by Natasha Boyd
“Nope.” His lips spread into a slow smile punctuated by his dimple. “I have the perfect solution.”
Twenty-One
Jack, his parents, and I sat at the small dining table I’d put in the glassed-in “Carolina room.” It was my favorite place to eat, since it had a lovely view of the ocean.
Charlotte dished up the pasta. Jack brought the wine and a glass of water for me to the table. I swore he was moving at a snail’s pace.
“Jack,” I whined. “Are you going to tell me your solution?” Even though I had an excellent idea what it was.
“I was thinking ...” He sat down next to me, set the water in front of my place setting, and took my hand. “I was thinking, it might be a good time now.” He looked meaningfully at my belly.
Jack’s parents looked back and forth between us, presumably trying to work out why Jack was being so cryptic.
“Oh!” Charlotte covered her mouth and her eyes grew round.
“What am I missing?” asked Jeff.
Charlotte burst into tears.
“Oh my God, Mum.” Jack let my hand go and pushed back from the table so he could go to her. “Dramatic much?”
“Can someone tell me what’s going on?” asked Jeff.
“I’m pregnant.” I blew out a breath. “Wow, I don’t think I’ve said that out loud before now.” A chuckle escaped me. “I’m pregnant! It’s early though.”
“Shh.” Jack soothed his mother. “It’s still early. Keri Ann’s due to have her first ultra sound check up next week. But we think she’s probably a month or less?”
Charlotte got to her feet to come around and hug me.
I rose and embraced her.
“Congratulations.” Jeff grinned. “Brilliant news.”
Charlotte pulled back and wiped her eyes. “Look at me, I’m a mess. I’m just so happy. But I can’t believe I have to keep it to myself for two more months.”
“So you know about the three month rule?” Jack asked.
“Of course. I feel sure it will be fine, it’s just early on in the pregnancy there’s a much higher risk of things going wrong.”
Jack paled.
“It’s okay, Jack. You knew this.” I frowned.
“I know but Mum saying it just freaked me out again.”
“I didn’t mean anything by that. I shouldn’t have said anything,” Charlotte said, her face lined with worry. “It’s going to be fine. So do you know what’s going on with the development at this stage?”
I started to nod, then shook my head because I didn’t really know. “We ordered What to Expect When You’re Expecting but it hasn’t arrived yet.”
“Great, so you’ll be able to get an idea of what’s going on week by week. Anyway, it’s rare that things would go wrong,” she continued and patted Jack’s hand. “Women are quite sturdy and resilient. And so are babies. Don’t worry.”
“I’m calling Joey back,” said Jack and grabbed his phone.
“Jack. Sit down, the pasta is getting cold.” His mother proceeded to dish out the meal. “You can call after lunch. Gosh, this is exciting news.”
“Mum,” Jack said, exasperated.
“Jack,” Charlotte returned, her eyes boring into his.
I giggled.
Charlotte caught my gaze and rolled her eyes with a grin and a shake of her head. “Motherhood. It’s forever.”
Jack grunted and sat back down.
“Wine?” Jeff asked him.
“Sure. Thanks,” he grouched, then turned to me. “But you feel okay, right? You’d tell me if something felt weird.”
“I feel weird every second of the day. Trust me. But yes, if something feels wrong I’ll let you know.”
“What about all the vomiting? Like, is that bad for the baby? Damn it, why didn’t I ask Dr. Berry that?”
Charlotte finished adding to her own plate and sat down. “Not unless she’s not getting nutrients. But making sure to take prenatal vitamins should help with that.”
“We got some from Dr. Berry,” I told her then leaned toward Jack and kissed his cheek. “It’s fine, Jack.”
He swallowed and nodded, his cheeks flushing. “Sorry.” He blew out a breath and reached for his glass, taking a sip. “I never knew I’d feel this way. Elated and terrified. I feel like the enormity of it just hit me. Like right now.”
“You’re both ready for this,” Jeff said quietly. ”You can do it. One of the most important ingredients is love and security, and you two have that in spades.” He looked at Jack. “I know I’m not your father, Jack, but as you’ve pointed out, I’ve known you a long time. I’ve watched you grow from a boy to a man. And I can only say I find the person you have become to be awe-inspiring. You are hard-working, loyal, respectful, unbelievably talented, and successful. And you have the utmost taste in life partners.” He winked at me, then raised his glass. “It’s not my place to be proud of you, Jack, but I am. And your future child, or children if you are so blessed, will be the luckiest souls on earth to have parents like you and Keri Ann.”
Charlotte, moved to tears again raised her glass. “I’ll drink to that.”
“Thank you,” said Jack, his voiced oddly choked. “And you are more of a father than I’ve ever known. I’m honored to have you be proud of me. Thank you for being in our lives. I feel sure my ability to succeed was largely due to the loving environment and stability you provided my mother and me after our rocky beginning.”
My throat ached, and my nose burned. “You guys are killing me.” I half sobbed and half laughed. “You can’t do this to an already emotional pregnant person. It’s not fair.” The nausea was starting too. I shoved a twirled up forkful of spaghetti in my mouth and chewed.
“I say we don’t talk about the baby again until you’ve passed the first trimester,” Charlotte suggested.
“Sounds like a plan,” Jeff agreed. “This is delicious by the way.”
“So how’s Jazz doing?” Charlotte asked. “That sounded pretty awful back there. Jack filled us in briefly while you were still on the phone with her.”
I nodded. “She’s so upset. But with good reason. When we were trying to organize Nicole’s wedding, we had to twist arms and agree to pay extra for everyone to be able to pull it off with such short notice. Especially as it’s so close to Thanksgiving.”
“But surely the bride has to eat all that cost. So to speak.”
“Except that Jazz paid the deposits using the operating capital of the inn. Jack’s investment money.”
Charlotte’s mouth dropped open.
Jeff blew out a breath. “Oh crikey. That’s a bit of a problem.”
“I know,” I said, shaking my head and looking at Jack, who was smiling.
Smiling.
“What is wrong with you?” I asked. “My friend is freaking out about how she let you down, and you’re sitting here smiling about it. It may mean nothing to you, Mr. Money Bags, but that was a hell of a lot of money. And Jazz always pays her debts. She and Joey are going to kill themselves paying you back.” I finished on a squeak to dead silence around the table as everyone stared at me. “What? Seriously, what?”
I looked back at Jack, his smile dropped somewhat. But he certainly didn’t look put out.
“No,” I told him sternly. “Don’t even think about it.”
“Come on,” he pleaded with me and scooted his chair closer, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. “It makes the most sense. It’s like fate stepped in and handed this to us.”
Jack’s parents looked confused.
“What are you talking about?” Charlotte asked.
“I’ve asked Keri Ann to marry me next week,” Jack answered, giving me an apologetic look.
Charlotte gasped and her smile stretched wide—clearly excited at the prospect. Then she glanced at me and cleared her throat. “Well, yes, that is fast.”
“You think?” I squeaked and elbowed Jack softly in the ribs.
“Okay. Hear me out, then decide.” He held up a fi
nger. “The longer we wait the more chance people will find out and crash it. The late notice will ensure it stays small. The most important people in our lives are here. Except maybe my friend Nick, and Katie my assistant as well as some of the other people I work closely with, who will probably try and make it if they can. And my friend Max in England.”
Jack paused, watching me carefully.
“Go on,” I muttered.
He grinned and held up a third finger. “If anyone does catch wind and asks around, the wedding that’s booked is for Nicole and David, not Jack and Keri Ann.”
I conceded begrudgingly he did have a point, but I kept my mouth pursed.
“The vendors are all already booked thanks to the ingenuity and tenacity of you and Jazz. Including the decorations.”
“Feathers,” I grumbled.
“Feathers.” Jack shrugged. “You’ll get to be the one who gets married at her childhood home. No offense to Nicole, but not some stranger with a douchey husband-to-be.”
Charlotte and I glanced at each other and cringed. Poor Nicole. I couldn’t imagine how she must be feeling. I didn’t know the details of her break up with David, but if she knew her mother was stiffing us for the wedding deposits too, she must be an absolute wreck.
I didn’t feel right taking her wedding. Not at all. “This could jinx our marriage. What if her wedding was bad luck, and now we’ll get all that bad ju ju?”
“What if her wedding didn’t happen because fate meant to provide us with this opportunity?” Jack insisted.
“At Nicole’s emotional expense?” I shook my head.
Charlotte took my hand. “Forgive me getting involved. In the end Nicole will be grateful she had a lucky escape. And what if her soul mate is still out there somewhere and this was fate’s way of giving everyone a chance? Nicole? You and Jack? Even David.”
I sat back and exhaled. “But ... but it’s so fast. So soon.”
I glanced at Jack and almost missed the look of hurt that flashed through his eyes.
“Not too soon to marry you,” I said quickly. “I ... I just thought I’d have time to dream and plan.”
“Well, what ideas have you had over the years?” Charlotte asked. “We’re all here. We can help. We can make anything happen, I feel sure of it. I know you won’t have the perfect dress at such short notice—”
I chuckled. “I don’t care about that stuff. I’d marry Jack wearing jeans. But ...” I shrugged. “Maybe I just thought I’d have time to enjoy being engaged. Appreciate what an awesome step this is. Take the time to think about my favorite cake flavor, my favorite flowers ...” Trailing off, I looked up to see Jack watching me, understanding in his eyes. “Think about Jack’s favorite cake flavor—”
“Chocolate,” he said instantly with a wink. “Though that cake we had at the engagement party was amazing. Let’s have that one.”
“I picked that flavor with Nicole. I even said to Jazz I’d want the same one.” I laughed, remembering. “Maybe I think I need time to pick silly things like a wedding cake flavor, but I picked it already. Or the menu, I like everything we picked. Huh ...” I trailed off realizing what Jack had already realized. “White flowers, check. Oyster roast on the beach? Check.” I looked at Jack.
Emotions burning through his gaze—wonder, excitement, love, hope. “And most importantly, getting to marry you. You’re right, Jack. We should just do it. This is perfect. Your parents are here. My oldest friends are all here. I guess when you make the commitment to spend the rest of your life with someone, it seems a bit ridiculous to wait even a second more.”
Jack grabbed my face and planted his lips on mine for a long, thorough kiss. Which wasn’t easy given we were both smiling and leaning across the corner of a wooden table. I held his hands against my face for a moment, then let go, wrapped my hands around him. Within moments he’d hauled me into his lap and buried his face in my hair. We embraced tightly. My heart felt full, my belly swirling with excitement.
Jeff cleared his throat. ”Well, that’s settled then.”
I pulled back and locked eyes with Jack.
“We’re really doing this.” His voice was gruff.
I nodded and bit my lip to contain my incessant smiling. My chest felt like it was rapidly expanding. “We’re really doing this. I can’t wait to marry you, Jack.”
He kissed me again, then we drew apart, and I went back to my seat. Though as soon as my hand was on the table, Jack held it.
A quick glance at Charlotte saw her wiping away tears as Jeff kissed her forehead.
“Let’s call Jazz,” I said. “Before everything gets canceled.”
Twenty-Two
Jazz answered on the third ring. “Hello,” she intoned woodenly.
I winked at my fiancé who sat next to me on the couch with the phone “on speaker” between us.
“What if I told you the wedding is not off?” I asked.
There was a beat of silence. “It very much is off,” said Jazz. “Not only have I had Nicole here crying for three days, but after what I’ve heard, I wouldn’t let her marry that guy even if he begged and pleaded. Did you know she found a nude picture of one of her original bridesmaids on his phone?”
My mouth dropped open in shock.
“I say original bridesmaid,” Jazz continued, “because obviously she nixed that big wedding idea when she tried to move it to Butler Cove from New York. But I digress. Do you know what he said to her?”
“Who? David?” I asked, trying to follow my best friend’s rant.
Jack rolled his eyes and shook his head.
Sorry, I mouthed, apologizing for not being able to talk about our wedding yet.
“Yes, David. He admitted to having an affair with Nicole’s bridesmaid for the last six months. And he asked her to get over it because, wait for it, it was only while they were engaged. It wasn’t like they were married yet. His words. Can you even believe the epic proportions of assholery?”
“Oh my God, poor Nicole.”
“Yeah, so between that and this money debacle it’s been a pretty shitty couple of days. Anyway, so when I said their wedding is off, I meant it most sincerely. Their wedding will not be taking place. I will not allow it.”
“All right. Not their wedding necessarily. But a wedding. A wedding that’s already mostly paid for, right?”
“With Jack’s money!” Jazz exclaimed. “If you’re going to try and make Joey and me get married, I’m telling you it’s not going to happen.”
Well, that was an idea. “Oh, no I—”
“I owe Jack more than your brother has in student loans right now. We are not in a good place to tie the knot.”
“So not true about Joey’s loans being less than the wedding money,” I said, knowing full well Joey’s student loans were still over six figures. “But I get your point. What I’m saying is Jack and I are going to get married instead.” I sucked my lips between my teeth and waited for Jazz to process my words.
Two beats of silence, and a shared worried glance between Jack and me ensued, before Jazz let out an ear-piercing scream.
Jack and I reared back and I slammed a cushion down over the phone to muffle the sound.
“Ouch,” said Jack, grinning as he stuck a finger in his ear.
The sound under the pillow subsided and I removed the pillow.
“I guess that was a happy scream?” I asked.
“Holy shit, yes,” Jazz exclaimed. “Oh, this is perfect. Wait, am I on speaker?”
“You are,” said Jack.
“Jack,” Jazz jumped in immediately. “I am so sorry my rookie mistake brought us to this point. Please don’t get married to help me out of this. You have already been more generous than anyone would ever need to be. If you guys are going for it because you want to, I get it. I’m ecstatic.”
“So my eardrums are still telling me,” Jack responded.
“Ha. But please don’t rush into it just because I messed up so bad. You deserve your own wedding, not someo
ne else’s.”
“Jazz,” I interjected. “Three days ago Jack asked me to marry him next week. At first I wasn’t sure. But now we’re thinking maybe this was all meant to be. Besides, a lot of the wedding decisions were yours and mine. So I’d have probably made the same ones if we’d been planning mine from the get go.”
There was silence on the phone followed by a muffled sound.
I frowned. “Jazz? Are you okay?”
“No.” Her voice came out in a soft wail. “I’m not okay. My best friend is getting married next week.” She sniffed. “This is ... amazing news. I ... I ... I’m so happy.” Her voice trailed off into a full-blown sob.
I smiled apologetically at Jack and took the phone, taking it off speaker and holding it to my ear as Jazz continued crying.
“I’m s-sorry. I never cry.”
“I know.”
“I’m just so ... it’s been a wild few days. And I’m just so ... happy for you.”
“Shh. It’s all right,” I soothed and headed up toward the bedroom. “Do you think Nicole will be upset we’re taking over her wedding?”
“No, I’m sure she’ll be relieved actually. And honored. She adores you.”
“Well, we’re going to ask if we can still use her name for the plans. So in case any press get wind of a wedding, our names are nowhere near it. It will be business as usual except there’ll be two different people getting married on the actual day.”
“It’s genius,” said Jazz. “Honestly, doesn’t this have Nana’s handiwork all over it?”
I smiled, my heart growing warmer in my chest as I thought of my late grandmother. “Yeah,” I whispered. “It kinda does.”
“I wouldn’t put it past her to make sure you and Jack get the happy ending you deserve in your childhood home.”
“And she was probably looking out for Nicole, too,” I added, thinking it was just like Nana to adopt someone into our fold. I’d had a feeling Nicole and I would become friends, I hadn’t realized just how entwined our lives would become in mere days.
“Okay,” said Jazz, her voice resuming her usual no nonsense tone. “Let’s talk about those feathers. Yay or nay?”