Mitch crosses an arm around my body and pulls me against his torso kissing my head as his brother hisses, then takes a breath.
“No, I mean, of course, she knows.” Jake keeps his voice calm and steady, but his clenched jaw remains in position. “She’s family, my new sister. Fuck, I can’t believe you married first. Asshole.” He takes a deep breath and then looks back at me. “Concentrate on Emma, got it. Sorry for… never mind.”
The doors open and we exit the elevator.
“Sorry, for what?” I ask Mitch.
He doesn’t answer me. I loosen his hold and look at him. “Sorry, for what?”
“Have I told you that you look lovely today?”
I cross my arms.
“He was about to lose his shit. As I explained to you, not many know about what he does. Most think he’s an expensive rent-a-cop. His instinct kicked in, and he wanted to silence you in some way, not that I would’ve let him.”
“If this were a real marriage, our children would be pretty crazy.” I make sure no one we know is around before I speak again. “With my crazy family and seeing that you and your brother aren’t stable—”
“Hayl,” he pulls me back to him, lowers an eyelid and winks at me. Fandoming the indefinable emotion that sparked as I told him about our children. “We’d make the most beautiful babies in the world, but you’re right, our genetic coding must never fuse. I don’t think the world is ready for that kind of awesomeness. They can barely handle me.”
“Great, you forgot to leave your ego in New York,” I say as we approach the car.
His brother Liam turns around and laughs. “She’s got your number, Mitch.” He smiles at me and pulls me into a hug. “I knew I liked you the moment you called my twin brothers ‘idiot one and idiot two.’ All these years and I never thought about it. If only I had met you before… we’d be perfect.”
“Get your paws off my wife, little brother,” Mitch takes me from Liam’s embrace and pushes him lightly. “She’s my perfect, not yours. And she’s so small; I can carry her in my pocket.”
“We’re back at mocking my petite size, Mitchel?” My voice comes out as a growl.
“Last one, I swear this time.” Mitch promises as we pile inside the truck Mitch rented yesterday.
I shake my head. He takes mocking to extremes, and I already told him how much it bothers me. I have three brothers who are almost a foot taller and get a kick out of my height.
“Ready for the big event?” Mitch asks as he notices that I’m rubbing my hands with my dress.
“I’m going to flunk this test.” I tell him, and his eyes go wide.
They’re going to bust the gig before the end of the day. Great!
As we approach the chapel, Jake fidgets with his bow tie—again. “Mitch, kidnap Emma, I’m driving with her to Vegas. I can’t do this in front of all these people.”
The parking lot of the chapel is completely full of cars, there are several people outside the church and all are dressed in what I guess is their Sunday best. Mitch ignores him, and we all head inside.
“Will you be okay?” Mitch’s tender eyes ignite those fluttery butterflies inside my body. I don’t like this.
“Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?”
“Because I’m heading to the room where it says groom and you have to go there?” I pivot to see where he’s pointing at, The Bride’s Room. I swallow hard and try to find my words.
“Will you still like me when you become Emma’s bitch?” I ask him.
“Yes,” he bends and kisses me on the lips. “Because you’ll be sharing duties with me. Stay strong, Hayley, you can do it.”
It doesn’t take long for the ceremony to start once we arrive. I walk down the aisle with Mitch holding a bouquet of yellow real touch calla lilies and roses with purple vanda orchid accents—a smaller version of what Emma’s holding.
“You look kind of pretty,” He whispers in my ear before we split, and we each go to our places.
Thank you, I mouth, and he blows me a kiss.
After us, Emma, who wears a strapless A-line skirt ivory dress, walks down escorted by her grandfathers. Mitch told me her parents died a few years ago and her sister only two years back. Said sister happens to be the infamous Chloe.
The entire ceremony is very traditional; there’s a chain of white tulle linking the pews, white calla lilies on each corner of the church and three candles symbolizing each one of the family members of hers that can’t be with her. The vows they exchange are the usual.
“I, Emma, take you, Jake, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part.”
Jake repeats exactly the same vows, the priest continues with the ceremony. Rings are exchanged, along with tears and promises of love.
I think this is what Mom and Dad would’ve liked for me.
“I now declare you husband and wife,” the preacher says. “You may kiss the bride.”
Emma and Jake kiss and everyone claps. Will my family clap when I marry for real? Of course, but before that, I need to kindly dispose of Mitch and his ego, start living like a normal person and find someone I’ll love and who will love me back.
I close my eyes for a second and take a deep breath before the procession toward the exit begins.
“What overwhelmed you?” Mitch asks once he’s next to me.
I don’t want to answer him; it’s whiney and ridiculous. “Hayl, you were fine and suddenly something cracked your world. What happened?”
“I don’t think I can do this, a big wedding.” He puts his arm around me and squeezes me. “Then there’s the thing that Mom’s still upset about last weekend yet happy because it’s you. I bet Dad is still angry, but he hasn’t said much about it because he’s too busy complaining about the mistakes I’m making with the shop and then Mel, she hoped—”
“It impresses me how they control you,” he mutters. “Your dream wedding is at the beach, and that’s where you’ll have it when you meet the right guy. Believe me, I’ll make it happen. That’ll be my gift—your wedding—I promise.”
“Somehow, I believe you, Mitch,” I say locking gazes with him. In a week, he’s been driving me insane yet I now understand why he’s one of Parker’s friends. He’s loyal and tries to make sure everyone he cares for is all right. If they’re not, he goes to lengths to make it happen. My brother is peculiar when it comes to the people he interacts with and the ones he considers friends. “Even with that ego of yours, I think I like you.”
“Does that mean you are taking me out of that black book yet?”
I shake my head not because I won’t take him out of it but that he remembers I put him in it four years ago impresses me.
“I’ll make that happen too. Then, you’ll put me on your special people book.”
“I don’t have one.”
“Then I’ll buy it,” he grins and kisses my nose. “You’re fun, Hayl. Now let’s go and join the newlyweds.”
“So I can ruin your freedom?” I smirk at him feeling triumphant as his eyebrows knit into a thick line of worry.
Chapter 21
Mitch
“We should’ve done a double wedding,” Mom says, and then hugs Hayley—for the third time today. “I love your dress. Mitch won’t like this, but you’re nothing like I imagined he’d marry, not at all flashy or extravagant.”
“Something is wrong with her, Mom,” Liam says. Hayley’s hand tenses in mine. “Wait until she realizes what she got herself into, and she’ll run away from him.”
“You’ve got yourself a Knight,” Mom cups Hayley’s face and looks down at her. “They have their faults but they are good boys. Responsible, hardworking, smart—.”
“Please don’t do that,” Hayley says. “You’re feeding that ego of his and I’m not in the mood to deal with him.”
Everyone laughs; I first glare at Hayley but her eyes
crinkle and playfully smile at me. I take the opportunity to kiss her lightly.
“I like her.” Mom repeats my thoughts aloud, hugs her again and then takes her away from me. The panic in Hayley’s ghostly green eyes beg me to do something, but there’s just so much I can do. If I push further about not letting her be alone with them, they might get suspicious.
“Mom’s right,” Liam says, I follow his gaze and find him watching Hayley, who is being introduced to everyone. “She’s not your type. What’s the catch? Our parents won’t give you anything special for catching the perfect Stepford Wife, Mitch.”
“You’ve no idea what you’re talking about little brother,” I tell him. “Looks can be deceiving but she is quite adorable.”
So adorable that I might want to keep her forever. Where the hell did that come from?
“Shall we head to the reception area?” Jake asks, pushing past us towards the garden beside the church.
Liam and I follow, we find Emma talking to her grandparents while Mom and Dad are with Hayley. Hayley’s face is beaming as she talks, her expressive hands gesturing as her mouth moves.
“They like her,” Jake points. “I’m glad Mama Bear isn’t having trouble with her. Now if you will excuse me, I’ll go and snatch my hot bride from the guests and search for an empty room to have… alone time.”
The buffet setting favors the affair; I head to check what they have on the menu and encounter several seafood dishes. What happened to the halibut?
“What are we having, Mr. Food Critic?” Hayley asks as she comes behind me.
“Let’s see, we have several trays of sushi, smoked salmon, shrimp ceviche, shrimp in some kind of cocktail sauce, a fruit tray with watermelon, grapes, strawberries and pineapples and stuffed mushrooms with some weird sauce on top—looks to me like some kind of peanut sauce. What would you like?”
“It depends,” Hayley moves her head from one side to the other as if she’s making the hardest decision of her life. “Would I like to hit the ER due to a seafood allergy or peanut allergy?”
“Peanut, always go with a peanut allergy,” I answer her stupid question, containing my growl because I’m not sure if she’s being serious or she’s making a terrible joke. “Are you seriously allergic to both?”
“Yes, and uncooked pineapple,” she responds with a casual tone, as she walks towards the cake. “I should’ve brought my EpiPen. I left it at the hotel.”
Food is out of the question, now I have to plan on escaping this affair and feed her.
While she glances at the cake, I ask, “What do you think about the cake?” I wonder if she’ll find any faults on it.
“I feel bad about it,” I place an arm around her back. “I could’ve made one at her grandparents yesterday night.”
“It’s not like you knew that you’d be here.”
“Yes, I did. My crystal ball told me that I would hang out with a drunken idiot in Vegas and end up…” She couldn’t keep her face straight and starts to laugh.
Her soft laughter ripples over me in waves of pleasure and need and without thinking, I bend to take a small taste of those lips.
“Allowed PDA,” I whisper in her ear before she says something.
“Of course,” her soft voice caresses my insides and I follow the instructions of so many great products; repeat as needed. This time I deepen the kiss, and as a result, I hear a little throaty moan.
This isn’t good, I realize that it is time to pull away, fight the inclination to touch her when she’s close or tease her until she smiles and banters back.
“There you are,” Mom and Dad approach us, reminding me that we’re being watched. Well, I gave them an honest show—nothing fake. “Their cake is good, we tried it.”
“I’m sure it is, Mrs. Knight,” Hayley tosses me a look I don’t understand. “Oh, you’re saying it because Mitch usually has an opinion about everything he doesn’t prepare?”
I position her in front of me, hold her by the waist and put my lips on top of her head. I shake my head, hoping Mom understands not to talk about cakes. I wanted a weekend free of work, no shoptalk… or Welsh drama.
“You know him well. By the way, we hope that while we’re at home you two will visit us,” Mom casually invites us to London.
“Home, as in London?” Hayley’s uncertainty is followed by a great save. “Mitch’s giving me a hand expanding the bakery. I’m not sure we’ll be able to make it anytime soon.”
“That’s nonsense, dear.” Dad is the one who is now supporting the London trip. “Everyone needs some down time, you two can take a week off and head to England. Or we can meet at the Village, in Tuscany.”
“We’ll see, Dad.”
“It’s settled.” No, it’s not I want to tell Mom, “Now you two it’s time to eat.” Mom encourages us to head to the buffet table. I don’t have a heart to tell her that my girl is allergic to everything there. The way she is, she’ll bend over backwards trying to find something edible for her new daughter. Since we don’t move, she asks me, “She eats fish, doesn’t she?”
“I’m allergic to seafood,” My parent’s eyes widen but they compose their facial expressions fast. Yes, my girl is allergic to fish, and Emma only eats fish.
“We can find you something,” Mom’s head turns from left to right, I guess searching for a waiter or perhaps the caterer to ask for something different for Hayley.
“No worries, Mom.” I use my lazy, everything is all right voice. “We had a big breakfast and we’ll get something on our way out. You enjoy the wedding.”
“Of course, you have it under control.” No, I don’t, but I’m glad she has that kind of faith in me. “Don’t forget, you two are going to London in a couple of weeks. I won’t take no for an answer.”
*
“They looked happy,” Hayley says after swallowing a bite of the hamburger. I still can’t believe she’s allergic to fish. “Four months traveling around the world sounds exciting. That’s my goal for when I’m old, go and travel. Get to know the countries Mom never wanted to visit with me. She only liked to go to the beach and ski resorts when Dad offered to pay for vacations for the two of us. While she flirted with any available man, I stayed in the pool or wherever she left me. That’s after they broke up, of course.”
“I’ll take you on a trip, wherever you want.”
She growls after I say that, she definitely can be frustrating at times. She either comes up with ridiculous excuses or makes nonsense noises.
“I don’t speak growling,” I remind her. “Are we visiting my parents in London next month?”
“You know, you are just like your mother,” she says. “You don’t understand the meaning of the word no but I bet your mom will listen to you. It’s your mission to tell her that we won’t join her, at least not me.” A frown slips under her serene face. “Ugh, you make me sound like a selfish brat. In all honesty, I can’t. This is as much Knight action as I’ll get, the rehearsal dinner and today’s wedding.”
“But we’re amazing and they like you.”
“Amazing. Your parents, yes. You and your brothers…” Her fingers drum on the table, and she shows me those hooded judgmental eyes. “Who wrestles during a wedding?” I raise my hand and blow her a kiss. “The three of you are… a bunch of goofs. No wait, your mother used the word, special, as she tried to explain your poor behavior. I personally choose, idiots but that’s my take.”
We continue eating in a peaceful silence, the hamburger joint is almost empty, as it is three o’clock in the afternoon. I study Hayley whose hair is tied back by now; she could only stand having her hair down for so long. Her profile is completely relaxed, and I’m glad to know that she is enjoying herself.
“What?” She asks. “You’re staring.”
“I like the view, Hayl,” I wipe a smudge of ketchup from her lip.
“Did I mention that I like your family, Mitch?” Her usual shoulder slump pose worries me. “I can’t anymore. If they ask me questions, I won’
t be able to lie to them. They asked plenty of questions back then that I barely was able to dodge. Like, when was our first date? I had no answer. We never formally had one. She asked that five times. Your mom is like you, a bloodhound sniffing for answers. Is everyone in the family like that?”
“Mom and Jake are the worst. Well no, I don’t let the subject drop until I get my information,” I correct. “They give you a break and circle back around.”
“How does Emma fit in?” I frown because I have no idea what she’s talking about. “She doesn’t like to bond. I tried, really tried, and she kept me away.”
“You are social?”
She nods.
“You try to make friends and she didn’t let you?”
She nods.
“Sorry, I guess. At least she asked you to be her maid of honor; that’s big in Emma’s world. She used to have a friend, one she grew up with—like Kendall but things fell apart between them. Now it’s me.”
“Maybe she thinks I’m taking her friend away,” Hayley says.
Her words go off like a light bulb. For the past few weeks, my life has circled around Hayl. I haven’t spoken much to either Jake or Emma as I usually do. Their calls and texts didn’t take a priority, and my entire focus has been Hayley.
“Did you file for the annulment, Mitch?” Whoa, where is that coming from?
“No.” She narrows her gaze at me.
“On Tuesday you had a fight with your Mom,” I remind her. Mostly her mom slammed her, and Hayley stayed quiet until I kicked her mother out of the shop—nicely. “She called you names and said we wouldn’t last more than a month. I promised you that we’d prove her wrong. Then we agreed we should stay together for at least six months.”
“That’s what happens when I don’t write things down.” She snickers. “I forgot.”
I want to ask where it’ll be, on that calendar of hers that’s like a journal or the computer where she makes notes. Or worse, her monthly notepad.
“There’s no way I’ll write this down. Someone will see it, and I’ll be doing all this for nothing. I shouldn’t have started. I know how hard it is to lie. I don’t like lying, and I’m in the middle of the biggest one of my life. You know; Liam would’ve been a great match for me. He’s serious and sensible and—”
Standing By: A Knight's Tale #2 Page 13