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Chapter Forty-Nine

IZZIE

T oday was the first time I saw Caroline since I caught her at Jackson’s house, and I knew it’d be hard. But my hatred toward her grew by leaps and bounds when she showed up with Gavin. There’s no love lost between her brother and that man, and she knows Jackson hates him too. She’s a petty, spoiled brat, and I have half a mind to toss her in the pool in her cocktail dress and all.

The rehearsal part of the rehearsal dinner went smoothly, despite the unwanted guest, but mainly because Gavin made himself scarce. He’s either afraid Jackson will punch him in the throat, or he’s waiting for the right moment to ruin everything. I bet it’s the latter.

Unfortunately, Caroline and her boyfriend aren’t the only problems occupying my mind. Mom decided to be extra difficult today and make it all about herself. I don’t want Jane to stress, so I’m playing buffer and referee between her and Chad’s mother. Thank goodness Louisa isn’t like Caroline, and she’s helping.

Mom is currently complaining that the dinner is buffet style, but I’m tired of her negativity, so when she turns her attention to Lydia, I make my escape. I haven’t eaten anything, but I’m not hungry—I’m in dire need of a drink. But first, I make sure Jane is okay. I find her with Chad and Louisa, so that makes me feel less guilty to be heading to the bar.

“Hello. What can I get you?” the bartender asks.

“Gin and tonic, please.”

“Coming right up.”

As I watch the bartender prepare my drink, I get distracted and don’t notice that someone joined me at the bar until they speak. “Lovely party.”

I tense, then study Gavin for a moment before replying, “Yes, it is.”

“For a last-minute affair that is.” He chuckles.

Fucking asshole. He’s saved from my retort because the bartender sets my drink in front of me, and instead of falling for Gavin’s goading, I thank the man supplying me with much-needed alcohol.

“So… you and Darcy crashed and burned, huh?” the odious man continues.

I level him with a glower. “How’s that any of your business?”

“It isn’t. I’m just pleased he didn’t hold on to you.”

My jaw drops. “Wow. You’re something else.”

He gives me a dazzling smile, the kind he flashed when he used to flirt with me. “I’m just being honest. I’d like to think we could have been more if he hadn’t come between us.”

Wait. Is he for real?

“Sorry to burst your bubble, but nothing would ever have happened between us.”

He touches my arm with his fingertips, making my skin crawl. “That’s too bad.”

I step back and grit out, “What are you doing? Aren’t you here with Caroline?”

He shrugs. “It’s not that serious. She wanted to stick it to her brother and Darcy, and I was more than happy to help her out.”

“You disgust me.” I walk away before I toss my drink on his smug face.

Fuming and not in the mood to be social, I leave the party. For the rehearsal dinner, we booked the Beach Club restaurant, which has access to the pool area. It’s hotter than Hades outside though, and no one is out and about. Perfect.

I sit on a lounge chair and take a large sip of my drink.

“Want some company?” Jackson asks.

His smooth voice is like a balm to my soul.

We didn’t interact much today, and during our dance practice, we managed to keep things platonic. I regret the lie, but with all the running around and stress of the wedding, there hasn’t been a moment to come clean.

“Yours? Always.” I smile.

Instead of taking a seat on the chair next to mine, he sits next to me. “Is everything okay?”

“Yeah. Just taking a breather,” I lie. I don’t want to tell Jackson about Gavin and cause more trouble.

“Izzie… I saw Wickham talking to you just now. What did that weasel say?”

Shit.

“You saw that, huh?” I look into his eyes.

He cups my cheek, making me melt. “Yeah. I was on my way to drag him out, but you left before I could reach you.”

“He just told me what I already knew. He’s only here with Caroline to piss you off.”

There’s no need to tell Jackson about Gavin’s flirtation. Jackson is already coiled tight. It won’t take much for him to sucker punch that douche canoe.

“He’s a bastard. Let’s not allow him to ruin the weekend.”

Suddenly, I want to throw myself at him and kiss him until I can’t breathe. But we’re in plain view. I stand up and offer him my hand. “Let’s go for a walk.”

“Where?”

“How about the beach?”

His handsome face splits into the widest smile. “Lead the way, my lady.”

* * *

JACKSON

Izzie leans back, but I trap her face between my hands. “One more before we head back.”

“Jacks… you’ve kissed me plenty.”

“Not nearly enough to satisfy my hunger for you.” I slant my mouth over hers, coaxing her lips open.

She’s not wrong—all we’ve done since we got to the beach was kiss as if we were teenagers. It’s her fault for being so damn addictive. I can’t get enough of the taste of her, of the sound of her laughter. And her eyes—her warm and beautiful brown eyes—they captivated me from the beginning.

We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect evening. The sky is clear, and the soft breeze coming from the ocean is calming and alluring. I wish we could stay here and watch the sunrise, but this weekend isn’t about us. It’s about Chad and Jane, and Izzie and I have jobs to do.

I pull back before I lose the fight against all the emotions swirling in my chest. Love and lust are a powerful combo. Izzie’s lips are now bee-stung, and her eyes are hooded. Such temptation. “You’re breathtaking.”

“And you are naughty.”

I chuckle. “Me? How about you?”

“Fine. We both are. Let’s get back to the party before they come looking for us.”

I grab her hand, lacing our fingers together. “Can we tell everyone now? I’m done with pretending.”

Her lips curl upward. “I suppose so. I don’t think I can come up with a good excuse to explain what we were doing on the beach at this hour.”

Relief washes over me. “Thank God. I was afraid you’d say no.”

“Really?”

I throw an arm around her shoulders and kiss the side of her head. “A part of me still fears you’ll run away again.”

Her brows furrow. “Jackson…”

“It’s okay. I understand why you did.” I shake my head, breaking eye contact. I don’t want her to think I’m a simp. “It’ll be fun to witness everyone’s reaction when they see us together.”

“Yeah.”

When we cross the gate into the pool area, it’s still deserted. Or so we think. A woman’s giggle comes from one of the cabanas.

“Oh… other people decided to be naughty tonight too,” I whisper.

“Hmm… who could they be? Ten bucks it’s Jane and Chad.”

My brows arch. “You want to bet on it?”

“Why not?”

“You’re on. I think it’s Frederico and one of the bridesmaids,” I say.

“Well… we can peek. If it’s not Chad and Jane, we leave the lovebirds be. If it’s them… it won’t be the first time we’ve caught them in the act.”

I shake my head. “You’re so bad. I love it.”

We approach the cabana on soft feet, but when we’re near enough, another voice makes my blood run cold. “You’re so much prettier than your sisters.”

Izzie and I look at each other, and I read the horror in her eyes. She recognized the voice too. Wickham.

Fucking hell.

I step in front of the cabana and see him and Lydia, lying on a lounge chair with him half on top of her. “You son of a bitch. I’m going to kill you!”

Lydia gasps while Wickham jumps to his feet, fixing his disheveled clothes. “It’s not what it looks like.”

Izzie walks around me and reaches for her sister. “What did he to do you?”

“He didn’t do anything. We were just talking!”

“Exactly,” Wickham adds. “You’re jum?—”

My self-control snaps, and the next thing I know, Lydia is screaming, Wickham is on the floor, clutching his nose, and my hand is throbbing. I’d probably jump on him and keep punching, but Izzie’s and Lydia’s presence prevents me from going berserk.

“What the hell!” he shouts. “You’re gonna regret that, Darcy.”

The noise must have carried inside the restaurant, because a moment later, we have company. Wickham attempts to get up, but I tell him, “Stay where you are, or I’ll knock you down again, asshole.”

“Jackson, what’s going on?” Chad comes running.

“What have you done to my boyfriend?” Caroline shrieks as she joins us.

“We caught your boyfriend making out with my sister,” Izzie grits out while Lydia hides her face against her chest. “She’s only sixteen!”

Caroline’s eyes turn as round as saucers. “What? You’re lying.”

“She is lying, babe. I wasn’t doing anything,” Wickham interjects. “Tell her, Lydia.”

Lydia’s expression falls. Maybe she’s realized Wickham is a worthless piece of shit. Damn it. This is partly my fault. If I had told Izzie the truth about Wickham’s past, maybe we could have prevented this.

Lydia looks at Izzie and tearfully says, “I want to go back to my room.”

“I’ll take her,” Jane offers. “Come on, hon.”

Chad drags Wickham off the ground and then shoves him forward. “You’re done here.”

“Are you fucking mad? I wasn’t kissing that girl. I’m not stupid.”

I’m done with him. “You better shut the hell up or I’ll tell everyone why I had to sign that NDA.”

“You’re bluffing,” he seethes.

“Am I? I can afford to break that contract. You’ll be lucky to find a job after I’m done with you.”

Wickham’s face washes out of color. He knows I don’t make empty threats.

“Take this trash out.” Chad gives Wickham another shove straight in the direction of two hotel security guards I didn’t even notice had arrived at the scene.

I wonder for a moment who would have thought to alert security so quickly, but then I remember Aunt Catherine is here, and that’s something she’d do. Their presence at the party was her idea, after all, which I thought was overkill, but now I’m grateful.

“You’re all going to regret this!” Wickham shouts.

The security guards grab him by the arms and escort him out. I wish he’d fight their hold so the guards could rough him up some more.

“I can’t believe you treated my boyfriend like that,” Caroline whines.

Chad levels her with a hard stare. “If I hear so much as one word out of your mouth defending that scum, you might as well not attend the wedding.”

She wipes the corners of her eyes. “Whatever. It’s not like you wanted me here anyway.”

Louisa comes out and hurries to our spot. “What happened? I just saw Jane with Lydia.”

“I’ll tell you later,” Chad replies. “You should take Caroline back to her room. She isn’t feeling well.”

Caroline whips her face toward him, glowering, then strides back to the restaurant without waiting for Louisa.

The mood couldn’t be worse. I’m sure Chad is feeling as guilty as I am about what just happened. I don’t know how I can make the situation better.

Izzie walks over and stops in front of me. She must be upset, but I can’t read her emotions right now. Suddenly, she frames my face between her hands and, rising on her toes, kisses me in front of Chad and Louisa.

The world ceases to exist. I wrap my arms around her waist, pulling her closer to me. The kiss isn’t long, but I feel all the emotion Izzie puts into it. After a moment we pull back, but not apart. Izzie’s forehead is pressed against mine when she says, “I love you, Jackson.”