Page 48

Rad

After being dragged all over the property by Marlow and the Marchés, I’m happy to be locked away in a room with the boys before the wedding begins.

I only caught a glimpse of Tealey from across the lawn this morning when she was helping my mom with the flower arrangements.

Not enough to satisfy the craving twisting my gut.

But she was stunning even with her hair in rollers and dressed in a robe over workout pants, maybe more so because of how naturally beautiful she is.

A rap on the door sends Jackson to answer it. My mom pokes her head in. “Does anybody need anything?”

Cade and Jackson are good, so she asks me, “Can you spare a minute?”

Already dressed, I join her in the hallway outside my bedroom, which has been deemed the “groom’s room.” Her smile is genuine with a glassiness to her eyes. “You always look so handsome in a tuxedo.”

Hugging her, I say, “You look beautiful, Mom.” She does. I’m not sure why she doesn’t date. She looks younger than her years, but she’s not old enough to be sitting on the sidelines for the rest of her life. She also doesn’t want to hear a lecture from me, so I let it go for today.

“Thank you.” Hooking her arm with mine, she says, “Let’s take a quick walk.”

I’m not sure what this is about, but something’s on her mind. Better to get it off now than let it fester.

We move apart on the deck. I lean on the railing while she stands on the steps, keeping her eyes on the crew as they rush around with the finishing touches. She says, “It really turned out beautiful.”

“It did. You and Cammie did an incredible job pulling this off so quickly.”

“It was my pleasure.” Turning toward me, she says, “Clear something up for me.”

“All right.” Judging by how her expression contorts, I don’t know where this is going. It could be a financial question, a legal dispute, or she might want to talk about my future. I literally have no idea. My mom isn’t usually subtle.

“What’s going on, Radcliffe?” she starts but then stops when two people carrying more chairs pass between us.

As soon as they’re out of earshot, she continues, “I could have sworn you were showing interest in Tealey when you were last here, but now you’re dating Marlow?

And from what it looks like, you’re quite chummy with the Marchés.

” That just about sums up the lies I’ve been living.

“What do you mean showing interest in Tealey?”

Lowering her chin, she gives me that look, the one that stops me from daring to go there. There , meaning playing dumb. It’s something she hates, but I’m not above it.

“The flirting, the ‘trip’ into town. Frank, an old friend of mine who works part-time security at Rusco’s had lots to talk about.

I got more than a lobster roll when I stopped by on Tuesday, let me tell you.

I got an earful.” Shit. I keep my mouth shut.

It’s best to let her finish than fill in the rest of the story.

She joins me at the railing, keeping her eyes trained on the waves in the distance.

“The description based on hair or eye color could have been either Marlow or Tealey. But when he mentioned the yellow dress . . .” Her gaze hits me, but there’s no judgment in her eyes or hurt in her tone when she asks, “I didn’t realize you were so close.

” She holds my hand. “Tealey’s wonderful.

Don’t get me wrong, son. Marlow is charming, and there’s a je ne sais quoi air about her, but I didn’t see her .

. . and you . . .” My mom’s attention turns to the commotion near the quartet.

She’s going to be disappointed in me, but I won’t lie to her. “Marlow is a good friend, but there’s nothing more between us.”

The crinkles around her eyes deepen when she smiles. Resting her hands on the railing again, she says, “I thought as much, but then what’s going on?”

“We . . .” I sigh. The situation and the lies are draining me. “I got talked into helping her out with a personal issue, and as strange as it may sound, that involved pretending we’re dating.”

“That doesn’t sound like any good can come of it. Helping a friend is a good thing. Lying, not so much.” She tilts her head to the side. “What about Tealey? Does she know the truth?”

“She knows the truth.”

“That’s good. I’d hate to think there was cheating involved.”

I stand in disbelief.

“Mom, you know me. I wouldn’t cheat. I’m not that man and never will be.”

She rubs my shoulder. Pride and empathy shine a light in her eyes as she dotes on me.

“I know. I shouldn’t have made you feel I didn’t.

I wasn’t questioning your character. I was making sure things haven’t been misconstrued when it comes to how Tealey feels about this fake dating business. Does she know how you feel about her?”

I haven’t told her how my heart seems to only beat for her.

And as much as I should feel ten pounds lighter for settling Bob’s case, I’m worried about Tealey and the toll this scheme with Marlow will take on our relationship.

This morning at the beach was the final push I never saw coming.

Instead of feeling good about what I’ve accomplished, I’m left feeling ashamed of what I’ve done. “Not in so many words.”

“In any words?” She grins, already knowing the answer.

“Not exactly.”

She pats my arm. “Think about filling her in on your feelings. You might be surprised by her reaction.”

“I like her . . . I love her , Mom.”

The words come staggering out, refusing to be hidden any longer.

It feels strange to say them out loud, but not wrong in any way.

I don’t know how I expected to feel, but it wasn’t conflicted.

None of my feelings for Tealey are conflicting, but the situation with Marlow I’ve involved myself in is a direct contradiction.

She walks around me, keeping the tips of her fingers tethered to the wood. “I know, son. Make sure she does too. Honesty in actions and words mean everything.”

Turning to go, she stops. She faces me again, shaking her head in pure amusement. “Oh, and I about spit out my water when I heard Cammie say you were showing Tealey your ‘movie collection.’ Your code words need more originality. Nobody owns DVDs or videotapes anymore. Streaming is the way to go.”

I chuckle, thinking about how much she and Tealey are alike and then how the differences bridge the gap between them. I’m a lucky guy. “Yeah, I’ll look into that,” I joke.

Mulling over Mom’s advice, I must agree on one thing. There’s no reason to wait.

I shouldn’t.

It’s settled. Tonight is the night I tell Tealey Bell that I love her. I turn with a grin and head back to the groom’s room.

Jean-Luc.

Fucker.

I guess Marlow didn’t get the message that my Tealey’s not up for grabs.

The minute he walked in, kissing cheeks of the women under forty and kissing hands of the women over, he made his presence known.

You’d think he’d just landed his private helicopter on the lawn by how much attention he was getting.

I peek out the window to check, just to make sure.

Jackson asks Cade, “How does it feel to be getting married?”

“Remember how graduation felt? Nervous for the unknown but excited like the whole world was yours for the taking?” Cade grins. “It feels just like that.”

I look over my shoulder at Cade. He just described Tealey’s and my relationship.

I think I knew all along that she was going to get the best of me, that I wouldn’t be able to lose her once I had her. Even on the day I met Cade by the water, I chalked my feelings up to having mixed-up emotions so I could try to play it off.

Two months later, I realize—I’m ready to admit—that I’m not mixed up when it comes to Tealey.

I want to be what I’ve never been before—a boyfriend, a partner, a lover, and a friend to this woman who makes my heart beat faster, that allows me to breathe with ease.

Tealey Bell gives me a peek into a life I never thought I’d have.

Fuck. I run my fingers through my hair in a sad attempt to wrangle my runaway feelings. Refocus, Wellington. Turning to face my friend, I say, “You look happy, man.”

Cade maneuvers around us and angles his chin to get a better look in the mirror. “I am. It took eight years to get to this point. I would have married her on day one.”

Cade’s cousin comes in and holds up the bottle of bourbon that went missing from our room earlier. He asks, “Got another one of these?”

Shooting me a look, I know what he’s asking me to do. “The wedding’s about to begin. It’s an open bar at the reception.”

“Cool.” Satisfied, the guy closes the door.

Jackson says, “Oh to be twenty-one again.”

“All of six years ago?” I ask, teasing.

The wedding planner opens the door and pokes her head in. “Ready to get married?” she asks, a smile reaching the rounds of the apples of her cheeks.

Cade heads for the door with us behind him. He asks, “How’s my bride?”

The planner looks as if she’s seen an angel. “The most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen.”

They continue talking as she leads us to the great room to wait. Her words have me imagining Tealey dressed in white, taking a walk to be my wife. I rub the bridge of my nose. Two months , I remind myself. I can love her. I can be in love with her. But it’s too soon for marriage.

Marriage should be a calculated decision, one that makes sense and is done at the right time. Although Tealey’s not afraid to put her dreams into the universe, my dreams are just taking shape.

My mom’s bedroom door opens, and Tealey and Marlow walk out in short pale purple gowns—fitted on top and flaring out at the waist. The shoes are simple strappy flats, which my mom will appreciate since heels will mess up her lawn.

But it’s Tealey’s eyes that shine like the sun hides in them—bright and beautiful, so much like who she is—that render me speechless. She comes to me and adjusts my boutonnière. Looking up, she says, “You look very handsome, Counselor.”

I’m not sure what to say. I want to wrap my arms around her, tell her how she’s utterly breathtaking, kiss her, claim her, and keep her safe from the rakish Frenchman waiting to pounce on her at the first chance he gets.

I’m just not allowed to. Not yet. Not without giving her a say.

And there’s no room to talk for the time being.

Cade is sent marching down the aisle, and we’re told to line up.

We pair off as it should be—Marlow and Jackson, Tealey and me.

Like a drill sergeant, the wedding planner inspects all of us.

She steps back to take us in, and her face sours.

“No. This isn’t working.” Grabbing Jackson, she says, “You and . . .” She doesn’t have to say it. There are only two couples.

Tealey’s hand tightens around my arm, and I place my hand on hers to hold her right where she is. Then the planner says, “We have to hurry. Tealey,” she says with a snap of her fingers. “Come up here.”

“I think this works.”

“If the two ladies swap partners, it looks better visually. You’re going to have to trust me on this. I’ve been organizing weddings for years, and the photos are what remain long after the vows. Let’s make Cammie’s look the best they can.” Fuck that.

Tealey huffs, but then her grip loosens. Looking up at me, she swallows, and then says, “She’s probably right. You and Marlow are the better match.”

“I disagree,” I whisper. She gives me a look to go along with it and turns away. Why is it that every time we think we’ll be together, something intervenes?

She’s handed her bouquet and then looks back once she’s on Jackson’s arm. The planner shuffles them out the door before I can tell her that my love for Tealey matters more. And I fucking oppose the planner’s decision. I prefer Tealey standing next to me over any other woman.

Marlow straightens her shoulders. “This is also better for appearances.” Marlow beside me, even for Cammie’s benefit, feels wrong.

I look at her in disbelief. “Fuck appearances. I’m done playing games with you. He bought the apartment. You got what you wanted.”

She arches a perfectly manicured brow. “You did too. Don’t forget that.”

The planner gives my shoulder blade a little shove, and we start walking. With each step, my annoyance at Marlow and this entire situation continues to build.

Something about her tone makes it seem as if I owe her father something for making partner— if I make partner . And as we pass Bob Marché while we step down the aisle, I realize something: my partnership has nothing to do with him.

I’ve busted my ass for years. I’ve worked myself into the ground. I’ve put my heart and soul into my work, and while Bob’s divorce may have helped me get there in the end, I would’ve gotten there anyway.

And Marlow would’ve too. I glance at her profile.

She’s come a long way over the past year.

She may be flippant, and she may be shallow, but she works hard.

She tries to do the right thing. And she’s a good friend and a good person.

Her metamorphosis was intentional, and she lost a little bit of that today on the beach with her father and Lorie.

She fell back into a persona she’s tried so hard to shed.

“You know what?” I ask quietly. “That’s bullshit.”

“What’s bullshit?” she whispers and then flashes a forced smile at someone in the audience.

“I worked for my promotion. I’ve worked for it longer than the past couple of months. If I get partner, it has nothing to do with you or your dad. Don’t get it twisted.”

She stutter-steps. Her long blond hair is twisted up in the back, restraining it from swinging through the air as she whips to look at me while we cross the deck. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

“You know what’s wrong. That crossed every fucking line in my book.” I stop on the grass. “This is not who we are, Marlow. Don’t let your dad and stepmom drag you back into a version of yourself that you left behind. On purpose.”

A clearing of the throat grabs our attention. The planner grits her teeth. “Go.”

Marlow sighs heavily but takes my arm again, and we start walking. Through tight smiles, we continue fighting, though. She says, “Not everyone is handed?—”

“Don’t go there.” I set my eyes on Tealey, standing at the altar, waiting for me just like she said she would be. She had faith this would all work out in our favor. She believed in me. But I’ve failed her in so many ways.

A slight sadness lingers in Tealey’s eyes at seeing Marlow and me coming down the aisle together, and it feels like a knife through my heart.

This should not be happening. I should not have put her through this.

Any of this.

“I’ve sacrificed more than you’ll ever know to play along with your charade.”

“Like what?” I can hear the eye roll through her tone.

“The love of my life.”