The Embrace Series: Romantic Suspense Box Set

by Dana Mason

  “Why do I need to stay away from Melissa?”

  “She told me you tried talking her out of marrying Chase. That’s very unfair of you.”

  Johnny’s eyes grew wide. “Why in the hell would you do something like that?”

  “I don’t like the guy.” Brian shrugged. “He’s not a nice guy.”

  “You have no reason to say that. You don’t even know him,” Ali said.

  “I’ve seen enough. My gut is never wrong.” Brian stood from his patio chair and paced over toward the garden gate. “It doesn’t feel right, and I don’t think it feels right to her either.”

  Ali walked up beside him. “That’s not for you to decide, Brian. You need to leave it alone.”

  “Can you talk to her, Ali?” Brian turned to face her. “She listens to you. She trusts your judgment.”

  “Oh no, forget it. My wedding is tomorrow, and you’re asking me to talk Melissa out of her wedding to Chase.” Her eyebrows lifted so high, they blended in with her bangs. “You just need to admit it, Brian. The only reason you don’t want her to marry Chase is because you’re still in love with her—and you’ll never get your shot if she marries him.”

  “No . . . don’t, Ali, that’s not . . .” He stared into her eyes. “I’m worried about her.”

  Ali leaned forward, getting in his face. “No, you don’t, Brian!” she shouted, poking his chest. “How dare you? How dare you ask me this after you broke my sister’s heart?”

  Brian stepped back, reeling from her reaction. Ali had never yelled at him before. Melissa yes, but never Alison.

  “If you can’t look me in the eye and be honest about her, then don’t you dare.”

  “Be honest about what?” Brian asked with a shrug.

  “Your feelings, you son of a bitch!” She pushed on his chest again, and he took another step back from her. “Stop playing games with her future. Who the hell do you think you are?”

  “Ali, that’s not what I’m trying to do.” He took a step back. “You don’t understand.”

  “No, Brian! There is nothing more to it. You either love her or you don’t. If you don’t, stay the hell out of her way. If you do, get off your ass and do something about it. Either way, stop screwing with her life!”

  “Whoa, sweetheart,” Johnny said. “Don’t get yourself—”

  “No!” Ali said, and her eyes filled with tears. The sight of it killed Brian. How had this conversation become so off balance? Ali turned her glare at Johnny. “Brian knows I’m right, but he’s not man enough to admit it.”

  “What the hell is going on?” They all turned toward Melissa’s voice. She pushed through the sliding glass door and looked from one to the other.

  “Oh shit,” Brian said, wide eyed.

  “Ali, what is wrong?” Melissa asked when her sister’s face crumpled. When Melissa rushed to Ali’s side, Brian stood frozen as the sisters embraced each other. “What happened?” Melissa asked, looking at Johnny.

  Johnny gestured to the door. “Brian, man, if you value your life, you’ll get the hell out of here while you still can.”

  Brian nodded. “Thanks, man. Ali, I’m sorry, please just—”

  “Brian!” Johnny shouted.

  “Sorry, call me later,” Brian said before turning and walking into the house.

  “Holy hell,” Brian whispered as he climbed into his car a few moments later. “The pressure of planning a wedding has done a number on her.” He sat behind the wheel and waited, not sure he wanted to leave. He didn’t want Ali angry at him. Seeing her that upset grated on him. She’d never said anything to him about Melissa after he and Julie had gotten married. He had no idea how she felt.

  When Melissa stepped out of the house, he got out of the car and approached her. “Is she okay?”

  “What the hell did you say to her?” Melissa folded her arms across her chest and glared at him.

  “She didn’t tell you?”

  “No, she won’t tell me and neither will Johnny.”

  “Is she okay? Have I been kicked out of the wedding?”

  Melissa scoffed. “You’re the Best Man. She wouldn’t do that. She’s under a lot of pressure.” Melissa pursed her lips then grinned. “And I think she’s pregnant.”

  “No kidding? Pregnant? Wow! That’s awesome.”

  “I’m not sure, but the symptoms say so. She hasn’t figured it out yet. I planned to ask her about it today.”

  “How do you know?”

  “We’ve both been sick. She’s too distracted with the wedding to connect the dots.”

  “You’re not pregnant are you?” he asked, his stomach lurching at the thought.

  “No, I’m not pregnant.”

  “Are you sure?”

  Melissa’s cheeks turned pink, and she lowered her eyes. “I wish I were.”

  “Bennett is going to be thrilled,” Brian said, unable to pull the stupid smile from his face.

  Melissa smiled, too. “He is. I sure hope I’m right. It’ll be hard. Micah is only a year old. She’s not ready to do it again, but she loves Johnny, and she’d love to have a little girl.”

  He chuckled. “Nobody is ever ready for a baby. If you wait until you’re ready, it’ll never happen.”

  Melissa closed her eyes for a moment then opened them and said, “So what did you say to upset her? I haven’t seen her that upset since Micah was kidnapped.”

  “Uh . . . I’ll tell you after the wedding. We don’t need both Parker sisters hating me tomorrow.”

  “Ali doesn’t hate you.”

  “She’s closer than she’s ever been.”

  “Which makes me more curious.”

  He leaned against his car and tucked his hands in his pockets. “Lis, I have to ask again . . . are you sure you want to marry this guy?”

  Melissa dropped her hands on her hips. “What the hell did you say to Ali?”

  Brian righted himself. “Forget it.”

  “Fine, Brian, but you’re telling me tomorrow.”

  “We’ll see,” he teased, sliding into the driver’s seat.

  She turned and walked away, leaving him staring after her.

  “God damn, she’s gorgeous. God damn, I love her . . .” Brian sighed and shook his head as he started the car. Now what, Brian? What are you going to do about it? The thought took his breath away. He rested back into the seat and closed his eyes, trying to get his bearings. His head was so full of questions, and his heart was so . . . Damn it. He brought his hand to his chest and tried to rub away the flutter he felt there.

  He looked down at his watch and at the subtle reminder of a hard-learned lesson. Embrace every moment, for each is a gift. Time was precious; he knew that all too well after losing so much.

  Is it possible to have another chance with Melissa?

  He smiled half-heartedly and turned onto the road. “One way to find out,” he mumbled. “I’m done wanting her and not getting what I want.”

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Ali was the most beautiful bride and in the perfect dress, it took Melissa’s breath away, then seeing Johnny, in his tux . . . and his radiant smile, their happiness was infectious. Going back and forth from the bride’s chamber to the groom’s, she felt giddy with excitement. She shared a secret with her sister. Melissa surprised Ali that morning with a pregnancy test, and she made Ali pee on the stick, which proved her suspicions to be true.

  Ali planned to tell Johnny once they were locked in their hotel room after the reception. It was killing Melissa not to share the news. She wanted to announce it to the world, but she couldn’t for another couple of hours.

  While the bride and groom said their vows, Melissa had to stand directly across from Brian, and it felt like they were living in a strange sort of surreal reality. At least it was surreal to her. Brian was staring at her, and, as much as she wanted to, she couldn’t ignore him. His bright eyes drew her in. His playful smile teased her, and whenever she relaxed, her gaze naturally landed on him.

  He looke
d breathtaking in his tux, his curls freshly cut and his face freshly shaven. Seeing him like that was a sight. Not that she didn’t love him in jeans and t-shirts, but cleaned up, he weakened her knees. She turned toward Chase, who was sitting in the first row, next to her mother. He was glaring at Brian, not a smile to be had for Ali and Johnny. This saddened Melissa. Why did Chase have to be such a sourpuss on the day she only wanted happiness for her family? The contrast between Brian’s contagious smile and Chase’s glare was blaring to her. How had she fallen for two men who were so completely different? Could that have been on purpose? Had she subconsciously been looking for someone thoroughly different from Brian?

  She glanced at Brian, and he made a face at her. She couldn’t resist smiling at him. He gave her a big, toothy grin, and Melissa remembered what he’d asked her the day before. Why was he so concerned with her marrying Chase? Brian didn’t want her. Maybe he just didn’t want anyone else to have her either. Too damn bad. It was her turn to be happy. It was her turn for babies, and it was her turn to make a family. Brian got his, still has it . . . only without Julie. He’ll find someone else one day.

  Oh God. This made Melissa’s stomach coil. Could she bear to watch Brian fall in love with someone else? She’d had a long time to get used to him being with Julie, but to do it again . . . And what about the kids? She was close to them. What if they had a stepmom? Where would that leave her?

  Melissa’s eyes grew moist, and she turned slightly to peek at Erin, who was standing next to her. She looked so pretty in her golden-yellow dress, with her long, thick, curly, dark hair. She could have been her mother’s twin. Melissa turned back toward Brian, and when their eyes met, his looked misty, too. He nodded at her and smiled before lowering his gaze. When he glanced back up, Melissa almost lost her breath at the realization of her own feelings.

  It was never a question as to whether or not she loved Brian; the question now was, could she marry another man? Could she be happy with Chase, or was she settling like Brian had accused her of? Melissa wanted to stomp her feet and throw a fit like a child. She wanted a family. She didn’t want to sleep alone anymore, or wake up alone every day for the rest of her life. She wanted to get pregnant and watch her tummy swell with a miracle she’d made with the man she loved. Her eyes filled with real tears now, and she had no control over them as she fought to keep from sobbing.

  When the crowd cheered, she looked up to Johnny kissing Ali. Her eyes met Brian’s, and his concern was clear. Melissa wiped her face and squared her shoulders in an effort to get herself under control, but she couldn’t stop the constant flow of tears. The music started, and she stepped down, but her eyes were too blurry, and she couldn’t see anything. When Brian grabbed her arm, she wanted to hit him and push him away, but he held her tight with one arm around her waist and one on her hand.

  “Are you okay?” he whispered.

  She violently shook her head, unable to talk. What had gotten into her? She couldn’t stop crying, couldn’t control the flow of tears. She took a deep breath and started counting, then another deep breath as he led her back down the aisle.

  “Do you want me to take you home?”

  “I don’t want to go anywhere with you,” she mumbled.

  “What did I do?”

  Melissa shook her head again and looked up at Ali who had turned to check on her once she entered the vestibule. Melissa plastered a smile on her face for Ali’s sake.

  “I’m fine. Don’t worry about anything but your new husband,” Melissa said hugging her.

  “Nice try, but you’re not fooling me,” Ali said with flushed cheeks. She looked exactly like a new bride should look.

  “Yes, I’m fine. Really.” Melissa moved aside, letting Ali receive best wishes from her guests, and scurried to the bathroom, locking the door before succumbing to her misery. She didn’t know what to do now. As much as she wanted a family, she didn’t know if she could marry Chase. Did she love him enough? When a knock sounded at the door, she held her breath.

  “Melissa, let me in.”

  “Go away, Brian,” she said on a heavy exhale.

  “No, let me in.”

  God, she hated him. She was marrying Chase. She will marry him and have lots of babies, and she’ll be happy with her new family. Just like Brian was, and just like Ali was, too.

  “Melissa, open the damn door or I’ll kick it in.” Melissa clicked the lock, and Brian slipped in quickly and locked the door behind him. “What is wrong with you?”

  “Nothing! I’m happy. I’m happy for Ali.”

  “No. These are not happy tears.”

  “Go to hell. I hate you. I fucking hate you.”

  She pushed on his chest and lost her balance, her slick shoes slipping on the tile floor. Before she could hit the ground, Brian caught her and pulled her close.

  “You don’t mean that.”

  She shrugged out of his grip and turned her back on him. “Yes, I do.”

  Brian grabbed her and turned her back around. He gripped her face with his hands. “Why are you freaking out on me today?”

  “Ali’s pregnant!” God, she hated herself for wanting something so badly—badly enough that it pushed her into a commitment she knew wasn’t right. “I’m never going to have that.” She was so close to it, but, no matter how hard she tried to convince herself, she couldn’t deny it wasn’t the same. Melissa covered her face, her chest heaving so hard, she couldn’t catch her breath.

  “You’ll have that one day, too, Lis.” He pulled her to him and held on so tight, she couldn’t wiggle her way free.

  She didn’t want his hands on her. She didn’t want anyone to touch her. She never wanted to be touched again.

  Brian gave in to her struggles and let go, but he cupped her face again. “Melissa, stop . . .”

  She opened her eyes and saw the tears in his.

  “I’m so sorry I’ve put you through this.”

  Melissa froze at the sight of tears pooling in his eyes. The look on his face, the expression of pure agony, must have mirrored hers. She wanted to turn away, but he slid his hands down to her neck and pulled her into a kiss so tender, she melted against him, moving closer and gripping his shoulders like a lifeline. A tingle of heat traveled up from her lower back until it prickled at the base of her neck. She couldn’t do this with him. He’d surely destroy her this time.

  Melissa pushed him away and turned quickly. “Get out.”

  “I can’t leave you when you’re this upset.”

  She wiped her face clean then turned to look at him, now angry that she had let herself fall apart in front of him. “I’m fine now.”

  “I want to talk. I have some things to say to you.”

  Melissa shook her head. “I don’t . . .”

  “Melissa, I want to talk,” he said again.

  “It’s my sister’s wedding day. I need to hold it together for a few more hours for her. Once this is over, I can think about everything else.”

  “Fine, I’ll wait.” He stared at her intently, and she fought the urge to cry again. “Are you sure you’re okay.”

  “I’m fine. I just need to be here for Ali.”

  “Okay. I’ll meet you in the limo.”

  When the door was locked behind him, Melissa looked in the mirror and audibly gasped at the sight. She wiped her face and patted at her eyes with a wet towel, hoping to get the puffiness down. Then she sat down on the toilet for a few minutes, taking several deep breaths before leaving the bathroom.

  Chase was waiting for her in the vestibule. She nearly ran right into him as she rounded the corner. Everyone else had moved outside.

  She smiled at him, but he didn’t smile back. “It was beautiful wasn’t it?”

  He lowered his eyes. “Yes, very nice.”

  “I have to ride in the limo with the wedding party. I’ll meet you at the reception.”

  “I thought I’d just go home.”

  “No, Chase, you can’t leave. Ali will be disappointed.” />
  “What about you?”

  “I’ll miss you terribly, too. I was hoping to dance with you.” She tried a smile again, but it didn’t work.

  He lifted his head to look into her eyes. “Why are you upset?”

  “I’m not upset. I’m happy for Ali. We found out this morning she’s pregnant, but don’t say anything. She hasn’t told Johnny yet.”

  “Good for her. That explains the glow.”

  “She looked beautiful, didn’t she?”

  “She made it very easy for me to imagine you up there in a wedding dress.” He finally gave her a faint smile.

  She chuckled. “I couldn’t have a better body double, could I?”

  “I can’t wait to see it.”

  “Melissa, time to go,” Mark called from outside the church doors.

  “I’ll meet you there?”

  Chase nodded reluctantly. She kissed his cheek and flashed him another smile before walking away.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Ali had decided on The Vintners Inn for her reception. The Rosa Ballroom looked regal and elegant with huge bouquets of yellow and pink roses, each accented with huge white lilies. The lights were down, the room glowing with candlelight. It was definitely the most romantic and formal New Year’s Eve party Melissa had ever seen. Her sister had an eye for elegant.

  Waiters circulated with champagne, and the soft music made it easy to hold a conversation. Melissa sat next to Chase and tried like hell not to look in Brian’s direction. Within a few minutes, the music changed, and the DJ’s booming voice announced Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Rhay Bennett. The song, “Nothing Like This,” by Rascal Flatts, started as Ali and Johnny gracefully stepped out onto the dance floor. Their first dance as a married couple, the song, the lighting, their matching smiles, it was the perfect moment for them. Melissa stood up, stepping closer to the dance floor to get a better view, and had to force back tears at the adoring smile on Johnny’s face.

  Melissa wished it were her. She wasn’t jealous of her sister. Ali deserved to be with the love of her life, especially after everything she’d been through, but Melissa had to wonder if she’d ever be as happy. Sure, she could marry Chase and have a dance like this, but would she ever feel that, feel the same feelings her sister had right now? This was right for Ali, and Johnny was right for her. Melissa felt her sister’s happiness with every breath she took. But Melissa wanted her chance, too. She’d had it once, but it was stolen from her in a cruel act of fate. Ah . . . but was it fate, or betrayal. She closed her eyes and shook her head. Since when had those two lines intertwined so easily?