Beach Wedding (14 page)

They were good times. I think back with a smile, remembering how
invincible I felt walking the hallways with Luke’s arm around
my shoulder and Jules cracking some joke on my other side. They saved
me, really, made me feel like I had a place in the world when I was
still dealing with my parents’ deaths.

The bell sounds, and suddenly the halls are flooded with students,
jostling and gossiping. They look terrifyingly young and way cooler
than I ever was, so I keep walking, out towards the back field.

I can tell I’m close when I hear Marcie’s voice echoing,
and the clatter of instruments.

“Can we go again?” she’s yelling through a
loudspeaker as I reach the field. “Only this time, try and look
like you can actually play!”

The assembled marching band glares back. They look worn out, and if I
know Marcie, they’ve been here practicing since dawn. Luckily,
Clyde grabs the loudspeaker from her hand.

“You just gotta feel the beat, right, boys? Act like you’re
walking out on stage in Madison Square Garden, and the whole bloody
stadium’s screaming your name. Yeah? Let’s rock!”

He jumps down, and takes a spot at the head of the procession. “One,
two, one two three four!”

The band starts playing: two dozen high schoolers stuttering through
his big rock hit on trumpets and drums, while Clyde enthusiastically
leads them marching across the field.

“They told me never to work with kids or animals,” Marcie
sighs.

“It’s… a spectacle, all right. But that’s
what you want, isn’t it?”

She nods, looking tired. “Another couple of weeks, then I’m
going to lie on a beach somewhere with my phone turned off and a cute
bartender bringing me drinks. Big drinks, with tiny umbrellas.”

“There you go,” I say, encouraging. “Dream big. The
end’s in sight.”

“It’ll be the end for all of us unless this wedding goes
off without a hitch. The network took a look at the rough cut of our
episodes so far. They love them.”

Marcie’s expression is grim. I don’t understand. “Isn’t
that a good thing?”

“High expectations have a way of biting you in the ass,”
she says. “And these two are unpredictable. For all I know,
we’ll wake up tomorrow and find they’ve eloped to
Bermuda, and then we can all kiss our careers goodbye.”

“You’ve got this,” I reassure her. “We’re
almost at the finish line, and everything’s coming together.
Just hang in there.”

Marcie looks over. “Isn’t that my line?”

I laugh. “I can play cheerleader as well as the next girl. I
was one, you know. Right out there on that field. ‘Give me a B!
Give me an E!—”

“I get the picture.” Marcie cuts me off, then notices
something on the field. “Are you kidding me?” she
bellows, charging down onto the turf. “Hey! You in the back!
Yeah, I see you. Since when do we film T-shirts with curse words on
the front!”

I retreat up to the bleachers, a safe distance from the madness. I
pull out my binder and begin going through table cloth samples until
a voice just behind me makes me jump.

“Penny for them.”

I yelp, turning to find Luke. He laughs, “Easy there.”

“Sorry, you just got me by surprise.” I try and get my
pulse rate under control. “What are you doing out here? I mean,
I would have figured you’d stay as far away from this circus as
possible,” I add, in case he thinks I’m not happy to see
him.

Because I am. Even with everything so confusing and unresolved, I
can’t help the way I feel a hundred times better just looking
at his easy smile and bright blue eyes.

“Had to run some invoices by Marcie,” he holds up the
papers. “I didn’t bet on, well, whatever they’re
doing down there,”

He furrows his brow as he looks downfield. Marcie is making some poor
sophomore strip to get rid of the offending shirt, while the rest of
the band keeps marching, trying to keep pace behind Clyde.

“Don’t ask,” I smile.

“Good plan.” Luke sounds cheerful. He looks around and
shakes his head. “Man, this takes me back.”

“I’ve been walking around, feeling like I’m in a
time warp,” I agree. “You know, they still have those
photos up on the trophy wall inside?”

Luke chuckles. “I guess that’s what happens when your
team sucks so bad they haven’t won in years.”

“Hey!” I protest, nudging him lightly. “Where’s
your sense of school spirit?”

“It’s public knowledge around here. We can’t win a
game to save our lives. Doesn’t stop everyone turning out on a
Friday night to cheer them on.”

He looks down, and his face changes. “You think the Wall is
still there?”

“No way,” I laugh, “They would have painted over
that thing the minute we left.”

Luke gives me a mischievous grin. “Only one was to find out.”

I follow him down the stairs and around to behind the bleachers, back
to the place we would use as our unofficial make out spot. Us and
every other teenage couple looking for a few moments privacy away
from the unsuspecting teachers, that is. We would sneak away here
during free periods and lunch, to kiss, talk, and sneak cheap
cigarettes when we were trying to look cool.

“There it is,” Luke laughs, pointing at the wall near the
back. Graffiti is scribbled all over it, hearts and initials, and
private messages so thick I can hardly make out the individual
pieces. “Man, look at this thing.”

“Ten years of couples,” I scan the writing, looking for
my own name.

Luke crouches down. “There we are,” he points. I bend
down, squinting to make out the familiar letters scratched into the
brick.

GA + LP 4eva.

“I can’t believe it’s still here,” I laugh.

“I guess some things don’t fade so easy.”

Luke straightens up, and I see the past written right there in his
eyes.

My heart twists. I have to tell him.

“Listen—” I start, at the same time as he says,

“I was thinking—”

We both stop. “You go,” I say.

“No, you.”

I take a deep breath. “I was just thinking, it would be good
for us to talk. For real, I mean. Someplace my aunts won’t come
interrupting, and Marcie isn’t chasing samples or wedding
stuff.”

Luke nods. “I was going to say the same thing. How about
dinner, tomorrow night?”

“I… that sounds good.” My heart leaps.

“Great,” he nods, giving me that smile. “It’s
a date.”

“A date, or a date-date?” Jules demands the next day.
“Because semantics matter, especially with the kind of history
you’ve got going on.”

“I’m sure he didn’t mean it like that. Just, you
know, a date to meet at a specified time and place. It’s just
dinner, to talk.”

“Mmmhmmm,” Jules gives me a look, setting out mixing
bowls and measuring jugs. “So, why are you blushing bright red
right now?”

“Because it’s hot in here,” I tell her. “Can
you turn the ovens down?”

She laughs. “Not unless you want raw cake batter.”

“Somehow, I don’t think it’ll make a difference.
Unless Pixie’s hiding a talent in the kitchen, today’s
pretty much going to be a big waste of cake.”

I’m at the bakery, helping Jules set up ahead of today’s
shoot. The team are due any minute now, but I wanted some extra time
to talk about Luke’s invitation – and what it might mean.

Jules hops up on a counter and swings her legs. “Well, the way
I look at it, there are three scenarios for tonight.”

“I’m listening.”

“One, you guys go get dinner, have awkward conversation about
your past, and then fall into bed together to avoid the issue.”

I laugh. “Option two?”

“You go get dinner, strike up a deep and meaningful connection,
and then fall into bed together with a mad passion.”

“I’m noticing a theme.” I shake my head. “Do
I even want to know my third choice?”

Jules grins. “You skip dinner altogether and just head straight
for dessert. And I’m not talking about ice cream,” she
winks.

“You’re incorrigible.”

“But you love me anyway. Seriously, though, have you thought
about what you’re going to do?”

“Only every waking moment,” I sigh. “I just don’t
know whether this connection I feel is about reliving the past, or
the start of something new.”

Jules pauses. “Do you want it to be?” she asks, climbing
down.

“I don’t know! Seriously, just when I think I’ve
got it figured out, he smiles at me, or gives me that sexy look, and
I feel like I’m sixteen all over again, on cloud nine because
he smiled at me in the hall.”

“That boy is like your kryptonite.” Jules smiles. “I
remember that first time he asked you out. You practically had a
panic attack you were so excited.”

“It was a big deal!” I protest.

“Duh.” She sticks her tongue out at me. “He was
like, ohmygod, the cutest boy in the whole school.”

I stick my tongue out right back at her. “Says the girl who
fished Carter Perkin’s old soda bottle out the trash, just to
have something he touched.”

“Don’t remind me!” Jules groans. “In my
defense, I was thirteen at the time.”

“Whatever happened to him?” I ask, idly picking up one of
the delicious cupcakes she’s got plated on every counter.

“Hey! Those are for the show,” she slaps my hand away.
“And Carter? I think he moved to Tampa and opened a nail salon.
I guess I never would have stood a chance with him anyway.”

I sigh. “Do you think I’m crazy, tempting fate like this
with Luke? When I’m around him, it makes me feel like I did
back then. Like anything is possible, and love really is within my
reach.”

“Not crazy,” Jules reassures me. “A little
reckless, sure. But it’s your heart in the end. You can risk it
any way you please.”

But what about him? The last thing I want is to put Luke through any
more pain.

“It’s all his fault,” I say, only half-joking. “If
he hadn’t been so damn good, it would have been easy to get
over him.”

Jules hoots. “Girl! You are
not
telling me he’s
still the best you’ve ever had? Come on. Everyone knows teenage
boys need a map and a compass to get to the right destination.”

I give a grin. “Just call Luke a regular Boy Scout. No
directions required.”

She whistles. “OK, now I’m beginning to see the appeal.
So, why not try for a repeat performance?” she suggests. “Guys
reach their sexual peak at eighteen, so maybe it was all downhill
from there. A mediocre roll in the hay, and you’ll be able to
shake the memory once and for all.”

I think of Luke’s new muscular physique, and those strong
hands. My stomach flips over. “Somehow, I doubt it.”

Luckily, I’m saved from visions of Luke’s skills in the
bedroom by the arrival of Marcie and the whole production team. I
quickly make the introductions with Jules, and the crew starts
setting up cameras and sound equipment all over the kitchen and main
shop floor.

“We’ll need to do some rearranging,” Marcie casts
her eagle eye around the shop. “That sign, for starters—”

“Sorry,” Jules says sweetly. “The Rock-n-Roll cake
sign needs to be in every shot. A condition of filming. Didn’t
Ginny mention?”

Marcie looks at me. “Sorry, must have forgotten to tell you,”
I cover quickly. Jules didn’t say anything about the sign, but
I can see how she wants the publicity. “But this place is
perfect, right?” I remind her. “Look at all the
small-town charm! You can work around it.”

“I also need the happy couple to taste a couple of my best
selling cakes on camera,” Jules adds. “And say how
delicious they are.”

“Impossible, we won’t have time for that.” Marcie
folds her arms.

“Then make time.” Jules meets her stare head-on. I’ve
seen grown men crumble and retreat with their tail between their legs
from a Marcie Miller showdown, but she hasn’t met Jules. My
friend smiles and plays her trump card. “You know, I haven’t
actually signed the filming release. So, if you want, you can just
pack up and find someplace else. It’s no hassle for me.”

Marcie keeps staring, then gives a begrudging nod. “Fine.
They’ll rave about the cakes, and you’ll get your sign.”

“Deal.” Jules reaches out to shake her hand. “Pleasure
doing business with you.”

“You too.”

I swear I see some admiration in Marcie’s eyes. Then she looks
around. “Where the hell are they? Clyde? Pixie?”

Clyde saunters in. Today he’s dressed in another pair of tight
leather pants, with a racy Rolling Stones T-shirt I just know
Marcie’s going to veto. “Calm down, love. Your superstar
is right here.” He throws his arms out.

She glares, then drags him outside by the arm. “Wardrobe!”

Jules smirks. “You weren’t kidding about the circus,”
she says, looking around at the mess the team are already making.

“I did warn you! But, it’ll be worth it. They’re
actually very sweet, once they get down to it.”

“I’ll take your word for it.” Jules catches sight
of her reflection in one of the mirrors. “Damn, I need to get
ready for my close up. Be right back!”

She heads upstairs, so I drift outside. There are two massive
trailers parked, blocking the street, and already some curious
tourists are rubbernecking with their cell phones out, wanting to
catch a glimpse of whatever the big deal is all about.

I realize I left my binder in my car, so I cross the street to go
grab it. That’s when I see Theo and Pixie parked in one of the
rental cars, talking together.

Close together.

I pause. They’re in the front seats, and although it looks
totally innocent to any casual passerby, my Spidey sense starts
tingling. Pixie is giggling, looking radiant and happy, while Theo is
teasing her, gazing in total adoration.

Oh no. No freaking way.

I stride over and yank Pixie’s door open. “There you
are!” I exclaim. “We were just going to send out a search
party.”