Tears were streaming down her cheek, I could barely see them through my own. “That’s okay, Magnus, that was enough, it was awesome.”
He raised his glass higher and said, “This next part is a toast my Uncle Baldie has said at every wedding since I was a wee lad.” His voice became so Scottish it was almost unrecognizable. “May the best ye’ve ever seen, be the warst ye’ll ever see. May the moose, nor Magnus, ne’er lea’ yer pantry wi’ a teardrap in his eye.” Zach laughed. “May ye all keep hail an’ hearty til ye’re auld enauch tae die. May ye be jist as happy as we wish ye now tae be. Slainte!”
We all raised our glasses, “Slainte!” We drank as Magnus sat down.
I called across the table, “Zach, do you have something you’d like to say?”
He half-stood and grumbled, in the tux we made him buy, and waved his hand. “No. She knows how I feel, I don’t need to waste your time watching me fucking cry like a ba—” He started to sit back down but looked at Ben in Emma’s lap and shook his head. He stood with fits and jerks. “Okay, yeah, I will.” He looked down on Emma. “You know I love you?”
She nodded her head looking up at him, crying. Ben looked from her face to his.
“I love you because you’re the best person I ever met. Ever. Without question. And thank you for Ben. He’s awesome. I’m grateful every fucking day for both of you. You know it?”
She nodded.
“Good, because I’ll say it in front of everyone but I want you to know it already. This is just a party. I love you every other day too.”
“I know it every day.”
“Good. Let’s get on to the drinking and dancing, people. Thank you for coming.” We all raised our glasses and again chorused, “Slainte!”
I rolled into Magnus’s arm and kissed his neck. “That was awesome, Magnus. And you didn’t even have to mention that whole part about paying for the wedding. I liked it better. And Zach was practically sobbing.”
“Och, aye, today is a day tae honor Zach and Emma, not the great and mighty Magnus, there is time enough for that.” He grinned.
“True that.” He jiggled my face with his shoulder so that I met his lips with a long sweet kiss. I sighed as warmth flowed from my heart. “I love you.”
“I love ye too, Madame Campbell. You are a bonny lass and a fine wife.”
“Why thank you, Master Magnus, you are a pretty great, dreams-come-true Highlander, and I’m kind of a little hot for you right now, too bad I’m on my period and sort of in a cramping, grumpy, funk.”
“There’s always tomorrow.”
“Yes, I like we can think that way.” We kissed again.
Chapter 15
A DJ played music. Zach and Emma danced to Oasis’s Wonderwall and it was a little awkward, but there was no way Zach would dance to anything more pop than that. They invited more people to the dance floor as the song was very long. Magnus slow danced with me, my hand clutched his, his hand on my back. I whispered, “Just sway like this.”
He listened to me perfectly and I melted in his arms. Slow dancing with my husband was a lot like being in love with him, like he filled my lungs with air but also took my breath away.
Then he stood to the side and looked handsome while I danced with Hayley and looked, I hoped, adorable. My dress was a deep gray tulle with simple rhinestone straps over my shoulders. My hair was swept into an updo. I wore simple diamond earrings and strappy rhinestone heels.
After three more songs. Hayley and I collapsed in chairs at one of the tables. She said, “I am exhausted, dancing last night, now tonight...”
“Are you going to see him again?”
“Well, I don’t know if you noticed, but he was shorter than me. Not a big fan of that. But we’ll see.”
Tyler dropped into the seat beside me. “Katie can I talk to you?”
My eyes went big because he startled me. I hadn’t crossed paths or even needed to say a word to him for weeks. I glanced over at Magnus’s back, not sure why, but he was in a loud jovial conversation with James and Michael.
Hayley said, “Fine, I guess I’m unwanted. You look great, by the way, Tyler, the tux suits you. I’ll go talk to the other unwanted ladies.” She gestured with her head to the tables that seated Emma’s aunt and Michael’s cousin and grabbed the half empty bottle of wine off our table. “If I take wine maybe I can get them discussing dirty scenes in that raunchy show I watched last week, they totally look the type.” She literally cackled as she walked to their table.
“What’s up?” I asked Tyler.
“Have you been watching the news?”
“No, I’ve been in wedding mode — what do you mean, the storms?”
His eyes squinted. “What storms?”
“Nothing, no storms, I mean — the hurricanes, just with the weather outside and the flooding and — what did you mean?”
“I heard your name on the news last night—”
“What the...?”
He glanced around the room. “I was feeling everyone else out about it, no one else heard the story, so I don’t know, maybe you can hire a lawyer...”
“What are you talking about?”
He pulled out his phone and scrolled down a page. “There’s a big YouTube feud going on, that guy you used to be engaged to—”
“Braden?”
“He and his girlfriend broke up.”
“How do you know all this?”
“When I met you I thought I recognized you, I follow lots of YouTubers, mostly the gamers, but this feud involves some gamers so...”
“Okay, they broke up, good.”
“Well, they’re being real assholes to each other. Now they’ve got other YouTubers joining in, and they’re really playing dirty against each other. She’s pulled you into it.”
My eyes went wide. “YummyBabe? Why?”
“Because she’s not nice, but she says he beat her. He says she cheated. They’re both saying terrible things and she’s released some of his private videos and photos. You’re in them.”
My stomach sank to the ground. “Oh god, what kind of videos?”
But I knew.
Tyler took a deep breath. “With a quick search of your maiden name, you can find them, but I don’t recommend it. Braden didn’t call you about it? He’s lawyered up.”
“Crap, crap, crap.”
“The case is going to be a big one because it’s about privacy, videos, the #MeToo movement, what’s publishable, and a big issue right now, revenge porn—”
“Holy shit, Tyler, did you just say revenge porn, porn?”
“I didn’t watch it but it looks like it’s kind of porny. I don’t think you filmed it to be shown to the public.”
I didn’t. Years ago, so sure Braden and I were going to be together forever, I let him film me while we had sex. I said dumb things. I did stuff pretending to be sexier and more raunchy than I actually was. Embarrassing, pornstar kind of bullshit. Because he loved me and we were going to get married and he was never going to betray me with...
And now it was public.
Now it was not only public but part of a ratings war between children pretending to be influential and important influencers. With brains the size of walnuts.
I glanced over at Magnus. He was still in conversation but his eyes flitted to me in discussion with Tyler. I decided, a split second decision, to go for the coverup.
So I smiled.
Tyler followed my eyes to Magnus and back.
I said, while smiling, “So what are the odds that I can ignore this and it will go away?”
“If no one watches Fox and Friends then you’re cool.”
I groaned, still trying to smile. “Mom and Dad will know by the end of the day.”
“You need a lawyer. I researched it, you can file Take Down Notices with the websites carrying the videos.”
“I’ll probably need a public relations person to get on top of the story.”
“Maybe... How will your husband take it, he seems
pretty traditional?”
I stared at Magnus for a moment.
“I have no idea...”
Magnus was watching me, his eyes squinted.
“I’ll figure something out.”
“Sure, I wanted you to know in case someone blindsided you with the information. The press is involved, which means they might want to talk to you—”
It hit me that someone might be looking for me, lawyers, or a reporter, or Braden might want to try to explain.
“Crap, this is coming at a terrible time.”
“Anything I can help you with?”
I shook my head. “No, not, no, not at all. I’ll figure it out, thanks.” I excused myself to go to the restroom to try to get on top of my heartbeat.
* * *
“What was Tyler sayin’ tae ye?”
“Tyler? Oh, nothing, not really. Just something he saw on the news, I’ll—”
Emma’s mom came up just then. “Should we do the cake now?”
“Of course! Yes, let’s do the cake!” I rushed to get Emma and Zach for the cake cutting and to tell the DJ to fade the music. The whole time I was smiling like crazy, trying to mask my internal freak-out. What had I done the night I was filmed? What had I shown? I didn’t remember watching it after, but I do remember really getting into it and god — I was so embarrassed. All these people, this whole wedding full of people could all watch it by tonight.
Emma’s old uncle Jim, he could have already watched it. I could never show my face in public again. Why did I do shit like that? I was young, but still, here I was a married woman, to a ‘traditional’ man, and I was a freaking porn star.
“Emma, want me to hold Ben while you and Zach cut the cake?”
“Sure!”
She passed me Ben and I could barely focus on him, my mind was whirring so much. Was my name on the video? Was my face visible? The camera hadn’t been on a tripod, Braden had been focusing and pointing it all over me and — I was beginning to wonder if I might pass out. My head was tingling and my mouth was dry and my hands were shaking.
I found Magnus and wordlessly handed him Ben.
He watched my face. I ran a trembling hand down my neck.
What if someone was snooping and found out my address? What if my sex tape exposed my private details and the guys from the future found us? What if Magnus was captured because I was on YouTube writhing and moaning in bed with another man. Shit. Blackness swooped around the edges of my sight, like a tunnel, I was going to—
Chapter 16
“Katie?”
Emma was hovering over me.
Magnus’s worried face was over her shoulder.
“Why am I on the ground?”
“You fainted right as we were about to cut the cake.”
“Jesus Christ, why am I such a freaking drama queen?” I sat up. “It’s all the Midol I took. Probably.” I dusted off the front of my dress.
Magnus said, “Go slow gettin’ up.”
I gave him my hand. “I’m cool, just having a moment.” I looked around at all the faces. “No worries, just Katie trying to be the center of attention as usual.” With Magnus’s help I hefted myself to my feet. “You try to dance in shoes this high, it’s a wonder we can stay upright at all.”
Emma said, “You’re sure you’re okay?”
“One hundred percent. Sorry about that. Go back to the cake-cutting. It’s probably low blood sugar, I need cake.”
Once all the focus turned away from me, towards the cake, which was a beautiful round three-tiered number, and I could allow myself to look weak again, I rolled up in Magnus’s arm and clutched his strong shoulders. He kissed my hairline. He kissed my ear. He kissed my temple.
What if this was too much for him to understand? He thought tiny men might live inside our television — how would he grasp the nuances of ‘Hey, your wife once fancied herself quite, um, acrobatic in the bedroom and allowed a man to film her performance. Now that man has released that video into the public. Men can watch your wife for pleasure.’ How would he feel about me then?
I held on to him blinking back my tears.
“Kaitlyn, are ye okay?”
I nodded my head, pressed to his shirt, and took a deep breath. Then another. I said, “You smell good. Like soap and incense and the love of my life.”
“Aye, Kaitlyn, and in a moment I will smell of vanilla cake too.”
I smiled. Behind me the guests were laughing. I turned to see Emma and Zach with cake smeared on their faces from the traditional ‘first bite gone wrong.’ I joined the applause, the laughing, and did everything in my power to put my worry aside.
I would Google the video later. And I would talk to Magnus, tonight. At the latest I would talk to him about it when we jumped to 1703. That way he wouldn’t be able to see the video even if he was curious.
No sense dwelling on it before then.
The cake was delicious and helped a lot. I ate my slice, standing face to face with Magnus, looking up at him, my mouth overly full of cake and frosting and he sweetly kissed the edge of my lips for a bit of the crumbs there.
I felt a lot better actually.
Fuck Braden. Fuck his girlfriend and their whole sordid mess. I was a rich, mature, married woman. I was beyond sex tape drama. Whatever.
Music started and Hayley rushed me. “Dance with me?”
“Yes! I thought you’d never ask. But how did Ed Sheeran end up on Zach’s playlist?”
“I think Emma decided there was too much Blink-182 for this crowd.”
I kissed Magnus on the cheek and turned to the dance floor as the doors at the far end of the room opened, our security guard stuck his head in, and gestured for Magnus. Magnus crossed to the door.
I watched him while the world slowed down around me.
Hayley had a full-blown dance floor wiggle happening. The aunts, an uncle, a few cousins, and Emma were dancing while I stood stock still watching Magnus approach the security guard and, oh crap, their faces intent, their discussion fast and serious. Magnus looked over his shoulder at me as he stalked out the door.
I followed.
Chapter 17
When I made it to the front hallway of the Ocean Club, the door at the far end was closing. “Where’s Magnus?”
Jimmy, the security guard, said, “Lady Mairead is here, he went into that room to speak to her.”
“Oh no, oh no, oh, crap.”
I timidly knocked. “Magnus, it’s me.”
Magnus opened the door.
“She’s here?” I could see her over his shoulder. The room was a sitting room that Emma had used for dressing. Her dress-bag, makeup kit, and Ben’s diaper bag were on the coffee table.
Lady Mairead said, “Good evenin’, Kaitlyn, I see ye are barging in where ye are nae wanted.” She dropped a raincoat to the ground and leaned a dripping umbrella against the wall. “I was hoping tae speak tae Magnus alone.”
I shook my head. “No, that’s... no. I want to hear what’s happening, it involves me.”
She raised her brow and smiled, her greasy, malevolent, twisted smile. I used to think it was a condescending smile, a little overly pretentious because of her placement in life, but now I knew it was a true ‘bitch smile’. And I wanted to knock it off her face.
Magnus had a sword. I could yank it from its scabbard and swing it at her.
She said, “Not really, but suit yourself.”
Magnus wasn’t speaking. He looked like he was trying to get on top of his fury.
“How did you find us?” I asked.
Her outfit came from the future: filmy material, slacks, a jacket with fur at the collar and wrists. It was punctuated with diamonds at her ears, twice as big as mine. She looked regal and wealthy, pilfering from history was paying off very well for her.
Another knock on the door, I opened it. Zach was standing there. His eyes flitted around the room and fell on Lady Mairead and stayed there though he spoke to Magnus. “How’s everything, you cool?”
Lady Mairead rose. “Chef Zach, I was verra pleased tae hear of your wedding today. I have brought ye and Emma a gift.” She leaned over a burlap sack, ran her fingers over five different frames, eyeing them, then pulled out a rolled-up piece of paper. She held it out for Zach.
He said, “I don’t think...”
“Daena argue, Chef Zach. Whatever your feelings for me, tis a once in a lifetime drawing and ye should accept it in the manner tis given, with your best future in mind.” She untied the piece of twine and unfurled the paper. It was blank. “Tis one of Leo’s invisible maps. You will see if ye shine it under a light.”
Zach held it up to the lamp in the room and tried to look through the paper.
I said, “By Leo, you mean...?”
“Of course,” she smoothed the front of her jacket. “Now, Chef Zach, can ye leave us tae our discussion?”
“Sure, um,” he was still investigating the paper. “Thank you, Lady Mairead. Um, Magnus, need me to stay?”
“Nae need for it, ye can return tae your wedding.”
“Okay, sure.” He rolled the gift and departed while retying the twine around its middle.
Lady Mairead said, “Remind me, I have some art for you as well, Magnus. You should call the head of collections at the National Gallery to have them appraised.”
I asked, “Do you have the provenance for the paintings? I was told I need the history to get them appraised and confirmed, I—”
Lady Mairead curtly said, “I’ve got letters from the artists, giving the works to me. Will that help?”
“Yes, maybe, yeah.”
Lady Mairead crossed her arms and tapped her chin, appraising me.
I looked away, but decided that made me seem weak, so I looked back.
I asked again, “How did you find us?”
Entangled With You Page 6
