My Ex-Boyfriend's Wedding (11 page)

"Of course." Kate's face lit up, and the girls talked hair all the way to the room she'd been assigned.

After the crazy she'd just seen in Dalton's eyes, Jemma grabbed her arm. Kate didn't need to know everything, but she deserved at least the Cliff's Notes version. "There's something I really should tell you."

Her head cocked to the side, brow scrunched. "We can talk in here."

As they entered, they found Kate's mom sitting on a chair. The resemblance was undeniable, but had Kate not squealed the word "Mom" and thrown herself into her awaiting embrace, Jemma would have thought them to be sisters.

Jemma walked over and extended her hand. "Hi, you must be Mrs. McCallister. I'm Jemma, the wedding photographer."

The woman peered down her nose at Jemma and pursed her lips, staring at her hand as though she'd just seen Jemma picking her nose. "I know who you are. You need to leave and go do what we are paying you to do."

Jemma stepped back toward the door, her hand over her heart. With her tone, the haughty woman could've just as well sent her off to sell herself on the street corner.

"Mother!" Kate scolded then turned and whispered something to her.

The woman patted her daughter's arm, but her condescending gaze remained on Jemma. "Dalton told me all about you, little hussy. I'll thank you for taking your leave now."

Panic jolted through Jemma. "But you don't understand; it wasn't like that! Kate, I can explain."

"Oh, but I do understand." Her mother's hand shot out toward the door. "Leave, now."

Jemma stared into Kate's confused eyes for a few seconds, hoping to get her apology across without words before she dropped her gaze and left. As she closed the door behind her, she fell back against the frame and paused.

Dalton, you little bastard!

She should have expected him to be petty, but more importantly, she should've told everyone the truth sooner. She released an exasperated breath. But, then she never would've met Tony because they wouldn't have wanted her at the wedding.

"Oh my God. Tony," she whimpered. "Please, don't let him know already. Please, please, please," she chanted, sprinting down the hall toward the men's changing room. She made quite the scene with her shoes
fwap-fwapping
against her feet and
clink-clinking
on the tile. She didn't care; her only concern was finding Tony before Dalton had the chance to spew more lies. She sprinted to the corner, sliding around it sideways, nearly falling over when she skidded to a stop. Dalton once again barred her way, standing right in front of the door. Jemma heard Tony talking on the other side.

Poking a finger into Dalton's chest, she seethed, "Why did you lie to Kate's mom, you asshole?"

His face brightened, a snarl nearly consuming it. "Good, she found you." His brow raised into his hairline. "She was a little mad when she found out, huh? About how you knew I loved Kate but wouldn't leave me alone?"

"Have you always been such a lying putz? Do you think you're God's gift to women?" She paused, not exactly sure if she was delusional enough to expect him to come to his senses and apologize or what. He just stood there, that ridiculous smirk never wavering. "I've got a newsflash: you're a curse to womankind from a place a little farther
south
of heaven." She shoved against him. "Move."

"Don't you have some photography business to tend to? The wedding starts in fifteen minutes. Seems to me you were pressed for time earlier." Dalton glanced over her shoulder, eyes widening, his feigned concern morphed to the look of a wounded puppy. "I told you Jemma, I'm in love with Kate."

Knowing it was a show, Jemma turned around. Kate's mother's face was puckered in an ugly scowl. Arms folded harshly across her bosom and toe tapping at a rapid pace, she declared, "I thought I might find you here. You're nothing more than a whore, trying to steal a man away from his own wedding. If it weren't last minute, I'd fire you right here and now."

Jemma fought back the urge to toss Stacy into the conversation as the true whore, but she knew it would come across as guilty deflection. "This discussion isn't over, Dalton. Payback is a bitch."

"Jem,
we
are over. Let me go." Dalton shook his head and looked at the floor with disgust.

Grinding her teeth, she clenched her hands into fists. "You really missed your calling as an actor." She turned, stomping away from the overwhelming desire to choke the life from Dalton's body. She muttered to herself, "Why did I agree to this? Why did I cash the check? Stupid pride. Stupid printer. Stupid decision."

Jemma busied herself with her camera and took pictures of the ushers while they seated the guests. Mikey flashed a how-dare-you-do-this-to-me look in her direction and tugged at his bright yellow tie. That was the hateful look she'd expected earlier.

Click!

Even the sight of her brother suffering in silence did nothing to lift her spirits or take the knot from her stomach, much less ease the ache in her heart.

She walked along the outside wall of the church, taking more pictures. Being surrounded by gasping guests and muted muttering escalated her stress level to near meltdown status. Using the zoom on her camera, she was finally able to get some actual smiles from people across the room. No doubt the lies had spread through the family at a rapid pace, and Jemma was public enemy number one and at the tip-top of everyone's shit-list. Dalton always did know how to divert the attention when he needed to. Lies were obviously his specialty, and Jemma was the one caught in his crosshairs. She finally gave up on even trying to find a happy face from a distance, using the zoom to search the sea of cranky people for Tony instead.

No such luck.

The music blared from the organ, catching Jemma off guard. She made her way to the back of the church to snap a few photos of the bridesmaids, and then Kate and her father as they made their grand entrance. The doors swung open, each girl forcing a smile to their faces that never quite reached their eyes. Jemma snapped a picture of each one, decked out in their bright yellow, puffy sleeved monstrosity of a dress they'd never be caught dead in out in public. When Kate and her father appeared, the wedding march blared and people stood, looking back toward them. Jemma gasped out loud at the sight of Kate's face plastered with makeup, obviously an attempt to hide the puffy redness around her eyes.

Well, she must've heard the lies, and probably worse as Dalton embellished even more to save his own ass. The granddaddy of all fake smiles graced Kate's face, complete with bared teeth. But her eyes held all of her anguish, glaring daggers at Jemma. Her father's looks weren't much kinder. Jemma decided against any close-ups and scurried up the stairs to the safety of the balcony. She watched Dalton, his three best drinking buddies, and Tony fidgeting at the altar.

She clicked off pictures of all of them, her main focus on how handsome Tony looked in his tuxedo. His dark hair and tanned complexion contrasted nicely to the white shirt and yellow accessories.

The bridesmaids and Maid of Honor took their places on the steps, stepping carefully alongside the satin runner. Kate and her father made their way to the altar, everyone turning as they passed by. Jemma snapped the usual pictures of the happy faces, the tears sliding down the cheeks of the mother of the bride, and even Dalton's parents. It surprised her they had made amends long enough to sit in the same pew, and that Dalton's dad was out of the pen. But, there they stood, as far away from each other as they could, without completely crowding everyone else out. His mother even seemed sober for a change.

Jemma turned and snapped a picture of her brother for her personal album. He was leaning against the rear wall of the church, arms folded, glaring at Dalton. She could almost read his thoughts. It was a good thing for her ex that there were too many witnesses.

The wedding proceeded with the father giving the bride's hand to the groom, but Mr. McCallister's set jaw and forced smile spoke volumes. Kate's face softened, and she knowingly patted his hand. She kissed his cheek and turned to flash the evil bared-teeth smile at her future husband. Dalton grabbed Kate's left hand in his, while burying his right in his pocket. Dropping his head, he stared at the floor as though ashamed.

Jemma fought the urge to clap and yell bravo. After all she'd witnessed that day, his acting skills were improving. She forced herself back to her job, making the pictures as presentable as she could with the mixed up, messed up wedding from hell. When the minister asked if anyone knew reasons why they shouldn't be joined in holy matrimony, Jemma even held her peace. It took a bit of tongue biting, but she managed.

Zooming in on Dalton's face as he said his vows, she watched a single tear slide down his cheek.

Click!

That was definitely one for the keeper pile. In the time Jemma had known him, not one tear was shed, not for anything. She flip-flopped between knowing he was full of crap, to wondering if he really did love his wife-to-be. Kate's features softened as she wiped the tear from his face, crying along with him.

Jemma snapped off picture after picture of this scene. Kate, moved by Dalton's show of emotion, gripped his hand with both of hers. A brilliant smile replaced the forced snarl and brought back her natural beauty. She wasn't quite sure why it had mattered before, but with them being happy, only Tony's opinion of her mattered anymore.

The last few pictures of the ceremony were taken as the minister pronounced them husband and wife and introduced them to the congregation. The bridal party paired off, following them down the aisle, looking like a giant bumblebee in their yellow and black attire. Everyone finally looked genuinely happy.

Smiling to herself, Jemma made her way down the stairs with her camera and tripod to get some candid shots of the receiving line and hopefully catch Tony before they went in to take the group photos.

Another swing and a miss.

The line was long and drawn out. Jemma found herself forced back into the church after being crowded out by many well-meaning family members, no doubt saving Dalton and Kate from the home-wrecking whore. She forced herself into professional mode, attempting to block out all the glares and not so hushed whispers, to fulfill her contract and get the still shots done. All without having a nervous breakdown.

That would have to wait until after she got home.

Proficiently, she shouted out orders for poses so she could be heard above the chatter. Jemma's heart sank to her stomach as Tony turned a wary eye toward her, only smiling when she told them to.

Damn you, Dalton, all to hell.

Wrapping things up, she said, "I think we have plenty of beautiful pictures to choose from now. Thank you all for being so easy to work with."

All of the bridesmaids spun toward her in unison, glaring. Jemma crossed her arms over her chest, returning the contempt, half expecting to see their heads spinning and spewing green gunk. Evil didn't even begin to cover the looks. She watched as they filed from the church, traipsing across the lot to the fellowship hall, where the reception was already in progress. Tony lagged to the end of the line, occasionally glancing in her direction.

As he grabbed the door handle, she shouted from the altar, "Can I talk to you before you go over there, please?" Desperation crackled her voice.

He stopped and turned back toward her, pain wrinkling his forehead, doubt clouding his eyes. Kate's mom grabbed his arm, sparking a hateful glare at Jemma, and tugged him out the door. A tear traced its way down Jemma's cheek as she watched him being dragged across the lot.

Dalton and Kate were the last to leave, stopping halfway down the aisle to embrace. He shifted just enough to make eye contact with Jemma over Kate's shoulder. He blew her a kiss and winked before leading his bride out the door.

Jemma forced herself to stand tall, lift her chin, and concentrate on gathering up her equipment.

"Hey," her brother whispered, appearing from the shadows, dropping a hand on her arm.

She turned toward him, shoulders slumping, resting her head on his chest. "Mikey, I…"

He pulled her into his embrace. "I know, Sis."

Tears flooded her eyes, and she melted into his hug, going limp in his arms. Her head spun in a wild mix of hurt, betrayal, and loss, but most of all, her heart just plain ached.

Mikey stroked her hair and rocked her back and forth gently. "What can I do to help? Anything, just ask and I'll do it. I can call Dad, and he'll take care of the bastard."

Jemma leaned back, smiling through her tears. Mikey caused her tons of grief, but he never failed to be there for her when she needed him. "This is his wedding day. You saw him crying up there, didn't you? Maybe he really does love Kate, and I'm being used to take the focus off of Stacy. I just want to make sure Tony knows the truth. Can you get him to talk to me? All I need is a few minutes alone with him to plead my case and tell him the real story." She shook, desperation taking over every cell of her body.

He cupped her face, wiping her tears with his thumbs. "I'll do what I can. You get your camera over there, and I'll play interference. Surely if we work together, we can get him alone somewhere."

Jemma dropped her forehead onto her brother's chest and inhaled a deep breath. She slowly let it out, reaching deep inside herself to find the strength to finish what she'd started. "Thank you, Mikey."

"Hey, can you call me Mike in front of these guys, please?"

"Wow, a formal greeting earlier and now this? What's the special occasion?" Jemma snorted and then inhaled sharply to clear her nose.

"Gee, that was sexy." Mikey placed a kiss on his sister's forehead. "Go get 'em, tiger. Little Ant'ny is waiting for you." Punching her on the shoulder garnered him a well-deserved glare.

*  *  *

After locking all of her other equipment in her trunk, Jemma walked into the reception hall. Glancing around the room for Tony, she spied him at the end of the bridal party table, leaning against the wall. Her heart fluttered as he acknowledged her with a subtle wave. She pushed her way through the crowd, greeted by intermingling snarls and glares. Dalton's best man played interference, stepping in Tony's line of sight, obviously striking up a conversation. A fortified wall of people slowly formed around them. All facing her, they did everything shy of linking arms and growling at her.