That got my attention. “Bite your tongue, Micah Bryant. You have no idea how miserable that shit actually is. Jasper is constantly stressed out, and the show isn’t even about him.”
“I was kidding. Just watching it from afar looked completely miserable.” His expression changed, and the teasing left his tone, unfortunately. “It will all be over tomorrow. You just have to get through the rehearsal dinner tonight and then the wedding.”
“I don’t know how I got suckered into being a groomsman. I’m just a body filling a suit.”
“A hot body filling a suit.” Micah waggled his eyebrows suggestively. “Just make sure to clean under your nails tonight, farm boy.”
“You too. You’re the one playing the violin during the ceremony. At least I just have to stand there. But you’re right; it’ll be over soon enough.” Relief cut through me at the thought, followed by a shot of pain.
We’d been friends so long I was unable to get anything past Micah. “Harrison is a stunning man, Adrian. Not to mention he’s Harrison Getty. You need to quit beating yourself up for being attracted to him. You’re not trying to lure him away from Will or anything.”
“Shut your mouth. Someone will hear.” I glared at him, before glancing around to check.
He just laughed. “Did I tell you? The show asked me to wear a hidden wire, this is being live streamed, and now the entire world knows you have the hots for Harrison, just like everyone else.”
I kept glaring. “You don’t.”
Micah shrugged, unconcerned at my accusation. “I have Connor.”
“Yeah, I know. You and everyone else.”
“What?” His head cocked. “Who else has Connor?”
“No, not like that. I just mean, you have… your someone. Nearly everyone in the town has their someone.” Andre flitted through my mind. “Or had.”
“Oh, Adrian. I’m sorry.” I hated the pity in his voice. “I wish I’d never given you those journals and letters. I don’t think they’re helping you.”
They weren’t, but I wanted to change our depressing tone. “Whatever. You’re only the weirdo who started reading old love letters and diaries hidden all over your house.” I tried to infuse some humor. “At least you weren’t actually related to the town freaks like I am.”
Humor hadn’t worked, and Micah scrunched up his nose. “Don’t call them that. I’ve kind of fallen in love with Alex and Alan.”
I had too. And though I didn’t want Micah to feel guilty, it was one more thing at fault, one more puzzle piece that had led to try dating Jasper in the first place. Making me want things that I’d never wanted before. I sniffed and was suddenly aware my eyes were stinging. Oh, hell no. I shook my head, trying to clear it. “Holy fuck, Bryant. You’re killing me. What the hell are you trying to do? I gotta be on point for the damn rehearsal tonight, and even more on point for the fucking wedding and camera crew tomorrow.”
He grinned again. “There he is, the anti-Cupid himself. I knew he was in there somewhere.”
He sure was. Alive and kicking after all. Though I needed to stuff him back down for at least another couple of days. No need to ruin the vibe for Will and Harrison’s wedding. Or for Jasper.
I turned my attention back to the glasshouse, took another breath of salt and soil, trying to push the rest of reality away. “So I’m thinking, we get as much dynamite as we can, the type with TNT and ACME painted on the side, stick it all under the foundations, and blow the fucker up. We can broadcast it on YouTube. That’s the only kind of fame I want from now on.”
“Yeah?” Thankfully, Micah rose to the occasion. “Think we can get Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner to do a cameo while we’re at it?”
“Why not?” I shrugged and made a sweeping motion encompassing Micah’s body. “We’ll put you in a pair of overalls and call you a sexy Elmer Fudd.”
The network had rented out the Blue Blossom Bed-and-Breakfast for the rehearsal dinner. Though they hadn’t filmed as we’d practiced at the Epstein mansion, they’d taken lots of still photographs to incorporate later on. Even as we filled the restaurant and bar portion of the Victorian hotel, a photographer continued to make vulture circles around the wedding party with his camera while we ate. With my luck he was capturing oh so sexy shots of me cramming too-large portions of prime rib into my mouth.
Jasper was stiff beside me. Though he attempted to be his normal, cheerful self, it was clear something was bothering him. And it didn’t take much to guess why. If I was reading Harrison correctly, Jasper and I weren’t the only two who were miserable. Though, like his brother, Harrison was all smiles and bright eyes. Still, he looked tired and worn-out. Impossibly, almost unattractively so.
One more example of what love does. Takes one of the most beautiful men in the world and sucks the youth right out of him.
Maybe that was just my anti-Cupid nature coming back.
And not that Harrison was the most beautiful man in the world.
Even if he was.
I cut another large portion of prime rib, dipped it into a tablespoon portion of creamed horseradish, and stuffed it in my mouth. The horseradish burn was exquisite. And oddly welcome, causing my eyes to sting. With an attempted breath, I choked, and some of the horseradish went up my nose, making me choke harder.
Across the table, Kimberly Epstein sneered at me. I was certain I was proving what she already thought about the Riveras, especially the farmer Rivera.
True to form, Jasper turned his genuinely concerned gaze on me and slipped a hand on my back, ready to pound if needed. “Are you okay?”
I nodded and managed to swallow, sucking in a gulp of fresh air, which only caused the horseradish to burn brighter. I grabbed the wineglass in front of me and chugged.
That helped.
I gave Jasper an apologetic wince. “Sorry. Too much horseradish.”
“You think?” He laughed softly and smiled. “Too bad they aren’t videoing this. You would’ve had a cute moment for the blooper reel.”
I glanced around for the photographer, certain he’d gotten photographic evidence at the very least. For a second, I couldn’t locate him, then spotted him at the bar. I pointed him out to Jasper. “Check that out.”
Jasper twisted around to look toward the ornately carved Victorian bar that took up the far wall of the restaurant. Behind it, the gorgeous and seemingly ageless Italian sex god, Seth Marino, flirted openly with the photographer. Though he was one of Will’s groomsmen, he still played his role behind his bar.
“I bet you double or nothing, within ten minutes, there’ll be no more pictures taken, and one less bartender present.”
Jasper laughed again and was still smiling when he looked back at me. “Do you think I’m an idiot? I know all about Seth. That’s a bet I would definitely lose.”
I couldn’t help but be surprised. “Really? You and Seth? I didn’t know about that.”
“Oh, come on.” Despite the soft candlelight filling the space, Jasper’s blush was visible. “Don’t act like Seth hasn’t tried you out too. Isn’t that kind of his gig?”
That it was. One he was very, very good at. “Come to think of it. If Seth plays his cards correctly, or plays his bedroom skills correctly, he might get his own spinoff reality series. They could call it Lavender Shores Libations and Lust.” I nearly brought up Micah’s series idea from earlier in the day.
Things had felt so easy between Jasper and me for the past few moments that I was taken aback when he didn’t laugh. “I think there’ll be plenty of spinoffs the way it is.”
For a second, I didn’t catch his meaning, and then I glanced toward Harrison. “Really? More?”
“I shouldn’t have said anything. That can’t get out.”
I leveled a stare at him. “Jasper, you know I won’t repeat anything you say.”
“I know. Sorry.” He relaxed somewhat. “Harrison mentioned it a week or so ago. There might be a couple more shows with him and Will.”
I glanced quickly
again at Harrison who was whispering in Will’s ear, then refocused on Jasper. “Is that what your brother wants?”
“He says it is, if that’s what Will and the network want.” Jasper didn’t even try to make it sound convincing. We both knew better. Anybody seeing the strain Harrison was under would know better. Jasper cleared his throat. “Speaking of—Harrison and Will aren’t sleeping together tonight. I guess following some traditional wedding superstition. I know we’d talked about driving over to the wedding together tomorrow, but I think it might need to be just Harrison and me. That okay?”
“Of course it is. I’ll meet you boys at the Epstein cathedral… er… I mean home.”
“Stop it. They’ll hear.” Jasper darted a glanced toward Kimberly and John at the other side of the table, then smiled back. “Besides, I’ve seen the Rivera home. It’s hardly a shack.”
“And my mother thanks you for noticing and probably would spit in your eye for daring to compare her house to Kimberly’s.” I glanced over his shoulder, then pointed. “And look at that—Seth and the photographer seem to be missing. What a mystery.”
Five
Harrison
The sun streaming through the bedroom window stung my eyes as I woke.
The sun! I sat up quickly, panic spiking in my veins as I realized how much I’d overslept. I blinked repeatedly, trying to make sense of my surroundings. Then it came back to me.
Jasper’s apartment. I was in the guest bedroom at Jasper’s. I relaxed somewhat, then reached across the bed to snag my cell from the bedside table. It was nearly ten in the morning. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d slept in so late. Or the last time I’d slept an entire night through, for that matter.
That was thanks to Jasper. He’d insisted I take sleeping pills before bed. I could definitely feel the fog of the medication hangover, but it had been the right call. I was actually rested. A few cups of coffee would chase away the lingering effects of the sleeping pills.
As the digital numbers on my phone flipped to ten o’clock, I noticed several messages waiting from Will. I flicked them open.
The first was a photo of a cup of coffee with a note in Will’s slanted scrawl beside it.
Morning, stud. I’m excited to become your husband today. Love you.
Oh my God. I’d been thinking about rest and caffeine. Maybe I was feeling the pills’ effects more than I realized. How was the wedding not the first thing that entered my head? And I’d slept too late. I did a few calculations. The wedding didn’t start till four thirty. Though we were supposed to report to John and Kimberly’s mansion by noon, enough time for makeup and getting ready for the live filming.
Okay, so not that late. I was fine.
There were two other messages from Will.
I started to get worried when I didn’t hear from you, so I called Jasper. He told me you were still sleeping. Glad you’re getting some rest. Don’t sleep too long.
The next one was from about thirty minutes later.
Hope you get up soon. Remember to get a good workout in this morning. I know we’ll be in our tuxes, but still, every bit helps. Let me know when you’re up. Don’t sleep too long.
How was I going to get a good workout in? I’d been using the personal gym at Will’s house. Er… our house. I guess good old-fashioned push-ups and sit-ups it was. Maybe a quick run on the beach.
The thought sliced through me.
Those pills really were fucking with my brain. If I tried to run, my knee would swell up the size of a cantaloupe, and I wouldn’t just limp through the wedding, I’d have to be carried through it.
Shaking it off, I texted Will back. Awake, about to do a bunch of push-ups. I won’t let you down.
I almost hit Send and then reread the text. That was going to be the first thing I said to my husband on our wedding day? Will had sent me a coffee and a handwritten note.
I didn’t have a coffee yet or a pen or paper handy. I considered doing the push-ups first to make the selfie better, but figured he was already stressing about me sleeping too long. I opened the camera, put it on selfie mode and threw off the covers before holding the camera in a sultry angle, then changed my mind. Probably wouldn’t be what he wanted right then. It wasn’t exactly wedding morning worthy either. Readjusting, I pulled the covers back up and took a photo that indicated I was just waking up, making sure to get the empty side of the bed in the frame. I glared at the image. I might feel a little more rested, but I didn’t look it. Tweaking the settings, I washed out my features in an attempt to get rid of the dark circles. It worked, mostly, the image had a dreamy glow to it.
I tapped out a message to send with the photo.
Morning, love. I’m awake. Looking forward to waking up beside my husband tomorrow morning. See you at your folks soon. Got a few hundred push-ups to do before then. I love you too.
There, that was wedding morning worthy. I hit Send.
Wedding morning. At the thought, my heart began to pound like I’d just chugged six shots of espresso.
Okay, none of that. Not helpful.
I shoved my nerves aside as I removed the sheets again and lowered myself to the floor and began a frantic pace of alternating forty push-ups with forty sit-ups. By the time I was finished, my muscles burned, I’d lost track of how many sets I’d done, sweat drenched my body, and my brain was nearly clear. Thank God for endorphins.
With half an hour to spare, I stepped out of the guest room, showered and ready to go. Jasper was in the living room, reading a book on the couch. He smiled up at me as he put the book on the coffee table. “Good morning, soon-to-be Mr. Harrison Epstein. There’s a triple-shot latte from Pete waiting for you in the kitchen, though you’ll probably need to nuke it.” He stood and walked toward me. “I’m glad you got some sleep.” His eyes narrowed as he studied my face. “Did you get sleep?”
“Yeah. The pills were a good idea. Though apparently, they didn’t do much for the bags under my eyes. That’s what makeup is for.” I accepted his quick hug and headed toward the latte. “And caffeine.” I started to put the cup in the microwave, then decided I didn’t care. It didn’t need to be hot; it just needed to be in my veins. “We should head over soon if we’re going to be there on time. You ready?”
“I am. Are you?”
And there went the pounding of my heart again at that question. I lifted the cup and grinned. “Thanks to you.”
Jasper hesitated and then joined me in the kitchen, going directly to the refrigerator. “I’m not sure if this was the right thing to do or not. I don’t want to make you mad at me on your wedding day, but….” He opened the refrigerator door, leaned in, and when he turned back around, he had a clear plastic container in each hand. “Before I went to Lavender Leaves, I stopped by Lavender Petals.” He placed the containers on the counter between us.
My heart lurched and began to race in a completely different way. There was a boutonniere in each.
“I kind of did a compromise. For the Japanese iris, I kept its natural purple color.” Jasper’s words were hurried like he was afraid he’d made an error. “The other one, I had Sapphire paint gold. I’m pretty sure she thought I was insane. And I can’t completely disagree. I still think it’s too large and will seem like you have something fuzzy crawling out of your chest, but that’s up to you.” He paused and waited for me to look up from the flowers. “Whichever one you choose, you’ll have Mom with you today. Either the bearded iris, which was her favorite, or the Japanese, which was her favorite color.”
My throat constricted.
“You don’t have to decide. We’ll take both of them. You can pick later.” Jasper hurried away like he was trying to escape. “Drink your coffee. I have my bag packed in the other room. I’ll get it and we can go.”
I stared at my reflection in the mirror. Despite all the makeup I looked like shit. In my defense, after the seemingly endless photo session, no other human would be holding up either, although Will seemed to be doing just fine. And eve
ryone else in his family—despite very few of the women being able to pull off their golden dresses. So not a good color for most people’s skin tones. However, surprisingly, Will’s sister, Erica, had looked rather beautiful in it.
I readjusted my own golden tie and glared into the mirror. This was ridiculous. I needed to pull myself together. It was my wedding day. I was marrying Will Epstein. The man I loved. I was becoming Harrison Epstein. Not even Harrison Getty-Epstein. Will had wanted me to take his last name. At the time, it hadn’t been a big deal. It wasn’t as if my father’s last name meant anything now. He didn’t count me as his son anymore, so what did it matter?
My gaze dropped to the two boutonnieres on the marble bathroom counter. But Getty was also my mother’s name, my brother’s name.
What was in a name? It didn’t matter. And it showed Will that I loved him. That I chose him. That I was building my life around him.
The boutonnieres continued to hold my attention. One purple but the wrong iris, the other, Mom’s iris but the wrong color.
My God, that color. It was everywhere. I’d noticed it the many times Will and I had been at his parents’ house in the past, but now with the golden wedding all around, it was suffocating. And the flowers. All arrangements dripping from baskets of gold. Of course, they’d chosen the yellow alyssum flower for all of them. Not exactly the right golden hue, but it had the correct name—literally baskets of gold. Alyssums had never been my favorite flower, no matter what the color. But they were everywhere.
Jasper’s intention had been pure, sweet, and completely Jasper. And I could see what he was thinking. He’d taken my concerns into account. With the Japanese iris, it would be small, understated, which would help it be less noticeable as it broke Will’s and my wedding color. While the correct flower would match the chosen palette.
But both were wrong. Neither would please Will, the Epstein family, or the network. And neither captured Mom.
There was knocking somewhere, maybe it was time to go. I looked back up at my face in the mirror. I couldn’t pick a flower. It was too much. Too wrong, and too much.
The Glasshouse (Lavender Shores Book 6) Page 5