My Best Friend's Bride (13 page)

“Well, wouldn’t that be lucky for you?”

“It would certainly make the next year more tolerable.” Jill draped the strap of her bag over her shoulder.

“Here, let me have that,” said Morgan, taking it from her. “We wouldn’t want to wrinkle that pretty dress!”

“Morgan,” Jill asked seriously. “Do you think I’m doing the right thing? This bogus marriage and all?”

“In truth, Jill? Even I think it’s a little crazy, but no crazier than complete strangers getting hitched in Vegas, and apparently that happens all the time.”

“Yeah.” Jill sighed.

“Besides,” Morgan reminded her, “you’ve got the book deal to think of.”

“And my grandpa,” Jill said. She felt a certain melancholy that he couldn’t be there. Then again, did she really want him present when the whole thing was a sham?

“Yes, especially him.”

“Maybe it won’t be so bad?” Jill raised her brow hopefully. “Cohabiting with Hunter?”

Morgan pulled Jill into her arms in a hug. “Oh, darling, I hope not. After all, it’s only for twelve months. How bad could it be?”

“By this time next year I’ll be a free man.” Hunter adjusted the cuffs on his tuxedo as he and Brad stood outside the courthouse. It was a warm spring day and the sun was shining, beaming down on them through the drooping branches of a large willow tree.

“That was really cool of you to rent a tux,” Brad said. “You didn’t have to.”

“I didn’t,” Hunter answered. “I own it.”

Brad looked at him in surprise.
 

“I don’t know if I told you about Veronica in Boston?”

“The name vaguely rings a bell.”

“She was into society parties. Her job was in fund-raising for the arts, so there were lots of them.”

“How long did that last?” Brad asked.

“Likely longer than it should have.”

“You know what I’m thinking?” Brad dragged a hand down his face. “I’m thinking that this thing with Jill will be good for you. Teach you a thing or two about longevity.”

“If you’re talking about long-term commitments, I’ve found they’re overrated.”

“That’s because you’ve never experienced any.”

Hunter patted Brad’s shoulder. “Sad but true.”

“I want to thank you, Hunter. Say thanks again for taking this on.”

Hunter met his eyes. “You know I wouldn’t be doing it unless I’d thought it through. Besides…” He quirked a grin. “I’m finding Jilly kind of sweet. I believe I’ll handle being domesticated by her just fine.”

Brad chuckled. “Domesticated, you? Right.” He paused a beat, then goggled at Hunter in surprise. “Hang on, are you saying that you’ve started to like—?”

“Not in the least.”

“Not even a little?”

“No, sir.”

“Your pants are smoking.”

“What?” Getting it, Hunter shook his head with a laugh. “Now you’re being juvenile.”

“I tend to think of it as astute.”

“My, my, aren’t you two fellows a handsome pair!” Hunter turned toward the walkway to catch Cassandra approaching, a camera bag dangling from the crook of her arm. She wore a form-fitting pantsuit with strappy high-heeled sandals.

“Good afternoon, Cassandra,” Hunter said with a nod.

Brad adjusted the tie beneath his tweed jacket, the only sports coat that he owned. “Thanks for coming. Really glad you could make it.”

She glanced up at the sky, then shot them each a megawatt grin. “Looks like the perfect day for a wedding!”

Cassandra latched on to an arm of either man as she headed up the courthouse steps between them. “I must say, this is cozy. The new groom-to-be and the jilted best friend. However on earth did the two of you work that out?”

“Let’s just say we had certain goals in common.” Hunter smiled mildly. “Like Jill’s happiness, for example.”

Cassandra glanced at Brad for confirmation and he nodded. “I’m a big enough man to know when I need to step aside.”

“My goodness.” Cassandra’s voice was saccharine. “Aren’t we being grown-up today?”

“Perhaps you ought to try it,” Brad said. “Might suit you.”

Cassandra scowled as Hunter held back the door. “Don’t mind Brad,” he whispered. “Despite his outward bravado, it’s bound to burn some.”

“I’m sure you’re right.” Cassandra sashayed in the door ahead of them. “Just like a tiny dagger to the heart.”

As she passed them, Brad and Hunter exchanged glances, each stifling a chuckle. “Ah, Cassandra,” Hunter said gallantly. “We’re so glad that you could join us. Frankly, I couldn’t imagine this day without you.”

She paused to study him, as if trying to discern whether he was being sincere. “I’m glad to be here,” she finally said. “Thanks for inviting me.” She pulled a small recorder from her purse. “I hope you don’t mind if I take notes?”

“Record all you’d like,” Hunter answered before flashing her a brilliant smile. “Please, take photos too.”

Cassandra twisted up her lips like she was puzzling something out. “No worries. Mr. Delaney. I intend to document every little thing for posterity.”

They passed through a security checkpoint where Cassandra’s purse and camera bag had to go through a scanner. Hunter approached a woman sitting at an information desk on the other side and asked her a few questions. “If you’ll excuse me,” he said returning to Brad and Cassandra. “It seems my presence is required in Court Records. I’ve got some document signing to do.”

Morgan pulled Jill back over the threshold as she attempted to exit the restroom. “Don’t go out there,” she whispered. “Hunter’s in the hall.”

“Hunter?” Jill cautiously poked out her head to spy around the corner. It was him all right. In a tuxedo!

“He must have gotten the memo it’s a black-tie affair,” Morgan said quietly.

“He cleans up well,” Jill couldn’t help but say. It was the truth. Hunter looked absolutely dreamy all decked out in formal attire. She recalled the last time she’d seen Hunter in a tux and her heart skipped a beat. Of course, that outfit had been a rental; this one looked as if it had been tailor-made for him.

Morgan’s eye caught Cassandra turning in their direction and staring down the hall. “Guess who’s headed our way?”
 

“Don’t tell me she’s going to powder her nose?” Jill said.

“Her nosy nose, yeah.”

“Oops! Here she comes” The women darted into the bathroom and were at separate mirrors pretending to primp when Cassandra waltzed in.

“Well, if it isn’t the other half of the wedding party!” Cassandra proclaimed brightly. Her smile was broad yet her stare was cool. “I was just speaking with Brad and Hunter. Hunter’s signing the paperwork as we speak. I presume you’ve already taken care of your portion?” she asked Jill. Cassandra had covered enough courthouse weddings to know it was customary in Sugar Hollow for the bride and groom to apply for their marriage license separately, so as to preserve that magical moment when they first laid eyes on each other in the small adjoining chapel.
 

Not every courthouse in every town had access to a chapel to use for private ceremonies. Then again, not every town was Sugar Hollow. The quirky throwback nature of the rural locale was just one of the many things Jill loved about it. Once again she felt grateful to Hunter for agreeing to spend their year of marriage here, rather than in Parkland, the neighboring city that housed a bustling downtown area with a funky selection of restaurants and shops. Sugar Hollow had exactly one grocery store, one pharmacy, and one family-owned Italian restaurant. The courthouse sat on the central roundabout beside the one post office, one church, and a perpetually blooming park that held flower gardens and birchwood benches.

Jill pivoted in Cassandra’s direction and forced a pleasant smile. “It’s so nice you could join us, Cassandra. I honestly couldn’t think of anyone I’d rather have cover my wedding.” She motioned toward Morgan. “Do you remember my good friend Morgan?”

“Of course.” Morgan shook her hand and issued a polite greeting, which Cassandra returned.

A few seconds later, Morgan peeked at her watch. “I’m going to check and see if the coast is clear,” she said to Jill. “If it is, we might want to sneak on over to the chapel while Hunter’s occupied here.”

“Good idea,” Jill agreed.

Cassandra popped open her purse and strode toward the mirror, withdrawing a lipstick. “I’ll catch up with you ladies in a minute.”

But as Jill headed for the door with Morgan, she could have sworn she felt Cassandra’s eyes watching her in the mirror. When Jill had initially thought to invite Cassandra to the wedding, Hunter had assured her it was a stroke of genius. Now, Jill wasn’t so sure. It was hard enough to pull off an authentic wedding with the press present. Getting through this fake one with Hunter, while Cassandra looked on, would take finesse. Jill shut her eyes tightly and thought of her grandfather. Then suddenly an image of Hunter flashed through her mind.
 

The handsome, buff guy stared up at her with weepy eyes that were running like faucets. Sympathy and relief flooded through her. She’d been worried that Hunter was some ogre she’d have to live with. But he was apparently a very human man with real vulnerabilities. Plus, he’d been caring and kind to her grandfather. Surely, she and Hunter could find a way to get along over the course of these next twelve months? Particularly as they each had a vested interested in the outcome.

Morgan walked through the door ahead of her, then quickly darted back into the bathroom, picking up Jill’s carry-on bag. “Okay,” she whispered hoarsely. “They’re gone. It’s time to skedaddle.”

Chapter Twelve

Jill stood in the miniature narthex and stared into the chapel. It was very small, with only ten rows of pews and a simple altar in front. “Look,” Morgan whispered from beside her, “here they come.”

Jill watched as an ornately carved door to the vestibule swung open as three men stepped into the sanctuary. The official-looking man in robes was clearly the judge. Brad followed in a coat and tie, trailed by Hunter in his tuxedo. Jill’s heart rose in her throat.
Am I really about to do this? Marry Hunter Delaney?
 

“I’m going to slip around and take a seat up front,” Morgan whispered to her. Jill nodded numbly as Morgan hastened down the side aisle of the chapel. She took a seat in the first pew and Brad patted Hunter’s shoulder before withdrawing from the altar to sit beside Morgan. The lady in Court Records had detailed the procedure in advance. Brad and Morgan would be present as witnesses, but didn’t need to stand at the altar during the actual exchanging of vows. It was presumed that both the bride and groom were of age and therefore perfectly capable of acting and speaking for themselves. Jill questioned that now as her tongue felt plastered to the roof of her mouth. Was she actually going to be able to talk and say
I do
to the handsome heartbreaker?

Jill tried to put her previous negative notions of Hunter aside, attempting to replace them with thoughts of the more recent version she’d come to know. The one who’d changed her initial terms from twenty to fifty percent… The one who’d strung her along mercilessly over living arrangements…hinting that he wouldn’t move to the country, when he knew he’d planned to all along. Jill’s blood started to boil as she recalled the smug way Hunter had ridiculed her pets’ names, and the way he’d challenged her standing as a “relationship expert.”
How’s that working out for you?
No matter how nice he’d been to her grandfather, there was still a side of Hunter that made her see…

He turned her way and Jill caught her breath. She feebly smiled back, her pulse racing. His dark eyes caught the light from the stained-glass windows and twinkled as he held her gaze. All Jill could think of when he looked at her like that was being in his arms—and on the receiving end of his kiss. A kiss that had totally undone her and swept her away. A kiss that had made her forget everything else in the world…
Every other man in the world.
The nosegay that Morgan had shoved into her hands slid in her grasp. Somewhere in the background, music began to play. That’s when Jill became aware that the receptionist had taken a seat at the baby grand piano and was pounding out a hit-and-miss rendition of “Here Comes the Bride.”

A bright light flashed and Hunter realized he’d been caught on camera. Cassandra had positioned herself to the left of the second pew with her full regalia of equipment, including a video recorder on a tripod, which she’d just swung around to focus on the incoming bride. Hunter looked into Jill’s eyes and his heart thudded. She was stunning in an unadorned white dress, dark hair coiled in a loose knot at the nape of her neck. The truth was that Hunter had never seen a woman look more exquisite, not even at any of those ritzy soirees he used to attend. Color dusted Jill’s cheeks as the music picked up, kicking into a second chorus with gusto. The judge beside Hunter held up a hand, motioning Jill forward. She appeared to glide toward them with measured steps, the fabric of her gown brushing lightly against her calves. Delicate fingers curved around a pretty collection of flowers. Lilacs, lilies, and daffodils. Not stuffy like a stiff rose bouquet, but beautiful and natural…like Jill.
 

Hunter swallowed hard, wondering for a split second what he was doing. He had a strong urge to run and get out of this quagmire his best friend, Brad, had landed him in. Hunter glanced at Brad, who beamed broadly, evidently pleased with the situation. Morgan, beside him, was weeping already. And the ceremony hadn’t even begun! The music came to a shrill crescendo and mercifully stopped. That’s when the judge cleared his throat and parted the book in his hands to a bookmarked page. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today,” he began, “in the presence of God and these witnesses…”

For some reason, Jill was nudging Hunter, trying to get his attention by lightly knocking her elbow into his. He stared down at her and she dropped her eyes to the lovely engagement ring that had belonged to her grandmother. Hunter didn’t quite get her meaning, so he raised his brow. In response, Jill lifted one finger holding her nosegay to tap another—the same one wearing the ring. When Hunter leaned toward her, she whispered, “I don’t…”