your life. She was going to make it her mission to help Kate find love again. She had no doubt that’s what Jeff would have wanted her to do.
And here they were on Martha’s Vineyard, one of the most romantic places on earth, and they’d only been on the island a day. Maybe Kate would like one of Pete’s friends. A couple of them were cute, all right. She could have any of them except Andrew Beck. She was thrilled when he told Pete he’d photograph the wedding, and over the moon when he loaned them the cottage for their honeymoon, but there was no way Amanda was going to let him put the moves on Kate. She knew all about Andy Beck and his sick little games with women. Pete had told her all his dirty little secrets. Still, she had a sneaking suspicion Kate was going to like him. And she couldn’t blame her. He was talented, handsome, and filthy rich. And Kate didn’t know what she knew—so why wouldn’t she like him?
Nevertheless, she wouldn’t say anything to Kate unless she absolutely had to. She wasn’t a gossiper by nature, and again, Andrew had been extremely generous. She was a little surprised Pete had accepted Andy’s offer, but as Pete pointed out, just because Andy had a bad reputation when it came to women didn’t mean he wasn’t a good friend. Besides, Pete and Andrew went back almost as far as she did with Kate. She wouldn’t judge Andy as long as he didn’t try to get his paws on Kate. No way. Not after all she’d been through.
“A couple of Pete’s friends are single,” Amanda said. Kate smiled, but Amanda noticed it didn’t reach her eyes. “Would you like to try your dress on again?” Amanda asked.
“No need,” Kate said. “It fits.” Her voice was tight and high.
“Kate.”
“It’s beautiful.”
“You’re not mad?”
“Not at all.”
Amanda let her breath out. The bridesmaid dresses were all sleeveless; she’d thought for a minute Kate might refuse to wear it.
“I’ll just have to find a shawl or a wrap,” Kate said as she unzipped Amanda.
“But none of the other bridesmaids will have a shawl or a wrap,” Amanda said, stepping out of the dress. “Don’t you think you’ll kind of stand out?”
“I don’t mind standing out,” Kate said. “Unless you want someone else to do the honors.” Amanda didn’t reply right away. She didn’t want to upset Kate when she was handling her dress.
“Of course not,” she said at last.
“Good,” Kate said. “It’s settled, then.” Kate put the dress away while Amanda reluctantly put her regular-people clothes back on. It was such a waste that you could only wear your wedding dress once. Even the bridesmaids would be able to wear their dresses again; Amanda had picked them out with that in mind. There should be some kind of tradition where brides wore their dresses all week. Or at least all day. Just like French women wore crowns or some kind of fancy hat on their thirtieth birthday.
“What’s next?” Amanda asked.
“French toast and mimosas?” Kate suggested.
“I have to fit into my gown tomorrow,” Amanda said. “I’ll skip the French toast.”
“Mimosas it is,” Kate sang, hooking her arm into Amanda’s. “I’ll eat your French toast.”
“You’re the best,” Amanda said as they headed out of the shop. The dressmaker would keep her gown until tomorrow. The rooms at the inn were small and crowded, and Amanda didn’t want to take the chance of anything happening to it. Amanda didn’t broach the subject of Kate’s dress again, although she was thinking as they headed down the street and around the corner for breakfast that there wouldn’t be much Kate could do about it if the shawl or wrap were to disappear minutes before the ceremony. Sometimes friends needed space to work out their issues, and sometimes they needed a little shove.
Wedding day. Early evening just before the ceremony.
“It’s wrinkled, isn’t it? It looks wrinkled.”
Kate took a deep breath and then treated Amanda to a fake smile. “Honestly Amanda. It’s perfect.”
Amanda whirled around. “What about the back? Is the back wrinkled?”
“No. Nada. Perfecto.”
“Don’t do the Spanish thing. I’m not in the mood.” Amanda didn’t mean to sound so curt, but it just seemed like every little thing that could have gone wrong today had. Relatives had missed plane connections, caterers called and said the credit card on file had been rejected, a couple of bridesmaids had gained too much weight to fit into their dresses and Amanda’s aunt was busy trying to tailor them…
Not to mention she and Pete had been so busy this week they’d barely slept. And her wedding dress was wrinkled. Why didn’t Kate just admit that?
“What can I do?” Kate asked. Everyone was waiting. Amanda was late to her own wedding.
“Are you sure everyone else is ready?” Amanda asked, stalling for time.
“Yes,” Kate said. “They’re all waiting.”
“Don’t put it like that.”
“Anticipating, then. Everyone is patiently anticipating your arrival.” The wedding ceremony was outside, on the great lawn of the Harbor House, overlooking the ocean. The sun was shooting dark pink rays across the sky. And even though it was summer, it grew cool at night. Everyone was probably anxious to get under the heated tents and start the party.
“What about Pete? Are you sure Pete’s out there?”
Kate pulled her wrap around her, which she hadn’t let out of her sight for a second. “He’s out there,” she said. Her voice was strained, trying way too hard to sound chipper.
“Did he remember the rings?”
“I’m sure he did.”
“You’re sure or you know?”
“Amanda. What is going on? This is it. The part where you need to forget about everything, go out there, and marry the man you love.”
“You’re right,” Amanda said. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” Kate stepped up to give her a hug but stopped when she saw the look of horror on Amanda’s face. After all, a hug could generate another couple hundred wrinkles. So at the last minute, Kate simply air-patted her on the shoulder instead.
“You look absolutely gorgeous,” she said.
“Thank you.” A rap on the door interrupted them. Amanda turned her stricken face to the sound.
“Who is it?” Kate asked.
“It’s Pete.”
“Oh my God,” Amanda said in a loud stage whisper. “What is he doing?”
“Hi, honey,” Pete said. “Are you ready?”
/>
“Don’t come in!” Amanda yelled.
“I’m not coming in,” Pete said. “But are you ever coming out?”
“Yes. I’m coming, I’m coming.” You could almost hear Pete’s sigh of relief through the door.
“Good, good,” he said. “Everyone’s getting worried that you changed your mind.” Pete laughed, the kind of laugh he always gave when he was nervous. It sounded like the bark of a wolf, or a really sick coyote.
“Couldn’t you have sent someone else?” Amanda asked. “It’s bad luck to talk to each other before the ceremony.”
“I’m going—but you are coming, right?”
“Of course I’m coming.” Amanda shot Kate a look that gave Kate a good glimpse of who was going to win all their future fights.
“We’ll be right there, Pete,” Kate said.
“Good,” Pete said. “Because any longer and I’m going to just close my eyes, grab the nearest bridesmaid, and marry her!” Amanda’s jaw literally dropped. She looked at Kate, whose face mirrored her own horrified expression. Kate tried to cover it up with a little smile and a shrug, à la “boys will be boys.”
“Amanda,” Kate said. Amanda marched back to the door and threw it open. Pete had just turned away, but he was still within striking distance.
“What did you say?” Amanda demanded. She hated the fact that this was how Pete was going to first see her—glaring at him from the dressing room instead of sailing up the aisle with everyone smiling. Pete must have had the same thought, for he slapped his hand over his eyes and turned around.
“Hey,” he said. “You said it was bad luck. Honey, shut the door.” Amanda did no such thing. She put her hands on her hips.
“Look at me,” she said. “And say that again. To my face.”
“Say what?” Pete said. Amanda narrowed her eyes. “Honey,” Pete pleaded. “It was a joke.”
“Which bridesmaid would you ‘grab’?” she asked. “Will any of them do, or is there one in particular you had in mind?”
“Kate?” Pete called.
“You want Kate?” Amanda said.
“No! I want you! I was just calling for Kate—asking her to help me handle you.”
“Handle me? Handle me?”
“Honey, please. You’re stressing me out.” Amanda turned to Kate, who seemed to be cowering in the background. Amanda’s eyes filled with tears.
“Don’t cry,” Kate said. At this Pete’s head snapped up, and he went to Amanda, tried to put his arms around her. She pushed him away.
“Honey, I’m sorry. I’m sorry. It was a joke. A really bad joke. I love you. We’re getting married. I can’t wait to make you my wife.”
“Really?”
“How could you even ask? Compared to you, all your bridesmaids are dogs. No offense, Kate.”
“None taken,” Kate said, giving a little “woof.” Nobody laughed.
“That was a horrible thing to say,” Amanda said.
“Again?” Pete said. “I can’t say anything right, can I? I’m sorry, okay? Let’s just assume from now on, no matter what stupid thing comes out of my mouth for the rest of my life, that I’m sorry. Okay? Do you want to add that to the vows? It’s not too late.”
“I can’t believe you’re talking to me like this right before our wedding,” Amanda said in a quiet but deadly tone of voice.
“I’m sorry,” Pete said again. “I’m just hot. And tired. Andy kept me out a little too late last night—”
“You were out last night? The night before our wedding?”
“Just a little.”
“Are you hungover? Did you go to a strip club?”
“Yeah. When it comes to strip clubs, Martha’s Vineyard is second only to Amsterdam’s Red Light District!”
“Where’s your dad?” Kate interrupted. “Is he ready to walk his little girl down the aisle?”
“Is that the only reason you didn’t go to a strip club—because there aren’t any on the island?”
“What am I supposed to say here?” Pete asked. “That I never want to see another woman naked as long as I live?” Amanda watched Pete catch the look of warning on Kate’s face. “Oh,” he said. “I am supposed to say that, aren’t I?”
“Not just say it,” Amanda said. “You’re supposed to mean it.”
“You’re being ridiculous. I love you. I want to marry you. But if you’re seriously asking me to say I never want to see another woman naked for the rest of my life—I won’t do it. Because that would be a lie, and I don’t want to lie to you, honey. Ever.” Pete smiled. Amanda just stared. Kate shook her head. “Oh,” Pete said. “I don’t mean I will see naked women. I would never cheat on you, honey. Not ever. You know that. I mean like on the Internet—accidentally, of course. I might accidentally see women naked on the Internet. I won’t linger or anything. I’m not a pervert. I’m just saying from time to time I’ll probably want to see other women. Not emotionally. Just—you know. Naked.”
Present day. Marina.
What a complete ass. Amanda was convinced she’d done the right thing. The only question left was—what the hell was she supposed to do now?
Chapter Four
“Amanda, we really shouldn’t be doing this,” Kate said. It had only been twenty-four hours since the girls commandeered the Honeymoon House, and Amanda had already come up with a diabolical mission for the two of them to carry out. They were standing in front of the Black Sheep Inn holding photocopied pictures of Pete’s “mugshot,” a picture of Pete that Amanda had blown slightly out of proportion, adding a tinge of red to the eyes to make him look like the featured escapee on America’s Most Wanted.
“He’s left me no choice,” Amanda said. “How am I supposed to grieve and move on with him hovering around?”
“Amanda, it’s only been a day since the wedding—”
“There was no wedding.”
“The almost-wedding, then. And where else is Pete supposed to go? You two rented out your apartment for the entire month.” Amanda and Pete lived in Brooklyn in the trendy neighborhood of Park Slope and took advantage of craigslist for furniture, tickets, rants and raves, and renting out their apartment whenever they were out of town for more than a day.
“He could stay with his parents,” Amanda grumbled. “And thanks for reminding me that one of us is going to have to start looking for another place to live.”
Kate sighed. She’d been listening to Amanda gripe nonstop for the past twenty-four hours. She kept thinking any minute Amanda was going to come to her senses and admit she’d overreacted and never should have walked out on Pete. Instead, she’d grown crazier by the minute, in large part Kate suspected because Pete hadn’t called or texted since they argued at the inn. Amanda pretended not to care, but she was checking her cell phone so often, Kate feared she was going to get carpal tunnel from flipping it open. Now here they were again, about to “out” Pete as some kind of criminal.
Kate didn’t want to do it, and even though it seemed to be a losing battle, she continued to gently try and talk sense into her friend. “It’s defamation of character,” Kate pointed out. “We’re pushing the limits here. He could sue.”
“Pete doesn’t have enough money to take me to court.”
“His friend Andy does, though, doesn’t he?” Kate had been trying to slip Andy into the conversation whenever she could. Either Amanda hadn’t noticed or she simply didn’t care to talk about Andy, because so far she’d ignored all references to him. Kate couldn’t stop thinking about their meeting and how angry he’d been with her for taking out his pictures. She was dying to talk to Amanda about it, to see if she could relieve some of her guilt—what was wrong with looking at an artist’s work? You think most people would have been flattered. He was completely livid. She promised him she wouldn’t mention the pictures to anyone, and when she and Amanda moved into the Honeymoon House, the pictures were gone, not a trace of them anywhere. Kate decided if Andy could be magnanimous enough to let them kidnap his cottage, the l
east she could do was keep his secret. Although what choice did the poor man have, he probably didn’t want to incur Amanda’s wrath anymore than the rest of them. “Don’t poke the bear,” Jeff used to say whenever Amanda was in a mood. Kate shuddered to think what Amanda would’ve done if Andy hadn’t let them stay at the house.
“This island isn’t big enough for the two of us,” Amanda said as they stepped up to the inn. Kate wanted to point out that they’d managed not to run into Pete the past twenty-four hours despite trouncing around to every beach, restaurant, golf course, and marina, wearing as little as possible and flirting outrageously with every bellboy and bartender in town in hopes that a certain someone might be lurking nearby and overcome with jealousy. Kate was exhausted; pretending to have fun all day long was a drag.
“He wants to see naked women,” Amanda said as she dragged Kate around the island. “Well, I want to see naked men.” In truth they’d seen ones in swimsuits, boxers, and a couple of ill-fitting Speedos, but to Kate’s relief, none of them had been in the nude.
A little bell above the door tinkled as Amanda and Kate entered the inn and approached a slight woman behind the counter.
“Have you seen this man?” Amanda asked, heaving against the counter and slamming the picture of Pete’s face on top. Amanda knew very well Pete was staying here, down to the exact room. The woman peered over her reading glasses, her lips already quivering. Kate couldn’t believe how quickly Amanda had morphed into a cynical detective, on the force twenty years too long, with the disposition of one who’d quit smoking, drinking, and eating carbs all on one go. The lady licked her dry lips and shifted her gaze to the stairwell on her left.
Amanda leaned in as if she knew a confession was forthcoming. “He wanted a room for a full month,” the woman whispered. “It was just his luck Mr. and Mrs. Griffith had to fly back to Miami. They booked their room for the entire summer, I couldn’t just let it remain empty.” She looked around before leaning into Amanda and Kate. “They had to bring their eldest boy to rehab. It’s his fifth stint.” She shook her head and then reached for a sanitary wipe in a container by the phone. She pulled one out and began wiping the mouthpiece of the phone. Then she used the same wipe on the counter. Finally, she glanced upstairs. “He paid in cash,” she said.
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