by Claire Adams
She kept her hands in her lap and stared at the table as if it were covered in worms.
Parker looked in my direction, and I froze. He waved me over. I took a breath and headed out there to get this over and done with.
I plastered on the best smile I could muster even though I wanted nothing more than to flee the room and the scent of Rachel’s cloying designer perfume.
“Good morning, guys,” I said, coming up to their table. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
Parker smiled up at me. “Rachel hasn’t ever been here, so I thought I would introduce her to your fantastic menu.”
“That’s too kind,” I said. God, I wanted to throw up with all the sweetness on my tongue.
Tony brought over two menus and gave me a look. I clenched my jaw at him and he got the hint.
I slid into the booth across from them. “It’s cute that you two sit on the same side of the booth,” I said innocently. It was downright weird.
Parker kicked me from under the table and gave me a look that said, “Leave it alone.”
I complied.
“So, Rachel, tell me about the proposal,” I said, trying to change the subject.
Her face lit up more than I’d ever seen it do before. She never turned down the opportunity to be the center of attention—at least that’s what I’d gathered from the limited times I’d been around her. Taking her in small doses was the only way I could handle the gold-digger.
“Well, Parker got this table outside for dinner, but I immediately switched it because—hello!—my hair. It’s way too windy by the pier. Anyway, we had the most expensive bottle of champagne in the place, which tasted a little too fruity at first, but then after a glass, I got used to it. Though, I wouldn’t recommend getting that one again. Unless we were with my friends or something and needed to impress them. So, after that, we went out on the pier. Parker told me that you were the one to pick out the white roses. I mean, I wouldn’t expect you to know that red roses are more appropriate…. But then we went out on the pier, and the twinkly lights were so cute! Then he dropped down on one knee and proposed.” She thrust her left hand in my direction and I had to sit back against the cushion.
The ring was the largest I’d ever seen in real life.
I was light-headed from her speech. She barely took a breath in between sentences. And how did Parker not see what a brat he was marrying? She had complained about everything, but with a smile on her face. I glanced at Parker, and his eyes were only for her. I must have been the strange one if I was the only one who could see right through her. But I knew I wasn’t.
“Wow, that’s beautiful,” I said.
“I know, right?” Rachel giggled. “Parker really knows what I like.”
Tony was staring at us from the kitchen and without either of them seeing he twirled his finger close to his head in a “crazy” gesture.
I slid out from the booth. “Let me make you something.”
“Are you sure you can’t sit for a little longer?” Parker asked.
“I really should finish my prep work,” I said, needing to be as far away from them as possible before I showed them how I really felt.
I took their order—well, Parker’s order. Rachel wanted two hard-boiled eggs and a water. That was more of a side than a meal, but I didn’t push it. I supposed with all the money he was spending on rings and not-the-correct-color roses, she made up for that by not ordering real food.
Parker must have thought I was some sort of heifer the way I ate when we were together. It made sense that she looked that way, but I’d rather shave a few years off my life and put a few pounds on my body than not enjoy good food and drinks.
“Coming right up,” I said.
I pushed through the kitchen doors and Tony pounced on me. “You’re letting your best friend marry that girl?”
I brushed passed him. “That’s his decision, not mine.”
“Sienna,” Tony said, lowering his voice. “He’s your best friend. You have to tell him he’s making a big mistake. She may be hot, but she’s just as big of a brat as you described, if not worse.”
“He’s a grown man, Tony,” I said, cracking two eggs onto the grill for Parker. “Will you please do something useful and put two slices of rye in the toaster?”
Tony did as I asked. “I’ll drop it—”
“I’d like that,” I said, interrupting him. Heat whipped through my body. I tried to ignore the feeling, but I continued to dwell on how wrong Parker and Rachel were together. And now I had someone agreeing with me.
Tony came to my side and I glanced over at him. “I’ll drop it if you think she won’t hurt Parker. I know you, Sienna. You don’t make friends with people who aren’t worth it. Parker is worth it to you, and you should tell him how much of a mistake he’s making.”
“It won’t make a difference,” I said. “He made his decision.”
“Bullshit,” Tony said.
I glared at him and grabbed the spatula from where I’d thrown it before. He didn’t flinch, but this wasn’t the time for playful spatula smacking. I scooped the eggs from the grill and plated them. The toast popped up, and I smeared a layer of butter on it. I grabbed more than enough bacon from the other side of the grill that was keeping the crunchy slices warm and added them to the plate.
Tony put two hard-boiled eggs in a bowl and handed them to me.
I started for the door then turned to face him. “I’ll think about what you said.” Then I left the kitchen.
I pasted on a smile once more and went to their table. They were deep in conversation and I could see Rachel pushing Parker’s hand away from her under the table. My stomach lurched. Wouldn’t someone who wanted to marry my best friend not mind him touching her?
I shook the thoughts away. It was none of my business. I was biased, as far as Parker was concerned. Of course, I wanted the best for him, but he was able to make that decision for himself, right?
“Here is your meal,” I said, putting the food in front of them. “Is there anything else I can do for you?”
“Actually, yes,” Rachel said, pursing her bright red lips.
“Anything.”
“I’m going to take a vacation for the next two weeks, and I wanted to ask if you would help Parker with some of the planning while I’m gone.”
What bride took a vacation before her wedding? And she didn’t work, anyway. “A vacation.”
“Yes.”
My gaze darted between them. “A vacation from…?”
“Sienna would love to help,” Parker said quickly.
His eyes widened in a “shut up” expression.
I sighed. “Sure, I’ll help out in any way I can.”
Rachel clapped her hands together. “Great. Thanks so much.”
I left the table and them to their meal.
On the way back to the kitchen, I couldn’t wrap my mind about what Rachel had said. She was leaving Parker to do all of the planning, yet she had been the one to force him to move up the wedding. That didn’t sit right with me. My throat tightened thinking of what Parker was getting himself into. I already knew she was a gold-digger, but how was it not obvious to him, especially now? There was no other explanation than she didn’t give a shit about this wedding and she just wanted the formality taken care of before she could live the lifestyle she always dreamed. Heat flashed behind my eyes. I should say something, but was it too late?
Two other customers came into the diner, so I focused on making them their meals. I felt Tony’s gaze on me each time he entered the kitchen, but he knew not to push me about this. At least not until I figured out what I was going to do.
After finishing up with the new customers, I went out to Parker’s table. It took all of my strength not to fling myself across the table and strangle Rachel. She had dollar signs in her eyes and couldn’t see the amazing man she had sitting next to her.
I cleaned up their plates. “Hope your meal was good,” I spoke mostly to Parker. I wasn’t sure
there were varying degrees of hard-boiled eggs, but she didn’t complain, so I supposed I’d pleased the queen.
“It was, thanks.”
Parker had a running tab at Sunny Daes, so I didn’t bother giving him a check. He did slip a fifty dollar bill into my hands before he kissed my cheek.
“I’ll be in touch soon about the planning,” he said.
“Okay,” I said, unable to take my eyes off Rachel.
She scooted out of the booth and stood up, smoothing down her flowing skirt. “Have fun, you two. I’m sure you’ll do great.” She leaned closer to me and gave me air kisses on each cheek then walked past me.
Was this chick for real?
I must have had a look on my face because Parker squeezed my arm. “Be nice.”
I looked up at him. “I’m always nice.”
Rachel stood by the door and cleared her throat. Parker jogged over to her and held the door. She exited the diner, and he quickly turned around and flipped me off with a wide grin on his face.
I matched his grin. Even though I knew Rachel was bad news, my best friend was, unfortunately, blissfully unaware of it.
Chapter Seven
Parker
The traffic getting to the airport was horrendous. Rachel had chosen a midday flight. I wished she would have let me handle the reservations. The best times to travel were either really early in the morning or after rush hour. It was something I told her a bunch of times, but for some reason, it never stuck with her. She decided to go with a time that was convenient for her and the rest of the people within a fifty-mile radius.
Rachel’s text tone went off for the hundredth time since we got into the car.
“Ophelia is already there,” she whined.
“I can’t move all of these cars, Rachel,” I said a little annoyed. Without having a job, her outlook on life was a little skewed.
“Well, can you get off at the next exit and take back roads or something?”
“No, I can’t. This is the most direct route. Can you turn off the ringer on your phone? I need to concentrate, okay?”
Rachel pouted her red lips.
I reached for her hand and she moved hers away. “I’m sorry, this is stressful. And with all the plans for the wedding, my mind is a little jumbled right now.”
“Well, I’m stressed too. I’m leaving this all to you, and I have no idea what sort of wedding I’m coming back to.”
She also didn’t need to be leaving at this critical time in planning. We had to secure the vendors as soon as possible so we’d actually have food and music at our wedding. “It will be fine. I’ll let you know all the decisions I make, so it will be like you were there.” Although I still wasn’t sure why she wouldn’t be there. I understood bachelorette parties, but not weeks before the wedding when the actual reception and ceremony hadn’t been planned yet. And Rachel called this a ‘vacation,’ so I assumed I’d be footing the bill for her actual bachelorette party too. I didn’t mind spending money on her; in fact, it was the only time she ever seemed happy was when I gave her my credit card. And if I could see her smiling, I’d give her all of my money. She deserved it.
“I hope we’re not going to be late for the flight,” Rachel murmured.
“That’s why I wanted to leave early. We should be there in plenty of time.”
“We better be, or else you’re going to have to pay fees for us to switch.”
I bit my tongue and concentrated on the road.
If I thought the highway was bad, the people weaving in and out of the terminal drop offs was like participating in some crazy driving obstacle course.
“Right there,” Rachel pointed out the window.
“Yes, I know,” I said glancing over at the sign for the airline. “I need to get over there first.”
“I see her!” Rachel said excitedly. She clapped her hands together a few times with glee.
I managed to make it to the curb without incident. I popped the trunk and got out of the car to get Rachel’s bags. I rolled them to the curb for her.
I looked around, but she wasn’t by the car. Her door was wide open, and I found her closer to the entrance of the airport, hugging Ophelia. I brought the bags to her.
“This is going to be sooo much fun, maid of honor!” Rachel had referred to Ophelia with her official title since the day after the proposal.
I greeted Ophelia and she gave me a quick, terse smile. I had some idea how Sienna felt when faced with Rachel. Ophelia was a tough nut to crack. She was permanently single and not supportive of Rachel in any relationship. I supposed she wanted them to be single together, but that wasn’t going to happen.
“We should go,” Ophelia said. “We’re already cutting it close.”
I moved Rachel’s bags closer to her. “I guess I’ll see you in two weeks.”
She grabbed the handles of the bag. “Thanks for dropping me off. Bye!”
“Wait,” I said reaching for her.
She raced off toward Ophelia without a kiss or a hug.
Okay….
I watched her get safely inside, somewhat stunned that she didn’t even bother to show any affection. Though we were late; she was probably worried about missing her flight.
I needed a distraction from that morning. The traffic back to Key Largo wasn’t that bad, but I was still wired. I wanted to reassure myself that I had made the right choice by letting Rachel go on vacation with her best friend. So, I cleared the rest of my day for wedding planning. And I was going to take Sienna with me.
I went over to her place and rang the doorbell. Once again, it took several rings before she got to the door.
“Oh my god! Enough!” she said from inside.
She whipped open the door. Her eyes were bleary and she wore another tank top, but this time her tattoos were covered by long pajama pants.
“Haven’t you ever heard of a phone?” she asked.
“I texted you.”
“And I didn’t respond. That doesn’t mean come over; it means I want to be left alone.” She groaned and turned around, heading for her kitchen.
“It is the middle of the afternoon.”
“Yeah, well I get up a four in the morning to go to work.”
“Did you close early?”
She opened the refrigerator and pulled out a pitcher of tea. “No, Tony is running it this afternoon. I didn’t sleep well last night.”
“How come?”
“No reason. You want some?”
I nodded. I sat at the breakfast bar and sipped on the tea she offered. “I was thinking that today we should look for dresses.”
“Shouldn’t Rachel be around for that?”
“No, a dress for you,” I said, smirking.
She rolled her eyes. “Today? I don’t want to.”
“Come on, what else do you have to do?”
She leaned over the counter. “Literally, anything else.”
I knew she hated to get dressed up, which was why I made her do it when I could. And this was the perfect opportunity to see her squirm and complain about it. At least that would put a smile on my face.
“Once we get it over with, you won’t have to see another dress until the wedding.”
She thought this over for a moment. “You promise?”
“I cross my heart.”
She finished off her tea and placed the glass on the surface between us. “Fine, give me a minute to change.”
She sulked off to her bedroom, and I had to hold back my laughter. I was going to enjoy milking this day for all I could.
After fueling Sienna with more caffeine, we went to a shop that Rachel had suggested. While Rachel had already chosen a color and style of dress for her bridesmaids, I was given the choice to get Sienna whatever I wanted since she was technically on my side of the wedding party. Which meant I would give Sienna the final decision. It was going to be hard enough to explain a female best man; at least if she was wearing something she was comfortable with then she wouldn’t seem so again
st the assignment.
She pulled a black gown with long sleeves from the rack.
“That looks like something you’d wear to a funeral,” I said.
Her eyebrows lifted as she considered the dress.
I knew something snappy and sarcastic was going to come out of her mouth, so I preempted that with a choice for another dress.
“How about this one?” It was a pale pink dress.
“I’m not wearing pink.”
My diversion worked. We managed to agree on three dresses for her to try on. She went with all black, but nothing funeral-like. She said it was to match my tux and not detract from the bride. I agreed to the compromise.
The individual dressing rooms were in the back, and I sat down on one of the chairs outside. The doors were just over half the size of the room which allowed for me to see her from the shoulders up. It was a strange set-up. Sienna wasn’t that short, but I could imagine taller women exposing more of themselves while changing. Though I supposed it wouldn’t normally be an issue since men wouldn’t typically be in the dressing room of a woman’s bridal shop.
Sienna closed the door and then pulled her hair up and tied it back with an elastic. “I really hate this.”
“Oh, suck it up; it’s just one day.”
She threw me a look. “Are you sure I can’t wear a tux? That idea is sounding really good right about now.”
“Just try on the dress.”
She curled her lip then turned around. She lifted her shirt over her head, exposing her bare shoulders. She slid her bra straps off and moved her arm to hang the shirt and bra on the hook.
I swallowed, unable to take my eyes off her.
Her jeans crumpled to the floor. She kicked them off her feet and stood there with her back to me. My mind filled in the blanks that the door created. Sienna had an amazing body; I’d seen enough of it in the past—that’s how good of friends we were—but she hadn’t ever been this naked in front of me. Even though I couldn’t see the details, I could imagine exactly what I’d be seeing if the door weren’t there.