Page 5 of Conveniently Theirs (Viva Las… Oh, Sh!t)

five

Kendall

W hat a crappy night. The tracker I’m not sure why I wear claims I slept four point two hours.

From my gritty eyes and the number of hours I’d witnessed passing on the bedside clock, I think my tracker is being generous.

My sleeplessness makes sense though. I just couldn’t turn off my mind.

Thoughts flip-flopped from Josh’s proposal and all the problems we’ll probably face to the disbelief I’ve actually agreed to his silly plan.

Love makes people do strange things.

My heart has been waiting for Josh for years. While my head knows he’s not attracted to me physically, my heart continues to harbor unreasonable hope. I hate admitting to myself how much of the night was spent fantasizing about how he might really want me the way a man wants a woman.

I didn’t pack a toy, probably wouldn’t have used it anyway just in case the soft buzz would be heard outside my room. I hadn’t known our rooms would be on the opposite sides of the huge suite.

So, the dance of my fingers chased my desire until I arched from the mattress, my free hand covering my mouth to contain the sounds of my desperate orgasm. Finally, hugging one of the deluxe bed pillows, I fell asleep.

When I wake there’s the muffled sound of voices outside my door. “We should let her sleep.”

“There’s too much to do before your appointment at the chapel.”

“I wish you’d come with.”

“You know why I can’t. Let it go, babe. You gonna knock or shall I be the bad guy here?”

Straightening my nightshirt as I sit, I make sure I’m covered before calling out, “I’m awake, guys. Come on in.”

There’s a pause before the door opens, giving me an opportunity to run my fingers through my tangled hair, hoping to not look like a crazed wild woman. From their expressions as they fill the doorway, I’m not sure I’ve succeeded.

Josh is the first to press his lips together and grin.

Devin turns his face away before settling his full lips in a serious expression.

Surrounded by the scruff of his short, tightly manicured beard, I wonder how they’d feel against my skin.

Of course my traitorous body tingles with interest. So not appropriate for so many reasons.

Josh perches on the end of the bed facing me. “Sorry to have to wake you.”

“No problem. The sooner we get the day over with, the better.”

He gnaws on the inside of his cheek. “Are you sure you want to do this? It’s not too late to change your mind.”

From the corner of my eye I catch Devin’s expression as I lean forward to reach my hand toward Josh.

I don’t have a lot of experience but I swear there’s desire in his gaze.

How could that be? No, that’s just a leftover expression for Josh.

Then I realize he can see straight down the loose neckline of my nightshirt.

At least my boobs keep the view from going lower .

Josh takes my hand and I return to the moment.

“Joshua Castillo, I said I would marry you today and I will. You’re my bestie, part of my true family, and I love you.

” Hoping the slight tremor in my voice doesn’t indicate I feel more than brotherly love for him, I give his fingers a squeeze.

“So, if we’re going to do this, I’m going to need breakfast fortification. ”

Devin chuckles. “I’ll go order room service while you shower. Your usual French toast and fruit?”

“For a day like today I might need a mimosa,” I mumble.

His lips twitch. “Done. Come on, Josh. Let’s let her get ready.”

Josh presses a kiss to the back of my hand. “Thank you, darlin’. For everything.”

“Get out, both of you. I won’t be long.”

At the door Devin turns and grins. “Wear something easy to change out of…we’ve got a wedding outfit to buy.”

I groan as I crawl out of bed. I hate trying on clothes. It really doesn’t take me long to get ready since I’ll probably want to shower and wash my hair before dressing for my wedding.

Ah, my wedding. Like many girls, I grew up dreaming about my wedding, although I didn’t have a scrapbook of ideas like my friends started at age ten.

My dreams were simple. I chuckle as I drag a brush through my hair.

This sudden trip to a wedding chapel in Vegas is almost like eloping.

At least it will be a fun story to tell—eventually.

Breakfast and the guys are waiting when I exit my bedroom.

The French toast with strawberries is luscious, and I probably drink more of the pitcher of sweet orange mimosa than I should.

Josh keeps pace with me and I wonder if he’s as nervous as I am.

Devin on the other hand, it cool and responsible, only sipping from a single glass the entire meal.

As we head toward the hotel lobby, I ask, “Are we making a spectacle of ourselves by using that huge limo? Is there even room for such a big car in parking lots?”

Josh’s laugh rings through the wide, open space. “No, darlin’. No limo today. Keeping it low key.” He digs in his pocket and shows me a set of keys. “Rental. Just a plain, old regular sedan. I was just trying to impress you yesterday.”

Devin’s laughter joins his. “That’s bull and you know it, babe. Keni doesn’t need impressing.”

“True that,” I say. “If something like a fancy car is supposed to impress me it was wasted effort. I’m a sedan kinda girl, you know.”

Laughing, we join arms and make our way to the parking garage and a pretty fancy, late model, all the bells and whistles, four door car.

First stop is the clerk’s office. Getting the license is as easy as predicted.

The clerk seemed bored by the whole thing and as we head toward a jewelry shop we make up stories about the different couples a clerk might see in a single day.

That helps me keep my mind off my own story and what kind of ending we’re going to be able to write for ourselves.

Josh and I begin the ring selection process—difficult for me possibly because that’s one thing I’d never included in my wedding daydreams. I have no clue what shape of stone I like best, and Josh insists I have at least one large gem.

He stands facing me at the sparkling glass counter, hands on his hips. “What’s the point of having money if you don’t show it off at least occasionally. No man in my position would allow his bride to be bare fingered. Flash and a bit of glitz, darlin’. That’s what we need to pull this off.”

“Fine,” I grumble. “But no big diamonds.”

“Pick a gem you like, Keni. It’s not the ring itself, but what it stands for.”

Wondering what kind of meaning he’s assigning to the ring, I study the velvet tray of stones the salesman sets on the counter. He points to gems of a variety of colors at one side.

“Most people don’t realize that sapphires can be more than just blue. They’re naturally occurring in every color except red.”

“Why not red?” Josh asks as he pushes the stones around with the back of his knuckle.

“Ah.” The salesman lifts one finger in a didactic manner. “The red form of corundum is the ruby.”

I shrug one shoulder. It really doesn’t matter to me about the ring. “I like sapphires.”

Devin escapes the woman flirting with him at another counter and leans over Josh’s shoulder to study the stones. He separates a large pink stone. “This one,” he says before stepping away again.

The salesman nods. “This is a high quality fancy sapphire in a pink coloration. Excellent choice.”

“How long will it take to set in a ring?” Josh crosses his arms like he’s ready to do battle. I bite back a grin.

“Our designer is in house. Depending on the number of stones, and the setting, no more than a couple hours.”

Devin’s presence at my side is instantly calming. I don’t know why picking shiny pretty things is making me so uptight. Okay, yeah, I do know why. I just don’t want to recognize the longing and give it a name. “What do you think?” I ask him.

His smirk makes Josh laugh. “Come on, Devin. You know you’re the one with the best fashion sense of the three of us. Don’t hold back now.”

He holds Josh’s gaze as he speaks and takes my hand so I’m included. “I think three stones. All of a similar size. The color doesn’t matter so much. Pick what you like and see how it goes with the pink sapphire.”

“Ladies first,” Josh says and I give him a dirty look.

“I don’t need to choose. Devin did that for me already. The pink.”

Devin moves a yellow gem next to the pink. “How’s that?”

With a fake groan, Josh leans closer to the stones making the salesman hover his hand closer to the tray. “I like the traditional blue sapphire, but since the other stones are more pastel…” Chewing on the inside of his cheek, he carefully separates the gems. “How about this lighter blue?”

Once he pushes the three stones together I know it’s right. This ring isn’t just about me and him. This way we include Devin as well. Probably sounding like the bride I’m going to be, I sigh. “I like that. It’s perfect.”

We take a few more minutes to pick out an appropriate setting, then while the designer gets to work, we choose three narrow, platinum bands, two with a brushed surface and one shiny to match my ring.

The salesman’s confused frown at our purchase doesn’t surprise me.

I’ll be fake marrying Josh. He’s committed his life and his love to Devin.

So in a way, I’m also committing myself to Devin.

The rings will remind us all of what I can’t say out loud.

We grab a quick lunch then drop Josh back at the hotel. He claims he’s got stuff to do, but I know the only reason he isn’t tagging along on the shopping trip is because Devin has told him repeatedly he’s not allowed to see my outfit until we’re ready to go to the chapel.

Parked outside an exclusive dress shop, I close my eyes and lean my head back against the seat. “There’s no way there will be anything to fit me in there, Devin. Can’t we just forget about a fancy dress?”

“Nope. Not gonna happen, sweets. Pretend… or not… today is a special one for you and Josh. There is no way I’ll let you go through with this when you don’ t look your best. Besides, I’ve been in contact with the owner and they’re waiting for us.”

I turn my face toward him and voice my fears. “So they know to expect a big girl? That’ll give them time to find the ugliest things they’ve got and hope they fit. I’ve been there and done that.”

“Kendall, honey, there’s no way I would ever allow that to happen again. I think you’ll be surprised. This shop specializes in lushly curved women like you. I took the liberty of letting them know your best styles and your size.”

I jerk upright. “And how the hell would you know all that when I don’t even have a clue?”

He presses his palm over his heart and widens his eyes. I can’t figure out how he can look both innocent and devilish at the same time. “Sweets, I am a gay man with impeccable taste. Of course I know. Question is… do you trust me?”

I do and allow him to guide me into the shop.

By the time he’s done, I’ve got four or five new outfits as well as my wedding attire.

They even provided matching shoes. I’m exhausted by the time we climb back into the car.

And a little tipsy. I took full advantage of the champagne they offered.

Hell, it’s my day—so they say—and I might as well enjoy myself .

Turning in my seat, I stare at the fancy clothing bags in the back of the vehicle. “Are we done yet?”

“One more thing. Well, two. First, a spa treatment to relax you. Then they’ll help you get ready. Hair. Makeup. Your beautiful dress. I’ve reserved a secluded table at the new restaurant Eclissi for your pre-wedding dinner. From there you and Josh will head to the chapel and…”

“And we’ll be fake married.”