by Krista Lakes
Everyone at the table clapped loudly and laughed as Emma blushed slightly at the offer. Jack chuckled and kissed Emma's cheek, making her smile. I felt a slight stab of envy as my sister lit up. I was the older sister, but my little sister was about to get married and I didn't even have a date for the wedding. I immediately chided myself for feeling jealous. I loved that she was happy and so thoroughly in love. She deserved every moment of joy and prosperity.
Jack's little brother Robbie stood up once it was quiet.
"Jack, let me thank you again for not making me the best man," he started. His words were slurring just a little bit. "I would have lost the ring, been late, and there is no way I could come up with a good speech. Besides, Owen will look prettier in the pictures. I am really glad to be here, though, and I'm even more glad that it's because my older brother is marrying someone as awesome as Emma. Emma, you are the sister I never had, and I am excited to get to call you family. That's it. Kanpai!" The Japanese toast hung in the air as he slammed back the last of his wine and sat down, motioning to the waiter for more.
My father glanced around and then stood, raising his glass as well. "I guess it's my turn," he said.
He looked down at his youngest daughter. "Emma, you will always be my little girl. I am so proud that you have found your way in the world. I want you to know that your mother and I are so very proud of you." My dad's eyes grew blurry as he continued, unable to hide the waver of emotion running through his voice. I knew this was hard for him. Emma was the baby of the family.
"Jack, I know you are going to take good care of our baby. I'm proud to finally have a son in the family. Cheers!" Everyone sipped their drink and gave a light applause.
I waited for the applause to die down before I stood up. "I guess that makes it my turn. Jack, you treat my sister the way she deserves to be treated- like a princess. I know you make her happy, because she has this glow that she only gets around you. I've never seen her so happy or so sure of herself. Thank you." Jack tipped his head in acknowledgment and smiled. I turned toward Emma.
"Em, when Mom and Dad brought you home, I said I wanted a puppy instead. I still want the dog, but, today, I'm glad I've got you. I love you, Sis. Thank you for letting me be a part of this." I had intended to say more, but my voice caught and I didn't trust myself not to cry. It didn't help that Emma looked about ready to cry too. She jumped up and immediately gave me a hug.
"Thanks, KayKay," she whispered into my ear. I wiped a tear off my cheek and tried to look at the sky to make the rest of the tears go back to where they came from as I let her go. She grinned at me as she sat down, her eyes shining too.
As everyone settled, a well-dressed waiter came and whispered into Jack's ear. Jack laughed and shook his head, looking over at Emma.
"For once it isn't one of my phone calls that is urgently interrupting." The waiter handed Emma a message. She read it quickly, and then smiled apologetically at the table.
"Excuse me for just a minute. They can't seem to function without me anymore." She stood, kissed Jack on the cheek, and ducked into the main building. Through the window, I could see her pick up a phone.
I wondered what could be so important that anyone would interrupt her wedding rehearsal dinner. Since officially moving to New York, Emma had found a way to merge her dreams of working with animals and living with Jack. She had wanted to be a veterinarian since we were kids, but if she wanted to be with Jack, that wouldn't be possible. Every patient would know she had infinitely deep pockets and would always be looking for a way to get free care or sue for any mistake, no matter how minor.
But, Emma being Emma, she had found a way.
She created the "Daniel Saunders Wildlife and Marine Rehabilitation Program" through Jack's company using their environmental restoration department. Everyday, she was able to work with Jack and with rehabilitating animals. She loved it, and it had been a good way to honor Jack's father, but it kept her as busy as Jack. Honestly though, I couldn't see her any other way. Emma was just too hard a worker to stop just because she got married.
Emma came back out the door, her light blue dress trailing after her in the evening breeze. She smiled at Jack and sat down to finish her wine, the phone call finished. Jack smiled with obvious pride at his soon-to-be-legally-married wife. The table was quiet, everyone sipping on the last of their wine and enjoying the evening.
"Thank you for a lovely evening, but it is time for us to retire," Mrs. Saunders said as Emma sat down. She rose and stood behind Mr. Saunders' chair. The old man was struggling to keep his eyes open, seemingly exhausted by the dinner and toast. Emma jumped up and gave Mrs. Saunders a friendly hug. She was determined to win Jack's mother over eventually. Mrs. Saunders returned the affection and Emma bent to give Mr. Saunders a kiss on the cheek. He beamed up at her, and waved as Jack's assistant, Rachel, wheeled his chair away. The table watched quietly as they disappeared around a perfectly manicured hedge and into the deepening night.
"I think we'll hit the hay too," my dad said as he pushed his chair out. He stood and shook Jack's hand before giving Emma a kiss. Mom gave them both a hug, her eyes bright. Her baby girl was getting married, and she was so incredibly proud and excited. She kissed my head as she walked past. I watched my parents walk hand and hand down the stone path, still very much in love. I hoped to find a love like theirs someday.
"I think that leaves just us young-uns," Jack's little brother said with a grin. "Bring on the tequila!"
"Sorry, Robbie, I have an early morning," Jack said. "Technically so do you, but since you just have to stand there and look pretty, it shouldn't be too hard." He leaned back in his chair, in no obvious hurry to get anywhere.
"What about the amazing bachelor party I have planned?" Robbie asked with mock seriousness.
Jack grimaced and Emma laughed. From what I had heard, the New York bachelor party had been a crazy enough party for Jack. He wouldn't say exactly what they did, but he had refused to drink anything besides water and Gatorade for a week.
"What about you, Kaylee?" Owen asked. He said my name slowly, as though he liked the way it felt on his lips. To be honest, I liked the way it sounded coming out of his mouth, but I was not about to do anything to encourage him.
I shrugged. "I'll probably have an early night. We have a busy day tomorrow."
Owen nodded, his blue eyes intent on mine. "Perhaps I can interest you in a drink before you go?"
I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. I wanted to say no, but it was as if he was hypnotizing me to say yes. The way he held his body, his eyes catching mine and the seductive tone of voice, it was all incredibly hard to say no to. No wonder the guy was a marketing VP.
"Count me in!" Robbie said with a smirk before I could actually answer. Owen gave him a sideways glare. The spell was broken.
"You oversold it. Even I was tempted," Jack said, finishing his drink. Owen gave him a dirty look to match the one he had shot Robbie.
"If I wasn't marrying this handsome man tomorrow, I would have been all over that," Emma said and smiled sweetly at him. Owen raised his hands in defeat. It was easy to tell that his method of picking up women was a known thing among the four of them.
"Fine, too obvious. Question still stands though Kaylee. Would you like to get a drink?" Owen asked, his smile hopeful. I had to nip this in the bud before he could try that hypnotizing look again. Girls probably fell for him left and right with that smolder.
"Sorry, no. I've sworn off men for a little while," I said. I did not want to get burned by a man like I did last time. "Especially men who buy me drinks."
Possibly forever, I thought.
Owen tipped his chin down and gave me the biggest blue puppy eyes I have ever seen. I'm not sure quite how he did it, but it took a lot of willpower not to give in. When he started to tremble his lower lip, I almost caved, but then Jack started to laugh.
"Oh Kaylee, I think he likes you! He never does the puppy thing unless he's desperate," Jack just barely manage
d to say before he began to laugh. He and Emma were both snorting into their wine at the pathetic face Owen was making.
"You guys are seriously ruining my mojo. This works every time." Owen glared at the happy couple, sparing an angry glance for Robbie, who was cracking up in the corner.
"I think I'm going to go to bed," I said, knowing full well those blue eyes would get me if I stayed. I needed to avoid men for a little while for my own good. Owen smiled up at me as I stood from the table.
"Would you like me to join you?" he asked. He practically oozed charm. It wasn't a bad thing. In fact, it was rather nice to be so obviously desired, but I had no interest in a random hookup. I wasn't looking for a good time, and I certainly wasn't looking for a relationship. Not that he was even offering the latter.
"You are persistent! Thanks, but no thanks," I said, shaking my head. I gave Emma a hug and Jack surprised me with a hug from him. I was liking Jack more and more.
"You sure? I give excellent back rubs," Owen tried again. I knew he was just playing so I pretended to think about it, holding a finger up to my lips.
"Hmm... nope."
"Break my heart!" he cried, falling back into his chair as though I had wounded him. He grinned and gave me a wink as I made sure I had my room key. Robbie came around the table and gave me a big bear hug, practically lifting me off the floor.
"Have a great night, Kaylee," Robbie said with a grin before turning to Owen and adding, "and that's how you do it."
"Well, if that's how it's done," Owen said, rising gracefully. He stepped close to me and my heart started pounding in my chest for no apparent reason. I had told myself I wasn't going to give into him, and I was going to stick by it, no matter how much he made my insides heat.
"Have a wonderful night, Kaylee. Dream sweet," he whispered as he wrapped me up in his arms. For one glorious second, I let myself imagine being his. My body ached to be touched, to be wrapped up with his. His cologne was masculine but not overpowering, his arms strong and confident around me. I honestly didn't want him to let go, but he released me before it could even be considered awkward. I hoped I wasn't blushing too noticeably.
"You all have a good night," I managed to stutter before heading down the stone pathway off the porch. I stepped into the twilight, feeling the warm tropical evening surround me. The waves shushed in the distance and night insects sang in the bushes while the stars twinkled above. It was something that I would have typically enjoyed, but right then, all I could think about was how good Owen had smelled.
Chapter 2
I watched as my dad walked my little sister down the aisle. Or rather, down the beach we had made into an aisle. Dad kissed her softly before reluctantly letting go. Jack grinned like the happiest person in the world as she stepped toward him.
Emma was stunning. She wore a flowing white dress that billowed slightly in the breeze and was just formal enough for a wedding, but casual enough that it screamed Emma. Her long dark hair was half up in a complicated series of braids. and the rest blew softly in the gentle wind. She chose not to go with a veil, instead having tiny white flowers that matched her bouquet sprinkled throughout the dark braids. She looked like something out of a fairytale which, considering the man she was marrying, was appropriate.
She handed me her flowers and turned to face Jack. Everything about her was glowing. Her happiness was infectious. I couldn't have wiped the smile off my face if I tried. The minister began in a deep voice, the audience sitting with rapt attention. My mother kept dotting her eyes, tears of joy spilling down her face.
"Do you, Emma LaRue, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, for better or for worse, for as long as you both shall live?"
Emma's voice shook slightly as she answered, "I do." I knew she was happy, her entire being vibrating with joy. Jack grinned as she promised herself to him, a boyish enthusiasm radiating out from him in waves.
I really liked Jack. I hadn't gotten to spend much time with him up until now, as he was often busy with the job of heading a major oil company. The transition of leadership from the elderly Daniel Saunders leading the company to the younger Jack Saunders had been stressful, but he seemed to overflow with confidence now. Emma and I had discussed how swamped he had been, and how that meant she didn't get to see him as much as she would have liked. She had been overjoyed when the transition period ended and he was able to leave work every night to be with her.
The fact that Jack adored my little sister made him a good guy in my book. Every time she walked into the room, his eyes followed her, gleaming with love, and that told me that he was head over heels for her. I loved the way she smiled and lit up whenever they were together. The money was an added bonus, but I knew she would have loved him even if he had been broke.
Jack slid a ring on her finger, the light catching on a massive diamond that cast a bright fire across the entire crowd. It was fitting, because their love burned like a fire that cast happiness across everyone they met.
Still, I hoped she wasn't going swimming later because with that rock on her hand, she would drown. Owen put the ring box back into his pocket and caught my eye. We made eye contact and he grinned at me. My skin went hot, and I looked back at the ring, flustered.
I had dreamed about him all night. Dream sweet, he had said, and sweet dreams I had. I tried to pay attention to the rest of the ceremony, but I could feel Owen's eyes on me. And why not? I thought. Jack's assistant had picked out a great dress for me, a strapless coral-colored dress. She had contacted a tailor out in Iowa to measure me and modify the dress to hug all my contours. I couldn't believe how good it looked on me, the color accenting my dark hair and the cut making me look like a supermodel.
I wanted to look back up at Owen, but I knew if I did, I would blush. The man was too charming for his own good. Why is it this hard to just ignore a man? I thought. I was lost in thought for a moment as Jack recited his vows.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife! You may kiss the bride!"
Everyone let out a cheer as Jack leaned forward and kissed Emma. I let out a whoop and raised my bouquet to the sky, genuinely happy for my little sister. The cameras flashed and clicked as the two of them broke apart, grins plastered on their faces. Jack grabbed her hand, and together they took off down the aisle, the rest of the bridal party following at a more sedate pace.
Owen met me at the center point and offered his arm. I took it, and he grinned as he walked me down the aisle. His arm felt strong against mine, his muscles flexed as he escorted me back toward the resort. I wondered if the rest of his body would feel as nice under me.
Stop it, I thought. I had promised myself no men for a while, and no matter how good Owen looked in a suit or how much he flirted with me, I wasn't about to give in. I braced myself for the inevitable flirting that I knew I would endure as soon as the ceremony was over.
Chapter 3
As the guests filed their way to the reception area, Owen continued to walk with me toward the head table. When we reached it, he pulled my chair out without a word. I smiled and nodded at him. "Thank you, sir."
"You're welcome, ma'am," he replied, a warm smile on his face. He turned and walked to his chair, waiting for the rest of the party to begin.
I smiled to myself. His overt sexuality hadn't worked, so now he had decided to be a gentleman. I'm onto your little games, Mr. Parker, I thought to myself. I had to admit though, it was cute.
The bride and groom stood at the entrance to the outdoor reception area, thanking each guest who came in. Jack had invited a lot more people than Emma had, and my parents still hadn't arrived at their table. I looked for someone to talk to and suddenly found myself looking in Owen's direction. He was looking right at me, smiling. I blushed and looked away quickly. It couldn't hurt to talk to him just a little bit...
Suddenly, the DJ's voice came over the speakers. Supposedly they had flown him in from New York as well, so I expected to g
et some dancing in later. "Alright, let's get this party started! Can I get the bride and groom on the dance floor for their first dance as a married couple?"
I watched as my sister and her husband walked to the middle of the dance floor and embrace each other as a slow song started. Both Jack and Emma were usually talented dancers, but as the music played, they just hugged each other tightly and danced as if they really had been married for a while now, instead of only a day. Their long, confusing courtship was finally over and they were able to move on with their lives.
About halfway through the song, a tired looking Daniel Saunders wheeled his way onto the dance floor. Whispers were exchanged between father and son, and Jack steadied the older man's wheelchair as Emma helped him to his feet. Emma held him delicately as they shuffled along to the music, the elderly Saunders doing his best to keep up with the slow beat but unable to shuffle fast enough. Jack stood nearby with the wheelchair, dutifully waiting for his father to finish, a sad smile on his face. Emma hugged the frail man tightly, and I saw tears in the eyes of several of the guests as they watched the man struggle.
As the song ended, Jack brought the wheelchair to Daniel. The DJ spoke up then. "Can we get all the rest of the fathers out there to dance with their daughters?" My dad moved his way out to the dance floor, but Daniel held on tightly to Emma. He leaned on his wheelchair and whispered something to Jack. Jack frowned slightly, but I saw the fire in Daniel's eyes flare up as he made a demand of some sort. Jack nodded and went to a nearby table.
There sat Rachel, Jack's personal assistant. The elderly Mr. Saunders had groomed her since joining the company to be the billionaire's right hand man. It seemed to me that she probably had the most tears on her face of everyone at the wedding. Jack extended his hand to her and she accepted it.