We chink glasses.
Maybe I could give this new way a try?
2
Reese
“Reese, it’s Christmas for goodness’ sake. Please go home.”
I turn around and look at my boss, Clive.
“You’re still here,” I retort.
“Yes, because I’m waiting for you to leave before I can lock up the premises.” He sighs.
“Oh. Sorry. I just had a few things to finish up.”
“You know I admire your work ethic, Reese, but isn’t your brother getting married?”
I nod. “Don’t remind me. If Christmas isn’t boring enough, I have to suffer a family wedding. Why they couldn’t elope I don’t know.”
Clive rests against the door. “And that’s why I love my favourite lawyer. Hard as nails. But suffer through it you have to, just like I have to go home and suffer through my in-laws.” He looks down the corridor. “Right, I’m just going to evict Rich now, and then I might finally be able to lock up.”
I pass Rich on my way down to the parking garage under the office block. “I had a party I could have gone to this afternoon,” he bitches.
“So why didn’t you?” I shrug.
“And let you look like the better employee? No fucking way. That upcoming partnership is mine.”
I shrug again. “May the best lawyer win.”
“Glad you feel that way. Why don’t you just quit, get a husband, and make babies; like you females are supposed to do? Leave us blokes to run the world.”
I come up to my car, my brand-new Mazda MX-5 RF, in its sleek, shiny grey. “Have a great Christmas, Rich, because your New Year isn’t going to be so good when I get that partnership and all you’ll probably get is crabs.”
I leave him standing there like the dickhead he is as I screech out of the car park.
Men like him are the reason I stay single. The ones who feel a woman’s worth is measured by how good at cooking and blow jobs they are. Don’t get me wrong, there are cold nights when I wonder what it might be like to have someone there to cuddle me and let me warm my feet on them, but I only have to be at work the next day for that idea to fade away.
Better to stay an Ice Queen as Brandon fucking Weston calls me. God, I have to put up with him over Christmas. After the wedding where I have to stand near him, I’ll keep to the other side of the room. Although I’ll make sure to snigger over the fact he’s had to have a haircut for the wedding thanks to my suggestion via Rhian that was she sure Brandon wouldn’t ruin the wedding photos she had to keep for life.
Ha.
To be honest, all I wanted was for him to make an effort for my brother, my best person in the whole world. The boy and man who looked out for me when our parents were at war. I just felt it was the least Brandon could do. When I saw him at the engagement party it raised my hackles that he didn’t respect my brother enough to tidy himself up.
Stop giving brain space to Brandon Weston. I chastise myself.
Once home I reluctantly start packing. Finally, I place my last item in my overnight bag and then check it off on my list before mentally running through everything I’m going to need for the short stay away for my brother and best friend’s wedding and Christmas.
I love my brother. I love my best friend. I hate weddings, or any place where my parents have to be in the same room. I’m not surprised that Rhian is taking the plunge before me, although I often question her sanity for picking my big brother to tie the knot with.
My beautiful and quiet apartment is my haven and I’m loathe to leave it. However, convinced that I’m sorted, I zip my bag closed and lift it from the edge of my bed, ensuring that I smooth the bedsheets out.
Closing the door firmly behind me, I make my way through my apartment. I gaze out at the River Thames in the distance and wonder what the next few days have in store for me. At least Rhian took my suggestion for the wedding cake and ordered a huge tower of cupcakes instead. My mouth waters at the thought alone.
I swore off the idea of marriage the day I watched my parents attempt to divide everything up including my brother and me. That whole experience put me off the idea of relationships full stop, if I’m being honest. It also determined my future career path. I finished school and got into one of the best law courses in the country to prepare myself for becoming a family lawyer. I was determined that where I could, I’d try to make the whole process easier, for the kids if not the parents.
Focus. Determination. Precision. Those are the words I live by. There’s no time in my life for the fakery of hearts and fucking flowers that turns to broken hearts and withered stems. I save all the heartbreak for work.
My eyes glance around my home, making sure everything is in order, before I shrug on my coat, scarf, and gloves and head out of my West Bank apartment.
The traffic is beyond a joke and by the time I pull up outside Rhian and Jack’s building, my road rage is beginning to get the better of me. It’s not helped by the fact that the only space I can find is just a couple of inches too small to allow me to parallel park my car with any ease.
“Fucking London,” I mutter as I pull back and forth a few inches in an attempt to straighten up. This is exactly why I bought a place with a designated parking space.
I’m a hot mess by the time I haul my bags up to their fourth-floor apartment.
Knocking, I smooth my hair down and run my fingers under my eyes to collect any straying make-up.
“Evenin’, lil’ sis.” Jack raises a blonde brow. “You’re looking... stressed. My girl getting to you?”
“No, she’s a walk in the park,” I lie.
In all honesty, Rhian hasn’t been that bad with her wedding plans. What I struggle with the most is our polar-opposite styles. Where I go for minimalist everything, she’s all about the lovey-dovey cute shit.
Her wedding theme is obviously Christmas, but instead of the traditional red or green, she went for a neutral pastel colour theme with sparkle and glitter everywhere. The whole thing hurts my head and it’s pained me to help her plan it. Don’t even get me started on the dress she’s chosen for me. I’m so far out of my comfort zone I need planning permission.
He moves to the side of the doorway and gestures. “Come in, she’s waiting for you.”
“Why are you even here anyway?” I query. “We shouldn’t be seeing your ugly face tonight, so hop it.”
“Yeah, yeah. I’m going, don’t fuss. Brandon’s waiting for me.”
My eye-roll is so strong it actually hurts to the point I think I have given myself a small eye strain. “I can’t believe you’re staying at his place tonight. You sure you won’t get eaten alive by whatever’s living in his flat?”
“It’s been tidied up. So has he. You won’t recognise him tomorrow.”
“If you say so.” Dropping my bags at his feet, hoping he’ll carry them the rest of the way, I slip past him in favour of my best friend.
“Reeeeese!” she squeals, running towards me from her position at the kitchen sink. She quickly flicks the bubbles from her hands and comes running over to throw her arms around me. “Can you believe I’m getting married tomorrow?”
“No, I really can’t. Especially not to him.” I screw up my face in disgust at the thought. “At least I’m gaining an awesome sister-in-law.”
“You know you love me,” Jack shouts.
I grin back at him. “It’s the only reason I’m here because I love you both! Weddings, ugh.”
“Stop it. My wedding’s going to be awesome.” Rhian slaps my arm. “Are you going to tell me what we’re doing tonight yet?”
“Nope, it’s a surprise. But what I can tell you is that it does not involve washing up or your soon-to-be husband. He needs to leave.” I say the last bit loudly to ensure he hears.
“I’m going. Pain in the arse,” he mutters from somewhere in the flat.
I find a half decent bottle of wine in Rhian’s fridge and pour myself a glass while the two lovebirds say their emotional g
oodbyes.
“You two are aware that you’ll see each other tomorrow to commit your lives to each other, right?” I call when I hear Rhian sniffling in the hallway.
“It’ll happen to you, you know?” Jack raises his middle finger and then blows me a kiss.
“Don’t put a bet on that, you’ll lose.” I leave them to their final farewell.
I’ve almost drained my glass by the time Rhian joins me.
“So, can you tell me what we’re doing now?” She sits on the sofa fidgeting with excitement.
“You’ll find out in ten minutes. In the meantime, drink a glass of this and go and change.”
I hand over a bag and she eagerly dives inside.
“Oh my god. I can’t believe I get to wear this,” she squeals excitedly, pulling out a vest and robe that have ‘Bride’ emblazoned on the front in pink glitter. “Thank you.” She throws her arms around me before running from the room to change.
She bounces back into the room. “You got stuff for yourself, right?”
Everything inside me screamed that it was wrong when I placed the order online, but Rhian’s my best friend and soon to be sister-in-law and if she wants the whole wedding experience then she’ll damn well get it. Pulling out my own bag, she squeals louder and forces me to go and get dressed.
I’d organised for a couple of beauty therapists to come and give us both the whole works tonight. When I suggested going out, Rhian shot me down saying she wanted a relaxed night in before the crazy started tomorrow, so that’s exactly what she’s got.
“Oh and here. I bought you some bridal style cupcakes. Look, they’re vanilla with icing confetti on.”
Rhian shakes her head. “Oh they’re for me are they? Not for the cupcake addict amongst us?”
“I couldn’t resist.” I giggle as I pick one up and start nibbling at the icing.
So we’re pampered and preened, and then we have another glass of champagne while Rhian chatters excitedly about becoming Mrs Connors tomorrow. I say another silent prayer that the marriage of my brother and best friend works out because the fallout would be a heartbreak I’m not sure I’d survive, never mind them.
When I awake to the sounds of her starting the coffee machine first thing the next morning, I’m surprised to find I actually feel relaxed and almost ready for what lies ahead. It’s hard not to get caught up in Rhian’s excitement. She’s absolutely buzzing. I love her dearly; she’s family to me whether or not she’s my brother’s intended.
I’ve barely had my first coffee when the buzzer goes off and Rhian’s mum, sister, and her two small nieces come barrelling in to get ready with us.
The morning is utter chaos but seeing the wide smile on my best friend’s face makes it all worth it.
Before I know it, I’m donning my cream chiffon, layered, and embroidered lace dress ready to climb into the limo to head towards the church.
“Aw, Reese,” Rhian cries when I step into her living room. “You look gorgeous.” Her eyes get a little wet as she stares at me.
Rhian and I met at university. She was also studying law although she’s not really used much she learnt during her degree, preferring instead to work in a jewellery store. I’ve tried to convince her more than once to put everything she learnt to good use, but she always point blank refuses, explaining once again how becoming a lawyer was her parents dream, not hers, and how she loves seeing her customers faces light up when they choose the perfect piece of jewellery. She’s a born romantic. I like to think she softens my edges and I remind her of the reality in her dreaming.
“Now, come on. No crying. That make-up artist spent way too long on it for you to ruin it before you’ve even left the house. Babe, it’s your turn. Go and get in that dress. Here comes the bride.”
She squeals again. Her clenched fists shake in excitement like a little girl and she runs for her room.
She stops and turns outside the door. “Well, what are you waiting for? I need your help.”
The dress is stunning. I can’t deny that. It’s not my style, but it is very much Rhian’s. It’s huge and covered in heavy ivory lace.
“You look like a princess, Aunt Rhi-Rhi,” one of Rhian’s nieces squeals as she spins around showing off its beauty.
God, there’s been so much squealing today I actually have a bit of a dull throb at my temple.
“Okay, people, it’s time to move. We want to keep Jack waiting but let’s not let him think you’re jilting him. Unless you’re having second thoughts, Rhi?” I wink. “I know a great place in Lake Tahoe where he’d never find us.”
“Funny, but not happening. I can’t wait to see him.”
“I know.” I give her a massive beaming smile. “So let’s get you there, bestie.”
We all bundle ourselves and Rhian’s massive dress into the back of the limo and head towards the church. Her dad died when she was a teenager, so it’s her mum who has the pleasure of walking her down the aisle today.
As the limo turns towards the church, I spot a man standing at the entrance, obviously looking out for us. He’s wearing the navy suit I helped Rhian pick out for Jack and his groomsmen. It fits him so well it could have been tailored for him. Knowing I’m behind darkened-glass, I make the most of drinking the guy in. I really should have paid more attention to who Jack said was coming to the wedding. It’s a shame this dude wasn’t at the engagement party. It’d have made that a more fun experience for sure.
The guy’s hair is styled perfectly, his chin has just the right amount of scruff, and the way the fabric of the suit pulls across his body makes me think he’s hiding something delicious underneath. But what really captures my attention is his eyes. Even from here I lose myself in their blue depths.
“Who is that?” I whisper to Rhian.
“Uh... I don’t—Holy shit, that’s Brandon.”
“No fucking way!” I yell.
Rhian’s sister tuts, making a show of covering her daughters’ ears, but both of us are too distracted by the man standing at the entrance to care.
“Jack said they’d Queer Eye-ed him, but I didn’t think for even a second that that was hiding behind all that hair.”
“No, me either. It can’t be him. He’s too… too… fit,” I admit. My interest is evident in my breathy voice.
“I thought copping off with the best man would be a little too cliché for you.” She laughs.
“Who mentioned copping off? I’m just appreciating what God gave him, that’s all. It’s amazing what washing and grooming can do for a guy.”
I’m completely and utterly speechless at the transformation.
“Yeah but now he’s all neat and tidy, just how you like ‘em. Anyway, how long’s it been since a guy saw what God gave you?”
My cheeks heat because it’s been longer than I want to admit.
“Long enough.”
Thankfully, we pull up in front of the church then and the subject is swiftly forgotten.
3
Brandon
I thought weddings were all about the bride?
Ever since I turned up at the church it’s been. “Is that YOU, Brandon?” It got to the point where I could see Jack was getting pissed off as it was supposed to be about him and Rhian. But he started it. He was the one insisted on my man makeover so it’s not my fault people are obsessed with asking me about it.
I only had my hair and beard trimmed for God’s sake. I’ve not had cosmetic surgery.
I’m ecstatic when the bride arrives and the wedding starts, then it’s all about them. I watch as Rhian comes walking up the aisle. Jack is beaming at her while simultaneously shaking like a leaf and his eyes are wet. She’s beaming right back at him. She looks beautiful, albeit dressed in this over the top flouncy stuff women insist on putting on for these things so they look like princess dolls instead of human beings. Like for instance Rhian’s fully made-up and has her hair in ringlets. She’s never looked like this before in her life, but I guess that’s why it’s called a woman’s
‘big day’. Pull out all the stops time.
I realise then I could be talking about myself. I’m preened and in a suit. I have also never looked like this in my life. Fucking Jack.
My eyes centre on Reese behind the bride. She’s helping to carry the bride’s train along with a little girl either side. I have to confess that she looks amazing. It’s a shame I only have the front view because I’m wondering if she’s having a Pippa Middleton moment and if her arse looks mighty fine. I realise while I’m staring at her that she’s staring back at me, but for once it’s not with disdain. It’s like she’s… hungry… and I’m food. What the actual fuck?
I’m distracted and busy as I perform my best man duties and even my locked-up heart softens a little as it watches the true love before my eyes as my best friend and his fiancée are pronounced husband and wife.
Signing the register puts me in close proximity to Reese. The woman is actually a bit of a babe. It’s a shame she’s such a cow.
Now I keep seeing her look at me. It’s a proper head-to-toe perusal like she’s mapping my frikking genetics or something. She walks over to me and knocks a piece of fluff off my shoulder. It gets my back up. She needs to keep her judgy hands to herself. I’ve always been too polite to say anything to her though for in case I should upset her, but maybe today, with my new look, I should develop a new persona to go with the look? What is it women seem to like? A Player? A Bad Boy?
A few drinks down me and I reckon I could go for it at the reception. See what reaction I get from the women who keep flirting with me. Tonight I might get laid! I have a hotel room where the reception is being held so why not? In the meantime, I think I’ll wind Reese up; revenge for her treating me like shit before.
I turn to her. “Any excuse to get your hands on me, huh?”
I watch and I’ve got to say it’s thoroughly enjoyable as her eyes widen and her lips part. Miss ‘I’m always in control’ Connors is a little lost for words right now.
The Daddy Dilemma: A Brother's Best Friend Enemies To Lovers Romance (Hot Daddy Book 3) Page 2