by Jenny Rabe
A group of men in collared shirts stood in a tight circle in the golfer’s lobby. A few of them were repeat faces from the whale watch cruise.
Begrudgingly, he headed to get a drink at the bar. The game that awaited him did not excite him in the least, and he needed liquid courage, or at least something to do to pass the time.
He decided against anything strong. Emilie didn’t drink as a rule, and he’d never had a taste for alcohol.
He looked at the menu and flagged down the barkeep. “One Cardinal Punch Mocktail, please.” He needed something to fight the urge to flee back to his hotel room.
He took his time and nursed his drink, prolonging meeting Finn and his family. Gosh, it was going to be a long day. Too soon, he found the bottom of his glass. With a heavy sigh, he set it down and shoved his hands in his pockets. He avoided the circle of men and headed for a couch in the back.
Finn waved him over. “You guys have met Dean Wright, haven’t you?”
The circle widened, allowing Dean a spot in the growing group of men. A murmur of greetings were given. He nodded to a few familiar faces from town, including Finn’s father and another fisherman who shared the docks with him.
“Harry, good to see you.” He headed in the fisherman’s direction. He was a safe person. Talking fish would pass the time.
Dean knew by the wide, toothy grin the man had drunk too much. “Hey, Dean, my man. How’s your catch lately?”
Dean lowered his voice. “Not bad. Yours?”
Harry shook his head and continued speaking loudly. “About the same. Business is slow in the summer.”
Dean raised his eyebrows. In his experience, summer was the busiest season by far. “Sorry to hear that.”
Drinks were passed out as they continued to talk. Harry got drunker by the minute, slurring every word. “How did you gist the biggest boatsss in the boatyardsss? Your dad mush have big pocchhets.”
Dean winced and discreetly covered his nose. His stomach rolled. Maybe Harry felt the same way he did about golf. Dean would be drunker than a skunk if he drank the amount of booze it’d take to keep him happy during a round of golf.
After a while, Dean gave up trying to talk to the drunken man and watched Finn interact with his groomsmen. Staying friends with guys from high school was not easy when so many graduates left to find jobs in the city. He was impressed that so many of Finn’s high school friends had showed up to support him.
Although, if Finn took Ava off the market, it might be a service to the community. Finn caught him staring and pointed his way. Darn it!
“Dean here is marrying Emilie Carter.”
A few guys from high school whistled and clapped, as Dean ducked his head.
Harry turned to him, his drunken grin widening. “She’s perty. Last I heard, shhhee was single.”
Dean cocked his head to one side. He liked this guy even less than Finn. At least Finn had class, most of the time.
Finn watched Dean carefully, a thoughtful expression on his face. “It does seem like you two jumped into things fast.”
“We’ve known each other since elementary school. I’d say that’s enough time to love someone.” The “l” word tingled on his tongue and was music to his ears as it sounded in his ears.
A man stepped up to their group, holding a clipboard. “Are we ready to get started?”
Dean sighed. The last thing he wanted to do was share the intimate details of their relationship. Since Finn was sidetracked, Dean stepped out of the circle of men to avoid Harry as a golfing partner.
Finn waved him over when he retreated to the back. “Hey, hold up, Dean. We’re partners.” He should’ve known better. Drunken Harry was three times better a partner than the groom.
“Sure. Let’s get this over with.”
They were matched with equipment, and though Finn offered an extra pair of gloves to him, Dean politely refused.
Three holes into the game, he regretted his decision to go gloveless. After his turn, he put down the putter and examined his hands. His calloused hands were riddled with growing blisters from the constant swinging motion.
Dean inwardly cringed when he caught Finn watching him nurse his poor, blistered hands. The jerk reached into his pocket and pulled out a tube of… ointment? Huh. He was well prepared.
“Here, take this,” Finn said, adding the extra pair of gloves to the ointment.
Dean looked down at his hands and winced. If he wanted any chance to hold Emilie’s hand, he needed to sacrifice his pride. He grimaced as he took the ointment and gloves. “Thanks.”
“Any time.” Finn’s tone was unperturbed.
When they were alone at par seven, Dean worked up the courage to test out Finn’s feelings for Emilie. “So, are you excited about this weekend?”
Finn’s eyes glazed over. “This weekend? Oh, the wedding. Of course.”
Dean chuckled. “You forgot already?”
Finn stared at the green. His ball was inches away from the hole. His game was good, but at least he had the decency not to rub it in Dean’s face, who was losing miserably.
“You’ll see, man. When you’re neck deep in planning and you’ve talked about it for so long, it’s just another meeting.”
Dean slipped the tube of ointment into his pocket. It sounded like two people who’d fallen out of love. “Are you and Ava okay?”
“Is anyone who’s with Ava ever okay?” Finn swung and missed the hole by an inch.
Dean laughed——a real laugh. “Yeah, she’s a piece of work.” He slapped a hand over his mouth after realizing his mistake. “Sorry, I just meant—”
Finn smiled good-naturedly. “Jokes. Just jokes. I am so head over heels for that girl, it’s ridiculous. I knew what I was getting into when I asked her to be with me forever.”
A thought came into Dean’s head. “And you’re sure you’re over Emilie?”
Finn’s head snapped up, a glare in his eye. “What? Why would you ask that?”
Dean took a step away. Maybe it hadn’t been the best time. “Sorry. You two have history and it’s hard not to be wary.”
“Emilie’s a great girl.” Finn tightened his grip on the club, swung, and missed the hole again.
Was the conversation distracting him? Dean should’ve started it eight holes ago.
“She and I were done long ago. Once I found out Ava was into me, I couldn’t help but make the switch.”
It was Dean’s turn to glare. “Oh, it must’ve been hard. Finding out the truth about your girlfriend’s family and leaving her a few days after her mom’s death. Smooth move, Finn. How you could ever choose Ava over Emilie, I’ll never know, but it’s too late now.”
Finn blinked rapidly. “It was never about Emilie’s family. I respected her for taking care of her mother and keeping it a secret. Too many people didn’t understand.”
“Including your fiancée.”
Finn stood back and stared at the grass. “I’ve never told anyone this. I met Ava freshman year and fell in love at first sight. She’s sassy and stubborn and loves money just as much as me—”
Dean guffawed. That was the truth.
“But… I’m crazy about her. I dated Emilie on a whim, and for the few months we were together, it was okay. We had fun, but I never felt that spark I did with Ava. When Ava started showing interest, it happened to fall around the time of Emilie’s mom’s death. I didn’t want to drag the relationship on if I had no intention of committing. Emilie deserved better.”
Dean turned the putter in his hand, twirling it on the green. Although he hated to admit it, Finn had done her a favor by breaking things off early. If he’d stayed because he pitied her, it would’ve been unfair to Emilie. “I’ve never thought about it that way.”
“I should’ve stopped Ava when I heard the rumors, but I was weak. I admit it. I didn’t want to do anything that might turn Ava’s attention away from me.”
“Even if you didn’t feel the same way, it was the decent thing to do.”
<
br /> Finn glared at the ball, tightened his grip on his putter, and swung. The ball missed the hole again. He cursed and followed it, missing a second time. He straightened his back and met Dean’s hard stare. “If I could go back and change everything, I would. I mean, I’d still break up with Emilie, but I would’ve stood up to Ava and stopped the rumors from spreading.”
“I’m surprised you’re willing to marry her. Don’t you ever feel used?” Dean clamped his mouth shut and cringed at his blunder. He tried to backpedal. “I mean, in high school—she was only focused on what she wanted.”
Finn’s jaw tightened. “I’ll find Emilie and make amends. You’re a much better man than I am. As far as Ava goes…” His words trailed off when Finn turned in the direction of the resort.
Dean interpreted Finn’s silence as him being done golfing. That was fine with him. He’d have to restrain himself from barreling anyone down on his way back to the room. “I think I’m gonna call it. Not sure I’m the better man, but I’m the worst golfer ever.”
“Sounds good. Thanks for having an honest talk with me. Not many people will lay it to you straight.”
Guilt slipped into Dean’s thoughts. He hadn’t told Finn everything, like how Ava’s interest in money might be the only reason she was marrying him. Before Dean could ruin Finn’s wedding, he turned around, and in doing so, smacked right into Ava.
“Ava, I—” Dean stuttered to find something to say. How long had she been standing there?
She huffed and glared at the two of them. “Finn’s not answering his phone, and I got the spa times mixed up. Massages don’t start for another ten minutes.” She turned to Finn. “I just wanted to tell you all of our guests arrived here safely, and your mom is still gossiping about me.”
Finn frowned. “It’ll be okay. I’m sure my parents will get over the extra expenses.”
Dean shoved his hands in his pocket, growing more uncomfortable by the minute. “See you two at dinner.”
He started off toward the resort, taking the long trail back by foot. He was sweaty and glad he’d have extra time before dinner to freshen up and relax in the air-conditioned room.
The sound of a golf cart whizzing behind him made him turn. Ava was at the wheel. She jerked to a stop next to him.
“Hey, blondie, get in.”
No way was he getting in. “I’m happy walking.” He picked up his speed.
She drove along after him, catching up to him in no time. “It wasn’t a suggestion. Get in. I’m sure Emilie would love to hear all of your secrets.”
There were other people on the course, but none from the wedding party, since he and Finn were last to golf. He squeezed his fist shut and winced as his blisters burned. “What do you want?”
Ava sneered. “You think you can get away with talking to my fiancé about me at my wedding and not have any consequences? Think again. Get in!”
21
Emilie
Emilie joined the women meeting in the lobby on the main floor. She recognized most of Finn’s side of the family, his two sisters, Rochelle and Guinn, and his mother, Sharon. They greeted her warmly and introduced her to an aunt she had never met.
There was a definite split in the group, and after greeting the Walter side of the family, she turned to see Ava’s friends, some of them Emilie’s friends from high school. Hadn’t Ava said none of her friends were coming?
“Hey, Emilie,” Shanelle said. Shanelle was one of the more friendly girls Emilie had shared a dance class with. Her oval-shaped green eyes and long red hair made her stand out in any crowd. She surprised Emilie with a hug.
“I heard you’re running the old dance studio downtown. I’d love to get my daughter in a tap or ballet class.”
Emilie’s nerves shook. But if she turned away everyone from her past, she wouldn’t have a job. “Sure, registration is ongoing, so come see me when this wedding week is done.”
Shanelle nodded and went back to her three groupies. They smiled, but turned away from her.
Her nerves disappeared. It would take time, but one by one, she would stop caring about what other people in town said or didn’t say.
Emilie checked the time on her phone. Where was Ava? They were supposed to be at the massage suite in a few minutes.
Just then, a golf cart pulled up to the valet parking. Ava was driving, but why was Dean with her? An unexpected flutter stirred in her stomach when she saw the two of them walking in together. They were having a heated conversation, and Dean didn’t look happy.
Sharon and her daughters noticed the argument and moved closer to Emilie.
“What’s Ava doing with your fiancé?” Sharon said. “Make sure you watch him, honey. She’s trouble. Every time I turn around, that girl has more issues. Finn needs to open his little blue eyes and see the real her.” The ladies hurried away from the door, whispering as they went. Maybe a one-on-one conversation with Ava was needed.
Dean stormed into the resort first, blasting past Emilie. Something was going on.
Devoid of any bother, Ava floated to the group, a wide smile on her face. Her hair was pulled back in a damp ponytail and sweat beaded across her forehead. She snatched a tissue from nearby and dabbed at her face. “Sorry for the delay, everyone. Just tying up loose ends.”
Sharon exchanged glances with her daughters.
If Ava noticed, she ignored it and continued her speech with a bright smile. “Let’s head down to the spa area. It’s on the bottom floor of the hotel and has wonderful options for you to choose from. Hopefully, it’ll prove to be the most relaxing part of the week.”
Since Ava led the group, Emilie wormed her way to the front of the line, easing up beside her. “Are you doing okay?”
Ava noticed her for the first time. “Oh, hey, Emilie. Yes, I’m fine. I just want everything to go perfectly.”
“What can I help with? How can I relieve some of the burden?”
Without looking at her, Ava shrugged. “I gave you enough to work on with my mom.”
If she could get close to Ava, Emilie could find out what she and Dean talked about. “Are you sure there’s nothing else I can do? I feel bad I couldn’t convince Gail to come. I tried, but she’s really—”
Ava stopped. “It’s not your fault.” Her voice was taut while she stared straight ahead.
Sharon whispered behind them. “What is it?”
Ava’s voice had an edge to it as she continued. “I could use some help with your... fiancé.”
So they were arguing. What hadn’t Dean told Emilie? Irritation rippled through her. “Okay, not sure what he’s got to do with things, but I’ll try. What can I help with?”
Ava stared directly at her, despite the whispers around them. “Let me get everyone where they’re supposed to be. Then we can talk.” She pushed on without waiting for a response.
Emilie took a deep breath to settle her mind. If there were secrets between Dean and Ava, she had a reason to worry. She glanced around. Everyone stared at her. Quickly, she went to the back of the group and followed Ava’s lead to the resort spa.
The reception area was an impressive sight. The smell of citrus candles filled the air, calming her. The dimmed lights matched the soft music playing in the background. She’d been excited to relax and daydream of Dean. It had been a while since Emilie pampered herself, but now she felt like ditching. Even if she left, there was a chance Dean would only tell her what she wanted to hear. She decided to stick it out and hear Ava’s side of the story first.
Ava snapped to get the room’s attention. “Anyone in the wedding party can choose any two complimentary services on this list.” She pointed out a part of the menu on the wall. “Enjoy your freedom before things get hectic.”
“Free, my foot.” Sharon grumbled in front of Emilie. “This place is costing me a small fortune.”
Was Sharon paying for everything? Is that why Ava wanted her mom to come? If that was the case, Emilie was glad Gail chose to stay away. Although it was her daughte
r, she’d never be able to help Ava out, and that would make things worse. She added that to the list of things she needed to tell Ava.
Emilie sighed and tried to focus on what treatments she wanted. The list of available services included a pedicure, a deep-tissue massage, a facial, or a hot stone massage. She ruled out the pedicure, not wanting anyone to touch her dance-calloused feet. A facial would be fun, and the massage would help calm her nerves with whatever was happening between her and Dean.
Emilie waited until the other women chose and then signed up for a facial. They were led to a large ballroom packed with people waiting at tables. She was glad to see Sharon and her daughters heading away from her to the massage area.
A woman at an empty table gestured to her, and she obliged, laying on her back on the bed. The lady covered her with a warm blanket up to her chin.
“I’ll begin a basic facial, but if there are any trouble areas, let me know.” Her voice rolled over Emilie like undulating waters. As soon as the masseuse’s cool hands touched her face, Emilie closed her eyes and released the tension in her body.
The next few minutes went quickly while her face and neck were rubbed and smoothed at every angle. Right when she started to nod off, Dean’s face flashed into her mind, jolting her. She imagined what the kiss would’ve been like. The truck kiss wasn’t one she’d soon forget, but she wanted something stronger.
I could use some help with your... fiancé.
Before she could start anything with Dean, she wanted the truth, whatever it was, but could she really trust Ava to be honest?
Before too long, the woman gave her a final squeeze, thanked her, and backed away. Her skin tingled, feeling refreshed and sensitive. She sat up too quickly.
The masseuse was beside her in seconds, helping her to her feet. “Do you want a massage as your second service?”
Emilie nodded, too tired to say much. Carrie guided her to a massage table next to where Ava was settling.
“Perfect.” Ava’s voice dripped with sarcasm.
Emilie raised an eyebrow. She was the one who deserved to be annoyed.
