Loving Eden (18 page)

I tried to put all of it in the back of my head as I climbed the steps to Marin’s aunt’s house. Today was the last of her bridal showers. I clutched a white box in my hand, topped with a fluffy white tulle bow. I had gone with something on the registry. There was a reason she and Pick had chosen the cream china and the colorful accent pieces. I opted for an oval blue platter I thought they could use for entertaining.

I rang the doorbell.

“Come on in, the party’s in here.” A young girl let me in. I wondered if she was one of Marin’s cousins. I heard there were a lot of them.

I dropped my gift on the table before entering the room. With only one week until the wedding, everyone was in good spirits. Marin was surrounded by women, but when she saw me walk in, she waved me over.

“Eden, come meet everybody.”

I hugged her and smiled at the circle of women. This was a traditional shower. The women ranged in age from twenty to eighty. I wasn’t sure I had seen so many sets of pearls in one room. My neck felt a little bare. I was wearing a sundress with a sweater. I probably should have consulted someone other than Grey before I left the house. What did he know about bridal showers?

“This is my Aunt Chrissy, Aunt Shannon, Aunt Lacy, and Aunt Sarah.”

I smiled at all of the women, trying not to be overwhelmed by Marin’s family numbers. “Nice to meet everyone.”

Marin hopped up from the circle. “Tara and Mindy won’t be here until Thursday. I need a non-relative friend right now.” She ushered me into the kitchen.

“What’s going on? Are you ok?” I noticed she suddenly looked pale. Her cheeks matched the white roses on the wrist corsage she wore.

She shook her head. “I’m freaking out.” I saw little beads of perspiration dot the top of her forehead.

“Ok, why don’t you sit down?” I pulled a chair out from the kitchen table. “What’s wrong?” I grabbed a paper cup on the counter and poured lemonade into it before shoving it into her hand.

Marin was visibly shaken. “All of this. It’s too much.” She looked at the kitchen door separating us from the rest of the party. After a few seconds, she took a sip.

“There are a lot of people out there. Maybe you just need a break.” I couldn’t imagine what it would feel like to have everyone fussing over me like that. I was already feeling claustrophobic and I was just a bridesmaid.

“I’m starting to think I can’t go through with it.”

My jaw dropped. “But, you love Pick. He loves you.” Was I possibly witnessing a runaway bride moment?

Her palms covered her face and she let out a whine. “It’s not him. It’s the wedding. I thought if I rushed it, I could skip all this stuff. There wouldn’t be enough time for showers, parties, and a big reception. All I want is to be married to him. A courthouse ceremony would be fine with me. Or maybe a little destination wedding in Jamaica with ten people. That I think I could handle.”

Marin had grown up with a mother as a wedding planner. Her weekends had been full of brides, wedding cakes, champagne toasts, and bouquet tosses. She was such a hopeless romantic I had assumed she wanted all of those things. I never stopped to ask her. Apparently, no one else had either.

“Have you talked to Pick about how you’re feeling? He’s always good at getting you to smile.”

“He says I just have pre-wedding jitters. I’m supposed to be the older, mature one in this relationship.” She managed a giggle. “He’s the one acting all mature and seasoned about the wedding. He seems completely fine.”

I pulled my phone from my purse.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

“Getting a mature and seasoned groom over here.” I waited for him to answer. “Hey, Pick. Do you know where Marin’s Aunt Lacy lives? Ok. Head on over, but come to the kitchen door and don’t let the fifty women out front see you.”

I hung up and looked at my miserable friend. “He said he’ll be here in five minutes.”

“You didn’t have to do that.” I thought I already saw the color coming back to her cheeks.

“Yes, I did. Sometimes the only thing that can make you feel better and reassure you everything is ok is a pair of strong arms.”

“Speaking from experience?” She smiled.

I laughed. “Totally. Now, I’ll go out, mingle for a few minutes, and tell them you’re in the bathroom or something. Why don’t you wait on the kitchen porch for your man?” I motioned to the door.

She hugged me through a sniffle. “When I get through this, I’m giving you the award for best bridesmaid.”

“I don’t need that. I only want you and Pick to get married. Courthouse, beach, church, Jamaica. I don’t care—as long as you are happy and get to wear that awesome dress.”

“How was the shower?” Grey lifted his head from the computer long enough to see I was in the house.

“Umm… it was interesting. A little overwhelming.” I slumped into an open kitchen chair.

His brow furrowed and he typed rapidly on the keyboard.

“What are you working on?”

“Legal research for the Palm. Thought I should read up on what’s involved for someone to contest a will.”

“Doesn’t sound very fun.” I was hoping we could watch a movie in bed and pretend we weren’t in the middle of a legal storm.

“No, it’s not, but I need to know what I’m up against before I even start trying to hire an attorney.” He scribbled something on a notepad.

This didn’t sound like good news. I wanted Grey to keep the Palm if that’s what he wanted, but it was hard to believe it was worth ruining his financial future. There had to be another way. I just hadn’t figured out what that was yet.

“Don’t you know anyone you could ask for advice before you have to hire someone?” I tried to think about my circle of friends. No one was in law school.

“I’d rather not get my friends involved. This is going to be brutal.”

I didn’t like the way he said that. Maybe we could talk about something else.

“I can’t believe the wedding is next weekend.” I waited for Grey to tear himself away from the screen.

“Mmm-hmm.” No luck.

“I think I’ll get naked and crawl in bed.”

“Ok.” He never looked up.

“Or maybe I’ll just pick out a couch for us.” I arched my eyebrows.

I wondered if I laid myself across the kitchen table if he’d notice that. I walked to the bedroom with a furniture catalog in my hand, thinking this lawsuit might as well be a hot blonde.

T
he only reason I knew Mason was back in town was because Taylor called to tell me how incredible the good-bye sex had been. I didn’t need to know that.

I hadn’t seen him near the Palm. I kept my eyes peeled for his convertible. I assumed since he filed the lawsuit he was done trying to finesse his way into our lives. He had a one-track business mind now. I was out of ideas. Grey seemed determined to file a counter suit. The last thing I wanted was our lives embroiled in endless months of legal battles.

Today was a good day though. Grey was on his way to see the orthopedic specialist to get the ok to have his brace removed. My fingers had been crossed since I woke up this morning. No brace meant he was going to have full mobility, and I couldn’t wait to have him to myself again. It had been way too long.

I had three final bridesmaid responsibilities: tonight’s bachelorette party, the rehearsal dinner, and the wedding. Tomorrow night was Marin and Pick’s rehearsal dinner. Afterward, her parents were throwing a party at their beach house. The wedding was at five Saturday night. We’d have all day to get ready and help Marin with her nerves.

It seemed, as long as she was around Pick, she was completely fine. Remove him from the equation and she became an instant wreck. I was certain after the wedding she would be fine. They needed the honeymoon they had planned.

October on the island was still warm, but not sweltering like the summer. Even if it was rushed, Marin had chosen the perfect time of year to get married.

The bachelorette party was going to be small: Mindy, Tara, the bride, and me. There was no way we’d let the wedding overwhelm Marin tonight. She needed a night of fun before the real insanity started.

I closed the office and made my way to the beach cottage. I had thirty minutes to get ready before I met the girls for drinks.

My phone rang.

“Hey!”

“Guess who is one brace-less man?” Grey sounded happy.

“That is the best news! Congratulations. Now I have a dance partner for the wedding.” I almost squealed.

“That’s right. Walking, dancing…anything you want, baby. So, what do you say we try your naked movie idea tonight?”

My heart sank. “Aww, I can’t. Remember, tonight’s Marin’s bachelorette party. I’m on my way to get dressed now. How far away are you?” I was not above being a few minutes late.

“At least forty minutes.”

My lips pouted. “Rain check?” This was the last thing I wanted to take a rain check on.

“Sure. I think we could wait another day, although if you drink any tequila tonight I wouldn’t be opposed to you waking me up.”

My stomach flipped. Tequila was the devil. “It’s not going to be margaritas for me, but I have no problem waking you up.” I giggled. I was tempted to call Marin and tell her I’d be an hour late, but I couldn’t do that. I was best bridesmaid.

“I’ll see you later, darlin’.”

I hung up and tucked my phone in my back pocket.

My steps to the top of the landing weren’t as light as before he called.

“I still can’t believe you are getting married, Marin. You’re going to be a married cougar.” Tara laughed at her friend.

“I’m not that much older than him.” Marin giggled. She was happy and relaxed tonight. It was good to see her having fun.

As far as bachelorette parties go, this one was tame. Mindy had brought a veil for Marin to wear, and Tara made us wear tags shaped like penises that said
bridesmaid
. Overall, I thought they did a good job of keeping the embarrassing bride harassment to a minimal.

We were at our third bar when I got a text from Grey. I read the text out loud.

Going out with Connor and Pick. Guys night for the groom. Call you later.

“Oh good,” Marin gushed. I was worried Pick wasn’t going to have any way to celebrate. Connor didn’t really step up on this one.”