Roses & Champagne Kisses

by Stacy Eaton

  Roan grinned like a fool and kissed me once more. “Alright, I’ll let you go home and rest. Be careful leaving tonight, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  As Roan walked out the door, I stared at his shoulders and realized that I needed to find a way to tell him this wasn’t going to work. I couldn’t keep my mouth shut and not tell him, and I didn’t want to see his disappointment in me in his eyes. I’d seen enough of that to last me a lifetime.

  Chapter 30

  Roan

  Something was on her mind, and it wasn’t just about us. She was hiding something. I saw it in her eyes and felt it in the way she held herself distant from me.

  She had one more day to keep it to herself, and then we were going to talk, and she was going to tell me what was on her mind.

  For now, I let it go. She did look exhausted, and I knew what was planned for tomorrow, and how busy she and the rest of the employees were going to be. I winced as I walked across the parking lot. She was an employee, not the owner, but a paid employee—not that it mattered to me, I couldn’t care less if she worked in the kitchen as the dishwasher.

  I had faith that we would figure it all out.

  “How is Finley?” Rye asked as I reached my SUV.

  “She’s tired, but good. I found her pouring over the final details of your shindig.”

  “She deserves a raise,” Rye joked, “just for having to put up with Autumn.”

  “I already suggested as much to Robin. Are you ready to go back to my place and party up your last night of bachelorhood?”

  “Party up?” he laughed as we climbed inside. “I guess I’m old. I just want to take a hot shower, drink a few beers, and get a good night’s sleep.”

  “You think you’ll be able to sleep?”

  He grinned my way. “Like a baby.”

  * * *

  “You know how you’re not supposed to see the bride before she walks down the aisle?” Rye asked as he joined me in the kitchen the next morning looking fresh and not in the least bit nervous.

  “Yeah.”

  “I wish that went for talking, too. The woman has already called me three times and texted me, like, a dozen.”

  I laughed, “That’s what the rest of your life is going to be, man. You sure you’re up to it?”

  “Stop with that shit,” he growled.

  “Whoa—” I held up my hands. “I’m joking.”

  “You’re an idiot.”

  “Look who’s talking,” I quipped back. “What did your darling wife-to-be want?”

  “To remind me what time to be there, that I needed to wear matching socks, and to not forget the rings or the marriage certificate.”

  “In other words, she didn’t want anything.”

  “Nope.” He grinned and then sighed, “It’s hard to believe I’m getting married today. I never thought I would.”

  “I didn’t either, but if this is really what you want, then I’m on your side. You know I got your back.”

  “Yeah, I do. Am I making the right decision?”

  I pushed a cup of coffee across the counter to him that I’d just poured. “Rye, only you know that. You and I might be twins, but we learned a long time ago that we don’t think or act alike.”

  “Word.” He lifted his cup in agreement.

  “So only you know what’s in that thick skull of yours or inside your heart.”

  He stared at the back window for a few seconds. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.” After a few moments of silence, he turned to me, “So what are you going to do about Finley?”

  “Talk to her, for starters.”

  “You serious about this girl?”

  “Yeah, I think I am, Rye. There’s something about her. I love her spunk and her drive, but I love her modesty, too.”

  “And the sex rocks; that’s not a bad thing.”

  I laughed. “No, that’s not.”

  * * *

  Three hours later, we were at the church. Rye and I had already done our pictures with the other groomsmen, which included Wade, and now we were holed up in a back room waiting.

  I pulled a flask out of my breast pocket and poured a little whiskey into two glasses. “Last chance, brother.”

  He took the glass I offered, and for a long moment, we stared at one another. I saw uncertainty in his eyes, a looming fear. Was that because of the unknown or because of something else?

  Finally, he blinked and grinned the cocky grin that mirrored mine in so many ways. “I’m good.”

  “Alright, if you say so.”

  “Have you seen your lady this morning?”

  “Finley? No, I don’t think she’s here.”

  “Yeah, she is. I saw her when we arrived. She brought the tray of snacks a little while ago.”

  “Where was I?”

  “Don’t know, maybe that’s when you were in the bathroom.”

  “I’m glad she’s here. I’ll catch up with her after the ceremony.”

  “You can go find her now, if you want. I’m fine. In fact, I could use a moment.”

  “Alright, shoot me a text if you need something. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

  I wandered through the church and heard hushed voices down a hallway so I headed toward them. As I came around the corner, I slammed into someone and instinctually reached out to the person.

  “Roan!”

  “Finley, I was looking for you.” I lifted my head to movement down the hallway and saw Autumn in her wedding dress talking to a man I didn’t know.

  “Did you need something?” she said breathlessly.

  “I didn’t know you were here. I just wanted to say hello, but give me a minute, will you?” I winked at her and then approached Autumn who was wiping under one eye as if she were crying.

  “Are you alright?”

  “Yes, I’m fine.”

  I held my hand out to the man who looked thoroughly uncomfortable. “I’m Roan Waterman, and you are?”

  “Tom Smithfield, I’m an attorney for her family. I came back to wish her the best.” He nodded at Autumn briskly and fled as quickly and arrogantly as he could.

  “Tom!” Autumn called, but he kept going.

  “You sure you’re alright, Autumn? Did he say something to upset you?”

  “No.” She twirled away, and I got whacked with the train of her dress.

  “If he didn’t say anything to upset you, why were you crying?”

  She sighed and rolled her eyes. “If you must know, Tom and I are old friends, and he was sharing an old memory with me. It was nostalgic and I got a tear in my eye. It was no big deal.”

  “Alright.” I nodded to the three women who stood off to the side adjusting hair and makeup while they watched us. “Ladies, it’s nice to see you again. Autumn, do you need anything else?”

  “No, just for this to be over.” The words were low as she spoke.

  “Well, you look beautiful.” I kissed her cheek.

  “Thank you, Roan.” She looked wistful for a moment. “I wish it had been you.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “I mean, I wish your brother spoke such nice things to me like you do.”

  I laughed a little uncomfortably. “Well, if he doesn’t say you look beautiful today, you let me know and I’ll kick his ass.” Her return smile was sad, which I found a little unnerving.

  I turned to leave, expecting Finley to be waiting, but the hallway was empty. I searched a few more hallways and rooms but didn’t find her. I even asked Robin if she’d seen her, but she told me she had just arrived and hadn’t seen her yet.

  Without seeing Finley again, I headed back to the room in which Rye waited. He was standing in front of a window staring out.

  “I saw Autumn, she looks beautiful.”

  He glanced back at me, “I’m sure she does.” He turned back to the window. “People are starting to arrive.”

  “Yep,” I glanced at my watch, “and in twenty minutes, you will be standing at the altar preparing to say your vows.”
>
  I wasn’t sure, but I thought he repeated the twenty minutes out loud. He tossed back the rest of the whiskey in his glass. A minute later, our parents walked into the room, and for a few minutes, we all talked.

  Someone came to the door and announced that it was time for the parents to get seated and for us to line up. I slapped Rye on the back and headed to the sanctuary.

  Rye, Wade, a friend of Rye’s named Simon, and I made our way to the front of the church and took our places. I had to give it to my brother. He didn’t look the least bit nervous. His head was up, his shoulders back, but that little tic in his cheek from clenching his jaw gave it away.

  I leaned toward him, “Don’t lock your knees, you’ll pass out, and don’t forget to breathe.”

  “Dude, I’m not an idiot,” he replied in a whisper.

  “I just don’t want to see you embarrass yourself. It would give me so much more ammunition.”

  He laughed, and the music changed as one of the ushers escorted Autumn’s mother down the aisle. She looked even haughtier than her daughter.

  “You know you’re going to be stuck with them, too. We can still run,” I whispered.

  “That’s almost worth running for,” he joked, and I covered my mouth briefly to hide the smile.

  As the music changed once again, the flower girl, ring bearer, and bridesmaids came down the carpeted aisle, and the anticipation of seeing the bride at the door rose in the room. The music changed, and just before Autumn stepped into view, Finley peeked in from the other side of the church by an open door. She was staring at someone in the audience, then looked at Rye, and then me before her gaze went to the back row where Robin and Chris sat before landing on Autumn stepping through the door.

  If the wedding procession wasn’t just starting, I would have gone to her. Finley looked utterly in despair. What could possibly have happened to upset her that much?

  Autumn was more somber than I would have expected, and her eyes were darting wildly around the pews. Her focus landed on something, and she looked almost like she was pleading. I followed her line of sight and it landed on Tom. What the hell?

  A few more steps and she looked forward as she passed him. I tried not to frown, and when I glanced over Autumn’s head, I found Finley twisting her hands. Beside me, Rye was focused on Autumn and seemed to not have a care in the world.

  I peered over the audience and studied Tom. He was intently watching Autumn and ignoring the woman sitting by his side. Was that his wife or girlfriend? As Autumn’s father was giving Autumn away to my brother, I glanced at Finley who was staring between Rye, Tom, and Robin.

  I looked at Tom one more time, and his eyes locked with mine. He shifted in his seat and then turned his attention to the bride and groom again.

  Something wasn’t right here. I felt it, and obviously Finley knew something. Rye led Autumn up the stairs, and I had to turn and face the pastor as he greeted everyone.

  After the initial prayer, the pastor started talking about the sanctity of marriage, and I looked over my shoulder. Finley had stepped through the door and was shifting nervously back and forth, and she looked between Rye and Robin. What the hell?

  The pastor called out to the guests, “If there is anyone here who has knowledge why these two should not be joined together, come forward now, or forever hold your peace.”

  Finley winced, stared at the floor, and shook her head as she clamped her hand over her mouth. Another two seconds flew by, and the pastor began to speak.

  “Wait!”

  Chapter 31

  Finley

  I had been sick to my stomach all morning—so sick, I’d had to run to the bathroom twice to throw up from nerves—as if I were the one getting married.

  I had been torn between being here at the church or having someone else be here, but Robin told me she wanted me, so here I was. I had just left Autumn’s dressing area when Tom brushed past me with nary a glance. I slipped around the corner and tried to hear what was going on when Roan surprised me, and I jumped.

  Autumn had been begging Tom to think about something, but I didn’t know what it was. She had to be begging him to leave his wife so they could be together, or was she begging him not to say anything about the baby?

  Holy crap! When had my life turned into a soap opera?

  There was no way I could face Roan now, not until this was over. I was still torn about what I should do. I stood to the side of the church looking between all the people who were part of this. Rye had the most to lose, but so did Robin. If I didn’t say anything, I could never face Roan again, and Tom, he was a scumbag, right there with Autumn.

  The mantra, It’s not your place, it’s not your place, it’s not your place, kept repeating in my head. Keep your mouth shut, Finley Parker.

  As the pastor prayed, all I could do was ask God to guide me on this. Open my mouth, close my mouth, I shifted from foot to foot as my eyes jumped from one person to another. When the pastor asked the age-old question, I bit my lip, held my hand over my mouth, and thought I might vomit the words.

  The moment the pastor resumed, I almost shouted, but I was too late. Roan stepped out of line and came down the stairs. “Wait!”

  “What are you doing, Roan?” Rye asked, and Autumn paled.

  “I’m sorry, Rye and Pastor Gail, but there is something going on here. I can feel it, and I’m not the only one.”

  I almost passed out when Roan turned toward me. “Finley, come here.” He waved me forward, and my head started going back and forth, slow at first then faster. “Finley, come here, I need to speak with you.”

  “Roan, what the hell are you doing?” Rye shouted and then I think he apologized to the pastor for his language, but I was so focused on Roan barreling toward me. I had backed myself up against the wall and wanted to turn to find the door, but he had his eyes locked on mine.

  Before I could get up the courage, he was in front of me. “Finley, you know something. I know something is wrong, you have to tell me.”

  “I can’t,” I squeaked.

  Roan turned toward the pulpit. “Excuse me for just a moment.”

  “Roan! Get back here or I’m going to do this without you,” Rye shouted.

  “Give me a minute, Rye.” He snagged my hand and pulled me from the room. “Talk,” he said to me the minute we were alone.

  “I can’t, Roan.”

  “Yes, you can. If you know something about my brother or something that you think he needs to know, then you need to tell me.”

  “Autumn is pregnant, and it’s not Rye’s.”

  “What?” He took a step back. “How do you know that?”

  “I overheard her at an event in Middletown that I was working. She was talking to that guy, Tom; he’s the father.”

  “You’re serious? You overheard this?”

  I nodded.

  “You weren’t going to say anything?”

  “Roan, it wasn’t my place to. I’m just an employee. I’m supposed to keep my mouth shut and do my job. I was worried that if I said something that it would hurt Robin’s business.”

  “But you were going to let Rye marry a woman that was cheating on him?” I swallowed in response and he frowned. “We’ll talk about that later. Right now, we have a wedding to stop.” He took hold of my hand and pulled me toward the door.

  “I can’t go back in there.”

  “Yes, you can. Now that I know, I need backup on this. I knew that something was wrong. Come on, you’re going to help me save my brother.”

  “Roan, please don’t make me go up there,” I whimpered, but he pulled me behind him. To avoid more embarrassment, I followed obediently, my head down.

  “What’s going on?” Rye asked as we approached the front of the church.

  “Why don’t we take this off to the side?” Roan suggested.

  “No! How dare you and this servant interrupt my wedding!”

  “She is not a servant, Autumn.”

  “Her job is to serve people, th
at makes her a servant.”

  Roan hissed up the stairs at her, “No, that makes her an employee. Let’s take this off to the side.”

  “No, if she has some stupid reason to stop this wedding, then she can embarrass herself in front of everyone.”

  “I don’t think you want to do that, Autumn.”

  Rye took a step toward Roan, and I wasn’t sure if it was because he was coming to our side or if he was going to punch his brother.

  Instead of hitting his brother, he got into his face. “This better be good, bro, or we have problems.”

  “Autumn has been cheating on you, Rye. She’s pregnant.”

  Rye shuffled back a step, and the two of them stared at one another for a moment. He turned to look at Autumn, then at her stomach.

  He turned on the ball of one foot, almost military-like and barked, “You’re pregnant?”

  Autumn paled to the point that she was the same color as her very expensive gown, then her cheeks began to grow red. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Please—” Rye said and turned to me. “Finley, what do you know about this?”

  I began to shake my head, and Rye grasped my shoulders. “Finley, if you know this information, I need you to tell me how you know it.”

  Around me, Autumn was crying toward her bridesmaids that she didn’t know what was going on and that I’d ruined her wedding. I’d had it.

  “I’m so sorry, Rye. I was at an event not long ago for a law office. I came down a hallway and overheard Autumn telling someone that she was pregnant, and it was his.”

  “Do you know who the guy is?”

  “Yes.” My eyes involuntarily slipped out to the audience watching with bated breath.

  “He’s here,” Roan said.

  “Who is it?” Rye asked calmly.

  Roan took hold of his brother’s arm. “You know this could be your child.”

  “Oh, no, it can’t,” Rye laughed and went up the stairs toward Autumn. “You are a piece of work. I can’t believe I put up with you for so long.”