Friendship Blooms in Honey Grove

by Anne-Marie Meyer

  Tiffany pulled Jonathan’s hand free from Stacy’s grasp and then threaded her fingers through his. Anything to keep Stacy’s focus on something other than Jonathan.

  From the corner of her eye, she could see Jonathan glance down at their intertwined hands. His attention caused her heart to pound. It must be the nerves she was feeling about seeing her whole family. And the fact that Stacy was hitting on her friend.

  Claiming Jonathan as hers seemed to help snap Stacy out of her trance because she glanced over at Tiffany and smiled. “How was the drive?”

  “Great. Smooth.”

  Stacy’s gaze flicked over to Jonathan and then back to Tiffany. “You know what, I’m glad you brought Jonathan. Ted, Rob’s cousin, called and said he can’t make it.” She glanced back over at Jonathan. “Would you mind filling in?”

  Jonathan shifted, pressing his hand to chest. “Me?”

  Stacy smiled and flicked her hair. “Of course. You’d fit right in.”

  Jonathan glanced down at Tiffany, and she shrugged. “If you want to, it’s okay with me.”

  Jonathan nodded. “Sure. I’d need a tux though.”

  “Well it’s a good thing they’re waiting for Rob’s brother to get in before they head to the shop. I’m sure they can find something for you.”

  Jonathan smiled. “Perfect. I’m happy to help.”

  Stacy let out a very loud giggle just as Horace walked up. “Mr. and Mrs. Braxton, here is your room key. Your luggage has been put in the room.”

  Jonathan took the two keycards from Horace but didn’t correct the man. Not sure how she felt about being addressed as Mrs. Braxton, Tiffany stepped forward, parting her lips.

  But Jonathan just squeezed her hand and pulled her back. Tiffany glanced up at him and he shook his head.

  “Well, we should go freshen up and then we’ll be back down,” Jonathan said as he tugged on Tiffany’s hand and stepped toward the elevator.

  “All right!” Stacy called after them. “I’ll let Rob know you’re on board,” she said as the elevator doors closed on her enthusiastic smile.

  Once they were alone, Jonathan dropped Tiffany’s hand. She stared down at her fingers, wondering why she could still feel the warmth of his hand and the pressure of his skin against hers.

  Then, feeling like an idiot, she pushed all those thoughts away. What was the matter with her?

  “You didn’t have to do that,” she said, glancing up at him.

  Jonathan’s lips were tipped up into a smile. “What?”

  “Agree to help out at the wedding. You’re already doing so much by coming as my date. I hate that you’re being dragged into being a groomsman.”

  Jonathan leaned against the wall of the elevator and shrugged. “It’s fine. No big deal, really. I’m happy to help out.”

  Tiffany eyed him. Was he telling the truth? He seemed to be. He didn’t look like he was in distress. In fact, his shoulders were relaxed as he studied the numbers that were climbing.

  Maybe he really was okay with this.

  Tiffany sighed. “Well, if there’s anything I can do to return the favor, let me know.”

  Jonathan glanced over and gave her his million-dollar smile. “Oh, I will.”

  The elevator dinged and the doors opened. Jonathan stepped out before Tiffany could ask what that meant. She rushed after him, realizing that she probably shouldn’t have left that offer so open ended.

  “Like what?” she asked, stepping up next to him as he pulled out the keycard and swiped the door.

  He glanced over at her, but before he responded, he turned the door handle and stepped inside. The soft lighting shone against the gold wallpaper. A dark maroon comforter sat on the large bed. The cream carpet felt plush as she walked across it. It was hands down one of the fanciest hotels she’d ever stayed in.

  Regret brewed in her stomach as Tiffany followed after him. She should have been more specific about how she would pay him back. “Like what?” she repeated.

  Jonathan dive-bombed the bed—the only bed—and stretched out while propping himself up on one elbow. He was smiling, and she could see his teasing attitude in his gaze. But she’d moved on from their earlier conversation. Instead, she was inspecting the room, hoping that a second bed would magically appear in front of her.

  “This is wrong,” she muttered under her breath as she walked over to the phone and picked up the receiver. She’d asked for two beds, not one, when she’d changed her reservation last week. There was no way she could sleep in a bed with Jonathan, and she doubted that he wanted to sleep on the floor for the entire weekend.

  The phone rang twice before a woman picked up. “Front desk, how may I help you?”

  Tiffany rubbed her temples as she sat down on the desk chair. “There’s been a mistake. I asked for two beds. There’s only one.”

  The clicking of keys sounded on the other end, and then the woman sighed. “It says we would try to make that accommodation, but we were unable to.”

  Frustration pricked at Tiffany’s neck. “But—”

  “Ma’am, we have a lot of guests this weekend, and we are fully booked. I’m so sorry. We can send up a cot, but it will cost extra.”

  Tiffany sighed. “No. That’s fine. Thank you.” She didn’t wait for the woman to say goodbye. Instead, she hung up and glanced over at Jonathan, who was laying on his back, staring up at the ceiling.

  “Everything okay?” he asked, glancing over at her.

  Tiffany nodded as she made her way over to her suitcase and unzipped it. She needed something to do. Something to distract her. She didn’t know why the thought of sharing a room with Jonathan had her this discombobulated. After grabbing a sundress, she made her way to the bathroom to change.

  Just as she moved to shut the bathroom door, she glanced over at Jonathan. His eyes were closed and his hands were resting on his chest. She could see them rising and falling with his breath. There was something calming about watching him. The fact that he looked so relaxed helped her feel relaxed.

  She shook her head as she shut the door. Maybe she was going insane.

  Yeah, that was it. She was losing her mind.

  Chapter Seven

  Jonathan lay on the bed with his eyes closed. His muscles felt as if they were melting into the mattress. He tried not to read into the fact that Tiffany seemed upset to be sharing a room with him.

  What did it matter?

  It wasn’t like they’d never slept in the same room together. Heck, they’d shared the same bed numerous times. So why would it suddenly bother her now?

  Clearing his throat, he flipped off the bed and made his way over to the small sink in the hotel’s kitchenette. If he lay there any longer, he was pretty sure he’d go mad from his own thoughts. It was probably best to distract himself.

  He grabbed his suitcase and flung it onto the bed. With Tiffany in the bathroom, he’d take this time to change. He wasn’t sure what was going on this evening but figured from the look of Tiffany’s dress that it was fancier than his gym shorts and t-shirt allowed for.

  He had some khaki pants on and was just about to slip on a button-down shirt when Tiffany opened the bathroom door. Her gaze landed on his bare chest and her cheeks flushed.

  Suddenly self-conscious of the fact that he was standing there half-naked, Jonathan shot her an apologetic look, slipped his arms into his shirt, and began buttoning as fast as he could.

  “Sorry. I thought I had a few more minutes before you got out,” he said as he smoothed down his shirt.

  Tiffany shook her head as she made her way into the room. “It’s fine. It’s not like I’ve never seen it before.”

  Jonathan had to bite his tongue. He wanted to tease her, but from the tension in the room, he figured it was probably not the smartest idea. Something was happening between him and Tiffany, and he wasn’t sure what it was.

  Teasing her was probably not the way to get to the bottom of it.

  Tiffany busied herself with her makeup, so Jonath
an grabbed his dress shoes and socks. Once he was ready, he styled his hair and then moved back over to the bed, sitting on the end of it.

  Out of habit, his gaze made its way back over to Tiffany. She was leaning over the counter, bringing her face closer to the mirror. Jonathan couldn’t help but notice the curves of her body. The way her floral dress flowed around her caused his body to warm.

  He blinked a few times as he dropped his gaze. What was the matter with him? This was Tiffany he was thinking about. His best friend. In the past, he’d beat up guys that talked about Tiffany like this. Why was he doing it in his mind?

  Needing to focus on something else, he grabbed his phone and started scrolling through it.

  “So, do you know the plan for today?” he asked.

  From the corner of his eye, he saw Tiffany turn to study him. “There’s a luncheon we are going to. And then after that, I think I go out for the final fitting of my dress. And since you’re in the wedding party now, you’ll go get your tux.”

  At the mention of food, Jonathan’s stomach rumbled. “Food sounds like an amazing idea.”

  Tiffany nodded. “Figures.”

  Jonathan set his phone back onto the bed and turned to her. “I’m nothing if not consistent.”

  Tiffany laughed. It was soft and melodious. Why hadn’t he ever noticed that before?

  “Your cousin seems very welcoming.” Distraction. That’s what he needed.

  Tiffany ran some red lipstick over her lips and then blotted them together. “Yeah. She is. She’s a character.”

  Jonathan couldn’t help but watch her as she strolled over to her suitcase and grabbed her sandals. She slipped one on, but just as she moved to push her foot into the second shoe, she stumbled.

  Without thinking, Jonathan rushed over to help steady her. He rested one hand on her lower back and one on her upper arm.

  As if shocked, Tiffany jumped away and straightened, staring over at him. “Wh-what are you doing?”

  Jonathan’s eyebrows shot up. Since when did he need a reason to help her? “I, um, didn’t want you to fall.” Was that wrong?

  Tiffany nodded, her cheeks flushing as she bent down and grabbed her shoe and then made her way over to the bed to sit down.

  Confused, Jonathan paced the room while he waited for her to finish getting ready. What was going on between them? It was like something was changing and he wasn’t sure if he liked the direction it was going.

  After her shoes were on, she stood and then nodded toward him as she made her way over to the door. “Let’s go. Don’t want to be late.”

  Jonathan nodded as he followed after her. Once they got into the elevator, they stood next to each other as the doors closed. Just before they fully shut, a hand appeared, along with a very breathy, “Wait.”

  Jonathan reached out and pressed the door open button. Thankfully, the elevator responded, and the doors slid back open.

  A dark-haired woman appeared. Her eyes were just as dark as her hair and her cheeks were flushed. Her gaze met Jonathan’s and her smile deepened. “Thanks,” she said as she stepped into the elevator.

  “No problem,” Jonathan said as he hit the button for the doors to close.

  “Haven’t seen you in a while, Tiffany,” the woman said as she turned and folded her arms. She tipped her gaze up to the numbers that were counting down the floors.

  “Beatrice,” Tiffany said.

  Jonathan glanced between them. “Do you two know each other?”

  Beatrice smiled at Jonathan. “We’re cousins.”

  Jonathan did not get that. From the tension in the elevator, he’d pegged them more as mortal enemies. “Wow.”

  Beatrice kept her gaze on Jonathan until the elevator stopped moving and the doors opened. “And you are?” she asked as they stepped out. She turned and held her hand out to him.

  “Jonathan,” he said, taking her hand and shaking it.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Jonathan.” She held his fingers for a moment longer than necessary.

  Jonathan smiled and then tipped his head toward Tiffany. “I’m with her,” he said.

  Beatrice dropped his hand. “Of course. Well, I’ll see you around.”

  Jonathan nodded. “Sounds good.”

  He watched at Beatrice made her way down the hall. Then he turned to see Tiffany glaring at him with her arms folded. He shrugged, trying not to melt under her scrutiny. “What?”

  She shook her head. “Don’t give me that. You were basically ogling my cousin.” She started making her way down the hall once Beatrice disappeared.

  “I was not ogling.”

  Tiffany snorted. “Yes, you were. I almost had to lift your jaw up off the ground.” She glared at him as he kept pace with her.

  “Wow. I’m sorry. I didn’t know we were dating for real.” He held up his hands.

  Tiffany stopped. Her gaze was trained on the carpet. Realizing that he probably shouldn’t have said that, he stepped forward and reached out to brush his fingers on her arm.

  “I’m sorry—”

  Tiffany glanced up at him with a forced smile. “No. You’re right. We aren’t dating. But if my family finds out that I brought a fake boyfriend to this wedding, I’ll never live it down.” She took a deep breath. “And there’s stuff with Beatrice that I don’t want to get into.” She gave him a hopeful look. “Can you just keep your flirting tendencies in check and stay away from her?”

  Jonathan studied her. Then he nodded. It was ridiculous that she even had to ask. She was his best friend, and he was here to help her out. “Of course. I’ll be the best fake boyfriend a best friend could ever be.” He stepped forward and wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her close.

  Zaps of electricity rushed across his skin at every point of contact. She was warm and soft and felt perfect, sandwiched against him. He couldn’t help that his heart began pounding in his chest. Glancing down, he met her gaze. Her eyes were wide and her lips parted. He may have just found a way to stun Tiffany to silence.

  “Your family will never see it coming,” he said, making a conscious effort to lower his voice. He reached up and pushed her hair from her shoulder, exposing the hollows of her neck.

  When she didn’t respond, he glanced back over at her. Her cheeks were flushed and her heart was pounding.

  “Tiffany?” he asked, hoping he hadn’t gone too far.

  She blinked a few times and then pushed away from him. She tucked her hair behind her ear and nodded. “Right. That sounds perfect.” She slowly brought her gaze up to meet his and then held it for a moment before she turned. “Come on, we don’t want to be late.”

  Jonathan followed after her as she led him down a few halls to the banquet room. Huge picture windows made up the far wall, and the afternoon sun spilled through, lighting up the entire room. Circle tables dotted the wood floor. Some were full of people, others only had one or two people sitting at them.

  Along one wall, long tables sat covered in white tablecloths and platters of food. A line of people moved along them at a slow pace as they each dished themselves up.

  “Hey, Jonathan!” Stacy’s familiar voice grew louder as she neared. She was pulling a sunburned, red-haired man behind her. He was attempting to eat a croissant, but when she yanked on his arm, she pulled it away from his mouth.

  “Rob, this is Jonathan, Tiffany’s boyfriend. He agreed to be in the wedding party.” Stacy gave him a huge smile as she peeked up at him.

  Rob was about a foot shorter than Jonathan. He glanced up as he stuck out his hand. “Nice to meet you,” he said.

  Jonathan shook his hand. “Likewise. And congrats on the wedding.”

  Rob nodded. “Thanks.”

  Silence engulfed them, so Jonathan glanced over at Stacy, who was just holding onto Rob’s arm and smiling up at him.

  “I think I’ll take Jonathan to get some food,” Tiffany said. The sensation of her arm on his caused his skin to warm.

  It was shocking and soothing at the same t
ime. Glancing down, he saw Tiffany peek up at him. As if she, too, were unsure if touching him was okay.

  “Yes, of course. Get some food. We’ve got rounds to make,” Stacy said as she tugged on Rob’s arm again. Then, just before she disappeared into the crowd of people, she turned around. “Meet up after lunch. We’ve got things to do, wedding party!”

  Jonathan chuckled as they made their way through the crowd. But, when Tiffany didn’t drop her arm, his chuckle died down. Glancing at her hand as it rested on his forearm, he couldn’t help but feel calm. Like being this close to her was exactly what he was made to do.

  They made their way to the end of the line, Tiffany nodding and hugging people along the way. Jonathan just followed her, keeping quiet as she reconnected with members of her family.

  When they got to the food, Tiffany dropped her arm to pick up a plate. Jonathan’s arm grew cold from the absence of her touch. Feeling like an idiot, he grabbed a plate as well and focused on filling it.

  When they got to their table, they kept the conversation light. Jonathan asked about the different members of her family. Tiffany told stories about herself as a kid. It was nice to sit and talk, but Jonathan couldn’t help but feel like something was missing. Something between them had changed, and as much as he didn’t want to find out what it was, he knew they would eventually have to figure it out.

  He wasn’t sure how their relationship would change; he just knew it would.

  Two hours later, Jonathan was standing on the pedestal at the tux rental place as a man with a thick Italian accent circled around him. The man had pins pinched between his lips and his eyes were squinted.

  Thankfully, Rob had convinced the man to work with an existing tux so that Jonathan’s would be ready by tomorrow. But Jonathan could tell from the man’s deep sighs that he was not happy with the short amount of time he’d been given.

  Rob was standing next to his other groomsmen, talking. Feeling like an idiot for taking so long, Jonathan tried to get the man to speed up. But there seemed to be a language barrier between them because the man just muttered something in Italian and continued pinning.