“I think she’s a great choice. Let’s keep the guest list to a minimum to make things simpler.”
She nodded. “Should the guests be allowed to bring a plus-one?”
“Sure. If they want to. But no more than that.” He set his fork down and swallowed the last of his coffee. “I’m going to head upstairs to finish getting dressed.” He stood and carried his plate over to the sink. “I have to go into the office today. I have a few meetings, but I’ll try to be back early.”
“That’s fine. I should go upstairs, too, and call Megan. My cell phone is in my room.” Since she was also done eating, she got up and loaded her plate and flatware into the dishwasher, along with his. She didn’t like leaving dishes in the sink.
He thanked her, and as they went upstairs together, he said, “We should use this for the wedding.”
“Use what?”
“This.” He gestured to their current whereabouts. “The stairwell. You could come down it in your dress, and I could wait for you at the bottom. I’ve seen weddings like that on TV, where they incorporate the stairs as part of the bridal walk.”
“That’s lovely. I like that idea.” She was impressed that he’d thought of it. “But if we do that, the rest of the ceremony should take place inside the house, too.”
“That makes sense. But I’d rather have the reception in the backyard. Is that okay with you?”
“Yes. An outdoor reception sounds nice. We’re going to need a color scheme. How about the colors that are in my ring?”
“That works for me. We can figure out the rest of the details and order the flowers and decorations and whatnot after I get home today. We’ll have to decide on a menu and what type of food to serve, too. I have a great caterer we can use.”
She furrowed her brow. “Will they be able to accommodate us so quickly?”
“I hope so. If not, we’ll have to find someone else.”
Suddenly Allison was getting overwhelmed with everything they had to do to prepare for the wedding. “When I was a young girl dreaming of getting married, I never imagined it happening like this.”
“Just think of how I feel,” he said, as they turned simultaneously in the direction of their rooms. “And how I never planned on getting married at all.”
Five
While Rand was at the office, Allison tried to make good use of her time. She ran some errands, then met with Megan for a late lunch. They dined together at the Royal Diner, an informal eatery with a decidedly retro vibe. The red vinyl booths and checkerboard floors reminded Allison of the old American malt shops depicted in movies. In keeping with the atmosphere, she ordered a cheeseburger, French fries and a chocolate shake. Megan chose a soup-and-salad combo.
They sat in a corner booth with no one else around. Overall, the diner was quiet. The lunch crowd was gone, and it was too early for the dinner folks.
Gazing across the table at her friend, Allison couldn’t help being enthralled with Megan. She was just about the most beautiful woman Allison had ever seen, a glamorous brunette with long wavy brown hair and big blue eyes. Megan was a socialite who owned a designer shoe company, a strong, intelligent, highly capable woman, so different from the way Rich had described her.
If Allison could be honest, she would gladly tell Megan that she was marrying Rand for her green card. Megan, of all people, would understand that after the way Rich had brought Allison to the States and humiliated her, she needed to restore her self-worth and remain in Texas on her own. But this girl-talk meeting wasn’t about the truth; it was about pretending that her marriage to Rand was the real deal.
“Thank you for agreeing to be my maid of honor,” Allison said. “It means a lot to me.”
Megan smiled. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
“I’m sorry for not giving you much notice.”
“Don’t worry about the timeline. I can handle it.” Megan skewed a forkful of lettuce. “However, to be perfectly honest, I am rather stunned that you and Rand got together. I never would’ve envisioned you two as a couple. But I think it’s wonderful, too.”
“We knew that we were going to shock people. But we’re very much in love.” Playing her part, Allison made a dreamy expression. She was supposed to be a blissful bride, after all. And sometime in the future she would be, just not with Rand.
Gorgeous, tempting, sinfully sexy Rand, she thought wistfully. If only her forbidden fantasies about him would go away.
“What colors are you using for the wedding?” Megan asked.
Trying to clear him from her mind, Allison hastily replied, “I decided on green and silver, or platinum, to be specific, to complement my ring.” The diamond flashed as she turned her hand. The emeralds glittered, too.
“It’s a gorgeous piece, absolutely dazzling on you.” Megan admired the Edwardian setting with what appeared to be a well-trained eye. No doubt she had plenty of fine jewelry of her own.
“Thank you.” Allison was still getting used to the luxurious weight of it, mindful not to snag the ring on her clothes or leave telltale threads wrapped around the prongs. “You can wear any style of dress you want in either or both of the colors.”
“Should it be formal or something in between?”
“Semiformal will do. I’m wearing a traditional gown, but it’s not a designer dress or anything like that. It’s the same one my ma married my da in. We decided on a small, private ceremony at Rand’s house, but you’re welcome to bring a guest.” Allison drank more of her milk shake. “With how we’re hurrying to get everything done, we’re trying to figure things out as quickly as we can.”
“It sounds beautiful. I’m pleased to be part of it.” Megan abandoned her salad and crumbled crackers into her soup without taking a bite. “Weddings should be joyous occasions.”
Suddenly Allison wondered what Megan’s wedding to Rich had been like. When she’d married him, she’d believed that he was Will, and now the real Will was back. Allison couldn’t fathom how Megan was handling that. Megan’s brother, Jason Phillips, was a childhood friend of Will’s. Presumably, Megan had grown up around Will, too. Was it awkward between them now? Or had they become closer, bound by the impostor case? Did Megan have feelings for Will? And how did he feel about her?
Whatever was happening between them, Allison decided not to ask. Prying into her friend’s personal business while lying about her own just didn’t seem right. For now, Allison needed to get a grip on her own emotions and figure out how to make her short-lived marriage to Rand work.
* * *
On the night before the wedding, Rand couldn’t sleep. He had a million thoughts running through his mind and most of them concerned Allison.
He glanced at the double doors that separated their rooms. He assumed his bride-to-be was still awake. A bright amber light glowed beneath the doors. He took a chance and knocked.
A click sounded, and she opened one side.
She immediately asked, “Rand? What’s going on?”
“I just wanted to have a last-minute talk.”
“Come in.” She stepped away from the open door.
Rand entered her room, the suite he’d built for his lovers. But of course Allison didn’t resemble anyone he’d ever shared a bed with before. She was attired in a modest pajama top and matching bottoms, a strong indication that she wore clothes to bed. Rand sure as fire slept naked. His lovers did, too, particularly when they crawled under the covers with him.
“How are you holding up?” he asked, pushing past his wayward thoughts.
“I’ve got the jitters.” She held out her hands to show him how unsteady they were.
In addition to her shakiness, he noticed the sparkling white polish on her fingernails. He glanced down. Her toenails glittered, as well. He assumed it was her mani/pedi in preparation for tomorrow.
“I’m nervous, too,” he said. But
he was trying to keep his anxiety inside, where it didn’t show. “I keep hoping that we didn’t forget anything.” Planning a wedding this quickly was like entering a cake-and-flowers war zone. They’d even worked through the Fourth of July holiday, missing local picnics and fireworks displays. But they would be attending a Stars and Stripes fund-raiser after the honeymoon, giving them time for a patriotic gathering later. “You seemed emotional this morning when your dress arrived, but I didn’t say anything about it.” He wasn’t even sure if he should be mentioning it now.
“When I opened the box and saw Ma’s gown, it made me sad to think I’ll be wearing it for a marriage that isn’t going to last.” She twisted her ring, turning it halfway on her finger. “But that’s my fault. I should have come up with an excuse to not wear it.”
“I’m looking forward to seeing you in it.”
She quit toying with the diamond. “You are?”
He nodded. “I like that it’s special to your family. That it has a unique history. I also like that you and I are becoming friends.” To him, there was no other way to describe the anxious bond they’d begun to share—the whirlwind that had become their wedding.
In the next bout of silence, the acknowledgment of their friendship turned a little awkward. But that didn’t stop him roaming his gaze over her, from thinking how tempting she looked in her plain and simple pajamas. It made him want to touch her, to hold her, to pull her close to him. But most of all, he wanted to kiss her.
“You know what might help us relax?” he asked.
She blinked. “No, what?”
“We should kiss. Shift,” he clarified, using the phrase she’d taught him. He needed an excuse to taste her, all the way to his harried-groom soul.
Her voice quavered when she said, “We’ve only kissed that one time, on that very first day.”
“That’s why I think we should do it now.” On the eve of their wedding, he thought, looking into the familiar greenness of each other’s eyes. “Only we should do it longer and deeper than before.” He moved forward. “Do you want to try it and see if it helps?”
“Yes.” She agreed with anticipation in her voice.
He reached for her, taking her in his arms. “How’s this for starters?”
“It’s nice, so very nice.” She went breathy. “I like how close you are to me.”
He trailed his hands down her spine. “And I like how curvy you are. Like one of those old-fashioned pinups.” Even in her proper pajamas, her body was lush and full.
“No one has ever compared me to a calendar girl.”
“You have the figure for it.” He inched lower, cupping her rear and giving her a good, stiff jolt with his zipper.
“Now you’re just being a rake.” She smiled, laughing a little.
A rake. A rakehell. A hell-raiser. With those words spinning in his mind, he took her mouth, hard and fast, making her gasp. He felt her sharp intake of breath. But he’d warned her how long and deep this was going to be.
He sparred with her tongue, creating a shock of heat and wetness. She clung to him, digging her nails into the back of his shirt. He manhandled her ass, gripping it tighter, keeping her roughly bound.
When they came up for air, it was only for a second, just enough time to dive under again, open-mouthed and carnal.
He rubbed against her, and she reacted with a moan. He liked how easily affected she was, how everything he did triggered a response. Her honey sweetness exploded inside him, and he kissed her over and over, making the most of her reactions, of his all-consuming need.
If they were lovers, he would be yanking off her pajamas by now. But she wasn’t his lover, and he needed to end this before he got carried away. He pulled his mouth from hers, and they stared mindlessly at each other.
She stumbled a few steps back. Neither of them spoke, until she bit down on her bottom lip and said, “I hope this isn’t going to sound strange, but I took an interest in you when I was still dating Rich, when I thought he was Will.”
He stumbled now, too. “How did that come about? You hadn’t even met me until the funeral.”
“I know, but since he never introduced me to anyone, I Googled some of his friends and coworkers to see who they were. And you fascinated me like no other,” she confessed. “You fit the bill for my book hero, so I started checking out your Instagram pictures and reading gossip tidbits about you online. I developed a bit of a crush on you, but I didn’t tell Rich about it. I get crushes on actors and singers, too, so I didn’t think it mattered.”
It sure as hell mattered now, Rand thought. Her sweet little crush gave him a big hard thrill. But he downplayed his reaction. “I don’t mind you modeling your book hero after me, except for the part where your heroine tames him.” He’d already told her that would never work on a guy like him, but he decided it bore repeating.
“My book is going to be fiction,” she reminded him. “Like our wedding.”
He nodded. “I should probably go now.” His hunger for her had already reached its limits. If he didn’t leave, all hell might break loose.
“Yes, you should leave.” She fidgeted with her ring again. “We both need to get some sleep.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow.” The ceremony was scheduled for early in the day, accommodating the time difference across the sea. “Dream well, Allison.”
“You, too, Rand.”
With a quick nod, he walked away. Just as he crossed the threshold into his own room, he glanced back and saw that she was watching him, like the uneasy bride she was about to become.
* * *
This was it, Rand thought. He and Allison were getting married. He stood at the bottom of the stairs garbed in a black tuxedo, a white rose boutonniere pinned to his lapel.
To keep from hyperventilating, he took a deep breath, preparing to become a husband and show the rest of the world how much he’d supposedly changed. A husband who couldn’t make love with his wife, he thought. Even with as much as he wanted Allison, he was honor bound to keep his hands to himself.
Rand couldn’t see the guests, as his back was to them. All of them, including Allison’s family on Skype, had a view of the staircase. Grandma Lottie brought her caregiver to keep her company, and Trey brought a date. Megan had chosen to come alone. But nonetheless, Rand had asked everyone to surrender their phones upon entering the wedding. He didn’t want anyone taking pictures or videos and posting them publicly before he was ready to announce it on his social media pages. Instead, he’d hired a photographer who was already snapping away, getting images that Rand could use as he saw fit. A professional videographer was filming the festivities, too.
Once the music started, Rand’s heart thudded in his chest. He’d hired a harpist to play the Celtic song Allison had chosen for the wedding music. The same harpist would be entertaining them at the outdoor reception, immediately following the ceremony.
But for now, he was fixated on his bride. She glided down the stairs in a delicate, white-lace gown. The collar was high and ruffled and the sleeves were long and sheer. She looked as fresh and lovely as a country maiden, a crown of wildflowers adorning her red hair. She wore it pinned up, with loose tendrils framing her face. He suspected that her mother was crying about now, seeing how beautiful her daughter looked.
Rand smiled at Allison, hoping to ease both of their nerves. She returned his smile and finished her descent. He took her arm and they made the turn, both of them now facing their guests. With the Celtic song still playing, they approached the justice of the peace, who waited in front of a floor-to-ceiling window, sunlight spilling in from the yard.
After the music stopped and Rand and Allison were in position, Allison handed Megan her white-rose bouquet. Nestled within the flowers was the horseshoe ornament that had been included for luck.
The vows were simple and quick to recite. Trey was in charge of the rings, and
he had them readily available. Rand placed the diamond-studded band on Allison’s finger that complemented the engagement ring he’d given her. She slipped a thick gold band on him, and he noticed that it wasn’t as plain as he’d assumed it would be. A leafy design was engraved on it. He didn’t understand the symbolism. He would ask her later when they had time alone to talk.
Soon they were prompted to kiss. After the way they’d kissed last night, slanting his mouth over hers felt as warm and natural as he’d hoped it would be. She reacted with a girlish sigh, as if their feelings for each other were real.
The kiss ended, and they faced their guests. Allison waved to her family on Skype. Her mother was definitely crying. So was her grandmother. Rand noticed that Grandma Lottie had tears in her eyes, too, and she barely knew Allison. They’d met briefly this morning, while Allison was getting ready for the ceremony. But Lottie seemed impressed with Rand’s bride, nonetheless. She’d already told Rand how “sweet” Allison was.
A knot formed in the center of his chest, knowing how downhearted all of these loving, caring people were going to be when he and Allison got divorced. Even Trey would be disappointed, and he wasn’t expecting the marriage to last.
But Rand and Allison were putting on a damned fine show.
At the reception, they smiled happily and accepted well-wishes and toasts.
During the meal, Rand took the liberty of kissing his wife in between bites. She returned his kisses, then fed him tasty morsels from her plate. He liked this part of being married. Cutting the cake was fun, too, as was licking the icing off each other’s fingers. No one could deny how hot and hungry the bride and groom were for each other.
Later, while they moved on the makeshift dance floor, swaying the way couples in love were supposed to, Rand said, “Thank you for the engraving on my ring. That was a nice surprise. But what is it and what does it mean?”
A Convenient Texas Wedding Page 7