James: A College Girl Romance
Page 25
My grip on the steering wheel tightened.
“And what did she say when you told her we were married?”
Cass looked down at her lap and fidgeted with her purse.
“Well, she couldn’t believe the size of my ring. Like couldn’t believe it. And she cried. A lot.”
“Are you okay?” I asked, glancing over at her when she didn’t say anything.
“Yeah, I guess. It’s a little easier not to be bitter about it now that I’m not contemplating stripping in front of a club full of men.”
An image of Cass on stage with men shoving bills in her G-string flashed in my head, causing the road to blur in front of me.
“Did you really think about it?” I asked evenly.
When I looked at her, she was staring out the window again.
“I don’t know. I heard stories about how much people were making, and I guess I thought about it, but I couldn’t get past the practical aspects of not having a spray tan and fake tits. Plus, I can’t dance.”
“Those were the reasons you didn’t get on stage?”
“Pretty much. If I had thought I’d be good at it, I might have tried it, if it meant I would have made enough to finish my last year of school and pay rent. But honestly, I don’t know if I would have been able to go through with it. The thought of being naked—in front of that many people …”
She shook her head, and I lifted her hand and brought it to my lips.
“I’m glad you didn’t.”
“Would you have thought less of me?” she asked quietly.
“Of course not. But I would have had recurring dreams of killing every man who saw you in that club.”
“Am I supposed to feel that way about every woman you’ve ever slept with?”
“Lovely, who said love was rational or fair?”
She gave me a crooked smile and then laughed.
“Yeah, okay. That would be no one.”
“What do you think of stopping over in London and then Italy before going back to the island?”
She shook her head.
“I can’t. I’m already registered for classes.”
“London over winter break, and then Tuscany and the Maldives after you finish spring term?”
“I’m not going to say no to that.”
“Good. Are you excited to go back to school?”
“Are you kidding?” she laughed. “I’m so excited I can almost taste it!”
I smiled.
“And what about a real wedding when you’re finished with school?”
Cass made a sound of disgust.
“No way! The last thing I want is a big event.”
“Are you sure? You weren’t exactly present for our wedding.”
“No shit! Well, you’d have to get me that drunk again if we had a big wedding. That would just make me nervous as hell. Forget it.”
“You might change your mind after Bennett’s wedding.”
“No way.”
“You are a wonderfully strange woman.”
She grinned.
“Thank you.”
I glanced down at her bare knees and thought about the pink thong sitting in my pocket.
“This is going to be a long wedding. I wonder if Bennett would mind if I skipped the ceremony and fucked my wife in the vineyard.”
Cass smirked and took out her phone.
“I keep meaning to text Vicki, but it just seems too weird to tell anyone I got married. Plus, I asked Jasper, and he said she got back together with—what did you call him? Justin the Juicer? I’m sure if I go over to her place, he’ll be there.”
Then you won’t be going to see her by yourself, I thought as she turned to look out the window again.
“This area is gorgeous,” she murmured as the rolling hills and vineyards streaked by.
She would love Tuscany, and I couldn’t wait to take her there. The rest of the trip passed in silence, and I didn’t bother pointing out that there was a car following us—the protection detail Blake had assigned in his absence.
Cass looked up at the wrought-iron sign for Bennett Family Cellars as we passed under it. The last time I had been here, I had been none too well behaved. Actually, I had been a flat-out dick. All things considered, I was surprised Bennett and I were still on speaking terms after the shit I had pulled more than three years ago.
I looked over at Cass. A lot had changed since then. I was still a bastard, but I had good reason to be better, at least where she was concerned.
When we reached the top of the hill where the estate was perched, a valet opened Cass’s door and walked around to hand me the ticket. I tipped him, crossed behind the car to where Cass was, and took her hand as she looked around at the Mediterranean-inspired grounds, which were covered in white roses. She whistled.
“This place is impressive.”
“I haven’t been here in a long time,” I told her. “It looks like Bennett’s been doing a lot of work.”
From out of nowhere, Bennett’s German Shepherd bounded up to us and immediately buried his nose between Cass’s legs.
“Now, he’s got the right idea,” I said under my breath.
Cass looked up and smirked at me as she scratched behind his ears.
“He’s wearing a bowtie. This is just about the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. I love him! Where’d he come from?”
“This dog was Bennett’s surefire method for picking up on women.”
“This is your friend’s dog?”
“He is. Would that make him the best dog? Or dog of honor?”
“He’s adorable,” Cass cooed.
“You like dogs?” I asked carefully.
“Who doesn’t? I love them! We never had one when I was growing up—apartments, you know?”
Fuck. I could see it now. Within the month, I was going to be the reluctant caretaker of a barking, pissing, shitting, furniture-chewing ball of fur. Anything and everything to make this woman happy.
“Finn!”
Turning, I saw Bennett jogging toward us from the entrance to the winery.
“I can’t believe it,” he said when he reached us. “Mayhem McDevitt married before me. Unreal. No one told me that Hell had frozen over.”
He looked down at Cass, who was staring up at him with a stunned expression—like a real-life Viking in a tuxedo had just walked up. At six-five, Bennett stood a good inch and a half taller than I did, and his blond hair had always had the tendency to make women lose consciousness. Bastard.
“It’s good to see you, too, Bennett,” I said, clapping him on the back. “Congratulations.” I turned to Cass. “Cass, this is my buddy Ryan Bennett. Ryan, this is my wife.”
“It’s great to meet you, Cass,” he said, holding out his hand.
“You, too,” she smiled.
“You’ll have to tell me how you tamed the wildest guy I know.”
“When I figure it out, I’ll let you know. Could it be he was just getting old and slow?”
She turned and winked at me as I grabbed her from behind and pulled her against me.
“It was unbelievable meeting you, Cass—truly unbelievable. I’m looking forward to talking to you more, but it’s almost time for me to get to the altar, so I’ll see you both at the reception.”
When he took off with his trusty German Shepherd trailing him, I turned to Cass.
“I’m going to have to get you a dog now, aren’t I?”
Her eyes widened before her face fell. She shook her head.
“We’ll be traveling too much. That’s not fair to a dog. Someday, though,” she said with a wistful glance at the retreating dog.
“We do have a private jet,” I pointed out. “And a private island.”
She smiled.
“Maybe.”
“Do you want to walk around the grounds before the ceremony?”
“Sure, but you’re going to be carrying me around by tonight if I don’t get out of these heels eventually.”
I took her arm a
s we walked toward the vineyard.
“Mayhem McDevitt?” she laughed.
“A well-earned title from undergrad.”
“I’m sure. Your friend seemed completely shocked that I was actually real. I’m sure he’s got some great stories to tell.”
I frowned at her.
“Don’t believe a word he says.”
Fortunately for me, Bennett was a stand-up guy, and he was less vindictive than I was. I highly doubted he would exact revenge on me for all the shit I had pulled more than three years ago by expounding upon my past exploits—even if I deserved it.
We walked to the edge of the asphalt and then I held Cass’s hand as we stepped into the vineyard. The vines were strung with lights in anticipation of the reception. I had to hand it to Bennett for pulling out all the stops in an effort to give Alex Reed her happily ever after.
“Are you sure you’re not going to regret it? Not having a real wedding?” I asked her.
She looked around.
“This is beautiful; it really is—but it’s one day. I don’t want a party. I want you.”
I wrapped my arm around her shoulders and kissed the top of her head.
Chapter 21: Cass
The entire wedding was like the scene out of a fairy tale.
Alex Reed looked like a princess as she walked across the grassy “aisle,” which had been strewn with white rose petals. I did have some dress envy—it was impossible not to. The soft sherbet-colored tulle bridal ball gown had a strapless sweetheart neckline, a ruched bodice accented with floral embroidery, and a Chantilly lace underlay. The chapel train only added to the fairy tale vibe.
At probably fifteen years old and already much taller than the bride, the maid of honor was clearly the bride’s teenage sister. They had the same smile, even if the younger girl was sporting braces.
Ryan Bennett was Prince Charming as he waited under the elaborate arch decorated with greenery and soft pink roses.
The mother of the bride cried softly into a tissue for most of the wedding. I even saw Ryan Bennett’s mother dabbing her eyes, which was surprising since James had described her as stone cold.
The dinner and garden-party reception took place on the grounds as the sun was setting a brilliant orange over the hills. James stayed by my side, introducing me to his old college friends and business acquaintances. Servers came by regularly with fresh flutes of champagne, and James seemed in his element. I was not. After convincing him to go reminisce with his buddies, I walked the periphery of the event, sipping champagne and wishing I felt more comfortable at huge events. Eventually I sat down at an empty table and took off my heels.
“That’s better,” I sighed.
When someone sat down next to me, I didn’t realize who it was until I noticed all the lace.
“Oh! Hi. You’re the bride, obviously.”
She laughed and held out her hand.
“Alex, and you’re Cass.”
“That’s me. Your wedding was absolutely beautiful. Like really amazing.”
“Thank you. It’s all Ryan. He’s the event guy … and the wine guy … and the mathematician.”
“Wow. A man of many talents.”
“He is. Did James tell you how we met?” she asked with a slight blush.
When I nodded, she smiled.
“I figured as much.”
She didn’t sound bitter about it, though.
“I think James has changed a lot since I met him my freshman year,” she said thoughtfully as she pointed to where James was standing with Ryan and two other college friends. “He seems much happier now, less jaded.” She laughed and then looked back at me. “I gave him a piece of advice—back when I was all of eighteen. I told him that someone out there would love him for who he was … and I’m going to guess he found that in you.”
“Thank you,” I smiled, blinking away my tears.
“Ryan said we were in school at the same time. I just finished in June. When did you graduate?” she asked.
I looked down.
“Oh. Well, I’ve still got another year. I was supposed to … I mean, I took off a couple of years. So what are you doing now that you’re finished with school?”
“Well, I’ve got a blog that I’m hoping I can keep going because I’ve built up some traffic, and I’ve been doing a little bit of press writing for this place. Do you know what you want to do when you’re done with school?”
I shook my head.
“Originally, I had been thinking about law school, but I think my mom was the only one excited about that idea.”
Alex laughed and rolled her eyes.
“Really? That’s pretty much how I ended up taking Calculus freshman year. I thought I wanted to go to med school. Big mistake. Where are you guys going to be living?”
“Well, James bought a house near school—”
“Yeah, when Ryan told me about that, I couldn’t believe it.”
“I’ll probably stay there while I’m in school, and I’ll commute out to San Francisco. James’s schedule is pretty open, which is nice.”
Alex laughed.
“That’s right. When I met him, he wasn’t a tech billionaire yet.”
I gave her a wry smile.
“I pretty much didn’t know about that until after I married him.”
Her eyebrows shot up.
“What? Now, that sounds like a story. Since you guys are going to be close by, we should get together.”
“Definitely,” I nodded.
She got up and looked around.
“Well, I should go make the rounds.”
“It was really great meeting you.”
“You too. Have fun. Did James tell you where you’re staying?”
I shook my head, and she gestured toward the wedding welcome bag we had received. She reached in, took out a key, and handed it to me. I slipped it into my clutch.
“You’re in cottage five right across from the main building. James probably already had someone take over your things if you need to freshen up at all.”
I jumped a little when I heard James on the microphone.
“Ladies and gentlemen, if we’ve never met, I am Ryan Bennett’s roommate from freshman year of college. He’s put up with a lot from me since we were eighteen, and if anyone suffered through more of my youthful—and not so youthful—indiscretions over the years, it was him. I want to thank him and the entire Bennett family for allowing me to step foot on the grounds this evening.”
People laughed, and he lifted his glass.
“To Ryan and his lovely bride Alex, all the best to both of you. In honor of your wedding, my beautiful wife Cass and I invite you to spend as long as you’d like at our villa in Tuscany.”
Alex turned to me as people started clapping.
“Did you know he was going to do this?” she asked.
I smiled and shrugged as I stood and slipped on my shoes, ready to find the guest cottages.
“James is unpredictable.”
“Yes, he is,” she agreed.
She walked to the next table, and I was just about to go find the cottages when I heard a familiar song begin playing. Fade Into You. My eyes flitted to the dance floor, where I saw James standing, waiting for me. My heart skipped a beat. Goddamn, that man was gorgeous. And it made sense that he was my prince. The dark stranger who could easily be cast as the villain, but was so much more than that. When I walked into his arms, I let myself melt into him.
“You know I can’t dance,” I warned.
He lifted me off my feet and easily twirled me around.
“I don’t care. I just wanted to hold my wife.”
“So, why not the island in the Maldives for a wedding present?” I asked with a smile.
“Because that’s our place, lovely.” He bent down and kissed me. “I saw that you met Alex.”
“Yeah, she’s really nice. She said you took her advice.”
James smirked.
“Did she?”
“She a
lso said you seem much happier now.”
“I am.”
I leaned my head on his chest. When the song ended, two of his college buddies I had met earlier in the evening—Dave Peterson and Mike Borelli—came up with shots. Both of them were already a little hammered.
“Mayhem McDevitt—married. I still can’t get my head around it,” Mike said, shaking his head.
“That just leaves you and me, brother!” Dave guffawed. “Obviously we’re the smarter and better looking of the four of us.”
I touched James’s cheek.
“I’m going to walk over to the cottage to check it out.”
“I’ll come with you.”
I shook my head.
“Stay. Hang out with your buddies.” I pointed over to one of the two men in suits standing at the edge of the dance floor watching us. “I’m sure one of them will follow me over there.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah. I’m just going to check it out, take off my shoes for a second. I’ll come right back.”
I stood on my toes and kissed him.
“Don’t get into too much trouble,” I smiled.
“I’m a reformed man.”
I started walking toward the main building.
“Mayhem reformed? Sure he is,” I heard his friend Mike chortle drunkenly.
When I glanced back, James’s attention was fixed on his friend, who I fully expected to explode into a puff of dust under the intensity of James’s stare. I kept going. I wasn’t going let something one of his drunken friends said worry me.
I walked across the grounds, marveling at the twinkling lights everywhere. The air was warm and dry, one of the things I loved about summers in Northern California. Even if the days were sweltering without AC, the nights were always pleasantly warm. Great for shorts and a tank top—or a dress.
The cottages looked like miniature Italian villas. On the door, there was a sign that said Mr. and Mrs. James McDevitt. I smiled crookedly. It was shocking to see it in print.
I was married. Such a strange thought.
I turned and waved at the security guy who had shadowed me to the cottage before unlocking the door and walking inside. Suddenly a wet nose pushed past me into the cottage.
“Well, hi there, Finn. You sure do think you own the place, don’t you?” I asked the German Shepherd as he accompanied me inside.