by Ginny Baird
“Yeah, but it won’t be me who’s wearing it on Saturday.”
Meredith flipped her long, dark hair over her shoulder. “He’s really gotten under your skin, huh?”
“Only in the best possible way.”
“I’m sorry, Hope. Sorry that everything’s so twisted. But, seeing the two of you together, I’d say he’s equally into you.”
“Yeah?” she asked, daring to dream.
“Maybe if you explain to Jackie what’s happened—”
Hope was shaking her head before Meredith even finished. “No. She’ll totally flip.”
“You’re probably right about that. And anyway, then you’d still have the problem of telling Brent and his family. My gut says none of them will take this very well.”
“I agree. One hundred percent.” Hope’s shoulders sagged. “It’s just two more days, and then Jackie will be here.”
“She’d better,” Meredith said. “Or I’m going to wring her neck.”
“Yeah, you and me both.” Hope stared at her, feeling like she didn’t deserve this compassion. She was Jackie’s bestie, after all, and here she was, being so kind. “Thanks for all of this, Meredith.”
“All of what?”
“For being a friend when I need it.”
“Believe it or not, I do understand,” Meredith told her. “I know what it’s like to love someone when the odds are impossible.”
“That happened to you?” When Meredith’s eyes misted, Hope decided not to press her on it. “Oh no. I’m so sorry.”
“It’s all right,” Meredith said. “Life moves on. It will move on for you, too.”
Hope’s cell phone buzzed on her dresser. “Wait,” she said, checking the screen. “That’s Jackie calling now.”
“Great,” Meredith said. “I’ll go help Sally gather wood for the fire and let you take it. But, Hope,” she said before leaving. “Maybe you should tell her?”
“Oh, no. I couldn’t.”
“She’s going to figure it out soon enough. If I were her, I’d rather not be blindsided.”
A frown tugged at Hope’s lips. She frankly could no longer stand the thought of Brent marrying somebody else—anybody else. Much less her sister, who clearly didn’t love him and was possibly conflicted about the commitment herself. “I know you’re right. It’s just… This is going to be tough.”
Meredith gently patted her shoulder. “You don’t have to tell her today, but I’d suggest filling her in before she gets here. She at least needs to know.”
…
Hope spoke into her phone as Meredith closed the door. “Jackie. Finally. How’s it going?”
“I’m still wrapping up the Martin wedding,” Jackie said. “But things will be all set by the close of business tomorrow. I fly out of Nantucket first thing Friday morning and will be in Blue Hill by lunchtime.”
“Super. I wish it was sooner.”
“I know you do. Me, too. I saw the latest update,” she said, changing the subject. “By the way, you look great in the dress.”
“I’m sure you’ll wear it even better,” Hope said as heat burned in her eyes.
“Is everything all right?”
“Sure. Why wouldn’t it be? This is a horrible thing we’re doing to the Albrights, Jackie. All of them, including Brent.”
Jackie huffed. “Yeah. I know. Don’t believe I haven’t thought about that, but one thing led to another, and—”
“We should have stopped it. I mean, I should have. In a way, this is all my fault.”
“You were the honesty-is-the-best-policy spokesperson.”
“I know,” Hope said, breaking into a whimper. “And I’ve let everyone down.”
“Let’s try not to have negative thoughts right now,” her sister insisted. “Brent and I made a deal, and I intend to make good on it, just like he and I planned.”
Hope’s chin trembled. “Sometimes plans change, though.”
There was a pause. Then, “What are you talking about?”
“It’s Brent. I like him.”
“Sure you do,” her sister said. “Everybody does. Brent’s a very nice guy. I wouldn’t be marrying him otherwise.”
“You never loved him, did you?” Hope asked, her voice quaking. “Not even the tiniest little bit.”
“What Brent and I have is mutual, Hope, and mutually decided on, okay? Please don’t go second-guessing me now. I’ve got enough stress on my plate.”
“Oh, right,” she said wanly. “Like I don’t.”
“Fine. You’re stressed out, too. And I’m very, very, very sorry about that. But I’ll be there soon, and everything will be all right.”
Somehow, Hope was beginning to doubt that. “I’ve got to know. Is your not being here really about the Martin wedding, or is something else going on?”
“I don’t know what you mean?”
“You’re not having doubts? Getting cold feet, maybe, because if you are—”
“No, absolutely not. Come on, Hope. What do you think? That I can’t make up my mind? I told you about Rodney and how he treated me.”
“Yeah, but a rebound marriage is no way to go.”
“This is not a rebound marriage, okay?” Jackie said, beginning to sound irritated. “Don’t think I haven’t thought all of this through. I have. A gazillion times. I’m actually offended you’d think any differently. And even suggest the cold-feet thing. Who on earth put that in your mind?” She gasped. “Meredith?”
“Meredith’s great,” Hope said without directly answering. “She cares about you.”
“Unbelievable,” Jackie said. “Just when you think you have a friend.”
“She is a friend. To both of us.”
“Really?” Jackie snapped. “Since when?”
This was going downhill fast. “So, um, about Brent…”
“What about him?” Jackie sounded so combative Hope was suddenly afraid to go there.
“Uh, it’s just that you’d better get here soon. Promise me, Jackie.”
“Of course, I promise, but what are you getting at, Hope? Why are you being so weird?”
“Things keep happening. Things that I can’t stop.” Hope’s face burned hot at the thought of Brent’s steamy kisses.
“Oh yeah? Like what?”
“Like Brent trying to text you,” she said, thinking of another problem.
“Yeah, that part’s been bananas. He’s sending all these mushy texts, which is so unlike him. Tonight was awesome. Can’t wait to see you. Why is he sending these, anyway? Are things really going that super?”
Hope rubbed the side of her neck. “I’ve…made some headway. As you! Totally you, Jackie. That’s who Brent thinks I am, remember?”
“Huh. Well, anyway,” Jackie continued. “Some of his messages haven’t made any sense. Why would I need an umbrella next time, and what’s the joke about the cozy coat closet?”
Hope’s heart hammered. “Uh. Don’t know. Maybe it’s an inside joke?”
“Between who?”
“You and Brent.”
Jackie seemed to dismiss this in an instant, focusing on something else. “The sailing photos were cute, though. Loved those.”
“Oh, good.” Hope waited a beat. “So, have you answered? I mean, at all?”
“No, because I wasn’t sure what some of them meant. Except for the last one. That was pretty self-explanatory.”
“What was it about?”
“He was asking about the dress fitting.”
“You should say that it went fine.”
“Okay, I’ll do that.” She sighed. “Because obviously it did.”
“The dress is not my size. It was tailor-made for you, which is why you need to get here to wear it.”
“I know. Okay. I hear you. Don’t be like a broken record,
Hope. I told you I’d be there, so I will.”
“Great. Tomorrow.”
“Yeah, tomorrow. Please just stop.”
Hope’s voice shook when she said, “I only want what’s best for you, you know.”
“Well, good,” Jackie answered, “that’s good, because I can tell you what that is. It’s Brent.”
Chapter Fifteen
Later that night, the group stood around the smoldering firepit, drinking wine and beer and enjoying the savory smell of baking shellfish. It was cooler than Hope had anticipated, and she’d only worn a thin cardigan over her T-shirt and leggings. She didn’t even realize she’d been hugging her arms around herself for warmth as she chatted with Sofia until Brent slipped up behind her and draped a jacket around her shoulders.
“You looked a bit chilly,” he whispered. “Better?” His dark eyes glimmered in the fire’s glow, and Hope caught her breath.
“Yeah, thanks. That was really thoughtful of you.”
“My pleasure.” He gave her a peck on her cheek, and her skin warmed beneath his kiss.
“He’s practicing,” Sofia said as he left to gather more firewood. “His good husbanding skills.”
“Husbanding’s not a word,” Sally said, strolling up beside them and holding a beer.
“It is now,” Sofia said.
Hope snuggled into Brent’s jacket, sliding her arms through its sleeves. The lightweight windbreaker carried a hint of his outdoorsy cologne, and she loved being wrapped in his scent. She zipped it up, happy contentment surging through her. She felt closer to Brent wearing his clothing, and anything that made him seem a part of her life filled her heart with happiness. She told herself not to fret over the fact that it was fleeting and to simply enjoy the present.
She saw Meredith across the lawn speaking animatedly with Ava, Elsa, and Margaret. William was helping Grandpa Chad retrieve drink refills from the house, and Derrick knelt by the firepit, poking at the coals occasionally with a long, charred stick. Hope saw him glance briefly at Meredith. Then he shook his head and returned his attention to the fire.
Meredith gestured with her wineglass, laughing at something Elsa said, then—seemingly against her will—her gaze trailed to Derrick. When he glanced up, she looked away, and Hope couldn’t help but smile.
“Lots of tension between those two,” Sofia whispered.
“You know what they say,” Sally teased. “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.”
Hope giggled at their guessing. “I don’t know, you guys. Seems like ice cubes might form in an inferno first.”
Sofia and Sally chuckled.
“They’re not a bad pair.” Sofia took a sip of ginger ale. “All animosity aside.”
Sally shrugged. “Opposites attract.”
Hope lifted her wineglass toward the others. “Here’s to—”
“Please don’t say opposites.” Sofia giggled.
Hope twisted her lips. “I was about to toast to attraction.”
Sofia watched William fondly as he emerged from the house, carting three cold beers. “Hmm, yeah.”
Hope took in their beautiful surroundings, thinking about how lucky Jackie was to be marrying into all of this. The sad thing was, Jackie didn’t understand the full value of her fortune, because she hadn’t been here this week getting to know everyone like she had. Meredith came up beside her and whispered, “I’m starved. When’s dinner?”
“There’re hors d’oeuvres in the house.”
“What?” Meredith looked like this was the greatest news she’d ever heard. “Nobody told me.”
“Let’s go get some,” she said softly, and Meredith nodded.
As they loaded their plates from the spread on the kitchen counter, Derrick strolled into the room and opened the refrigerator. “Ladies,” he said, pleasantly enough.
“Looks like you’re doing a great job with that fire,” Hope told him.
Derrick extracted a bottle of beer from a shelf and shut the door to the refrigerator. “Thanks. I like working with fire.”
Meredith arched her eyebrows at him. “Me, too.”
Derrick uncapped his beer and studied her. “Is that right?”
A sly smile crept onto Meredith’s lips. “Fiery clients. Some of them can be real bears.”
Derrick actually laughed. “Bet those guys are hard to fix up.”
“It’s not the guys. Generally, it’s the women.”
Derrick choked on his swig of beer. “Who…would have…thought…that,” he said, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.
Hope rolled her eyes and chuckled. They were trying so hard to be civil. “I’m excited about the clambake,” she said. “It’s been eons.”
“Me, too,” Meredith chimed in. “I’ve only been to one.”
“Yeah?” Derrick asked her. “Where are you from?”
“Grew up in North Carolina, but I was born in Miami. My parents landed there by way of Puerto Rico.”
“You speak Spanish?” he asked.
Meredith shrugged. “A little. You?”
“Una cerveza, por favor.” Derrick raised his beer bottle, and Hope could tell that Meredith was working very hard not to smile.
“Not bad,” she told him. “You’ll do just fine surviving in many bars.”
She locked on Derrick’s gaze, and Hope could practically hear the electricity crackling between them.
“Anywho,” Derrick finally said, breaking away. “I’d best get back to tending that fire.”
When he was halfway through the kitchen door, Meredith shouted, “Bye!”
Derrick turned slowly on his heel, speaking over his shoulder. “Catch ya later, Mer.”
Hope wasn’t totally sure, but she thought his eyes sparkled when he’d said that. She fanned herself with her free hand. “Looks like Derrick didn’t leave the heat by the firepit.”
“What do you mean?” Meredith asked, trying to look nonchalant.
“Was it my imagination, or was there some kind of vibe going on between you?”
Meredith pursed her lips, then, after a beat, said, “It was your imagination.”
“O-kay,” Hope said, giggling. “If you say so.” She smiled at Meredith. “I’m just glad to see you and Derrick getting along.”
…
Later on, the group sat around the firepit, enjoying the remnants of their delicious meal. The mood was jovial yet mellow as shadows stretched over the gently rolling waves, and sporadic glimpses of moonlight danced behind the clouds.
“Supposed to clear up tomorrow,” Grandpa Chad said, lifting a forkful of potato. “Later in the day.”
“Let’s hope it stays that way,” Margaret said. “For the wedding.”
Everyone lifted their glasses and said, “Hear, hear.”
Her mom leaned toward her. “Have you mentioned ‘Eres Tú’ to Brent?”
“Mentioned what to me?” Brent took Hope’s hand in his and gave it a tender kiss. “Keeping secrets from me, darling?” he asked, searching her eyes.
Hope wanted to die and go to heaven, but only if she could take Brent with her. Then she realized that was unfair. He didn’t deserve to pay for her sins. Only she did. “Why would I do that?” Hope took a quick sip of wine to soothe her nerves while her mom explained.
“I’ve prepared the most beautiful song to sing at your wedding.”
“Oh?” Brent asked, looking surprised, because he’d seen the karaoke video, too.
“It’s in Spanish.” She turned toward Meredith, who sat to her left. “Do you know the song ‘Eres Tú’?”
“No.” Meredith shook her head while digging into her lobster. “Is it new?”
“Ancient,” Hope replied, and everyone but her mom laughed.
“That’s a very generous offer, Ava,” Brent said. “But I’m afraid I’ve
deferred all wedding planning to my beautiful bride.”
“Um, thanks,” Hope said.
A grin tugged at Brent’s lips, and he turned away, saying something to Sally, who was next to him.
Ava sat up a little straighter in her chair. “Maybe at the reception?”
Hope was actually growing exasperated at her mom’s persistence. Fortunately, she could pass the baton on dealing with that to Jackie when she got here, along with several other things. Not that she was thrilled about passing on Brent.
Derrick was engaged in conversation with William and Sofia, who sat near him. Hope didn’t miss that the lovebirds held hands or the fact the back of William’s hand pressed lightly against Sofia’s belly as it rested in her lap.
Hope’s heart fluttered for them and the happy anxiety they must be feeling. They apparently hadn’t told anyone else yet, and Hope had vowed to keep Sofia’s secret. Some of the Albrights probably suspected. Brent had hinted he did during his and Hope’s walk in the country.
Hope tried not to imagine herself having children with Brent again, but her mind went down that wistful road anyway. Brent was so kind and caring. Fun-loving and generous, too. He’d make a really great dad. Hope could just feel it.
What if Jackie never gave that to him?
As people finished their dinners, thanks were issued to the Albright boys for cooking the fantastic meal and to Elsa for preparing the yummy cobbler, which had been served with ice cream from a local dairy to top it all off. It had grown late, with folks lingering around the fire, and the group was beginning to look weary from the fun exhaustion of the day.
“We should probably start cleaning up,” Margaret said, standing. “We all need our rest for tomorrow.”
“We’re taking Brent away,” William said with a chuckle. “Only we won’t say where.”
Brent rolled his shoulders back. “Best prepare myself for anything, in that case,” he said, and everyone laughed.
Hope frowned, not understanding.
Margaret patted Hope’s shoulder as she strode past her. “Don’t worry, dear. It’s going to be loads of fun.”
Chapter Sixteen
