by Ashlee Price
"Have I told you... you're my favorite child?"
I chuckle. "Too many times."
"And that you're... talented and... beautiful... and smart?"
My lower lip quivers. "I think so."
"And that I'm p... proud of you?"
My chest aches. A lump forms in my throat.
I feel Steff's hand on my shoulder.
"Yes," I force the word out of my mouth.
"Good." Dad lets out a sigh of relief. "Seems... I've said all... wanted to say."
I squeeze his hand. "Don't talk like that, Dad. You'll be fine."
To my horror, he shakes his head.
"My body... Don't know how long... go on."
"You should stop talking, Dad," I tell him as my chest threatens to burst. "You're tiring yourself out."
"I just wish..." He glances at Steff before gazing back at me. "Could have walked you..."
He stops there, but I understand what he's saying. My throat cracks as I try to hold back tears.
Dad closes his eyes. I plant a kiss on his forehead and run out of the room before the tears fall.
Steff follows me.
"Jess."
I run down the corridor.
"Jess, are you alright?" I hear Keith ask behind me, but I ignore him as well.
I keep going until I get back outside. Tears spill down my cheeks as I stare up at the sky.
"Jess." Steff stands beside me and holds my shaking hand.
"I can't believe it," I tell him. "One moment he was fine, and then..."
I shake my head as the words fail me.
Steff pulls me into his arms. I cry against his chest.
"I don't... like seeing him... like this," I tell him between sobs.
"I know." He rubs my back. "And it's okay for you not to. It's okay for you to cry."
"He's... the one person... who's always been on my side," I sputter.
"Then be grateful. You're lucky you had a father like that."
"And yet... all I've done is... make him worry."
Steff's fingers run through my hair. "That's not true. You've made him happy and proud. He said it himself."
I shake my head. "It's not enough. I want to do something for him. I want to show him how much I appreciate all he's done for me."
But how? What can I do for my father?
Then his words come back to me.
I just wish I could have walked you down the aisle.
I pull away from Steff and wipe my eyes.
I sniff. "Steff?"
"Yes?"
I stare into his blue eyes. "Do you think we can get married?"
Chapter 18
Steff
I comb my hair back in front of the bathroom mirror and apply a small mound of gel from the bottle Keith lent me to keep the strands in place. I wash my hands to get rid of the sticky substance before straightening my tie. From the glass, a pair of placid blue pools stare back at me.
Well, they look calm enough, but beneath the surface, I can barely quell the unease that's entwined with every nerve in my body.
I draw a deep breath.
Am I really getting married?
Ever since I can remember, I've known it would happen. My governesses kept talking about it. I kept hearing the maids wondering which woman from which noble family I'd end up marrying. Last I heard, all bets were on Yrena, the daughter of the Duke of Olvant, who also happens to be the sister of Osvald, my brother's attendant and best friend.
Well, Yrena isn't bad. She's beautiful and she's kind. She's not as pompous or spiteful as a lot of the other women in court. By all accounts, she's the right choice-but she's not my choice. And I've told myself I would never get tied to a woman not of my own choosing. I've told my parents on a few occasions, too.
True, Viktor was able to stomach it, and he even fell hard for Natasia. But I'm not like him. I can't do that.
When I get married, it will be to my own chosen bride on my own terms.
Or so I thought.
I grip the edges of the sink and let out a sigh.
My family and Danni would certainly freak out if they found out what I'm about to do. Why, the whole country would.
Then again, this ceremony is just a sham. Lisbeth helped us find someone to play the role of a parson, and I helped to pay him off. There are no papers to be signed. Even if there were, they wouldn't be valid since I'm not using my real name and I don't have the necessary supporting documents from my embassy.
It's all just for show, really, all for Jess's dad.
Still...
I glance at the empty finger on my hand.
This is all not real, huh?
Well, real or not, I've told Jess that I'll go along with her plan, and I intend to do just that.
How can I not, after hearing her father's wish from his own pale lips and after seeing all her tears?
A knock on the door breaks into my thoughts.
"Steff?" It's Keith. "You're still there, aren't you?"
I turn around and open the door.
"Did you think I jumped out the window?"
He glances at the window and scratches his head. "Well, I won't say you couldn't have done it."
I fold my arms over my chest. "As flattered as I am by your assessment of my physical abilities, I am not running away from your sister."
"Are you sure?" Keith's expression and tone turn serious. "I know you just got engaged recently. I also know why Jess is doing this."
He sighs.
"Seriously, that girl and her crazy ideas, which is what this is, so I wouldn't blame you if you tried to run away."
"I didn't and I won't," I assure him. "I'm here for Jess."
Keith strokes his freshly shaved chin. "Well, you did come all the way here."
He puts his arm around me.
"Come on. We better go downstairs. I'm your best man, so it's my job to make sure you're there before the bride is."
I raise my eyebrows at him. "You are?"
"Well, your brother couldn't make it from Brelv, so who else would it be?" He pauses. "But I guess you're Jess's best man now."
I narrow my eyes. "You're not going to cry, are you, Keith?"
"Me? Cry?" He laughs out loud. "Like I would do such a thing."
He pats my shoulder and walks on ahead. Then he stops again.
"You will take care of Jess, won't you?"
My eyebrows arch. Just as I thought, Keith really cares about Jess. Well, he is Jess's big brother, after all.
"You have my word." I squeeze his shoulder as I pass him by. "Let's go."
~
The front yard has been turned into a wedding venue for the ceremony. A short white carpet covered in flower petals leads from the porch steps to an arch of flowers, and baskets of fresh flowers line the sides of the walkway.
There are already people gathered-neighbors, Don and Maggie's friends, Laura's friends. Even though Jess wanted the wedding to be a relatively secret family affair, Maggie and Laura still managed to gather a small crowd.
That small crowd falls silent as I make my way to the arch. Wide, unfamiliar eyes stare at me. Then whispers erupt into the air.
I sigh.
Keith pats my shoulder. "I guess they can't believe Jess managed to hook a guy like you."
Finally, a familiar face appears in front of me.
"Steff," Lisbeth greets me. "Nice suit."
It's not as nice as the purple pinstripe one on the dark-skinned, thirty-something man she's with, but I accept the compliment graciously. "Thanks. And thanks again for all your help."
"No worries. By the way, this is Raymond." Lisbeth gestures to her companion. "He's the one officiating today."
I shake his hand. "I'm counting on you."
I glance around. "So you're her only friend who came, huh? No one from the band?"
She leans over to me and whispers in my ear. "She said that she wanted as few people as possible to know about it."
Well, it is a sham, after all.
; Keith steps up and shakes her hand. "So you're Lisbeth, huh? Thanks for watching out for Jess."
"Oh, we watch out for each other," Lisbeth says with a smile. "And I've heard so much about you."
"Really?"
I leave the two of them alone to chat and step under the arch. Raymond stands beside me.
I stare at the front porch and let out a deep breath. After a few moments, the front door opens and organ music drifts out from inside.
I inhale.
This is it. The ceremony is finally starting.
Laura comes out first in a peach dress with two kids in tow. Then Maggie in a floral dress. Finally, Jess emerges holding Don's arm, supporting him as he takes one step after another with the help of his cane.
I suppose she's walking him down the aisle instead of him walking her, but it doesn't matter. Don looks better than he has in the past few days. And he looks happy.
And Jess...
I hold my breath as I stare at her in that sleek, white dress. The boat neck emphasizes her elegant collar bones but doesn't reveal too much skin. Her knee peeks through the slit of the skirt that flows around her. The hem rustles above the carpet.
Her hair is swept up and long crystals dangle from her ears, the only piece of jewelry she has on apart from my ring. Colorful flowers bloom within some of the strands.
To think that this is just the second time I'm seeing her in a dress.
Just as I thought, it suits her better than a shirt and pants.
Jess smiles as she walks. Her rosy cheeks glow.
She's mostly looking at her dad, but when our gazes finally meet, my heart stops. A lump forms in my throat.
Who would have thought she would make such a ravishing bride?
I step forward to shake Don's hand as they approach. After Maggie leads him away, I offer Jess my arm. She hands Laura her bouquet of lilies before taking it and allowing me to lead her under the arch.
The music stops and Raymond clears his throat.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today..."
~
"Congratulations," Laura greets Jess and me after the ceremony. "I wish you both all the best."
"Thank you," I tell her.
She looks at Jess. "In the end, we didn't get to do much planning, but it was okay. Right?"
"It was beautiful," Jess assures her. "And I appreciate all your help, especially this dress you lent me."
She gives a whirl and her skirt billows.
"Hey, don't ruin it," Laura says. "I still want it back."
"So that's why it looked familiar." Keith touches his chin. "Although I must say it looked better on Laura."
Jess pouts. "You never get tired of teasing me, do you?"
He places his hand on her shoulder. "Well, married or not, you're still my little sister."
She glares at her. "Who are you calling little?"
He looks at her chest. "Well, certain parts of you still are..."
She hits him with her bouquet.
"Hey!" Lisbeth shouts from a few feet away. "If you're just going to destroy that, give it to me."
Jess tosses it. Lisbeth catches the bouquet and hugs it with a wide smile.
"Anyway..." Keith clears his throat. "I wanted to give you guys this."
He hands Jess an envelope.
Jess stares at it. "What is it?"
"Open it," Keith urges.
I look over Jess's shoulder as she opens it and two plane tickets appear.
"Tickets?" Jess's eyebrows crease.
"I figured every married couple needs a honeymoon," Keith explains. "No matter how rushed their wedding is."
Jess looks at him with wide eyes.
I narrow my eyes at him. "A honeymoon?"
"In Florida," Keith answers. "My friend happens to have a villa in New Smyrna Beach, which is just near Orlando, and he said I could borrow it. Well, technically I reminded him that he owes me big time and then he said I could borrow it, but..."
Jess wraps her arms around him. "Thank you!"
She pulls away and gives me a hug of my own.
"I can't believe we're going to Florida!"
Florida, huh?
My gaze falls on the tickets in her hand.
It seems the real adventure has just begun.
Chapter 19
Jess
"Woohoo!"
I let loose the scream at the top of my lungs as I gaze at the ocean stretching endlessly before me. The turquoise surface glimmers under the glaring sunlight. The white-tipped waves rise and fall like the heartbeat of the ocean. One of them crashes around my bare feet and buries them in sand. The cool water clings lovingly to my ankles before ebbing away.
I close my eyes and breathe in the salty air. The breeze kisses my cheeks and blows my floppy straw hat off my head, but I manage to catch it just before it drifts away. I hold it firmly as I stare at the cloudless sky through the amber lenses of my sunglasses.
"Jess!" Steff shouts behind me.
I turn around and find him standing on the porch of Keith's friend's house in his sunglasses and shorts. The corners of his barely buttoned Hawaiian shirt flap in the wind.
"Isn't it too hot to be out on the beach?" he asks.
I hold my arm under the sun and wince.
He's right. It's just past noon, so the sun is directly overhead. And even though I have my hat and sunglasses on, it's not enough. I didn't apply any sunscreen.
I run back to the house, picking up the shoes I've discarded along the way. After a few steps, the soft sand begins to scorch my feet, making me feel like I'm walking on burning coals. I run faster. As soon as I get to the porch, I sit down on the steps and breathe a sigh of relief.
"What were you thinking?" Steff asks me as he hands me a small towel to dry my feet.
"That I haven't been to the beach in a while," I answer.
"I thought there were beaches in LA," he says. "I'm pretty sure I saw some in a brochure."
"Yeah, but they're crowded."
And I'm not confident enough to be around strangers in my swimsuit. This beach, on the other hand, is private. For now, it belongs just to Steff and me.
Thank you, Keith, for always coming through for me.
"Are there beaches in... where you're from?" I ask Steff.
"Yes. But the water is cold most of the year. It's only during the height of summer that people can swim, so the public beaches are crowded during that time. I do know a private, secluded cove, though."
I get up. "Oh. You mean the one reserved for the rich kids?"
"Sort of."
I frown. He doesn't even deny it. Well, at least he's honest.
I stretch my arms and peer into the glass. "So, how's the house?"
"Good," Steff answers. "There's a guitar upstairs."
"A guitar?"
I try to rush inside, but Steff's arm blocks my path.
"What?" I scowl. "My feet are clean now."
"That's not it," he says.
In the next moment, he takes me in his arms and carries me into the house. He sets me down in the living room.
"Isn't the groom supposed to carry the bride over the threshold?" Steff asks me.
I blink. A blush coats my cheeks as I remember how he looked in his suit yesterday as he stood under the arch of flowers.
He was dazzling, like the light at the end of a tunnel.
I turn away from him and cross my arms over my chest. "Make no mistake. We're not really married."
"I know."
Still, there was a moment back there, that moment when he slipped the golden band onto my finger, that everything almost felt real. My heart skips a beat at the memory.
I lift my hand to look at the simple golden band and then at the other, more elaborate ring that I'm wearing.
I take it off and hand it to Steff.
"I should give this back to you. After all, we're not engaged anymore."
He steps back and raises his hands in the air.
"Keep it. I
t's bad luck to give it back."
"Oh." I stare at the ring on my palm. "But..."
"So soon," Steff adds. "Wear it for now. After all, it's not like we're parting ways already."
I nod and slip it back on. "Okay."
He sits on a chair. "What do you plan on doing for the rest of the day?"
I touch my chin. "Well, it's too late to go to Orlando. And we're too tired from our flight to go sightseeing anyway. I say we go out and buy some food. After that, we'll come back, stay here and do something we haven't been able to do in a while."
Steff's eyebrows crease. "And what's that?"
I slump into a chair. "Relax."
~
Now, this is relaxing.
I stare up at the moonlit sky as I float on the surface of the pool. The calm, warm water all around me creates a thin sheet over my skin and my swimsuit and forms a barrier over my ears that muffles the sound of everything else.
I close my eyes and surrender to it, willing it to melt all my exhaustion, all my tension and troubles away.
The past weeks have been stressful, what with having to handle my new roommate and then dealing with Dad's stroke and then having to pretend to get married.
Now, finally, I can rest and relax.
I let out a sound between a sigh and a moan.
I could do this all night.
Or so I think until I feel a drop of water on my cheek, then another on my forehead.
Is it raining?
I open my eyes just as more water splashes over me. I straighten up and wipe my face with my hand. As my toes touch the cold floor, I turn around and see Steff standing at the edge of the pool in...
Nothing. He's completely naked.
My eyebrows furrow. "What the hell are you do-?"
I don't finish, because he jumps into the pool. I turn away in time to let the water splash on my hair.
"What are you doing? I thought you were asleep."
"I was, but I woke up and thought I'd check on you." Steff walks towards me. "You looked so serious, so I thought I'd help you relax a little."
"I was relaxing," I tell him with a glare.
He answers by giving me another splash.
I frown. "Oh, is that what you want, huh?"
I splash some water at him, too. It lands right on his face and I laugh.
Steff frowns. Then slowly, his lips curve into a grin.
"Oh, it is on."
He splashes at me as I turn my back on him and give him another splash. I swim away and he follows me.