Page 49

Tealey

“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

The wedding photos took forever, but once they were done, enough time had passed for Rad and Marlow to cool off. Although Jackson and I have made wild guesses, neither of us feels we should broach the situation with either of them just yet.

“They argued all the way down the aisle,” I say. “Now they don’t appear to be on speaking terms. What should we do?”

“Leave them be,” Jackson says. “They’ll work it out on their own.”

I watch Marlow chat with Cammie’s grandmother before she turns, looking a little lost. The most noticeable thing is that she appears to be avoiding us.

And Rad took a call and disappeared when I was helping Cammie touch up her makeup. Fortunately, she seems none the wiser. Although Cade was a witness, he hasn’t said a word. I agree with his stance. This is their special day, so I’m kind of surprised that Rad and Marlow would put on such a display.

Both head in separate directions, but I decide to start with Rad to figure out what’s going on. One moment, I see him with his mom. The next, he’s heading into the house. Both times, he looks upset. I’m thinking he might need some time to cool off, so I head to the bar for a glass of champagne.

Jackson has already found his way and is propped up against the bar when I arrive. “What can I get you, Tealey?”

“A glass of champagne, please.” When he hands it to me, I say, “Thank you.” I leave the space between us open for conversation. “Soooo . . .”

“Yeah,” he replies, tensing his jaw. “Whatever it is, it’s bad.”

“You think?”

He nods.

“And you don’t know what happened?”

This time, he shakes his head. Pushing off the bar, he says, “I think I’ll go look for Marlow. She might need a friend.”

“Maybe I should go then.”

“Marlow and I are friends, Tealey.” Offense threads through his tone. “Just like you and Rad.”

Nothing like Rad and me, but I’m not going to argue with him. I agreed to this vow of silence on the topic of us, and I’ll stick with it.

I set my glass back down, having no interest in alcohol right now. As the newlyweds start ticking through their list of traditional items on the reception agenda, I go in search of Rad again. Cutting across the lawn, I’m just at the edge of the party when I hear, “Bonjour, mademoiselle.”

The accent is thick, matching his dark hair. His caramel eyes are set on me like we’ve met before. We haven’t, but I know who he is. “You’re even prettier than Marlow described.”

“Thank you. You must be Jean-Luc.” When he leans in to kiss my cheek, I pull back, his gesture too forward for me.

Or maybe I’m just not sophisticated enough to appreciate the greeting.

Either way, I say, “It’s nice to meet you.

I’m Tealey.” I know nothing of this man other than he’s an art collector.

Something tells me he has interests in collecting other things, such as notches on his belt.

Just a gut instinct, but one that’s served me well.

Of course, I had judged Rad all wrong, so maybe my instincts aren’t as reliable as I once believed.

“Yes, Marlow spoke highly of you.” He holds his glass forward. “You don’t have a drink? Shall we make our way to the bar?”

“No. I’m fine.” Antsy to get to Rad, I look toward the house one more time.

“Champagne is for celebrations. Weddings. Engagements. New friends. We have all the makings of a beautiful evening.”

“The wedding was so beautiful.” I was teary-eyed when Cammie tried on her dress the first time, cried when I saw her today, and bawled like a baby while I listened to her and Cade exchange their vows.

He sips his champagne while I figure out how to ditch him and get back to searching for my boyfriend. “I should apologize for Marlow. I did not agree to?—”

“Her engagement, I heard, was quite the surprise today.” He sips, his eyes fixed on me.

Marlow? Engaged? He must be mistaken. There’s no way. She’s not even dating anyone. I try to riddle through what he said, thinking I heard him wrong in the first place. “Marlow’s not engaged.”

“Oui, she is indeed. The fiancé was ill-prepared, popping the question because her family is here. Americans have lost the art of romance. No honest man would make a mockery of love. Love requires intimacy, not big displays.” His flippant comment warrants a comeback, but I’m still stuck on the “popping the question because her family is here” part.

The only person with Marlow and her family was Rad.

My hands fist at my side, and I take a deep and staggering breath to control my head from exploding. “Did you see the man, her fiancé ,” I grit, “propose, or is it a rumor?”

“The actress, Lorie Marché, was telling a small group of us at the wedding. Her father is going to give a toast.”

“A toast?” Rad is about to have his engagement announced instead of his relationship with me going public. A punch to the gut has me coddling my midsection just as panic sets in.

He must be wrong. Others men are dressed in tuxes. It must be a mix-up. Please be anyone but Rad.

“This, uh, man.” He looks around and then turns back. “Is the same man as the one coming from the house.”

My gaze pivots over his shoulder to see Rad returning to the reception.

Just past him, twenty or so feet, Marlow walks out of the house.

My heart sinks to the pit of my stomach, and I brace myself by holding it with one arm.

It’s hard to speak with my throat thickening, but I ask, “Are you sure? Are you sure that’s the man? ”

“I am. Lorie pointed him out when they walked down the aisle.”

I stare at Jean-Luc, watching the shape of his lips when he speaks and the way they creep around the edge of the glass when he drinks. I stare at his mouth because it’s a liar just like the man. Only someone cruel like him would spread lies for entertainment.

My Rad wouldn’t do this to me.

My Rad wouldn’t betray someone he loves.

My Rad wouldn’t go against his moral compass, choosing his career over me. I know he wouldn’t. Rad has goals, but he’s changed for the better. He has a life, with me, for the better. Why would he do something that he knows would destroy me?

He promised never to hurt me, but I stand here unable to walk away from the pain.

Jean-Luc rocks in his loafers and then smiles. “Would you like to dance?”

“Tealey?” The voice cuts past Jean-Luc. When my eyes find the ones that usually bring me comfort, this time, they don’t. I’m hit with a glare so piercing that he has me believing I’ve done something wrong. “I’ve been looking for you,” Rad says, standing behind Jean-Luc.

“I’ve been looking for you as well,” I volley back with caution.

We’ve had a fight, but it was a rain shower compared to the storm brewing inside him. The tension is so thick that I take another step back from Jean-Luc as if he’ll find me guilty from the proximity to another man.

This is not Rad. Not my Rad.

He’s not like that—unreasonable and threatening. Who is this man standing before me? The one who looks so familiar but feels foreign in every other way.

Jean-Luc steps forward and faces Rad. “Is there a problem?”

His accent is much milder now and more in tune with his manners.

Rad’s gaze never sways from mine, ignoring Jean-Luc entirely. He holds out his hand, reaching for me.

In. Front. Of. Everyone.

At least anyone who’s paying attention to us, but that doesn’t seem to be many when I look around at the party happening behind me. It’s a violation of the agreement, either way, and I’m all for chucking that damn deal, but it seems he already did way before now.

I take a breath and place my hand in his despite my better judgment, his touch the match igniting the dwindling embers inside me once again. I needed this. I needed him.

But when I glance at Jean-Luc, his words of warning reappear. No honest man would make a mockery of love. No honest man.

I pull my hand back, burned by him. Again.

Be strong, Tealey.

Confusion rips through Rad’s expression, and he comes forward, whispering, “We need to talk.”

“Do we?”

“Yes.”

One look. That’s all it takes for me to see that he’s done something that can’t be fixed. “I . . .” I start, my breath getting away from me as tears threaten the corners of my eyes. “Why didn’t I see it before now?”

“See what, Tealey?” He comes even closer, desperation coating his tongue. “Talk to me.”

As soon as Rad grabs my hands, Jean-Luc says, “You should not touch her.”

“Fuck off.”

“Rad!” I say, shocked by his behavior.

No, this is not the man I’ve fallen in love with. “I’m glad you showed me your true colors now before you had me fooled completely,” I lie, turning around and walking away. I was fooled by him, head over heels in love with him, but I finally see the truth.

I was never going to be the woman by his side. I would always remain the woman he chose to hide.

His priorities would always take precedence. He might ask me for my opinion or offer to listen to how I feel, but it was never going to really matter.

Rad is successful for a reason. Because he does what it takes to win—both inside and outside the courtroom.

And although he might’ve won my heart, I didn’t win his. And that hurts more than I ever even considered it might.

Rushing through the reception, I search for anyone to help me hold my heart together before it shatters across the dance floor.

I’m smacked in the chest by a bundle of flowers, causing my heart to leap from my body as petals fly everywhere.

Reactively, I catch the bouquet before I realize what’s even happening.

Cammie screams in delight. “Tealey! You caught the bouquet.” Pointing at me, she’s dancing to the song that just got turned up. “You’re next, baby!”

Cade steals a glance before he takes her hand and spins her around on the dance floor.

That’s how it should be—make sure she’s happy.

This should be the best day of her life.

That means I need to leave. I need to get back to Manhattan and find someplace to hide until I can sort the truth from the lies.

Be brave, Tealey.

I can’t keep the burden of my pain away much longer. I start running, moving as fast as I can into the darkness of the lawn.

It’s not until I reach the side of the house that I fall against it, giving me time to catch my breath.

“Tealey?” Hearing my name has me standing stiff against the siding, praying not to be found. But the tears fall, sending rivulets streaming down my cheeks.

“Tealey, where are you?”

I catch my breath when I realize it’s not Rad but Jackson who’s calling after me. He comes around the corner and stops. No words. Just one look is exchanged between us, and then he opens his arms and holds me.

He doesn’t worry about me soaking his tux or that my makeup might ruin the collar of his shirt.

He stands there with me wrapped in his arms and lets me cry until my tears begin stuttering and my eyes dry.

I sag against the house again, and when I look into his sympathetic eyes, I say, “I need a favor.”