Secret Bridesmaid

by Victoria Pinder

  Something twisted inside his gut. He wasn’t sure how Emily might react to being in the public eye. Jennifer’s involvement in anyone’s life seemed to turn out badly. He drank the French roast. “Emily might not like that either.”

  Mitch nodded at him. “Then be there, with her. That will show your support.”

  And this was why Mitch was the smartest of them, as well as the oldest. Axel held his mug in salute. “Smart man.”

  Damien then motioned them toward the opposite end of the tent, near the Intracoastal and the yacht marina, where they saw Peter, alone.

  Galen said, “Let’s go talk sense into Peter.”

  Peter stood with his arms crossed, staring off into the waters or possibly at his yacht, like he was thinking of a quick getaway.

  If the wedding was called off, Axel could invite Emily back to his place, without care of what Jennifer did next. He gulped his coffee and walked with his brothers toward Peter. “Do you think he’ll listen?”

  Damien held the tent flap for them to pass as the staff hadn’t opened the doors to the venue yet. “If we don’t try, then we are on record approving of all this.”

  Axel took his place next to Mitch as he said, “Lead the way.”

  The four of them were illegitimate, but as adults he understood all of them were equal. Peter, John, Victoria, Luke, Caro and Matthew had all accepted them into the fold.

  So it was time to do his part and talk to his half-brother, who seemed in pain.

  Peter hardly moved from his spot near the water’s edge, but as they approached, Mitch patted him on the back and said, “Peter, we want to talk to you about Jennifer and Belle.”

  Peter tugged his collar. “Do you know where Belle is? We followed a clue a few months ago, but that didn’t pan out.”

  They’d gone to Italy and met the Italian branch of the family. Jennifer and Anthony seemed tight, but Axel wasn’t sure. Maybe Jennifer and Anthony were the real deal but that was for another day. Peter belonged with Belle.

  Galen said, “No, but if you still love Belle, don’t do this. She’s probably watching somewhere.”

  Peter nodded but rocked on his feet. His brother was usually mimicking their father’s confidence so that one uncertain movement said more than his words. “Then she’ll understand I’m doing this for my unborn son.”

  Axel needed to take a stand and be part of this. “I’m sure our lawyers can help you without marrying Jennifer.”

  Peter stared at him and for one second Axel thought his words were from some higher power. “Look, Axel. I see you with Emily, and I watched the morning news. If you are in love with her, keep her and don’t let her go, no matter what anybody else says. I made a mistake when Belle left. Do everything you can to keep the woman you love with you, always.”

  Wow. True. Emily was all he wanted right now. He’d become immune to most women, and yet Emily somehow made his day better with her smile. He nodded at his brother and said, “Peter, we didn’t know you growing up, not really. We met a few times, but if you need anything from us, we’re here.”

  Those words were weak. He’d need to think and possibly write a song to express this moment properly. But Peter was right; he’d keep Emily.

  “Thanks,” Peter said. “All of you. Now go. Enjoy your wives.”

  He and his brothers turned back the way they’d come, but he and Mitch walked slower than Damien and Galen.

  Mitch must have been affected too because he said in a low voice, “I’m going to tell Tess I love her.”

  “Wait.” Axel stopped his brother who also handled all his earnings and inheritance. He folded his arms. “Mitch, do you know how to find who to pay off for Emily’s student loans?”

  Mitch didn’t even blink at the request. He simply nodded. “It’s on her credit report.”

  If he kept Emily, he needed her free to just be with him. “Use my accounts and pay that and any other debt in her name today. I want to show her that there is nothing in her way of us.”

  “Sure.” Mitch shrugged but didn’t argue.

  “Thanks.” Axel patted his brother's shoulder and headed back to the main house. He’d join the women and be near Emily again. Hair and makeup weren’t enough to keep him away.

  Emily stepped inside what must have been a formal dining room from the size and layout that had been transformed entirely to a high-end hair and makeup salon.

  Nine of the ten bridesmaids were already in their seats.

  Jennifer, the bride, was done--her hair sparkling with diamonds they'd embedded in her updo. She paced like a drill sergeant in a tight, white wedding dress that showed off a clearly pregnant belly, making sure her bridesmaids looked perfect.

  Emily lowered her head and her heart raced as she ran to the empty chair that must be for her.

  The hair and makeup people picked up their tools, ready to work on her, but then her phone beeped as she placed it on the table. Deisel. Before she could even pick it up she saw him standing at the door.

  Drat. She hadn’t done a thing for work.

  Perhaps she should accept Axel’s offer and just run off on a tour bus. She feared he’d see her spying as a betrayal to his family, who were known for their loyalty. She jumped off her chair and raced to the door to talk to her coworker. “Diesel.”

  He kept his voice low but glanced around the room. Original paintings hung on the wall as hairspray clearly washed through the air. “Emily, have you heard anything?”

  She wasn’t here just to have fun. Heat rose in her cheeks as she shook her head. “Not yet.”

  He pointed toward the device in her hand and asked the obvious question. “You still have your phone?”

  Was that his not-so-subtle way of telling her to get to work? “Absolutely.”

  He stepped into the darkness of the hall. “Text me. Our client is getting worried.”

  “Got it.” She saluted though she leaned out to follow him as she said, “Anything I hear, I’ll text you.”

  As he left, the pit in her stomach grew that no food would fill. Emily returned to her chair to prepare for the wedding. Her heart still raced that Jennifer might somehow morph into some bridezilla and yell at her for being late.

  Axel’s family was wary of Jennifer for a reason. Where was Linsey?

  The hairdresser brushed her hair and Axel entered the room like he’d been summoned as her guardian angel.

  Her arms ached to hold him and forget about spying or this wedding. He kissed her cheek. “Emily, are you working today?”

  Did he know somehow? Her pulse zipped. “Axel, what are you doing here?”

  He took her hand and stepped out of the hairdresser’s way as he said, “I didn’t want to leave you. Would anyone be upset if I hang out here?”

  Her heart thumped. This wasn’t fair. She wanted him to stay. Or even better, she wanted to escape with him.

  But she was here to do a job.

  Her spine had little ice picks that drilled into her and she couldn’t sit straight as she lowered her lashes. Maybe if she didn’t look at him, she could send him away. She chewed on her lip until she realized what she was doing and stopped. Jennifer said from behind him, “Axel, we have a TV interview in a half an hour. You being with Emily is a good thing.”

  Oh no. This was worse. Now she needed to make a decision if she wanted Axel to stay when she was supposed to work. Fast.

  Axel smiled at her benignly as he said, “Thanks, Jennifer.”

  If Axel left her just as fast as he’d come into her life, she’d need her job. And besides, Axel was pro Belle. Maybe he’d understand. She sucked in a deep breath and said, “Axel, meet me in a half an hour then.”

  He flinched like she’d hit him as they were surrounded with women in hair, makeup or wardrobe. “You don’t want me to stay?”

  She inwardly cringed. She wanted to be with him. Hopefully he’d understand after she explained—later. She needed to talk with Jennifer first. She let out the air she took and patted his arm as she said, �
��I… I’ll see you then, okay?”

  “See you then.” He kissed her cheek.

  Her lips burned for another soul-searing kiss, but that would be after, at the wedding itself. She held still, clutching the arms of her chair until he left.

  Jennifer rubbed her back like her huge pregnant belly ached as she asked, “Emily, why did you send him off?

  To spy on you. No. Think fast! This needed to be believable and she couldn’t exactly say the truth. She swallowed and felt heat in her face though she said, “This is a wedding and I’m here to ensure you have whatever you need today.”

  Jennifer smiled and directed the stylist to pull Emily's brown hair into an updo. Then she patted Emily’s shoulder. “I need to keep my image publicly and hope you don’t mind speaking to the press regarding your weight.”

  Oh goodness. Emily was the fattest woman in the room of Hollywood types. Everyone else here was probably a size four--maybe less, though she wouldn’t ask. Instead she tugged her ear and tried to stay positive. “I’m happy you are speaking out against body shaming with my sister, Linsey. Where is she?”

  “With wardrobe--she's coming on camera with me.”

  “Got it.”

  Jennifer pointed toward colors in the makeup artist’s palette as she stared at Emily’s face. She rubbed her belly and said, “Not everyone has the discipline I’ll use to get my figure back.”

  The makeup artist hurried off to get a chair. Emily smiled at Jennifer and said, “You’re a glowing mom-to-be.”

  Jennifer said sweetly, “I’m glad Linsey had a sister. And you do have a beautiful face, with nice bone structure--your sister’s sharper anglest make her, I don’t know… more striking at first glance but your beauty gives you elegance and will probably last you until we’re all old and gray.”

  While Emily didn’t know everything Jennifer had done, she seemed pleasant enough. Maybe it was an act? Her sister’s niceness could likely be the press she was getting on Entertainment TV at the moment. The makeup artist returned with the chair and placed it right behind Jennifer.

  “I'm just glad to be here. Is there anything you need, Jennifer?”

  Jennifer gripped both arms of the chair. "To sit back down." She lowered herself carefully. "I can't wrinkle this dress but my back is hurting.”

  “Go for it, mama.” Emily jumped up to help.

  Jennifer motioned for her to get back in her chair for the hair stylist. Once she was settled, Jennifer said, “Thanks. You were sitting with the Morgans last night.”

  Oh. Was Jennifer here for gossip about the Morgans? Her hand twitched but she stayed still as she let the artists do their jobs to her hair and face. “I was. Everyone was so nice to me.”

  Jennifer sat further back, letting her belly extend out. “I’m not sure what I can do to bridge the gap with the French brothers. Caro and Rafe are my oldest friends and Pilar is great, so Peter’s side is fine though they all wish I was Belle somehow.”

  Hmm. That wasn’t her impression. All the Morgans seemed tight. Even the Italian one who sat with his wife seemed deeply ingrained in the Morgan family. However, Emily understood being the black sheep so she nodded until the hair stylist stopped her and said, “That has to hurt.”

  She tried to stay still this time as Jennifer said, “You have no idea. Victoria was always one of my best friends. When she declined to be the maid-of-honor, but offered to dress everyone in the wedding, I was disappointed.”

  That explained her sister’s status. Until this wedding, Emily had never heard Linsey mention Jennifer. “Why did she say no?”

  Jennifer sighed. “She said she wants her brother to be happy and she needs to be on his side.”

  “But he’s marrying you?” Emily’s lips pursed as she wasn’t sure what to say. She didn’t know the details to pick sides, but she was here to help Belle, which meant Jennifer shouldn’t trust her. Emily didn’t need to be mean about it. “It’s supposed to be a happy day, for both of you.”

  Jennifer scooted closer and leaned over like they were now best friends as she said, “It would be if John and Victoria hadn’t bet Peter to ask Belle out. Victoria knew I still loved her brother.”

  Oh. This all sounded complicated. Right now Emily just wanted more time with Axel once this was over. She said in a low voice, “I want my sister Linsey to be happy in life, so I understand siblings not wanting to interfere in their love lives, so they don’t pick a side. I don’t think it’s entirely a slight when it comes to family.”

  Jennifer sat straighter like she wanted to be poised and elegant even while heavily pregnant. “I don’t have siblings. My mother said I ruined her figure and she’d never do that again.”

  Wow. Her mother hadn’t said anything like that to her or her sister. She always said she never picked sides, though Linsey was the clear favorite. Emily shrugged. “Ah. Well, sometimes sisters are great. Sometimes they’re a pain, but my sister made me happy today when she defended me on television.”

  Jennifer nodded shrewdly. “The majority of our fan bases are average sizes and it’s a growing trend to be supportive of women of all sizes. It’s one of the reasons my publicist said to seize this opportunity with you and Axel.”

  Emily’s cheeks burned, and she didn’t care if she blushed. No wonder her sister had been so nice on TV. She was faking it for the news. “Oh, I see.”

  Jennifer motioned for the makeup artist to use a different brush and then she said, “Look, if you can help me win over Axel and his side of the family, I’d be grateful.”

  Emily tried to channel the right thing to say in this situation. Jennifer had been nothing but nice to her so she deserved some kindness even if Emily betrayed her. “I guess they need to see that you and Peter are happy together.” Jennifer’s phone buzzed and Emily noticed the screenshot was Jennifer and Peter’s brother, Anthony. Jennifer put it away fast, but Emily pointed toward her phone and said, “Is that Anthony Morgan?”

  Jennifer covered her lips with her fingers but then recovered as she put the phone down. “Did you meet him last night?”

  “No. Axel pointed out his family,” Emily explained and wished instantly she hadn’t mentioned that she’d spent the evening talking to the Morgans. “Anthony stayed near you.”

  Jennifer smiled. “Anthony thinks I’m making a mistake.”

  Emily’s skin buzzed. This could be the clue she was supposed to find. “About what?”

  Jennifer sounded like she needed a friend when she said, “Getting married to Peter. He says we don’t match and I should be with him.”

  “He loves you?” Emily asked in surprise.

  Jennifer swallowed and then shrugged. “He thinks this baby is his. Nothing I say changes his mind.”

  Whoa. Now that was a show-stopper if true. Had Peter done a DNA test on this baby or were they waiting till birth? She wished she wasn’t about to stab Jennifer in the back as she asked, “Is it?”

  Jennifer squinted and then stood like she wanted to leave the conversation fast. “No. Don’t be silly.”

  “Okay, no worries.”

  Once she was on her feet, Jennifer pointed to a sponge for the makeup artist and then glanced down at Emily. “Look, let them finish pinning your hair and get your hair sprayed so you’re perfect for the cameras. If you lost weight, you’d actually be a great model.”

  Size four was cutting herself into three smaller pieces and honestly wouldn’t make her any happier.

  Either way, Emily had one thing to do. She’d pass this on to Diesel and possibly quit the law office on Monday. Before now, she’d liked her job, but adventure called. She jumped out of the chair, startling the hair and makeup people as well as Jennifer. Emily clutched her phone and said, “Work needs me to answer a few emails. I need two minutes before we go on television."

  "Linsey’s outside already prepping the interviewers for us. Thanks, Emily.”Jennifer waddled away to check on the next bridesmaid.

  Emily walked to the door and quickly texted Diesel everyt
hing. Her fingers shook but she did it and then she deleted the message. What if someone scrolled her phone?

  Her heart hammered with tension while her mind whispered she was a bad person--but she needed to look after herself too. She was being paid and she had too much to lose.

  Besides, Axel wasn’t going to last in her life for more than a day and she needed to work for the rest of her long life. So that text had been the smart move.

  As she returned to her chair, she closed her eyes and let hair and makeupdo a finishing touch.

  Emily hid her phone and never wanted to see it ever again as she told herself she’d done the right thing.

  Axel waited near the front door where the women might enter and exit and stared at the time displayed on his phone.

  Soon the half an hour would be up.

  He ignored his family though he noticed outside on the veranda that Peter and Anthony spoke at length. The glass door was closed so he had no idea what they discussed.

  And it hadn’t mattered.

  His skin still itched from seeing the security guard that worked with Emily briefly speak to Peter and hand over his phone.

  Something was up, and he didn’t know what it was.

  So he paced.

  The doors opened and Linsey was the first in the hallway, followed by Jennifer. Emily came behind them, still wearing her jeans but now with hair and makeup created for the wedding and TV interview. She stole his breath away as Emily could easily be a 1950s pin-up girl, with sultry brown eyes and knock-out curves.

  Linsey and Jennifer passed, and Axel offered his arm to Emily. They headed outside without his mentioning her office security guard, or Peter.

  Jennifer wore a simple white dress cleverly designed for her to seem angelic on the world stage as she gave a statement to the press.

  He patted Emily’s arm and whispered, “Emily, you look great.”

  She squeezed his hand as the bright hot sun immediately beat down on them. The humidity was like a wall of soup, but Emily didn’t comment on the weather as she searched his face. “Thanks, Axel. Are you ready for this?”