“Uh, Cate?” I heard Dave say.
I found him in the mirror’s reflection and stilled. Was I imagining it? I turned so I could see him properly. Every muscle in his body was tense, from the taut line of his strong jaw, to the way he was clenching his fists.
“Yes?” I replied uncertainly.
He took another step closer. “Maybe I need to get my vision checked but I don’t see anything wrong with the dress.”
I rolled my eyes. “You wouldn’t. While I won’t deny this dress has its …” I paused and searched for the right words, “… distinctive attributes, it doesn’t suit me.”
Dave took another step toward me. “It suits you, Cate.”
There was something in his expression I couldn’t identify. I looked down at the dress, suddenly nervous. “It’s not to my tastes, then.”
Dave took a final step so he was only an arm’s length away now. “It’s to my tastes.”
A rush of realization flooded my body as I recognized the look in his eyes. Desire. In typical Cate fashion I didn’t know how to deal with it, so I rushed to speak. “You mean it attracts male attention? Yes, I get that. That’s the problem. I mean, what if James sees me in this? Can you imagine—”
“Oh.” All the breath left me in a quiet whoosh as he grabbed my hips and pushed me against the cool glass of the mirror.
“Cate?” Desire had been replaced with intent, and if I wasn’t mistaken, a flash of possessiveness turned the color of his eyes to a fiery brown. “Please don’t talk about James.”
“OK, I agree, poor choice of—” I didn’t get a chance to finish.
For some reason I had a flashback to our very first meeting, when he’d pushed open my apartment door. What had my thoughts been then? Man of action. That’s right. Quiet, calm, assertive—
And then I couldn’t think anymore.
Dave’s mouth covered mine and I was surrounded by the warm, spicy scent of him. God, everything about him was so inviting and it gave me the confidence to kiss him back. To taste him. Touch him. To ask for more.
He moaned softly and it sent shock waves of lust through me. I deepened the kiss. My hands were on his face, in his hair, brushing against the stubble which he’d yet to shave and it scratched my palms.
I’d been trying so hard not to think about this but now that it was actually happening I couldn’t get enough.
I felt him grip my hips harder and I instinctively tilted myself toward him. As was previously established there was very little to the dress so the hard outline of him pressed against me, and I shuddered.
Then his hand was in my hair, his thumb coming around to stroke my jaw, while his other hand slid from my hip and cupped me from behind. I reached down to grip his hips, savoring the feel of his hard chest pressed against mine, and the way our bodies molded to each other’s.
“Cate, what the hell is all the noise … oh.”
Dave and I jumped apart at the sound of Scarlett’s voice. I attempted to smooth the dress and make sure everything was where it was supposed to be while Dave shoved a hand through his hair and stared hard at the floor.
Scarlett’s look of surprise turned to pure glee. “Well, if I’d realized it was that sort of noise, I’d have stayed away. You really should close the door next time.”
“Scarlett!”
“What?” Her eyes narrowed. “Hey, are you wearing my dress?”
I looked up at the ceiling and sighed dramatically. “No, this is my dress.”
“No, it’s my dress. But there’s no way it would fit you so what the hell is going on?”
“They sent me the wrong one,” I informed her.
“Oh shit. Hang on, I haven’t checked mine yet. Stay here and try to keep your hands to yourself. I’ll be back in a sec.” Scarlett raced out of the room, obviously going to check the dress she’d been given.
I looked over at Dave.
“Hey,” he said.
I gave him a shy smile. “Hey.”
“All good!” We heard Scarlett yell. “I’ve got the right dress.”
Dave grinned at me. “I think you do too.”
I laughed. “You’ve made your point.”
Scarlett returned to the room. “Well, that’s a relief. I thought I was going to end up wearing your pretty, feminine, strapless number,” she said with obvious distaste. Then she looked between me and Dave. “For what it’s worth, I think I’ve got exceptional taste and my dress looks fucking awesome on you, Cate.”
Contrary to my near meltdown only five minutes before, I had to agree. Maybe the dress wasn’t so bad after all.
Chapter 26
I was about to cry.
There was no way I was going to be able to hold it all in. This was possibly the most romantic event I had witnessed in my entire life and here I was wearing a full face of make up. It was like a form of torture. I was relieved to see I wasn’t the only one. Maddy’s mother, who was impeccably dressed as usual, appeared very misty eyed too.
Maybe I could blame it on the afternoon sun? Christa and Max stood opposite one another on the deck overlooking the beach, the groomsmen and bridesmaids on either side. It was a perfect afternoon. Warm, with just a light breeze, the sun shimmered on the water forming a golden backdrop underneath the cloudless sky.
The celebrant’s words wafted over me, like they were floating on the wind. To be honest, I hadn’t really absorbed much of what she’d said so far, I’d been too busy looking at Christa and Max. Everyone always said that brides were radiant, but Christa took it to another level. Maybe it was the sunlight, but the woman actually appeared to glow. It was as if she’d arrived on a beam of sunlight and her happiness shone from within.
She’d chosen a unique dress – as I’d expected her to. It was half princess, half modern art. Strapless and pristine white with a full skirt, the dress was adorned with panels of intricate lacework on the bodice and skirt. Her hair was up – almost. The majority of her blonde curls were pinned but a few were allowed to escape and frame her heart-shaped face.
And then there was Max. Gorgeous Max. I’d always had a soft spot for Maddy’s brother and Christa’s husband-to-be. He cut an authoritative presence in his black suit. While Christa’s blue eyes shone, Max’s dark ones radiated joy.
The two of them were absolutely breathtaking and I was insanely jealous of their bond while sharing in their joy at the same time.
I wondered if I’d ever find that in a man? A bond like theirs seemed a very precious and rare thing. Not entirely, I heard the practical accountant in me say. Maddy had most certainly found that with Paul, and Scarlett with John. They’d each found men who were steadfastly committed to them, who weren’t afraid to love openly and honestly, and who were their partners in the true sense of the word.
I looked at the small number of guests watching the ceremony. Maddy and Max’s parents, plus their older sister, Louise, who lived in the UK and had flown home for the occasion. Christa’s mother and brother were there, as well as Paul, who was holding Ava. John stood next to them and positioned a little way apart from the rest was Dave.
He wore a black suit, white shirt and a black tie. And if seeing him in something other than his battered brown work boots wasn’t enough to make a girl swoon, he’d finished his wedding outfit off with a black chauffeur’s hat. I wanted to say it looked ridiculous except it didn’t. It looked hot. Very, very hot.
Our eyes met briefly. He gave me one of those half-smiles and then his gaze dropped to my dress. His eyes returned to mine and he grinned.
I looked away desperately and hoped I wasn’t going to blush, but it was probably better than crying.
Or maybe not. James caught my eye as I returned my focus to the bride and groom. In his expression wasn’t the open attraction I’d been expecting – and actively trying to avoid – but a question.
Oh. He’d seen the glance Dave and I had shared. I’d have to watch myself. When this weekend was over, I’d meet him for coffee and we’d discuss things. I
’d already resolved now was not the time or the place to tell James I wasn’t interested. It needed to be one-on-one, where I could make it personal and genuine. And it was genuine. I truly did like James, but not in the way I’d hoped. Or the way I’d expected, I was coming to realize. It was fine to put a list of requirements down on paper, but how did you list something as elusive as a spark? Or a connection?
I looked back at Christa and Max. Case in point. She was bubbly and creative; he was quieter and more practical. But they worked. They clicked. And today we were here to celebrate that special bond.
“Max, now you can share your vows of commitment with Christa,” the celebrant said.
Max nodded. He reached over and took both of Christa’s hands, his eyes fixed on her.
“Bubbles. Christa,” he began, his deep voice sounding gruff and hinting at the emotion he was trying to control. “When I met you again after returning from working in the UK, my first instinct was to want to protect you. You’re effortlessly sweet and I love that about you.”
Christa shifted under his gaze and a coy smile touched her lips – as if demonstrating the very sweetness he referred to.
Max smiled back warmly. “Well, I was a fool. You don’t need my protection. You’re a capable, talented woman who can do just fine without me. And I’m still pinching myself every time I realize that you’re about to become my wife, because you’re like a dream come true and I love you.”
Max paused, then took a deep breath. “I’ve always been a little bit in love with you – ever since we were teenagers. You were my kid sister’s gorgeous friend, and I’d get tongue-tied whenever I was near you. But something happened this time around. I discovered I could talk to you, and more than that, we have a lot to say to each other. And you’re fun, Christa. Whether we’re enjoying ourselves on a lazy Sunday afternoon, or I’m making you squeal with my crazy driving—” Max paused and looked over at Dave. “But not when I’m driving your car, mate, I promise.”
I giggled and everyone else laughed too.
“Anyway, the point is, we have fun together. We listen to each other. We support each other. I don’t think I truly realized that was the way I felt until I found myself without you. I felt like I’d woken up from the best damn dream of my entire life and discovered you weren’t real. And I was devastated.”
His brow furrowed as if remembering that time and I saw a flash of pain darken his eyes for a moment. “Which was when I understood there’s nothing sensible about love. It’s scary and exciting and the fact that you chose to take a leap of faith with me, means more to me than you could know. So I want you to know that I’ll always support you.
“Always. Through sickness and health, all of that. We’ve got a lot of years ahead of us. We might have our tough moments, days, or even years, but I vow to you on this day, that I’m not going anywhere, because we’re a team. Now until the day I die, I promise you. You once called me your superhero. Well, you’re my superwoman, Christa. I think you’re amazing and I’m honored to be your husband and it’s an honor I’ll cherish every day of my life, for the rest of my life.”
I was crying for real now. Tears were trailing unapologetically down my cheeks but I was past worrying. Max was right. Love wasn’t sensible and expecting me to attend my best friend’s wedding ceremony and not cry wasn’t sensible either.
The celebrant gave Max a small nod and then turned to Christa. “When you’re ready, Christa,” she said.
“Give me a minute!” Christa sniffed and waved a hand in front her face, and we all laughed. Then she grinned, and gave us all an ecstatic smile. “Glad to see I’m not the only one,” she said, and attempted to pat the corners of her eyes dry. “OK, right. My turn.”
She turned back to her fiancé. “Mighty Max.”
We all laughed at Christa’s nickname.
She reached over and held his hands. “You are my superhero. My Clark Kent. I can’t believe I’ve known you for so many years and it took me this long to figure it out. I mean, when you’re watching Clark Kent in the movies, you’re sitting there thinking ‘How can they not know?’ It’s so obvious he’s Superman, but no one else sees it.
“Well, I didn’t see it either. Not at first. And I put that down to you, Max. You’re so reliable and genuine. You’re one of the good guys. And unless you came flying through the air with a big ‘MM’ on your chest for Mighty Max – which I’ve got to say would be kind of sexy – people would just think you’re another guy. But you’re not just another guy. You’re the best guy I know. And I can’t believe you’re mine. All mine.” Christa wiggled her eyebrows suggestively, which earned her a few chuckles.
I’d never seen Max smile that hard. It look like it hurt, but it was a good pain, I figured.
Christa’s own smile slipped for a moment. “We all have our pasts. Nothing can change that, but you’ve changed me, Max. Because of your belief in me, you’ve made me braver. Stronger. We all know before you I was a little bit of a commitment-phobe—”
Scarlett coughed and Maddy shot her a warning look.
Christa rolled her eyes. “I’m not denying it. I was running. So, these are my vows to you, Max. Now when I run, it will be straight to you. I’ll run to you when I’m happy. I’ll run to you when I’m sad. When I’m sick, tired and over it all? Whether you like it or not, I’ll run to you. I promise to love and cherish you, honor you, respect you, for all the days of our lives. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be than by your side.”
We watched as they said ‘I do’ and put the rings on each other’s fingers. Then we stood back while they signed the wedding certificate with Maddy and James witnessing. The photographer they’d hired – who had happily agreed to venturing out of Sydney due to a sizable increase in his fee – snapped photos.
“Hey.”
I looked over at Dave. He’d come to stand by my side and I bit down on a smile at the sight of his hat.
“Got it together yet?” he asked.
“Barely. But the hat helps take my mind off it.”
“All part of the service.” He nodded at Christa and Max. “It was a good ceremony.”
“It was an amazing ceremony,” I corrected.
“You’re biased.”
I turned to face him. “Yes, of course I am, but please tell me you found that romantic?”
“I’m a guy.”
“So what? You’re immune to romance?”
“Romance is overrated.”
I gaped at him and couldn’t seem to form any words.
He shrugged. “Romance is manufactured. Love isn’t.”
“Well, at least tell me this was a good example of love?” I sputtered.
“It was a great example of love.”
“Thank God for that,” I muttered, and Dave smiled a little.
“Scared you, did I?” he asked.
“A bit.”
“What about before? Did I scare you then?”
“Before?” I asked, my voice trembling slightly. After ‘the kiss’ I’d been whisked into a frenzy of wedding preparation and hadn’t had a chance to properly digest what had happened between us.
“You’ve been jumpy since then,” he teased, lifting an eyebrow.
With good reason. Every time I saw him now my pulse spiked. Before, when I’d been attempting to resist my attraction to him, it had all been unrequited, the stuff of fantasies. Now it was real. Very, very real.
“Regrets?” he asked casually.
“No!” I winced and lowered my voice. “But you’re my client, Dave, I—”
“I don’t care about that. I’ll find another financial planner.”
I wasn’t sure if that was a reflection on my professional service or our kiss earlier. I’d been trying hard not to think about reality ever since Dave’s very demonstrative appreciation of my dress. In this idyllic location several hours from the city our real lives felt miles away but that didn’t change reality. Dave was my client. “It’s not quite that easy.”
; “So what are you saying? Nice kiss, but let’s leave it at that?” His tone was calm and his expression unreadable.
I frowned and hesitated. Of course I didn’t want to leave it at that, but I didn’t know what ‘that’ was. Was it lust? Or was it something worth pursuing? I didn’t want to turn my life upside down again. Not after finally finding my feet with a new job. The last thing I could afford to do was lose face with my company for having a relationship with a client. “Dave,” I said quietly, “I left my last job because I got involved with one of the partners and it didn’t turn out well.” I wasn’t particularly proud of it, but I needed him to know the reason for my reluctance.
He nodded slowly, then narrowed his eyes. “What about your list?”
I blinked. “How did …?” I didn’t even want to utter the word list again, I was so sick of the bloody thing.
He shrugged. “Kind of a running joke among your friends from what I can gather.” He nodded in James’ direction. “Although he seems to think he’s in with a shot based on your requirements.”
As if he sensed us talking about him, James turned and saw the two of us standing together. He frowned so I smiled and gave him a small wave, then waited until he looked away again before turning back to Dave.
“My requirements? Don’t be silly. It’s just a joke, as you’ve said.” I prayed whoever had opened their big mouth had left out the bit about me not wanting to go out with a plumber.
“Yeah, I’ve got to say, left-handed Englishmen who like sailing is pretty funny.”
I pouted. Alright, so he wasn’t annoyed, he was laughing at me. And yes, when he said it like that, it sounded ridiculous. “If you recall, I’ve been avoiding the person who meets the requirements on my list.”
He looked at me for a long moment. “But you still haven’t put him out of his misery.”
“This weekend is hardly the time for that sort of conversation!” I protested.
Maddy and Scarlett looked over at us. Whoops. My protest had obviously been a little too animated. I smiled quickly and turned back to Dave.
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