“That’s what publishers do. Well, some of us anyway.”
When their food arrived and they began eating, Kate saw a small shadow cross Vivienne’s face. “Is everything all right, Vivienne?” she asked. “If you don’t like what we ordered, I can get you something else.”
Vivienne set down her fork and looked at Kate. “No, it looks great, really. I-I just need to tell you something. I’ve sort of been putting it off.”
Vivienne’s eyes flickered with something. Sadness? Kate wasn’t sure.
Vivienne continued, “Well, I need to go out to California next week. It’s, eh, it’s for Nick.”
“Is he okay?”
Vivienne nodded, “Yeah, yeah, he is. Well, sort of. I guess.” She let out an exacerbated sigh and rolled her eyes.
Kate frowned, “Vivienne, what’s going on?”
The girl looked her straight on and said, without blinking, “My brother is getting married to the worst possible person on the planet: Stephanieeeee.” Vivienne exaggerated her name for effect.
For a moment, Kate thought she had heard wrong. Married? That wasn’t possible.
“Wh-what?” was all she said. She sounded as if someone’s hands were around her throat, cutting off her air. Her face felt flushed. Tiny beads of sweat formed on her forehead like shimmering, damp pearls. Suddenly, she saw Stephanie dressed in white, the two of them smiling on their wedding day. The image throbbed in her brain like a tumor.
“I’m sorry. Nick’s asked me to be supportive despite the fact that I think he’s making the biggest mistake of his life.”
Married? Kate felt the room spin. Her heart raced in her chest, and she gripped the table to steady herself.
“Marry me, Kate. Marry me tonight.” It was summer. They were in the garden planting flowers. Nick had grabbed her hand.
The hand with her engagement ring. He wanted to run away and just get married.
Just do it. The problem was, she hadn’t. She wanted to wait, to plan it right. Damn her and her uncertainty, her need to wait until the right time.
The time that would never arrive.
Vivienne continued, jarring Kate from her memory.
“The wedding is in a week. It’s a rush job.”
Kate nodded, “I see.” She picked up her fork and then put it down again.
“I’m sorry. This was rude of me, especially considering your history, and well, it’s just that I want the best for him, and I’m not sure that this is it.”
Kate couldn’t respond. What could she say? She was pretty sure that Vivienne did not know that Nick had come to Mexico to find her. She certainly wasn’t going to tell her. But apparently it didn’t matter.
Mexico had meant nothing.
I can’t.
That’s what his note had said. And this time, he truly meant it.
“Don’t you want to know why it’s being rushed?” Vivienne asked with an edge of sarcasm in her voice.
Kate didn’t respond. What did it matter if it was tomorrow or next year? He’d picked someone else, and Kate really couldn’t blame him. After all she’d put him through, she really could not blame him one bit.
Vivienne dug into her food. When Kate didn’t respond, she said, “She’s pregnant. I bet she did it intentionally.”
Kate thought she might fall off of her chair. A wedding and a baby.
This time Nick was truly moved on, and the thought of it stabbed right through her.
. . . .
Somehow, Kate managed to struggle through lunch, although she was pretty certain that Vivienne had seen the distress on her face. When she left the restaurant she hailed a cab for Vivienne, waved her off, and then walked the entire way—almost twenty-seven blocks—from the restaurant to Grace’s loft.
She arrived and pounded on the door.
When Grace opened it, she saw her friend standing there, pale, her arms crossed, her head down. She knew instantly that something was wrong.
“My God, Kate, what’s wrong?”
Kate looked up; her mascara had run, leaving streaks of greyish black in a disorganized trail down her cheeks.
“I’ve lost him for good,” was all she said.
CHAPTER 116
“I love you,” Kate smiled, “and I can’t wait to marry you.” Nick kissed her, long and hard. She was in a gown—a beautiful gown that fell off of her shoulders with a tight lace bodice. It had been his mother’s wedding dress, and Kate wanted to wear it.
It fit her perfectly.
“Now, it’s not good luck seeing the bride on the wedding day. You know that, right?” She smiled and his heart melted, as it did every time he looked at her.
“We can’t have bad luck anymore, Katie. After what we’ve been through to be together, bad luck does not exist.” Nick kissed her again.
“I can’t believe we made it, finally made it.” Kate put her head on his shoulder and he held her tight, so tight he never wanted to let her go.
Nick woke up with a start. He was alone in his bed, and it was indeed his wedding day. Only he wasn’t marrying Kate.
Nick sat up. It was still dark out. He checked the clock. Three a.m.
Christ.
Sitting up, he flung his legs over the side of the bed and decided he wouldn’t be able to sleep. He hadn’t been sleeping well, if at all. The closer his wedding day got, the more his thoughts drifted back to Mexico, and of course to Kate, and he hated himself for it. His focus needed to be on his wedding and his soon-to-be-family.
Nick walked down the hall to one of the spare rooms he planned to convert to the baby’s room. Already, he’d started packing things away to make room for the crib and other baby essentials they’d need.
Something wasn’t right.
He could never quite place it, but something seemed off. Stephanie had insisted they do the wedding right away, you know, before she was showing, and Nick had agreed. Somehow, with her mother’s help and that odd friend of hers, Tracey, they’d managed to pull together a full-blown wedding in two weeks. He chalked up his unease to his own uncertainty, of which he had a lot, and of course the speedy engagement. His uncle had once told him that when you’re sure, you’re sure, beyond a doubt. But that’s how it had been with Kate, and look where that had gotten him. Nick thought again about Mexico as he stared into the baby’s room. Kate’s silence spoke volumes. He was glad he left when he did. It had been a regrettable mistake, albeit one he wasn’t entirely sorry he’d made.
Nick needed a run. That would help clear his head. He walked quietly past Vivienne’s room. She was in the wedding, of course, as one of Stephanie’s bridesmaids, much to her protests—extensive protests, and she insisted that Stephanie had picked hideous dresses just to spite her.
Nick quickly slipped on his running shorts, shoes, and a shirt and headed out. It was only 3:15 in the morning. With the exception of an occasional running sprinkler, the night was completely silent. Time stretched out before him as he ran, his feet pounding into the cement. His mind cycled through the past year, then two years. He wished so much that his uncle had been there to help him through this. He had been like a father to Nick. He missed him every day, especially today. Allan would have something really insightful to say and it would all fall into place. Maybe he’d even like Stephanie and give his blessing to the hasty union. As Nick turned the corner, he thought about how his life was going to be from this point forward. He realized that nothing about it, with the exception of his child, particularly excited him.
CHAPTER 117
It was six a.m. when Kate woke up. Actually, to say she woke up would imply she’d actually slept, which she hadn’t.
Today promised to be the emotional equivalent of waterboarding.
It was Nick’s wedding day.
Since she seemed to have a need to feel the knife dig even deeper, she’d asked Vivienne before she left for Southern California when the wedding was, and where. Nick had always had his heart set on having the wedding and reception at his house. Certainl
y, the gardens were big enough for a couple of hundred people. So, Kate was surprised to find that the wedding was being held at The Adamson House in Malibu. And the fact that they’d gotten a cancelation on the exact date Stephanie wanted had been a sign, according to Vivienne, who rolled her eyes when she told the story. Over three hundred people had been invited. Kate couldn’t even imagine, because again, he’d preferred something smaller and private. But people change, she thought.
Except, of course, for her.
She who knew almost everything about publishing but nothing about love.
Kate leaned back in the pillows and debating calling Dr. Death for an appointment. She hadn’t seen her since she’d been back from Mexico, so sure that she’d see Nick again and sparks would fly and love would be in the air. Then she could walk into the doctor’s office, finally triumphant.
She’d figured it out.
Hurray for her. Well, she’d figured it out all right, but it was too late for any of it. So Ruth Ann could gloat, although Kate doubted she would. She was a kook of a doctor, but even she knew better than to pick at a wound.
Her phone buzzed. She reached for it on the nightstand and saw it was a text from Grace.
I’m assuming you’re awake. I’m coming over to make tea and breakfast, and then we’re going shopping or to the spa or something to get your mind off of today.
Kate smiled at the message and sent a simple, Adoreth you, back.
CHAPTER 118
An hour later, Nick was still running. He wound up in the park and decided to sit and watch the sunrise. Another hour ticked by, then another. His phone buzzed in his pocket. When he pulled it out he saw it was a text from his sister.
You’re not here. Did you run away? Please say yes.
I’m on my way back shortly.
There’s still time to run. I’ll cover for you.
Stop it.
Twenty minutes later, Nick was headed back to the house. When he arrived, Vivienne was downstairs making breakfast.
She smiled, “I thought maybe you’d come to your senses.”
“Stop it, Viv. This is happening and I’d love a little support.”
Vivienne poured a cup of coffee and handed it to him. “I will support you, but I still think that something is up. I mean, she’s pregnant, really? Did you see the test? How do you know she’s not trying to trap you? She has the soul of a Beverly Hills trophy wife.”
Nick slammed the cup down on the counter, spilling coffee over the tile and his hand, causing Vivienne to jump. “Stop it, Viv. I’m telling you, stop it. She’s not trapping me. I mean, who the hell does that? You’re watching too much television. Now, I’m going to go upstairs and shower and change. I suggest you do the same.”
“I made breakfast,” she offered meekly.
Nick turned, “I’m not hungry.” And he stomped off.
Vivienne sat in the kitchen with her bowls and eggs and bacon and almost felt like crying, not because she’d upset her brother, although she wished she had a better edit button, but because her intuition—which never seemed helpful when picking lottery numbers—was on high alert. That horrible feeling she’d had when he told her he was getting married had morphed into something that felt more like a tumor. She wished that her brother was less of a do-right guy and could just for once say, “fuck it,” and let the chips fall.
“I’m sorry.” Nick came around the corner and offered her a small smile.
Vivienne looked up at the sound of his voice.
“I’m just a little jumpy today. This isn’t the way I wanted things to be.”
Vivienne nodded, “I know and I’m sorry.”
Nick shrugged, “It happens. We get dealt all sorts of things in life, and we just have to make the best of it. And the best here is that I’ll have a family.”
Vivienne stopped herself from making another snide remark that he’d have more success marrying into the Kardashian family than marrying Stephanie, but she wisely kept it to herself.
Nick came around the island and hugged his sister.
“Let’s eat something,” he said.
CHAPTER 119
Tracey snuck a bottle of champagne into the bride’s room and held it up triumphantly, “Look at what I have!”
They were alone, finally.
The bride’s hair was done and the three bridesmaids were getting dressed in the other room. Stephanie reached for the chilled bottle like a hungry vulture.
“Oh, thank God!” she said, “I can’t drink at the reception or people will ask questions. Although, you know, in the fifties everyone drank, and no one made a big deal about it. This whole no drinking thing is for the birds.”
Stephanie grabbed a plastic cup and handed it to her friend. “Pour me a cup and fast.”
Her friend obeyed and filled the cup to the rim. She handed it to Stephanie as the door opened, and Vivienne peered in just in time to see her future sister-in-law take a big swig of something.
“You shouldn’t be drinking.”
Stephanie nearly dropped the cup. “It’s non-alcoholic,” she insisted.
Vivienne walked in and yanked the bottle out of Tracey’s hands.
“It’s not; you’re poisoning my future niece or nephew, as if being inside you wasn’t already poison enough.”
“What the hell do you want?” Tracey was pissed. She intensely disliked Nick’s sister for no good reason other than she was a busybody and was never willing to just let anything go.
“Get out,” Stephanie said, taking another swig of her drink. “This is for the bride and her maid of honor.”
“Umph,” Vivienne jutted out her chin. “Maid of honor, now there’s a term being used loosely.”
“Scat, twit,” Tracey said, then stood up to escort Vivienne from the room.
Vivienne was already moving towards the door. Something was definitely wrong with this whole picture. Drinking while pregnant. Nick would have a coronary if he found out.
After Vivienne left the bride’s room, she tried to decide whether to tell him or whether she’d just get branded a troublemaker.
Again.
. . . .
After Vivienne left, Stephanie stopped drinking.
“Want some more?” Tracey smiled, holding up the bottle.
Stephanie shook her head and didn’t look up.
“What’s wrong with you?” Tracey asked, narrowing her eyes. “Don’t like the champagne?” Tracey held up the bottle, checking the label. “It’s the good stuff from my parents’ secret New Year’s Eve stash.”
“It’s not the champagne,” Stephanie said, her voice anxious.
“Then what?”
“I-I don’t think I can do this.”
“What the hell do you mean? Do what?”
Stephanie gripped her friend’s hand. “I can’t do this. I can’t lie to him like this about being pregnant. He’s so excited. You should see him. Last night, he wanted to touch my stomach, Trace, my empty stomach!” Stephanie pointed to her flat stomach for effect. “I can’t do this to him. He’s a nice guy. He’s been good to me. I can’t.”
Tracey leaned into her friend, her breath inches from her face. “You can and you will. This is what needs to happen. If you didn’t play it this way, Nick would never make up his mind, right?”
Well, her friend did have a point.
Tracey gripped her shoulders. “And you know that you will get pregnant, sooner or later. I mean, you’re trying, right?”
Stephanie nodded, “Yes, trying, so it could happen anyway, right?”
Tracey nodded and smiled. “That’s my girl. Yes, it could happen and it probably will happen, even before the wedding, so your date will be off a bit.”
“Nick wants to go to one of my doctor appointments.” Stephanie started fidgeting with her hair, which she’d put up for the occasion.
“Then figure something out. Schedule the appointments when he absolutely can’t go. Doesn’t he have like a lot of meetings and stuff?”
; “S-Staff meetings, weekly. They’re mandatory.”
“Then that’s your ticket for now, until you get pregnant.”
“Until I get pregnant,” Stephanie repeated. Something turned in her stomach. She still wasn’t convinced, but the train had already left the station and it was dangerous to jump off of a moving train.
. . . .
This whole mansion had been a bad idea, Nick thought as he tried to find his way back to his groomsmen. Or, rather, groomsman. Just Greg standing up for him. Stephanie had been pissed saying that they’d be lopsided in pictures. But that had been the best he could do. Many of Nick’s friends lived out of state or had families and a lot of commitments. Inviting them to come out on such short notice was a bit much to ask.
Nick looped around another corner, past what he knew to be the bridal suite where the girls were getting ready. Nick could hear voices through the partially open door. To his surprise, he could not believe what was being said.
He stood outside the room and listened.
She lied.
She lied about all of it.
The baby.
No baby. How could that be?
Nick’s throat went dry and his heart raced. He fought the urge to push the door open and confront her. But then his feet started to move, away from the room and the talking.
Away from the lies.
No baby. There was no baby. There would be no child. A sting of sadness pricked him. He’d been looking forward to being a father more than he’d realized.
. . . .
The wedding was set up outside on the lawn, overlooking the ocean with rows and rows of white chairs all draped in soft, pink ribbon. Along the aisle, the edges of each chair had a bundle of roses attached to them. An aisle runner ran up the center. At the front under a canopy adorned with bursts of flowers is where they would get married. Nick hadn’t realized that you could spend so much money in a week, but they had. Although it wasn’t technically his responsibility, he’d insisted on paying for something. After much wrestling, Stephanie’s proud father finally let him pay for the flowers.
Climax: The Publicist, Book Three Page 40