by Emily Childs
“She did. She warned me this would happen, and here we are.” I lift my glass to my sister. “You can say I told you so on this because I’m glad you told me so.”
“We’re all glad,” Brita says.
I love Bastien’s family. The only thing better is loving him.
And tomorrow, I ought to tell him.
Chapter 25
Bastien
“Right there,” Inez says in a huff. “Yes, there.”
She guides me with her hands on my shoulders (even though she just said it) to the back table where friends are helping set up pictures of Oscar and Nicole growing up.
“Yes ma’am.”
More than Inez, the wedding planner is basically barking orders at this point. Why is everyone stressed? Is this how weddings are because if so, eloping sounds like the way to go.
“Mrs. Lundin,” the planner snaps. “Hair. Now.” The woman points her extra-long fingernail toward the bridal wing.
I grin when Laney comes to Inez’s side, she’s half done up and wearing a zipper hoodie and baggy sweats. “You go, Inez,” she says. “This part will be taken care of, and I think Nicole would love your help with her hair.”
That draws a grin to Inez’s face. I think she takes stepping into the role of mother of the bride, not just the groom’s, very seriously. Laney glances my way when Inez finally obeys and leaves to meet her appointment.
I hold up a framed picture of Laney and Nicole holding ice cream cones on a boardwalk. “How old are you?”
She props her chin onto my shoulder as she wraps her arms around my waist. “Probably six.”
“Well, it needs to go front and center. The chocolate dripping down the chin really makes it.”
She pinches the back of my arm and laughs. “Hey, I did not make fun of your pictures.”
“You always think I’m making fun,” I say, curling my arm around her shoulders and drawing her against me. “It’s a cute picture and needs to be in the front.”
“I don’t believe you.” She kisses my cheek. “But I’m also here to tell you from Heather it’s time for you studs to go and get ready.”
“Who is Heather and why is she bossing me around?” Axel asks as he and Jonas help place center pieces on tables. We all became unofficial members of Heather’s wedding team this morning.
“The wedding planner.”
“Crap,” Axel says. I’m pretty sure the blood drains from his face. “Joe, come on. She’s terrifying.”
“I’m going to check on Aggie,” Jonas says as he grabs a garment bag from off one of the tables. “To make sure the kids are going to be half presentable.”
“They’re good,” Laney says. “We just peeked in on them and you’re going to die when you see Kirstie in her little flower girl dress. And I’m happy to report, Kaz and Bodie both have kept their ties on.”
Jonas grins and claps me on the shoulder. “Better hurry, Bass. As Best Man, if you’re late I’m not sure who’ll be scarier, Heather or Inez.”
“Inez.” We all say together.
Laney slips her fingers into mine and bites her bottom lip. “See you soon, Mr. Olsen.” Then she goes onto her toes to whisper against my ear, “and if you let me fall, I will be the scariest woman here.”
“I don’t know if I’m freaked out or curious.”
She winks, then hurries out of the room. The men’s rooms are packed with clothes and reek of too much cologne. Brita’s dad and mine are helping Philip and my grandpa with their bow ties. Jonas and Axel are trading suits since theirs were swapped. Oscar is standing with Karl, his dad, who is already dressed.
“See you in there, kid,” Karl says with pride. He hugs Oscar, claps him on the back, and clears his throat.
“Take care of her,” Oscar says before turning back to the complexity of his own tie.
I grin at Karl. His eye are a little red, but like Inez, Karl takes his role in Nicole’s life serious too. She asked him to walk her down the aisle, and according to Oscar, he’s been practicing all week.
At the mirrors, I nudge Oscar with my elbow. “Ready, man?”
“I’m so ready and so nervous.” He blows out a long breath. “Let’s get this going so I can marry her, you know.”
“Hang tight a little longer. Don’t ruin Heather’s plans or she might eat your heart.”
“Thanks for being here,” Oscar says in a moment of vulnerability. “Without you, I never would’ve met Nic.”
Really it was Laney. She met Oscar when I visited Amy once, and suggested he meet her older sister. Now, here we are.
There isn’t much point in correcting him, he’s not listening anyway.
The ceremony is packed. Being a long-standing local business in a small town draws out at least half the city, not to mention college and high school friends, a few faces from Boston, and the executive team from Everett. Holly waves at us from the third row back. Oscar doesn’t notice, but I smile in return. It’s me, Jonas, and Axel standing with Oscar, and when the door opens and Nicole’s wedding party comes out, I about fall off the raised dais.
All my wonderings about what Laney Brooks would look like in the little burgundy dress didn’t come close to the real deal. Her hair is curled and swoops around one side of her neck. The sleeves brush off her shoulders a bit, but I’m only looking at her when she smiles at me, as if to ask, What do you think?
I’m thinking a great deal of things, and I must give some clue by my face because she grins a little smugly. She knows exactly what she’s doing to me, and she loves it, and I love her. She doesn’t know that, but she’s going to. Tonight, with her looking at me the way she is, there’s no way I’m not telling her everything I’ve kept inside.
If there were ever a breaking point, tonight is it.
Agnes, Brita, and Elle stand behind Laney. At first, I thought Nicole would have old friends from Boston, but she insisted she’d made better friends in our family members. I think my sisters-in-law might’ve cried a little when they were asked to stand in today.
A harpist plays a silky melody, but when the tune changes, Oscar stiffens.
“Finally,” he whispers under his breath.
Karl walks Nicole down the aisle, but I sort of love how Laney gives her away. Oscar nearly chokes on his vows, he kisses her too soon, but the way she kisses him back, I doubt Nicole minded at all. Kirstie is adorable in her tulle dress. Kaz and Bodie fight over the satin ring pillow for a bit, until Elle snaps their names in a sharp whisper. They made it to the end and that’s all anyone could hope for.
When Oscar and Nicole are named official, the rumble of clapping shakes the walls, but this is my favorite part. Laney reaches for my arm as we follow back down the aisle. She clings to me.
“This is your one job,” she whispers. “Do not let me fall.”
I cover her hand with mine. “I’ve got you, Brooks.”
For being scary, Heather knows how to throw a fun party. More guests trickle in for the reception and dancing. The reception hall is dim, lighted only by fairy lights, and packed with bodies.
“You two looked stunning up there,” Holly says, squeezing Laney’s shoulders as we finish the last bits of the dinner. Laney gave up on her high heels and sits right against me. Her hand on my leg is becoming my new favorite thing.
“Thank you,” Laney says. “It was so nice of you all to stay this long.”
“Oh, of course. Oscar is family, and now so is Nicole.” Holly glances toward the door where Howard and a few others are waiting by the door. “I suppose my entourage is leaving. If we can peel Piper away from the available men here. I haven’t seen her put her phone down this long in a decade.”
Laney and I laugh because it’s true.
When Holly moves into the crowd to retrieve her niece, I turn to Laney. “How are you feeling?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, it’s been you and Nicole for a long time. How are you feeling with the changes?”
I might as well have propose
d the way her eyes glisten. “No one has asked me. It means something that you did.”
I squeeze her hand; a prickle of heat rushes my face. “It’s nothing that big is it?”
“To me it is,” she says. “I was really worried about how I’d feel, actually. Nicole is my person, but I can honestly say I am so happy. Anyway, thanks for checking. You’re a secret sweetie.”
I draw the back of her hand to my lips, kiss her skin. Lacing our fingers together, I plan to respond with something witty, but stop cold when I glance at the doorway. Amy stands still, eyes on me. Why is she here? The room feels hot and sticky. My pulse picks up. Her eyes are schooled right on the way I’m holding Laney’s hand, the way we’re inches away from Laney sitting on my lap.
Amy blinks and turns away, melting into the crowd, but Laney sees her.
“Oh,” she whispers. “This is awkward.”
My mouth goes tight. “No, it’s not. I have no idea why she’s here, but I don’t care if she sees me with you.” I lean in and kiss her lips. “I don’t care if anyone sees.”
“Uncle Bass!”
Kirstie slams into my leg, breathless. Her bow has slipped in her hair, but her dress is still stain-free. Like pebbles being tossed at me, Kaz and Bodie ram into me right behind her.
“Come dance,” she squeals.
I laugh. “It’s about time, kiddo.” I look at my nephews. “Boys, you better dance with Laney.”
Laney tickles them until they’re belly laughing. I hold Kirstie’s hand out into the middle of the floor where others are dancing, Laney has one little hand in each of hers, and tells Bodie and Kaz to make a circle so they can spin. Kirstie stands on my feet, giggling. By the end of the song, she’s in my arms, and I’m twirling her.
“Okay,” I tell my niece as the music slows. “Now, I’m going to ask Laney to dance. It looks like your dad has treats for you.”
I direct her gaze to where Jonas is waving her and the boys over. Axel and Elle hold up plates for their twins, and that’s all it takes to get the stampede of littles off the dance floor. I hold my hand out for Laney, and breathe easier when in another heartbeat she’s tangled in my arms. Bodies close, I doubt anything could get me to leave this moment.
She rests her head against my chest, the tips of her fingers draw circles on the back of my neck. Our faces brush, I kiss the sensitive place by her ear, resting my forehead on hers. Then Laney stiffens.
“Bass,” she whispers, her gaze toward the tables. “Amy’s watching. Maybe I should talk to her.”
I rest a hand on the side of her neck, urging her to face me. “Let her look. I’m looking at you, Brooks. Only you.”
Laney studies me for a moment, as if to gauge how serious I am. I mean every word. Slowly, a smile splits her face, and her arms curl around my neck, drawing me to her. She fits in my arms, her face nestles against my neck, the warmth of her skin calms the race of my pulse.
I promised I’d do this.
“Laney.” My voice is husky and raw.
“Yeah?”
She’s against my chest, there’s no way she can’t feel the thudding of my heart. I don’t care. “What if I said. . .” I tighten my hold around her waist. I clear my throat. “If I said I’d fallen in love with you?”
Against my shoulder, I hear her draw in a sharp breath. She stops swaying and pulls back, so we’re eye to eye. “Is that what you’re saying?”
I nod, drawing my thumb over the bridge of her cheek. “That’s what I’m saying.”
Laney smiles, then surprises me by kissing me in the middle of the dancefloor. A chaste kiss, slow and sweet, but when she pulls back her lips are still close enough to take again.
“Then I’d say, that’s a relief because I had grand plans to tell you I love you tonight.”
“You did not.”
“Oh, I did. I love you. The crazy kind. Borderline obsessive, actually.”
“Really? This is taking an interesting turn.”
“It’s true,” she says, swaying again, her face arched to mine. “I know where you work, know your habits. It’s the real deal, Bastien.”
“Eh, I don’t mind.” Drawing my mouth alongside her ear, I lower my voice. “I love you, Laney.”
She doesn’t need to say anything. Laney tells me she feels the same in little moments through the rest of the night. The way she hugs me with a wide smile on her face when Agnes practically tackles a girl to catch the bouquet; when she leans on my shoulder, crying softly when we send the newlyweds off to start their life. She tells me when she kisses me, slowly, unbothered by anyone who might see. Nothing can ruin the feeling.
Until the past does just that.
Chapter 26
Bastien
I’m a better cook than baker. To my grandpa’s disappointment. I haven’t cooked a full meal for a long time, but Laney has drawn out a lot of things I haven’t done for too long. Like not working all weekend, and hardly caring. Like blasting music way too loud, and singing in the kitchen. Like wishing I had the entire week instead of tomorrow being Monday, and a beast of a schedule.
She’ll be here in less than an hour, and I plan to spend the rest of the day without an agenda. Another of those things she does to me. I’m more content sitting, doing nothing, with her than I’ve ever been running around the office, trying to be the next big thing.
I laugh when a knock comes to the door. She must be as anxious as me.
But I freeze when I open it. “Amy?”
Amy stands on my porch, frowning. “I’m sorry to drop in like this, but I need to talk to you.”
“We already talked.”
“This isn’t about you and me. It’s about you and Laney.”
I scoff. “Look, I know it’s weird for you, but—”
“Bastien, I’m here as your friend. We were friends first, right?”
True. We’ve known each other since high school and we were friends before we got together. I think the friendship is what hurt the most when Amy stepped out. She threw a long history away and didn’t want any part of fixing it after.
“You need to know that if I hurt you,” she goes on, “then Laney will hurt you more.”
I step out onto my porch and close the door behind me. A sort of primal protection for Laney Brooks sparks angry heat in my chest. “Stop,” I say. “You don’t have a say in my life, or who I’m seeing. Laney means everything—”
“She’s not faithful either,” she interrupts. “And I think she’s playing you to get ahead.”
It’s like a throat punch. Amy knows where to dig. Despite the doubts I had about my engagement to her, when I walked in and found her with my roommate—my friend—I learned the agonizing sting of betrayal. That day broke a piece of me; made me untrusting. Now, she’s dragging all those old uncertainties to the surface. I hate her for it.
I hate that I’m giving her the time to speak.
“Let me show you,” she says and pulls out her phone. “This is the conversation we had when she started working for you.”
Grudgingly I glance at the screen.
Amy: Watch your heart.
Laney: Please. I’d never stoop to the level of the pigs. But using one to get a decent job, that I can do. Unfortunately, he’s a ticket to the top.
Amy: He can be charming.
Laney: No. That he is not. I’ll be counting the days until I move on, trust me. He’s a means to the end.
I shove the phone away. It’s no surprise, not really. I know Laney thought I was a dirtbag back then, but it still stings.
“What did you expect to happen with that?” I ask. “She told me you made her think I was the one who cheated on you. What else would she say? Amy, I’m sorry you feel hurt, or whatever, but I don’t care about old texts.”
Amy’s frown curls into a grimace. “It’s not only the job, Bastien. You don’t know what she’s like in relationships. I lived with her. Just be careful, that’s all I’m saying.”
“I think I can handle myself.”
Amy shakes her head with a sigh. “Ask her about Pete.”
“Amy, you lied to Laney. You asked to get back together again, so why would I believe anything you say?”
She winces. “Because despite mistakes I’ve made, I do care. I’m sorry I didn’t tell the truth to my roommates. I was ashamed of myself. And honestly, Laney would be the one I could tell the truth to because she’s done the same thing.”
“Don’t.” I shake my head. “Don’t make up things about her. You don’t want to go there with me.”
Amy sighs, looking truly despondent. “Then don’t ask. But I know, because again, I lived with her, that Pete is the guy she cheated on. There’s quite a story. See if she admits anything about him, and then you’ll know why I’m trying to keep you from a repeat of what I did to you. I know I hurt you, but I still care. I don’t want you to get hurt again. Ask her. Please.”
And with that Amy, turns and leaves me alone.
My throat is dry, palms sweaty. Laney wouldn’t do that. She wouldn’t.
I’m not going to ask. It would be offensive.
I close my eyes. Then again, the seed is planted. I can casually bring it up, and she’ll tell me the truth. Laney wouldn’t lie to me. There’s no need to lie because Laney isn’t the kind of person who betrays others.
As much as I wish I can, I hardly think of anything else up to the moment she arrives.
She lets herself in, laughing. “I guess you didn’t hear me knocking? It smells amazing.”
I flash her a quick smile, hardly able to breathe. She’s so beautiful. She’s not wearing anything outrageous, simple jeans and a T-shirt, but she makes my chest ache. What Amy said can’t be a thing between us, but I’m hesitant to ask all the same.
“You okay?” she asks, leaning against the counter, so she’s facing me.
I clear my throat. “Amy stopped by.”
Laney’s eyes widen. “Really? Why?”
“She said she had concerns.”
“About?” Laney smiles when I shake my head. She nudges my arm. “Bass, come on. Did she say something about me from when we lived together? If she did, I’ll tell you things. You can ask.”