by Mila Nicks
Gigi clutched the pill bottle, picking at the label. “We talked for a whole hour. I told him everything—how he pissed me off at the trivia game and how I feel like he’s been acting different.”
“And? What did he say?”
“He said he’s been nervous, but didn’t wanna scare me and tell me. He said he loves me and can’t wait for the wedding, but the big life changes are kinda overwhelming.”
“That seems fair. Life is going to change for you both once you’re married. Do you, uh…believe him? That was it?”
Gigi inhaled a breath. “I do. He insisted that was it. No other woman. No big reveal. But he did admit Natasia of all people has been flirting with him.”
“No surprise there. She’s been trying it with Preston too.” For the first time, at the mere thought of Natasia's grimy behavior, a genuine grimace contorted Juliette's features. Whether due to Natasia's interference with Gigi and Dom or her flirtation with Preston, she wasn’t sure. It could’ve been both. “Preston told me she’s been implying she doesn’t care who is taken. Anyone is fair game.”
“Dom’s going to talk to his dad about her, but I doubt anything’s gonna happen. The Brosman’s have employed Ty and Natasia for years now. Apparently Dom’s dad and their dad used to be friends way back when. He has a huge soft spot for them so when their dad passed—his friend—he took them both under his wing and gave them jobs. He feels sorry for Natasia if anything,” Gigi groused, arms folded. “But whatever, I love Dom and he loves me. This wedding is happening. No bird-brained wanna-be side-chick is gonna change that.”
Juliette's phone was nowhere to be found. Preston hated breaking the news when she returned on the beach. By then the afternoon fevered to its highest temperature yet, hot and sticky anywhere else but the ocean.
“You should probably report it stolen.”
She sighed and said, “You’re right. Ironic that it happened right after I vowed not to use it much this week anyway.”
“I looked everywhere. Even dug up some sand by that palm tree—figured maybe some kids were playing, making sand castles or something and it got covered.”
“It’s okay. That’s not going to ruin today. Out of sight, out of mind.”
Preston teased her with his slow grin alone. “Wanna go for a dip in the water?”
“See I’d say yes, but I’m not about that ocean life.”
“Don’t tell me you’re afraid.”
“I wasn’t exactly on the swim team in school.”
“You’ll be fine.”
“Preston,” she said, brows raised. “My water skills are a step above wearing floaties.”
That garnered a husky laugh out of him. “I’ll be with you and we’ll only go waist deep. No further.”
When she regarded him with a thin-eyed pout, he grabbed her hand and persuaded her toward the shoreline. Dozens of others rushed the waves for swimming, surfing and general rough-housing. He yearned to hear Juliette's laugh in his ears, brightening her day after the recent sore spot with her lost phone.
She held onto him as they wadded into the cool crystal blue. The water churned around them, lapping at their skin in chilling comfort. Soon she let go and raised her arms into the air to soak up the contrast between the ocean and the sun. Preston reveled in the same, diving underneath to wet the rest of himself and slick back his loose brown curls. He broke the surface to a minxish Juliette.
In the few seconds since they ventured into the waves, she’d acclimated to the water’s depth and decided it was time to play. She splashed him with water, boldly standing by rather than retreating. Shock hit Preston at the same time as the large splash of water. He processed what happened and rubbed a hand over his scruffy face. Her giggle was infectious, bursting to life and reeling him in too. He laughed and plodded toward her, closing the gap.
Juliette eased backward, inches of water between them, and spoke in a breathless giggle. “Stay there. It was a joke. But I’m serious about the water. I’m scar—Preston!”
Her scream filled the beach airwaves as Preston lunged and snatched her off her feet. His arm hooked under her thighs, picking her up and spinning her around in the water. She clung to him by the neck with eyes squeezed shut. Yelping and laughing, she lingered somewhere between tickled delight and fluttered nerves. He held her tightly though, their whirl lasting for several seconds ’til he dunked them under the waves.
They emerged again still laughing, foisting more water at each other. The bright flower behind Juliette's ear floated away, but Preston plucked it up and then stuck it between his teeth. He was grinning at her as he swam backward, his implication clear.
Juliette's jaw dropped and she sloshed him with her biggest splash yet. “Preston, give me back my flower!”
“Come get it. You see where to find it.”
“Oh, so that’s what it’s about, huh? You want a kiss?”
“It couldn’t hurt your chances.”
He waited on her as she bit her bottom lip in deliberation. The water glistened off her dark brown skin, highlighted by the orange burn of sunset. She looked the part of an ethereal mermaid, risen from the ocean’s depth to besot him with her beauty.
It worked like a charm. Transfixed by her on her approach, he thought to remove the flower only at the last second. She floated up to him and her lashes touched her cheek, drifting close for a sweet kiss on the mouth. Again in the waters he held onto her, now at the waist, and tenderness bloomed between them as they kissed lazily and softly.
His brain really was off. Kissing Juliette had that automatic effect. He’d stopped questioning what was going on between them. Clearly they were more than friends—at least while vacationing on Paradise Key. The fake engagement was the guise they operated under, using that as an excuse for increasing physical affection, but how much longer could that explanation work?
Juliette tugged lightly on his lower lip, her fingers smoothing his wet scalp. They were enveloped in each other’s arms, flush against each other with the blue surf rolling around them. Still close, mouths hovering and noses grazing, they paused to breathe and relish the moment.
His hand caressed the curve of her cheek and he brushed his lips to hers for another kiss sensuous in nature. Juliette elicited a breathy mew, sounding like carefree contentment to his ears. It seemed he wasn’t alone feeling the chemistry sparking between them.
“Preston…”
“Hmmm…”
“I feel high around you.”
“Huh?”
“I can’t explain it,” she murmured, arms looped around his neck. “But I feel a high when we’re like this. It…It feels like a spike in endorphins—or something like it. I don’t know if it’s the paradise setting or if it’s the alcohol or the wedding. It could be this attraction we’ve fessed up to—but I’m not regretting it—us going with the flow. I’ve never felt it before and I want more.”
“Me too,” he echoed. He searched for the right words, always slow on good communication. He tipped her chin slightly for another quick, gentle kiss. “What if…What if we keep things this way? I mean after. What if we…take our friendship to another level?”
Juliette drew back a little for a proper look up at him. Her eyes were big and brown. Seconds passed and the sunset reflected in her eyes as flecks of gold, the rest of the sky colored pinks and purples. He knew her well enough though to figure out her thoughts. She had launched into analyzing every possible angle, always a rational thinker.
“Okay.”
“Yeah?”
She smiled prettily, excitement washing away the over thinker expression on her face. “Yeah! We make sense don’t we? Me and you?”
“Feels like the past couple of days’ve proved that.”
Juliette tightened her arms on his neck and hugged him in celebration. He squeezed her as eagerly. They’d forgotten where they stood, waist-deep amongst the waves. On the shore, the beach party showed no signs of slowing down.
With nightfall impending, the mus
ic deafened and flames flickered on the tiki torches. Preston and Juliette wadded back toward the wet sands, their ocean games over. They wanted nothing more than to continue the evening’s festivities.
Fourth of July took a backseat to the celebrations for Giselle and Dominic. The spectacular fireworks show lit up the sky with thousands of colorful glisters in their honor. At least that was what everyone at the beach party decided. The crackles and pops sounded off in the background, music temporarily paused, as a round of toasts were dedicated to the happy couple.
Mr. and Mrs. Brosman shared a mic, trading off well wishes and words of wisdom. It was the most personality Juliette had witnessed out of either of them, who until then had both come across as characteristically stoic.
“Here’s a toast to Giselle and Dominic,” said Mr. Brosman, raising his glass. “To a long, happy, illustrious marriage and life together.”
Everyone tossed a mouthful or two back of whatever drink in hand. Preston and Juliette stood toward the front of the large crowd, and while they toasted along with the others to celebrate Gigi and Dom, they also quietly celebrated for themselves. No one else could know the truth—mere hours ago they’d made the plunge to take their relationship to the next level.
Juliette couldn’t stop smiling and giggling. It was unlike her to be so over the moon. The night she’d accepted Winston's marriage proposal, on the spot in a restaurant full of strangers, she smiled politely, said yes and gave him a measured hug and peck on the mouth. The ring was beautiful. The restaurant upscale. The witnesses enthused with cellphones out on record. But the man? The relationship?
In her heart of hearts even then, seconds into her acceptance, she’d known it was a mistake. Things between them self-destructed in a matter of weeks and she was left in a strange place between relief and remorse. Relief to ditch the baggage that was Winston. Remorse that maybe the fairytale ending Mom and Dad saw for her—that she secretly hoped for herself—was never going to happen after all.
Standing next to Preston silly and giddy gave new hope. How could she give up on love when good men like Preston existed? Even if their try at a romantic relationship failed in the end, that wouldn’t mean she should throw in the towel on a happily ever after. On the loving marriage and children she envisioned in her future.
Preston had said it earlier: he’ll show up someday.
Maybe he already had.
Juliette banished the ridiculous thought. She and Preston were going to take things a day at a time. Most of all, they agreed that their Paradise Key vacation was going to be a worry-free, blissful week. Their brains were supposed to be off.
She focused on the makeshift stage, where the family and friends traded spaces for their toast. Currently Gram had the mic, rambling about how she expected Gigi and Dom to drop her future great grand babies on her doorstep.
“You better not forget about your Gram Babes! Bring them babies over to P.A. for some smooches. I’ll give ‘em candy and cookies when you’re not looking.”
The crowd chuckled, caught up in the contagious good vibes airborne. Gigi and Dom met Gram halfway off the stage for hugs with the seventy-three-year-old. Eventually the crowd dispersed and the speakers dialed up again, blasting music loud enough to rival the fireworks.
Bit by the music bug, Preston drew her into him. His arm snaked over her waist and he clutched her hand in his. They smiled at each other, swaying on the spot to the tropical beats. She liked that about him, his penchant for silliness at the most random times. Few knew would’ve thought serious Vice Detective, known lone wolf Preston Brooker was capable of such high spirits.
“What’s tomorrow?” he rasped, holding her close.
“Tomorrow’s kind of a choose-your-own-adventure. Gigi and Dom are going to be busy finalizing a lot of the plans with the caterers and decorators.”
“How about we choose our own adventure together?”
She teased him by running a finger along the scratch of his beard. “You mean like a…date?”
“The whole day. Me and you. Exploring the island.”
“I’m there.” And then she giggled.
His head titled and he asked, “What’s so funny?”
“We’re the only two people who would get engaged before we go on a date.”
“Your parents don’t need to know that.”
“No one here does. It’s our little secret. We keep this wedding perfect for Gigi and my Dad, then we can go home and be ourselves—try to make a real relationship work.”
“Then you can finally make amends for that coffee you spilled on me.”
Disbelief widened Juliette's eyes. “I can’t believe you’re still stuck on that.”
“That’s cuz I’m still waiting on you to replace that cup of coffee.”
They were laughing and swaying, arms linked around each other, when Gigi sidled up. She had slithered through the masses dancing and drinking on the white sands. After a sneaky glance over her shoulder, she coughed much like she had earlier when she interrupted Preston and Juliette the first time.
“Gigi…” Juliette trailed off. Her brows squished together. Dom was nowhere in sight. “What’s going—”
“Can we talk?” Gigi offered Preston a feeble, apologetic smile.
Preston got the hint and let go of Juliette. “Sure. I’ll go grab more drinks. Be back in a few.”
“I’m about to shit bricks,” Gigi said as soon as Preston walked away.
Juliette didn’t bother pretending to understand. Her tone sharpened with minor irritation. “What are you stressing about now?”
“It all makes sense now—everything that’s been off!”
“Gigi—”
“Jules,” Gigi cried out in a panic, “I’m pregnant.”
For a third time in the last week, Juliette was shocked into speechlessness. The first time was Mom’s revelation about Dad’s health. The second time was last night after kissing Preston. Juliette wasn’t sure what was the most unexpected, but as with both prior instances, the third one she stared and blinked for a while.
Then finally she asked the only question that came to mind in this day and age whenever she learned of an unplanned pregnancy, the single word rolling off her tongue judgier than she wanted.
“How?!”
“I don’t know! I have an implant. It’s supposed to be over 99% effective! Figures I’d be the anomaly.”
“Are you sure? Did you take a—”
“Yes! I’ve taken three!” Gigi rummaged in her tote bag and withdrew the tests for proof.
Juliette quickly shoved Gigi’s hands back into her bag. “I believe you.”
“I threw up again after all those toasts. I kept trying to drink and it’d come right back up. Finally I couldn’t help it—I started thinking what if I was…” Gigi cut herself off, rubbing her eyes as if they hurt. “Only this would happen to me.”
“Slow down,” said Juliette. “What’s the problem? You and Dom want kids anyway, right?”
Gigi looked away guiltily, remaining silent.
“Gigi…”
“No.” The bride spotted the confusion flitter across Juliette's face and she elaborated. “I mean, Dom does, but it’s never been what I wanted. I’m not the mother type.”
“But that’s all you ever talked about—”
“I wanted to get married. I’ve never said anything about kids. I never told Mom and Dad because they put so much pressure on us about it. I always hoped you’d kind of bite the bullet first. Then they could get off my back.”
“So what are you saying? You don’t want to keep it? What does Dom think?”
Gigi cringed. “I…I don’t know if I’m gonna tell him.”
The implication put Juliette in an awkward position. On one hand she wanted to support her sister, but she also believed as her fiancé, soon-to-be-husband and father of the baby, he deserved to know.
“You think I’m wrong.” Gigi read off Juliette's expression. “You think I’m making a mistake.”
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“I didn’t say that. I just think…he should at least know. In the end, it’s always your choice no matter what.”
Gigi sighed and snapped shut her tote bag. “I need time to think. Promise me you won’t tell anyone?”
Juliette hesitantly nodded, another secret added to the pile. Gigi thanked her and then disappeared into the masses on the beach. Preston came back less than a minute later, two ice cold drinks in his hand. He picked up on something wrong right away.
“Everything alright?”
She frowned and murmured, “I wish.”
10
Growing up, there was no relationship that made Juliette smile more than Mom and Dad’s. They were who sprang to mind when she heard the word ‘soulmate’ or ‘person’ or any other label to describe the great love of one’s life. Mom and Dad had been lucky enough to find each other young, and had been growing together for thirty years.
She had heard their love story at least a hundred times. They met each other in college. Mom was a graduate student who doubled as a teaching assistant for Macroeconomics. Dad was an average student at best in that same class. He had noticed the cute T.A. with her hair in thick twists and business-like eyeglasses, who never seemed to smile. She had never noticed him, one of many in the undergraduate course. On the last day before summer, Dad glanced at his marked-down paper and decided he’d finally introduce himself.
“Hi. Thomas Lowry.”
“Mmhmm.”
The uninterested gurgle came as she busied herself packing up. Hard to deter, Dad stood his ground.
“You gave me a sixty.”
Mom had looked up at Dad with a quirked brow. “Better luck next time.”
The next time came a week later after the semester let out and Dad saw Mom siting outside a coffee shop. She was poured over books and his intrigued piqued. He walked over and asked her when was the last time she’d taken a break. At first she rebuffed his suggestion, but after a couple cups of coffee and pastries later, she realized he had potential. That potential proved to be true as from there, they began dating and the rest was history.