"Daniella, turn off the pasta!"
Dani obediently complied, then filled the sink with water and washed the dishes her mother had used. Frank Sr. picked up a dish towel and began to dry. As she placed the last dish in the drain board, her curiosity overcame her reluctance to discuss personal affairs, both her own and her parents'.
"Papa, when did you know Mama was the one for you?"
He smiled fondly. "Oh, I think I knew from the first time I met her."
"Really? What attracted her to you?" What siren song had her mother played for her father?
"She wasn't like the other girls I'd known. They were only interested in showing off and primping and teasing. Rose was much smarter than that."
"Well, sure. She was the first in her family to go to university." Her mother had taught school before her children were born, and after taking some time off to have her family, had resumed her career when Dani entered kindergarten. But that had never stopped her from being at all the soccer games and dance recitals. Or preparing the best lasagna in Ottawa.
"That's true, but it's not what I mean. Your mother was never into playing games. She was honest and straight forward. She has always been the best woman I've ever known. And the most beautiful."
She smiled and covered her father's hand with her own. "That's really sweet of you to say, Papa."
Frank Sr. set down his cup. "You think I'm kidding, don't you?"
"You know I love Mom. And you know I look exactly like her. I'm well aware that neither of us is a beauty queen."
"Piccolina." He hadn't called her 'pretty little one', his favorite pet name for her as a child, for years. He squeezed her hand. "To me, your mother is the most beautiful woman in the world. When you love someone as much as I love her, beauty is all you can see."
She stared into his kind eyes. Had Zach really meant it when he'd told her she was beautiful? He wasn't in love with her the way her father was in love with her mother.
But that didn't mean he hadn't been sincere.
"You are as beautiful as your mother," her father said. "I wish you could see that."
She felt a sting of shame. Her planned breast reduction would make her look different from her mother. Was that like saying she hated her mother's looks, that she was ugly? That sounded so disloyal. Along with the traits she wasn't so crazy about, she'd inherited many good things from her mother, like her intelligence and her sense of humor. Her mother was the best woman she knew, too.
Her feelings took her by surprise. She hadn't expected to have second thoughts about the surgery she'd been wanting for so long. Perhaps she needed to think about it a little longer, or talk to someone about it. So far, she'd kept her plans to herself, not wanting to be talked out of it.
But for now she'd just enjoy being with her parents.
"You are a lovely, lovely man," she said, winding her arms around her father's neck and pressing her cheek to his. "I love you, Papa."
"I love you, too, Daniella."
* * *
Chapter Twelve
The whole situation felt surreal. Less than eighteen months ago, he was on the verge of marrying Chantal. Now he was in a small church in Ottawa with his mother and Chantal's family, waiting for her to walk down the aisle and marry someone else.
What would his life have been like if they'd actually gone through with the wedding? Would they have been happy or would they have made a visit to divorce court by now? His money was on divorce court.
Zach couldn't even imagine a life with Chantal anymore. He rarely thought of her, probably because for the last three months, one week and five days, the only woman he thought about was Dani. She filled his thoughts every day and every night. He wondered how she was, what she was doing, who she was with.
Did she ever think of him?
Todd sat next to him, examining the leaflet about the bride and groom and the wedding party that had been handed to them when they entered the church. Zach knew he should leave it alone, but he had to know. He leaned over and whispered, "How's your brother?"
"Good. Very happy, I think, for the first time, really."
His heart plummeted. "I'm glad for him. And for Dani."
Todd turned to him and frowned. "Dani? What do you mean?"
"You said they were happy together."
He stared uncomprehendingly for a moment before asking, "You think they're together? A couple?"
"Well yeah, aren't they? You said she visited him in Toronto." He hadn't found the courage to ask Todd about their relationship since he'd first mentioned it.
"Dani and Jonny are friends. She stayed at Jonny and Kevin's place a few weekends ago. But they're not together, not the way you're thinking."
His mind whirled with confusion. "They're not? Who's Kevin?"
"Kevin is Jonny's boyfriend. He's gay, Zach. Right after my wedding he worked up the courage to tell our mom and dad. He can finally stop pretending now. That's why he's so happy."
Zach stared at him. "Your brother is gay?"
"Yes."
"Your brother Jonathan? The best man at your wedding?"
Todd chuckled. "Yeah, that's the one. He's the only brother I've got."
"Does Dani know he's gay?"
"Yeah, she's known all along. Jonny told me he confided in her at the wedding."
A thousand questions burst into his head, begging to be answered. Why hadn't she told him the truth? If she'd told him Jonathan was gay, they'd be together right now.
Why didn't I believe her when she told me she and Jonathan were just friends? If I'd just believed her, I could be with her right now.
Zach closed his eyes in agony. What had he done?
At that moment the groom and his attendants emerged and the organist began playing Pachelbel's "Canon in D". The doors of the church opened and a girl he didn't know walked up the aisle in a navy blue bridesmaid gown, followed by Fiona who wore an identical dress. Next, Chantal began the walk up the aisle on Foster's arm. When she reached the front of the church, Foster passed her to Harry. But before the minister could begin the ceremony, Harry dropped Chantal's hand and addressed the congregation.
"Thank you for coming today, but I'm afraid we're going to disappoint you. If you reach under your seats, you'll find envelopes taped there. When you look inside the envelopes, you'll know why there won't be a wedding here today."
With that, he marched down the aisle to the exit.
Chantal called after him. "Harry, what are you doing? This isn't funny, you know. This is our wedding day!"
He ignored her and continued to walk straight through the double doors and out of the church. People looked at each other, and then slowly, a few began reaching under their seats and pulling up large brown envelopes. Todd retrieved the envelope taped beneath their pew and opened the flap. A couple of pictures fell out. Zach reached for one.
"Oh my God."
The photo showed a naked Chantal in a comprising position with a man who was not Harry. The second photo depicted her and the mystery man pleasuring each other orally. Zach turned the picture over, not wanting to see anymore.
"Let me see that." Camp Campbell grabbed the picture from his hand before he could stop him.
"Camp, you don't want to see that."
It was too late. Camp gasped and made a disgusted sound in his throat.
"What's going on? What is it?" Chantal raced to their pew as quickly as her stilettos would allow.
Todd handed her one of the pictures. She stared at it for a moment, and then she screamed. Turning on her heel, she stalked back to the altar.
"You," she said to the best man. She hit him in the chest with the photo. "This is all your fault. You said he'd never find out. Well he did, and now everything's ruined!"
Camp shook his head. "I can't believe this of my granddaughter. I knew she was self-involved, but this is too much."
Adele put her arm around his shoulders. "I think we should get out of here. Let's go home, Camp."
Zach handed her
his keys. "Take my car. I'll find my own way home later."
She nodded silently and led Camp from the church. Margaret sobbed noisily against her husband's shoulder while Foster stared blankly at Chantal as she continued to yell at the best man.
Zach turned to Todd. "You get Fiona and her parents out of here. Go out the side entrance to avoid the rest of the congregation. I'll make sure the guests all leave through the front."
"What about Chantal? What do we do with her?"
Good question. What were they supposed to do with her? What was wrong with her that she felt the need to cheat on every man who loved her?
"Take her with you, if she'll go. The sooner we end this fiasco the better."
Todd nodded and sprinted to the front of the church to get his wife and sister-in-law. Zach cleared his throat and climbed on a pew to address the congregation.
"The family would appreciate if you would leave the church in an orderly fashion. Please do not take any of these pictures with you. Leave all the material on the pews. Thank you for your co-operation."
People began filing out. The minister herded the congregation to the door while Zach stood in the vestibule and watched for any of the large brown envelopes. He confiscated a couple of envelopes that guests tried to get past him on their way out of the church. He knew the exercise was probably futile. By now the pictures were likely making the rounds on porn sites on the Internet. But he didn't want anyone to take little mementos home.
Not that he cared what anyone thought of Chantal. But her family, especially Camp, was devastated by this turn of events. The fewer lewd photographs flying around town the better.
At last all the guests were cleared from the church. Though Zach hadn't seen them leave, Todd had obviously hustled Fiona and her family out the side door. The groom's attendants had disappeared as well, leaving only Zach and the minister in the church. Zach began picking up the photos and envelopes from the pews.
"I've never officiated at a wedding quite like this before," the minister said, shaking his head. He was a bespectacled, gray-haired man, probably in his sixties. He shook his head in disgust as he looked at one of the pictures. "I'm getting too old for this crap."
Zach took the picture from him. "I'm sorry you had to see that. I'm sorry anyone did."
"Maybe the only good thing to come out of this mess is that Chantal and Harry didn't actually get married. It's obvious neither of them understand the meaning of love and commitment. In the end, it probably saved the expense and heartache of a divorce."
"Yes, you're right," Zach said with a sigh. What Chantal had done was inexcusable, but Harry's actions were just as reprehensible. By parading her infidelity in public, he'd humiliated her family and opened them to public ridicule.
The minister nodded. "I'd appreciate if you could make sure all these photos are removed from the church. I wouldn't want any members of my congregation to find them by mistake."
"I'll be very careful. Then I'll take them away and burn them."
"Good. Well, I've got another wedding to prepare for in an hour's time. You'll be done by then?"
"Of course."
He nodded. "Thank you. Best of luck to you."
The minister turned and left through a side door. Zach went back to collecting the photos, being careful to check the floor and the racks on the back of the pews in case someone had placed a photo next to one of the hymn books. He was looking under a pew when he heard Chantal's voice behind him.
"Oh Zach, you've got to help me! Harry has made such a mess of things."
He slowly rose to his full height and turned to face her. "It seems to me Harry's not the only one who's made a mess."
"I made a mistake. Everyone makes mistakes." She threaded between the pews to get closer to him.
"I thought you'd left with Todd and Fiona."
"I couldn't leave without talking to you." Her beautiful face crumpled in tears. "You must think I'm so awful."
"I'm more concerned about what your family thinks." He sighed, wanting nothing more than to get out of this place. "What do you want, Chantal?"
"I was hoping you could take me away from here, to someplace quiet where we could talk. Maybe to my apartment." She stepped closer, laying one hand on his heart. "I just need to catch my breath after this horrible day and be with someone who knows me and cares about me."
She looked up at him with sincere blue eyes brimming over with tears, her angelic face full of innocence. Her bottom lip quivered ever so slightly.
At one time, he would have taken her in his arms and done his best to shelter her from the storm. He would have fallen back into her orbit without thinking about the consequences, because he was so entranced by her, so blinded by her beauty and the power she wielded over him that he couldn't think straight. Couldn't think what was right for him.
But things were different now. The scales had fallen from his eyes and he saw her for what she truly was; a manipulative, self-centered user. He finally realized she'd never loved him, and never would. What was more, he'd never really loved her. Instead of making him sad, the revelation filled him with relief. He felt like a weight had been lifted from his chest.
Free at last, free at last.
He removed her hand from his chest and pulled out his cell phone.
"I'll call you a cab," he said as he speed-dialed his favorite cab company. "I'll even spring for the fare. But that's all I'll do. For the first time in my adult life, I can say I'm done with you, and truly mean it. After today, I never want to see you again."
She tried to touch him again. "Zach, sweetheart, you can't mean it. After everything we've meant to each other all these years."
He blocked her hand. "You really don't get it, do you? You've alienated everyone who's ever loved you or tried to help you. I've danced to your tune for too long. It's over."
He walked away from her as he spoke into the phone to order the cab. Then he pulled out his wallet and grabbed a couple of twenties.
"Here," he said, thrusting them into her hand. "Take this for the cab. Goodbye, Chantal."
"Zach please, don't go." Tears streamed down her face, turning her mascara into black puddles under her eyes.
For a moment he almost faltered. But then he caught sight of one of the photos of her on the pile he'd collected, and he was reminded again of who she was. He picked up the photos and envelopes and left the church. On the front steps, he paused for a moment and loosened his tie, breathing a huge sigh of relief. For the first time in years he felt that anything was possible.
Zach caught a bus back to his condo, walking the last few blocks. By the time he got home he was frozen, since he hadn't been dressed in proper winter outerwear for such a cold January day. Rolf greeted him at the door, lavishing him with wet Golden Retriever kisses, and beating him about the legs with his wagging tail. After feeding Rolf and letting him out into the backyard, Zach threw the pictures of Chantal into his fireplace and set a match to them, watching with satisfaction as they turned to ashes.
Then he grabbed his phone, and after doing an Internet search, dialed Jonathan's phone number in Toronto. He paced his living room while the phone rang, with Rolf following his every move. Finally a man answered.
"Hi, Jonathan?"
"No, let me get him for you. Just a minute."
His heart pounded as he waited. He wasn't sure exactly why he needed to talk to Jonathan. Todd had told him everything he needed to know. Maybe he needed to hear directly from Jonathan himself that he was not romantically involved with Dani in any way, shape, or form.
"Jonathan speaking."
"Jonathan, this is Zach Morrison." He hesitated, his palm sweating against the phone. Now that he had him on the line, he didn't know what to say.
"Can I help you with something?"
"Yeah. Yeah, you can. Todd told me that Dani visited you for a weekend recently."
"Yes, she did. What about it?" He sounded wary, as if ready to jump to her defense at the least provocation.
"He also told me you were gay."
"Did he?"
"Yes, he did." Sweat broke out on Zach's brow. "Look, I'm sorry we were discussing an issue as personal as your sexual orientation, but he was just setting me straight. He said that you're with someone else and that Dani is just a friend. I need to hear from you whether it's true."
"So what exactly are you asking me? Do you want to know how gay I am? Are you thinking maybe I swing both ways and that Dani is more than just a platonic friend? On the scale of gayness, am I the queen of the homos, or do I enjoy dipping my toes into the feminine pool occasionally?"
He could hear the amusement in his voice. "Dammit Jonathan, just tell me. Are you interested in Dani as more than just a friend?"
He took his time answering as Zach's heart threatened to beat its way out of his chest. Finally he spoke.
"No. Dani is a friend, and I'm not interested in her sexually. But I love her. She's a wonderful, sweet girl, and you treated her like crap."
"Wait a minute--"
"No, you wait a minute. She told you the truth, that there was nothing going on between us, that we were just friends. And she didn't tell you I was gay because I asked her not to, even though it meant she lost you. I don't have many friends that loyal, Zach. Do you?"
The impact of what she'd done hit him square in the chest. "No, I don't."
"So now I'm going to be a loyal friend to her. She's in love with you. But she's got some crazy idea that you could never feel the same way about her because not only does she think you don't trust her, she believes she's not attractive enough for you."
"What?"
"She's got some misguided notion that she's not good enough." He paused. "The fact that you're calling me right now tells me you think she's wrong."
"Of course she's wrong!" The idea that he'd somehow caused her to feel less than beautiful made him physically ill.
"Good. Then quit being an idiot and call her."
"What should I say to her?"
"You could start with 'I'm sorry for being a stupid jackass.'"
He probably deserved that. "After I grovel for forgiveness, how do I make her believe I think she's beautiful?"
Always A Bridesmaid (Left At the Altar) Page 13