“Matthew knows Japanese?” Erin asked, intrigued.
Shelby nodded, a fond smile on her face, “Ask him why we call him Shoe.”
“Shoe?”
“Matthew in Japanese sounds like my shoe with a Southern accent,” Shelby said. “When he was a teenager, he wanted us to stop callin’ him Matty so we called him Shoe for a while instead. Families will do that to you.”
“I call my brother Pickle,” Erin volunteered. “His first name is Dylan, so like dill pickle.”
“I bet he loves that. And what does he call you?” Millie asked.
“Bug. For Ladybug. That’s my dad’s nickname for me,” Erin answered. She missed being part of a big boisterous family, where the teasing covered up a lot of love. “It’s just me and my little brother left. Mom and dad are gone.”
“Does he live in Boston too?”
“No, he’s in Atlanta. He’ll graduate college in the spring,” Erin said.
“You’re close to your brother though?” Erin nodded and Shelby smiled. “That’s nice, isn’t it? There’s nothing like your family.”
Erin nodded, swallowing hard past the lump in her throat but she was saved from having to answer by the arrival of Ashley, Heather, and, their mother, Charlotte. They piled in, Heather carrying a large shopping bag. After everyone settled in to the comfortable living room with their drinks and the appetizers, Ashley explained she’d taken them to see the famous bird girl statue.
“I thought it’d be in the cemetery but it’s in a museum,” Heather said, pulling a three-foot replica of the bird girl statue out of the shopping bag to show the group.
“Still don’t know how you plan to get that home,” Charlotte shook her head, laughing.
“I’ll buy it a seat.”
“All the way to London?” Charlotte asked.
Marina returned and took the chair in the farthest corner, hunching down, as though to make herself as small as possible. After a bit, conversation fell short, as it often did with groups of people who didn’t know each other well.
Time to get to work, Erin.
“Ashley, tell us how Alex proposed,” Erin asked, sipping her iced tea.
“He didn’t really,” Ashley shrugged, rubbing her palms on her jeans. “We just agreed to get married.”
“You met in history class. How did you start dating?”
“We hooked up at a party and then kept running into each other on campus.” Ashley took a delicate bite of cracker.
“That’s sort of how it happened for Victor and me,” Shelby stepped in when Ashley didn’t elaborate. “He lived in the downstairs apartment from Matthew and me. He owned a landscaping company and always smelled like fresh mown grass. He tried to talk to me for ages but I wouldn’t give him the time of day.”
“Too bitter because of Don,” Millie put in and Shelby shrugged, though her mouth flattened the same way her son’s did at the mention of her ex-husband’s name.
“That’s Matthew’s father. I didn’t have time for romance being a single mom. But Victor kept cooking the most delicious smelling food. He invited me over for tamales one night—I’d never had one. And Matthew was off at soccer and I guess I was lonely so I went.” Shelby flushed prettily. “And that was that. We married six months later and Alex arrived a bit later.”
“Good thing for you she did, huh, Marina?” Millie said and the conversation continued. When they moved to the beautifully-set table, full of sparkling crystal and gleaming china, Erin maneuvered to sit next to Marina. Matthew’s sister hadn’t said much, instead being quiet and withdrawn.
“I love your parrot-painted Keds,” Erin complimented her as she sat down, draping her napkin across her lap and tugging her skirt down.
Marina looked at her suspiciously and then, finally, grudgingly whispered, “Thanks.”
“Did you paint them yourself?”
Marina shook her head, fiddling with her fork.
Erin glanced around the sunny dining room. They passed around plates of tea sandwiches, cold salads, and fruit. Marina put nearly nothing on her plate.
“My neighbor growing up had a parrot. Meanest bird in creation,” Erin volunteered. Marina nibbled on a sliver of pineapple and didn’t answer. Erin tried again with, “You must like animals.”
“I want to be a vet. I worked at the clinic down the street but I haven’t had much time for after school stuff recently.” Marina fiddled with her fork. With Matthew gone and Alex at school, much of Shelby’s care during her breast cancer treatment must have fallen to Marina. She smiled at her and Marina continued, “My college applications left a lot to be desired.”
“Where do you want to go?”
“Tech, same as Matty.”
“My brother goes there too.” Erin made a mental note to mention to Matthew about his sister’s application. Maybe as an alumni, there was something he could do to help. Marina was pretty and sweet, but terribly shy and self-conscious. She just needed a little guidance to make herself shine.
After lunch, Ashley presented everyone with their bridesmaid’s gifts of jewelry sets to match the gowns. She gave the mothers engraved frames with baby pictures of her and Alex with space for a wedding photo. While Shelby and Charlotte wiped tears, Erin gave Ashley a pin with charms to cover the tradition of something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue. Lauren made the pins for the brides and they were such a hit Erin gave them to each of her brides as a special keepsake.
“Time for the charm cake.” Shelby dashed off to the kitchen, returning with a gorgeous layer cake done in shades of lavender and purple, the icing shaped like roses. Slim satin ribbons dangled all the way around the cake, their ends tied in a bow.
“What are the ribbons for?” Charlotte asked.
“Everyone pulls a ribbon out and your charm tells your future.” Shelby waved them all closer. “I’m so excited to get to do this, using my mama’s charms. You’re the first since me to use my charms, Ashley.”
“Anna didn’t want any part of it,” Marina whispered to Erin.
“Why?” Erin asked but Marina didn’t answer as they all crowded around the cake. Shelby snapped photos of them all holding a ribbon end before together they each tugged on a ribbon. A small silver charm dangled at the end of each ribbon.
“I got a star,” Heather said. “What’s that mean?”
“Your greatest wish will come true,” Shelby smiled at her.
“Maybe you’ll meet a handsome, single American after all,” her sister said, “I got a baby bottle.”
“I can’t wait to see Shelby as a grandma!” Millie crowed. “What you’d get, Erin?”
Erin looked down at the entwined hearts in her hand, covered by lilac colored frosting and bits of chocolate cake. “I got love.”
Chapter Eighteen
After Erin left for the tea, taking all the life out of the room with her, Matthew dressed and wandered downstairs, feeling a bit at a loss. Erin’s hasty exit this morning saved him from having to make his own rapid getaway. Usually, he bolted sometime before midnight, instead of indulging in incredible dawn sex and morning snuggles with his partner. Instead, he’d slept curled around her. And then, when he heard her in the shower, he considered dressing quietly and slinking away. Somehow, though, he’d waited for her and then asked her out for pancakes, even insisting on a morning kiss before she left.
What made Erin so different? Maybe because he was away from the heavy burden and responsibility of his demanding career? Or maybe because they’d become friends before sleeping together? Or maybe… Well, it didn’t matter. They had only a few more days together before going their separate ways. He ignored how hollow the thought made him feel.
He ate two muffins and then went back for another. He’d worked up quite an appetite the night before. After he showered, he texted his brother but received no reply before sitting at the desk to check in with his office. The fact he could watch the back parking lot of the B&B for the return of Millie’s bright yellow Mi
ni Cooper had nothing to do with his choice of seating. After all, he couldn’t control where Millie put her furniture. He wasn’t lonely, for heaven’s sake. He didn’t miss Erin’s very presence or pine for her. To prove it, he stayed in place for at least ten minutes after Millie’s canary yellow car careened into the parking lot.
Matthew headed into the main inn and climbed the stairs to the Peach Blossom suite. Outside the glossy wooden door, he swiped his hands on his jeans and sucked in a deep breath, ignoring the loud thump of his pulse. He hadn’t been this nervous since he’d asked Candy O’Connell to the ninth grade dance. He knocked and then, after a pause, knocked again. Erin opened the door, wrapped in a blue silk bathrobe that exactly matched her cornflower eyes, her hair in a messy twist and her face flushed pink. He swallowed hard, noting how the silk clung to her curves and revealed her long legs.
“I was about to get into the tub.” She smiled at him. “What’s up?”
Matthew swallowed again, feeling like he had a mouthful of cotton. His fingers twitched at his side. Would that silk robe be as soft as her peachy skin? He clenched his hands into fists to keep from touching her and said, in a voice that sounded raspy even to his own ears, “I promised you I’d show you the fountain in Forsyth Park. Did you feel like takin’ a walk with me?”
She blinked and then smiled, “Sure. Give me about twenty minutes.”
She shut the door in his face and he stood, staring at his glossy reflection. He wanted her, still, again, even after their passion last night. One night would never be enough with Erin. Could he convince her to make another exception for him? He headed downstairs, prowling around the living room of the B&B, as he waited for Erin. Millie came bustling in.
“Have you eaten?” Millie asked. “I have some leftover tea sandwiches.”
Matthew followed her into the kitchen, where she handed him a plate of tiny, crustless sandwiches and poured him a peach tea. She leaned against the counter and eyed him as he sat on the bar stool at the counter, as he’d done countless times as a kid. “Still determined to stop the wedding?”
“Aunt Millie, you can’t tell me you think this is a good idea.” Matthew munched on a cucumber sandwich and started on a shrimp salad one.
“I’ve attended about a dozen weddings that I’d would’ve liked to slap some sense into the participants, including your own.” Matthew rolled his eyes but his mouth was too full to argue. “I didn’t say a word. What would an old spinster know about marriage anyway?”
“Well, I wish you’d had.”
“Would you have listened, Matthew?” Before he could answer, she continued, “You wouldn’t have. If you want my advice, leave your brother to make his own mistakes. And don’t let this one go so easily.”
She nodded at Erin as she walked into the kitchen, dressed in jeans and a simple black sweater, her blonde hair long and loose over her shoulders. It wasn’t a matter of him letting her go. They’d agreed on one night together, no matter how much he ached for more.
“How was the bridesmaid’s tea?” Matthew asked, as they headed out the door. Dark clouds, in shades of oyster and pearl, scudded across the sky, obliterating the sunny morning and whipping up a cool breeze that tossed her hair around. She corralled the strands into a low ponytail. He forced himself not to remember how her honey colored hair looked like tossed over the pillows when he was inside her.
“Ashley liked it so mission accomplished.” Erin smiled. “I spent most of my time with Marina. Did you know she’s applying to your alma mater?”
“I’ll see what I can do to help her out.”
“She looks up to you so much, Matthew.” Matthew took her hand as they strolled through Calhoun Square. Erin smiled impishly up at him. “I hear your nickname is Shoe. Are you like a sneaker or a strappy sandal?”
“Oh, tell me she didn’t whip out the baby photos,” Matthew groaned, praying his mother hadn’t embarrassed him too badly.
“Your little baby tushie looked adorable in the bath,” Erin teased. Heat flooded Matthew’s cheeks and she laughed again, delightedly. When she crinkled her nose as she laughed, he wanted to lean over and drop a kiss on it. “I’m kidding. Japanese, huh? That’s a hard language to learn.”
“I was dismal at it,” Matthew admitted. “But the nickname stuck for a while.”
“Like your mama said, families will do that to you,” Erin said. “She might be mad at you for staying away, but your mama loves you, Matthew.”
Instead of answering he waved her to position in front of the fountain and snapped a few shots before handing her back her phone. “Millie told me there’s a butterfly garden up near the visitor’s center now. She thought you might like it.”
Millie had not, in fact, mentioned the butterfly garden. Though he’d spent a good portion of the morning researching where to take Erin, no need to mention it now. They strode over to the visitors center and headed into the butterfly pavilion. The humid air contrasted with the chilly day and smelled of rich, heady tropical fruit. Every so often a sprinkler hissed, dampening the lush vegetation and keeping the room moist.
A small group of preschool kids on a field trip trooped by them, holding hands, in a line. When one girl, dressed in a pink and purple polka dotted dress tripped, Erin helped her to her feet and distracted her from crying by pointing out a butterfly. A blue morph butterfly, his wings a match for Erin’s beautiful eyes, alighted on her outstretched forearm, its delicate wings opening and closing as it perched there. Erin smiled and he snapped a photo of her, capturing the wonder on her face.
When the restless school children scared away the butterfly and moved on, she stood. Without stopping to overthink it, he pulled her close and claimed her plush mouth. Her breathy moan ghosted over his lips as she pressed herself against him, kissing him back. He plundered her mouth, sweeping his tongue inside to mate and tangle with hers. He cupped her face, brushing his thumb over her cheek, as she clutched at his shoulders. She stepped back, her eyes sparkling and her cheeks pink. He wanted nothing more than to take her to bed again, this very instant.
“I thought you only did one-night stands and quick flings,” she said, her voice a low, sexy rasp.
“If you can make an exception, I can too,” Matthew said. “How about an only while we’re in Savannah rule?”
“We go our separate ways on Sunday?” Erin said. Matthew’s stomach dropped at the prospect of giving her up but…he didn’t want anything long-term or committed. He just wanted Erin. Finally, slowly, his eyes never leaving hers, he nodded.
She smiled then and reached for his hand. “Then I guess we better make the most of it. Let’s go home.”
Chapter Nineteen
They made their way back to the B&B, pausing every half-block or so to kiss, little pecks as they walked, hand in hand, turning to heated, devouring kisses at stoplights. When they finally arrived back at the inn, Matthew fumbled at the iron gate blocking his front door. Erin kissed her way down his neck, her hair smelling of flowers and her hands on his hips, pulling him closer. If he could just get the key inside the lock…
“Erin, thank goodness you’re back,” Millie’s voice came from above. Erin stepped away from him, smoothing her hand over her hair, and looking up at Millie, who leaned over the staircase railing to speak to them. Matthew groaned inwardly as he watched the flush fade from Erin’s cheeks. “Shelby needs us. The shower favors fell apart.”
“Let me change clothes. I’ll be ready to go in five minutes,” Erin said, her voice calm and cool, in contrast with her rapid breathing. Millie nodded and disappeared back into the inn. Matthew wanted to bash his head on the brick wall in frustration.
“I gotta go. Some sort of shower favor emergency.” She bit her lip, the lips that were just trailing kisses down his neck seconds before. He fought down the arousal still burning through him. “I guess I’ll see you there?”
“I’ll come with you all. No sense staying here.” Matthew headed inside to change, resolutely not looking at the four-pos
ter bed where he should be entwined with Erin right this moment. He changed into khakis and a fresh blue button down shirt before heading out to the sidewalk. In a few minutes, Erin reappeared, wearing a fluttery blue floral dress. She looked calm, cool, and professional, carrying a large canvas tote. He looked inside at a well-organized jumble of craft supplies and took it from her to carry.
“You could have been a boy scout.” She furrowed her brow at his comment. “Always prepared.”
“That’s a sweet compliment,” she beamed at him. He fisted his hands at his side to keep from dragging her against him and starting up where they left off. They walked around to the parking lot to find Millie already in the car.
“Which wedding event is this?” Matthew asked, helping Erin into the tiny vehicle before cramming himself inside.
“Ashley’s mom is throwing the couple a joint shower. She wanted to host something while she was here. Just one more thing for your mama to coordinate and worry about, though I know it was kindly meant.” Millie wove though the streets to a hotel by the waterfront.
They parked and walked into the hotel, where they were shown to a lovely greenhouse, with high sparkling windows showcasing the river beyond. Lush greenery, interspersed with white poinsettias and miniature pine trees, gave the room a loamy, clean scent, not unlike being in the woods at sunset.
Charlotte hustled over to them, a smashed mailing box in her arms. “The favors are all falling apart.”
“Leave it to me.” Erin smiled and took the box from Charlotte. She headed over to a quiet corner, near the flagstone patio, Matthew trailing behind. She plugged in her glue gun and carefully unpacked the favors, paper cut outs of purple dresses with delicate macaroons in cellophane sleeves nestled inside.
“I think the glue came undone.” Erin examined the favors and then dabbed a bit of glue on the top. She held the edges together and, after fishing in her tote for a few seconds, came up with a spool of thin iridescent ribbon. After cutting a length of it with small scissors also produced out of her magic bag, she tied a bow around each favor. “Put your finger here.”
Forever a Bridesmaid (Always a Bridesmaid Book 1) Page 10