Four Weddings and a Break Up (18 page)

“It was still a lot of fun.”

“It was,” she agreed. “And—”

The phone rang. They both looked at it, then they looked at each other before looking back at the phone.

“Shouldn’t you answer that?”

“Yes.” He stood, his legs a little shaky. His hand paused about the receiver; his heart pumped away. Ginny had moved closer to him. He kept his voice low. “What if it’s bad, Ginny?”

“Then we’ll get through it together,” she said as picked up the phone.

“Hello?” Wes put the phone on speaker. “Say that again, Seth.”

Seth’s voice crackled over the line. “I found him.”

“Where?” Wes gripped the phone.

“He was . . . boardwalk . . . by the . . . Ferris wheel. He was . . . bench . . . eating . . . cotton candy.”

“Is he okay?” Wes looked up and met Ginny’s brown eyes. “Was he there the whole time?”

“Yes.” Seth paused. “A little sunburned. Hold . . . on. Dad!”

“He’s okay,” Wes muttered to Ginny over and over again.

“I know. I know.” Ginny’s gaze was of relief. “It’s such great news.”

“Wes? Wes? Who’s that with you? Ginny?”

“Yes,” Ginny said. “It’s me, Seth. Wes and I made brownies! Just for your dad.”

“Oh, he’ll love those.” Seth’s voice came in clearer. “Sorry. I was getting Dad off the boardwalk. Tons of people. My cell was going in and out. I’m going to call Jake and TJ. We’ll be on our way home soon.”

“Seth, before you go, is Dad—”

“No, he says he just forgot where he was going. That he started going for a walk, got lost, and headed to the amusement part on the boardwalk. He kept mentioning candy, so I wondered if he just wanted that or something. Either way, he’s fine. He seems like himself. Needs water and food, and lots of rest.”

“I’ll call for pizza,” he said.

“That’s fine,” Seth said. “Let me call the others. See you in a few.”

The phone went dead, but he didn’t let go, didn’t look away from Ginny. He didn’t know what to say to her, how to thank her for being there for him during one of his darkest times.

“Ginny, thank you.” It seemed so inadequate, so marginal to the overwhelming feelings that were circuiting his system. All he knew was that something had changed between them today. They couldn’t go back to how things used to be; they had left pretend behind and entered real.

“Oh, Wes. You don’t have to thank me.” She stepped away, taking the phone away from him and placed it back in its cradle. “I’m glad I was here, that I could help in any way.”

“Why don’t you stay?” When Ginny shook her head no, he added, “For pizza. And for those brownies you made.”

“You made them, too,” she pointed out. “But, no, I’d better get going. You and your brothers need alone time with your dad.”

When Ginny reached the front door, he stepped closer to her and gathered her into his arms, just hugging her. She seemed surprised by the move and was a little stiff before she melted and hugged him back.

His voice carried wind over the top of her head, ruffling her hair. “Thank you, Ginny. For everything you did.”

“I didn’t do much.”

He wasn’t going to let her diminish her role. Maybe it hadn’t been a life-saving event, but she had been there for him when he had needed her, and that’s what mattered. He hadn’t realized how much he needed her until he’d been faced with the prospect of waiting for his father, alone. “No, Ginny. You’re wrong.”

She pursed her lips like she was about to argue, then she gave a little sigh. “I better go. You probably should order the food.”

It was harder to let her go then he’d thought it would be. But he did. It wasn’t like she wasn’t going to be in his arms again. After all, Seth was getting married this weekend.

And there was dancing. Especially
slow
dancing.

O
n the day
of Seth’s wedding, Ginny was dressed and ready to go by two o’clock. The ceremony was starting at four, but since Wes was in the wedding, they were going to head to the Worth Hotel where the reception was going to be held. From there, Wes would meet up with his brother, and walk with them over to the church, which was about five blocks away. Ginny would hang out in the lobby and then walk over there closer to four.

And there was a problem for Ginny. She liked him, and she knew Wes wasn’t sticking around. That he was leaving. That he still considered this to be “fake” dating, even though they might as well do away with the pretense.

Had it ever been fake? Or had she and Wes merely been fooling themselves this whole time?

She hadn’t gone into this expecting to have feelings for him. Not at all. Her opinion of him had changed. He had seemed so hard to pin down, so arrogant and aloof that day at the grocery store. But since then she’d seen who he really was—she’d seen him around his family. Even with her, Wes had let his guard down a little.

Her dress was on, makeup done, and hair pinned so that it gave the appearance of a bob. She’d gone to the hair salon early in the morning and gotten it done for this event. After retouching her lipstick and fixing her pearl necklace, Ginny gave herself one last look in the mirror. If this wasn’t a wowza dress, she didn’t know what was.

She smiled. She was so going to knock Wes off his feet with her new look; he’d be flummoxed and he’d give her that slow, lazy smile of his that had her heart fluttering and he’d call her “sugar,” and—

She was in such deep trouble. She might as well admit it to herself. She had passed Go and landed herself in Jail. Locked with the key hidden away. She liked Wes more than a lot.

She was falling for him.

Being there when his father had gone missing had done away with the pretense of their relationship. She cared for him deeply—and not just as a friend.

Yup. She was a goner. Damn it. She
knew
better. She wasn’t the type to gamble or take risks. Although she obviously hadn’t been able to pass up a dare . . . But it wasn’t like she had totally fallen for him yet. She could pull back, right?

The doorbell rang. With a deep breath, Ginny head downstairs and opened the door.

The sun backlit Wes, creating a halo-like effect around his body. Except he was no angel. He was all bad, and he was hers, or pretending to be hers, for the next couple of months.

He was dressed in a tuxedo, looking exceptionally dapper, like some old-time movie star. Wes’ dark hair had been trimmed since she’d last seen him, and although he’d slicked it back more than normal, it was already starting to become unruly, the thick black stands becoming wavy. In a tux, his skin was a richer, sun-kissed gold, his eyes a darker gray.

His mouth dropped open. And he blinked. A lot.

That made her smile.

It took him a few moments to speak and when he did, his voice was low and dangerous. “Ginger Belle, you are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”

She felt beautiful. His words made her glow deep inside. She stepped forward, locking her apartment door behind her. “You don’t look so bad yourself.”

He held out his arm to her, and she took it as they walked to his car. “Just so you know, if any guy asks you to dance, your dance card is full.”

“Is that so?” She couldn’t help but tease him, especially when he looked like he wanted to eat her up. “But what if I want to dance with some other guy?”

“It’s your choice, sugar. You can dance with guys, or you can dance with a man.”

She widened her eyes and blinked. “So that would leave you out of the equation then.”

Wes threw his head back and laughed. “And this is why I like you.”

“I like you, too,” she said honestly and got into the car. Her palms were sweaty, and her stomach had dropped outside to her feet.
He liked her? He liked her!
She felt a wide smile spreading across her face, warming her body inside. She had told him she liked him, too. What did that mean?

He got into the car, starting it. “This is why I knew we would work as a fake couple—because we get along. Any other girl would be acting differently. And probably any other guy would be constantly trying to get into the girl’s pants. We work because we have the same goal. And we’re friends.”

Oh, well that brought it back down to reality for her, didn’t it? She heard him, loud and clear. How could she miss the signal? It was a resounding
I like you, but not in that way. Don’t get any ideas because if you do, I’m so out of here
.

So pretend was all she had from him. And she liked him. She was falling for him. But if she said that, she might just lose him. She didn’t want to lose him. Not yet.

So if pretend was all she could have with Wes, she would take it.

W
es escorted
Ginny down the aisle to the row behind his dad. Usually the father of the groom walked down the aisle with the party, but they wanted Dad to rest. Wes would go grab him much closer to when they had to do that.

Ginny looked so beautiful. She took his breath away. It wasn’t just the dress, which did things to her body that should be illegal. It wasn’t the makeup or the different hairstyle. Or those sexy shoes of hers.

It was her. No matter what she wore or how she looked, she would always be Ginny to him. Sweet, beautiful Ginny.

The same sweet, beautiful Ginny he wanted to do wicked things with. He shouldn’t be thinking such thoughts, especially in a church. Surely that was a one-way ticket to Hell.

In what seemed like no time at all, everyone was seated, and Dad was back with them. The wedding was about to start. Dad walked down the aisle with Seth, giving him a hug before taking his seat.

Seth stood at the altar, looking slightly nervous but with a big smile on his face. How nice it must be to love someone that deep and sure—to still believe in love despite all the odds—that marrying that person was the only answer.

The best man, Liam Worth, walked down the aisle with a redheaded bridesmaid, a cousin of the bride. Then it was Jake’s turn, and he held out his arm to a golden-haired bridesmaid. TJ walked with a slim, black woman, and Wes escorted a mousy-haired girl with glasses. He passed by Ginny, who smiled at him, and he took his place at the end of the altar.

The ring bearer and flower girls came next, throwing cream rose petals on the carpet. Then the music started. Everyone stood. The doors opened. Wes looked at his brother, Seth, whose smile grew softer, tender; his eyes misting.

The bride, on the arm of her father, walked slowly down the aisle. Her dress was one of those poufy princess gowns, her blonde hair pulled back, with a little tiara centered on her head. A small smile was frozen on her face. Seth’s soon-to-be wife looked unnaturally pale. Nerves, most likely. The music ended when she reached the end of the aisle. Her father handed her over to Seth. Seth led her to the priest.

“Dearly beloved, we’re gathered here today to witness the joining of this man, Seth Alexander Flaherty, to this woman, Elizabeth Olivia Sheldon—”

Liz pulled back, freeing her grasp from Seth. “I—”

“Is something wrong, Liz?” Seth asked worriedly.

“Are you feeling faint?” This came from the priest.

“I—” She grew paler, her eyes darting around the throng of people, before settling back on Seth. “I can’t do this.”

The church grew quieter than it had been.

Seth just stood still, shocked.

“Maybe you just need a few moments,” the priest kindly suggested.

“No. No, I don’t need a few moments,” Liz said with a shake of her head. “I can’t do this because I don’t love you, Seth.”

People gasped in the pews.

“I love someone else.”

Shocked murmurs started, and the whispers grew louder.

“You love someone else?” Seth repeated dully, his voice breaking. “Who?”

Liz shook her head. “It doesn’t matter. I love someone else. I can’t marry you. I can’t do this. I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry. More sorry than you’ll ever know.”

And then Liz turned around and fled.

A
fter everyone had left
the church, Wes stood with Jake and TJ, and their dad with Seth. Seth had long since abandoned his spot by the priest and sat down in the front pew, bent over, his head between his hands.

Ginny had also waited behind and looked just as shocked as everyone else. People got jilted at the altar in the movies, not in real life.

Seth stood up suddenly, his tie undone, and looked at each of them. “I need to get drunk.”

“Want to head back to the hotel?” Liam, Seth’s best man, asked.

“No, everyone will be there. I don’t want to see anyone. And I really don’t want the questions or the pity.”

“Let’s head home,” Dad said.

“I’ll get the car,” Liam said. “Just give me a few.”

Dad glanced at Ginny. “You come too, Ginny. It’s about time we have a celebration.”

“A celebration? For what?” Wes asked.

“Because I never liked that girl,” Dad said. “She was too blonde.”

This got a small smile out of Seth. “Too blonde?”

“Yup. Plastic, I mean. She just seemed so fake, so not right for you.”

“Apparently, she agreed.” Seth grew quiet, his shoulders slumping. “I must be really awful for her to do that.”

“Stop being crazy.” Wes threw an arm around Seth’s shoulder. “You’re not
that
awful. You just have awful taste, like that lattice work you want to add to that one house.”

“Hey, it would look good.” Seth pushed him away in a joking manner. “You guys wouldn’t know what would look good if it hit you over the head.”

“That’s not good.” TJ rolled his eyes. “Good is Jake doing jazz hands and singing. Why don’t you go ahead and do that, Jake? I’ll tape it.”

“Don’t get my hopes up,” Wes said.

Jake turned to Ginny. “Hey, hot stuff. Why don’t you and me ditch these peons and head out? I don’t think my older brother appreciates you.”

“Hey! Get your own! No mooching on my woman.” Wes took Ginny’s hand in his. “You’re coming, right?”

“Me, missing a bunch of handsome men getting drunk? I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”

Once Liam got the car, a limo he kept on the hotel’s premises, and they had all piled into it, they wound through Cape Hope until they reached home. Soon they were all in the kitchen, various bottles of liquor lined up along the counter. Ginny had a glass of white, Wes decided to go with some brandy, TJ and Dad opened the scotch, while Jake and Seth stuck with vodka. Liam was having beer. At some point, their drinks changed. Wes found himself drinking a Cape Cod, and then he did a couple shots of Vodka with everyone. After that, he lost track of how much or what they were drinking.

“You know,” Seth’s words had grown slurred, “I love her. I looooooooove her. And she broke my heart. In three pieces. Love is for suckerssss.”

“Amen!”

They all slammed back a shot. Wes’ world went a little blurry.

“An’ she looked so pretty an’ perfect. Like she was a princess.”

“She always had this way of saying my name. Jaaaaake”—Jake mimicked a high-pitch squeal—“why don’t you do this for Sethie-poo?”

Seth winced. “She called me Sethie-poo?”

“All the time.”

“Still, she waited until the last possible second to call it off. Why? And who the fuck does she love?”

Jake shrugged. “You’re better off without her.”

“Yeah. You are,” Wes said. “Right now this sucks. But did you
really
love Liz?”

“I did. I’m broken. I’m half a man without her.”

“In time, you’re going to wake up and realize that this was the
best
thing for you. Getting jilted.”

“You’re not making me feel better, Wes.”

“I’m sorry.” Wes put down his drink. He was way past his limit. “All I’m saying is you may think this is the worst moment of your life, but it’s not. It’s your best because you dodged a bullet. You would have been miserable.”

“I have to agree with Wes,” Jake said. “I never liked her, Seth. I was putting up with her because you loved her. After what she did to you today, she’s totally on my shit list.”

“I just want to know who she’s in love with, and why she waited so long to break it off.”

“Maybe you will find out those answers,” Wes said. “Maybe you won’t. Either way, you move on.”

“I don’t know if I’m ready to move on. Or if I’ll ever get over this. I loved her,” Seth said angrily, striding upstairs.

“Let him go,” Jake said. “He needs time to himself. There are enough rooms in here for everyone. I don’t want anyone to drive home.”

They sat around the table for a few more hours, talking, and one by one they each headed upstairs. Wes led Ginny to an empty room, but before she fell asleep, she warned him that she had to leave early in the morning to work at the bakery, but she wouldn’t wake him up. He nodded his head, went to his own room, and fell into an uneasy, listless sleep where bridal bouquets and garter belts kept getting fired at him.